THE WEATHER The Dryest Season on Record.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 138, 23 January 1886, Page 4

THE WEATHER The Dryest Season on Record.

The weather this summer is the dryest that has been experienced in this provincial district within the proverbial memory of the " oldest inhabitant." Although the official meteorological statistics for the month of December have not yet been published, we have sufficient data on which to base this assertion that there was less rain during that month than in any December of the previous nineteen years. In 1866 the taking of meteorological observations by the Government was inaugurated, and the December of that year was remarkably dry— there was a smaller rainfall than any of the corresponding months of succeeding years with the exception of last month. The December of 1866 was followed by a dry January and a drier February, and the weatherwise say i hat we may expect a recurrence of the meteorological condition of the beginning of 1867. Despite the dryness, the heat has not been excessive, the highest record for December and the first fortnight in January having been only 79£ deg. (Fahr,) in the shade. This was observed on Thursday last. The shower yesterday morning was very slight, the registered rainfall being but one-six-hundreth of an inch. The total rainfall for January so far has been eixtenths of an inch. The prevailing winds during the month have been from the northeast. From a Wellington contemporary we clip the following : —*' The official returns of the rainfall for the past years are not fully received, but there is no doubt that they will indicate an extraordinary deficiency on the whole, notwithstanding that in the earlier part of the year the moisture and rainfall were over the average. The wonderful difference between this season and last may be judged by the fact that in December, 1884, the rainfall exceeded 12 inches, whereas duriDg the December just elapsed it barely exceeded one inch, and a r Petone it was even less than one inch. Bo sharp a drought is a rarity in this usually-well-watered country, and the' experience has not been a pleasing one. Bush fires of exceptional severity, extent, and destructiveness, and serious injury to crops and pasture, have already resulted."

To the Public.— l, the undersigned, do this , day make the following statement, in hopes that others who have gone through a similar affliction may profit thereby:— For many months have I been sick ; so bad that life was a burden. The mental depression and physical prostration were something that cannot oe described. Doctors and patent medicines I have tried without any relief, but getting worse all the time. As a forlorn hope I called on Dr. Speer, Palmerston Buildings, Queen-street/ He examined me, and without askingi a question', gave me every symptom I had. Said he would treat me. From the first teaspoonfuTof his medicine I felt relief, and have been constantly ge.tting, better ever .since. Words cannot express my gratitude. The above statement I make without any solicitation, and I am willing to verify the same before a J.P.— Respectfully yours, R. ADAMSOX, Charlotte-street, Eden Terraqe. ,