H.—34.
A knowledge of the climatic conditions which have been prevailing in agricultural areas is of value, especially to Governments and financial institutions, for estimating the probable supplies of meat, grain, and other products. A scheme has been drawn up for the broadcasting from radio-stations such as those mentioned above, during the first week of each month, of a brief coded summary of the previous month's weather. It is hoped that the countries concerned will bring this scheme into operation. So far as we are concerned, it would probably mean the sending of a message of only moderate length once a month to Sydney for incorporation in a more general issue from that station. The Conference elected as its president for the ensuing six years Dr. Th. Hesselberg, Director of the Norwegian Meteorological Services. The membership of the International Meteorological Committee was increased to twenty-five, of whom seven, including myself, come from the British Empire. The spirit exhibited throughout by delegates was most friendly and cordial. The Conference, indeed, was a model of what an international conference should be. We were greatly indebted to the Polish Government and Meteorological Service, who spared no effort to make the Conference a success and to enable the delegates to see something of their country and institutions. From Warsaw I travelled to Bergen, Norway, where Dr. Barnett had preceded me. The ActingDirector of the Meteorological Service placed a room at our disposal, and we were at all times allowed to enter the forecast room as if we were members of the staff of the Institute. The forecasters discussed with us each of the five weather charts produced during the day, their methods of analysing the chart, drawing the fronts, isobars, &c, and the developments they expected. It was again found that the Bergen meteorologists were much in advance of those of other countries in their treatment of synoptic meteorology. In addition to the usual charts, there was drawn at midday, each day, a rough chart for the following day, based on calculations only. During the course of our stay the charts thus drawn were remarkably similar to those drawn on the following days on the basis of the actual reports. The practice was also followed of drawing charts for the levels of two and three kilometres above ground. These were based on the data supplied from aeroplane ascents to about 20,000 ft. made at about seventeen European stations. The upper-air charts were very useful for checking the deductions from ground-level charts, delineating cold and warm air masses, &c. During our stay short lecturettes were arranged every day on subjects of mutual interest, including recent researches, some of which were unpublished. We could not have been more kindly treated, and are especially indebted to Professor J. Bjerknes, of the Geophysical Institute, Messrs. Finn Spinnangr (Acting Director), and J. Holmboe, of the Meteorological Institute, and Professor H. U. Sverdrup, of the Chr. Mikkelson Institute. SUMMAEY OF THE WEATHER FOR 1935. January, for the Dominion as a whole, was probably the hottest January hitherto experienced. Eainfall was much below average over a large part of the country, and the continued rain shortage, combined with the very high temperatures, had a detrimental effect on pastures and stock. Heavy rains were recorded in the western portion of the South Island, and parts of eastern Otago and South Canterbury and of the high country in Taranaki and Wellington also had beneficial falls. Over the remainder of the Dominion, however, conditions were extremely dry, the position being most acute in the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, and East Coast districts of the North Island, and most of Canterbury and Marlborough. In February temperatures were as much above normal as in January, but fortunately good rains terminated the drought which had been experienced in most districts. There was a large excess of rainfall over the whole of the North Island, many places having more than double the average. In the South Island most of Nelson and Westland, the Alps, and the eastern foothills had more than the average, but elsewhere there was still a deficit, which in Marlborough and southern Otago and Southland was a large one. Although the disturbances ruling were all of slight intensity they were responsible in addition to frequent thunderstorms and local downpours, for a number of heavy and widespread rains. At various times severe local flooding was experienced —viz., in Auckland City on the 15th, at Hokitika on the 19th, and in parts of Taranaki and North Auckland on the 22nd. The warmth and rains caused a good growth of grass, and consequently stock improved in condition and the milk-yield recovered somewhat. March was a very satisfactory autumn month. Owing to the continued warmth and lack of strong winds, there was again a rapid growth of vegetation. Stock generally maintained their good condition, but during the first part of the month dull, damp weather on the east coast of the North Island north of Hawke's Bay had an adverse effect on sheep, a considerable amount of facial eczema being reported in that area. There was little rain during the first half of the month except in the Auckland and Hawke's Bay districts, but in the latter half general rains occurred with heavy falls in many places. Totals below normal were experienced in Central and, especially, North Canterbury, and also in Hawke's Bay and parts of the interior of the North Island. Over most of the rest of the Dominion there was an excess, many places in North Auckland, Taranaki, Nelson, Marlborough, and Otago having as much as double their normal quantity. Late in the month Taranaki experienced floods for the third time within five weeks. In April mild conditions prevailed and there was again an absence of severe storms. Eainfall was irregularly distributed. Parts of western Taranaki and most of the Wellington Province had less than the "average, but over practically all the remainder of the North Island there was a considerable excess. Many places in the Bay of Plenty and Hawke's Bay had more than double. In the South Island much of Nelson and Marlborough and parts of Southland had more than the average rainfall, but elsewhere it was a dry month. The most general rains occurred during the periods from the 10th to 14th, 21st to 24th, and 26th to 28th. In the first two there were many heavy falls, and considerable flooding was experienced in many parts of the North Island, the Hawke's Bay, Bay of Plenty, and Waikato districts suffering most.
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