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Earthquakes in 1935. —The following table gives particulars of the most important earthquakes in New Zealand during the year 1935. The list includes (1) earthquakes reported to have reached or exceeded an intensity of R.-F. 6 and (2) earthquakes which were felt over a wide area.

The approximate positions of all earthquake epicentres determined by this Observatory in the South-west Pacific (within the region bounded by latitudes 0° and 50° S., and by longitudes 140° E. and 160° W.) are shown on the accompanying map. The epicentres were determined from the records of New Zealand seismograph stations in conjunction with reports from other seismological stations in the Western Pacific. Marine Survey of East Coast. —Owing to recent seismic activity off the east coast of the North Island, and other changes which have been reported along the coast, it is strongly recommended that a detailed marine survey be carried out of the whole east coast, including soundings in the seas east of New Zealand. It is possible that reliable contours of the ocean-floor will have an important bearing on the solution of geophysical problems in the New Zealand region. Publications. The Observatory has continued to publish preliminary seismological bulletins each month, giving sufficient data for the immediate determination of the epicentres of the most important earthquakes. These bulletins include a report on errors of time signals sent out from the Observatory, and also a preliminary seismological report from the Magnetic Observatory, Christchurch. Besides the preliminary bulletins, the complete seismological reports for the whole of the year 1933 were published during 1935. These reports were published in quarterly bulletins : E. 36, E. 37, E. 38, E. 39. The following bulletins were also published during 1935 : — Bulletin 93.—Report of the Dominion Astronomer and Seismologist for the Year 1933. Bulletin 94 —The Focal Depth of the Pacific Earthquake of 6th September, 1933. (R. C. Hayes.) Bulletin 95.—Earthquake Distribution in New Zealand, 1848-1934. (L. Bastings and R. C. Hayes.) Bulletin 97. —Seismology in New Zealand. (Article by the Dominion Astronomer and Seismologist, published in the " New Zealand Official Year-Book," 1935.) Bulletin 98.—A New Type of Seismological Table for Distant Earthquakes. (L. Bastings.) Bulletin 99.—A Summary of New Zealand Earthquakes for the Period 1903 to 1920. (R. C. Hayes.) Bulletin 100. —Shear Waves through the Earth's Core. (L. Bastings.) Bulletin 102. —Seismology in New Zealand. (Article by the Dominion Astronomer and Seismologist, published in the " New Zealand Official Year-Book," 1936.) Bulletin 103.—Destructive Earthquakes in New Zealand, 1835-1934. (L. Bastings.) Bulletin 104. —Earthquake Frequency in New Zealand. (R. 0. Hayes.) An article on Earthquakes in New Zealand was prepared for the " New Zealand Official YearBook," 1936 ; and articles on the Time Service Arrangements were prepared for the Year-Book, and for the "New Zealand Nautical Almanac." Staff. The staff during the year 1935 was as follows : — Dr. C. E. Adams, F.R.A.S., Dominion Astronomer and Seismologist. Mr. R. C. Hayes, Professional Assistant. Mr. I. L. Thomsen, Clerk. On 25th March, Mr. C. Watson-Munro joined the staff as an Assistant. Dr. L. Bastings has continued to work as an Honorary Research Associate in Seismology. R. C. Hayes, Acting Director.

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Approximate Position of Maximum New Zealand Mean Time. Epicentre. T »"*• Locality of Maximum Intensity as Intensity. South Lat. East Long. felt. . 1935. d. h. m. *Mar. 11 2 50 .... .. .. 6 Hicks Bay. July 15 23 29 .. .. 38-7 176-2 7 Wairakei. * Aug. 13 11 45 .. .. ., .. 6 WaipiroBay. Sept. 122 25 ,. .. 41-6 172-7 6? Lake Grassmere, Marlborough. Oct. 5 18 9 .. .. 40-8 176-3 4+ Paliiatua, Foxton. Nov. 2 15 31 .. .. j 41 175-5 5 Paraparaumu, Paekakariki. „ 27 7 6 .. .. 41-3 172-8 4 Farewell Spit, * Geographical position of epicentre not known.