THE WEATHER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 32, 6 February 1872, Page 2

THE WEATHER

To The Editoe o_ the Kelson Evening Mail

Sir, — The paragraph in your yesterday's issue on the remarkable difference between the climates East and West of the Southern Alps (taken from tbe Charleston Herald), does not attempt to account for the heat as well as dryness of the North West wind after crossing those mountains. The difficulty however is j easily explained. The Australian hot I wind on reaching the sea instantly evaporates moisture until saturated. Iv that process of evaporation a vast amount of heat is absorbed and rendered " latent." On striking the Southern Alps the accumulated moisture is suddenly condensed in rain and, conversely, in that process of condensation, the beat, by evaporation rendered latent, is liberated and the air thus again becomes not, only dry hut hot also, as before it employed its heat iv evaporation. Hence the " nor-wester " of Canterbury, Otago, and Southland. The temperature yesterday increased to 88deg. in the shade at 3.15 p.m. The evening's electrical disturbance cooled the air to o6deg. at night, the humidity curiously enough decreasing at the same time from '57 to *_5 and the ozonometer which had been at zero, indicating D'O-Je^. (76deg. at coon) but the sun's heat greater than ever, being no less than 195deg. (by insulated thermometer in vacuo). I am, &c., C Rous Marten, F.M.S. February 6, 1872,

Natives on the West Coast of the North Island aro spoken of by people who have been driving cattle through, as bobs having most hospitably. They are frank in manner, aud earnestly desire employment.

A Chinaman named Chan Yean, who landed nt Hokitika from tho Rangitoto, has been fined £3 10s. 6d., three times tho value of some opium, which he had smuggled ashore. He was allowed the alternative of going to prison for a fortnight, which he accepted with calm resignation.

Tens Traffic Returns on tho Canterbury Railways for the mouth of December bave been published. Oa tho Lyttelton and Christchurch lino the total receipt? amounted to £3011 19s. 6d., compared with £2909 10s. 3d. for tho corresponding month of 1870. On the Great South Line the receipts wero £973 Is. 4d., as compared wiih £877 lis. 2d., for the same tnunt'i of 1870.

Scarcity of Female Labor in Auckland. — There is a great sctuwi'y of female servants in Auckland. In the Council, in speaking upon tho difficulty of inducing females to immigrate, one gentleman remarked (referring to the Auckland Provincial home emigration oflicer, who it would appear is an old, and not over handsome geutleman) — "There was tio wonder why they were not, successful. It was of no use sending old fogies on such, a mission. If young goodlooking fellows were commissioned, plenty of young girls would be got."

The Big River Diggings. — We learn that there are about 90 men at present engaged in gold mining- in the vicinity of the Big River, whilst man are arriving almostdaily. No heavy finds arc reported, but. all are satisfied, and tho general opinion is that it will prove a remunerative field. The present workings are in small gullies; the sinking shallow, and tho ground is easily worked. The gold is of a coarse nuggely description, aud strongly impregnated with quartz, while many specimens are very little water-worn. Tho terraces arc likely locking but have not yet been prospected. Provisions at the Anatoriarc reasonable, thero being two store?, which draw their supplies from Nelson. Referring to the capabilities of the Big River as a port, our informant states : — " A sailing vessel can run from Westport lo the Big River in eight hour 3. It has a good aud safe entrance, and vessels inside are thoroughly sheltered from any wind or tho roughest weather. The bottom of the river is sandy. With south-west winds thti bar is smooth, being sheltered by Kauraugi Point, and when 'once kno^vn the port would become a favorito shelter for small craft or the coasting steamers. There is ample room iv the river for the latter to turn." — Westport Times.

An American writes that Dr. Livingstone has been killed in the newspapers thirty-seven times during the hist seven years.

Dr. Muter, of the School of Chemistry, fchowed a most interesting case at a recent exhibition in London, embracing various forms of adulteration which have at times been analysed by him. There were coppered bread, iron filings, and silk worm droppings iv tea, butter made of rags, and other abominations which to see is to believe.