RAINIEST PLACE IN THE WORLD.

Taihape Daily Times, 20 March 1919, Page 6

RAINIEST PLACE IN THE WORLD.

The reputation of being the rainiest place in the world has long been enjoyed by the hill station Chi.'rrapunji, on the slope of the Himalaya, in Assam, with ■?.. mean rainfall of 426 in. ipcr annum, based on a 40-year record. So far as actual records go the rainfall at the Indian station is surpassed by that recently reported as having "been measured at Waialealc, in the island :Cf Kauai, Hawaii, though the record covers only five years and the moan might be reduced by a longer period of observation. During the years of 1912-1916 inclusive, the Hawaiian station, which is 5075 feet above sea level, recorded the 'astonishing mean rainfall of 519 inches, or more than 43 foet! Waialcale is seldom free from rain clouds and the precipitation is almost incessant: hence the whole sufroundfeg region is a bog, bearing low trees thickly draped with dripping masses of moss and liverworts.