262
In conclusion I would take this opportunity of acknowledging the great assistance I have received from the Acting Assistant Surveyor General (Mr. COOPER) and from Lieut.-Colonel CHAMPERNOWNE, R.E., during an exceptional crisis, the difficulty of which was increased by my recent arrival in the Colony, and consequent inexperience of the localities, and the departmental organization. With hardly an exception the officials on whom has devolved the superintendence of operations have exerted themselves in a satisfactory manner, and in one case leave already granted was voluntarily given up with a view to assisting the Departinent during the emergency. Some of the Overseers have worked overtime, and suffered from exposure to excessive heat and damp, and there is reason to fear that Mr. BAYNE'S end may have been accelerated by the same cause. I propose when operations are further advanced to recommend special cases to the favourable notice of Government.
I have the honour to be,
Sir, Your obedient Servant,
Honourable F. STEWART, LL D.,
Colonial Secretary,
&c.
&c.,
&c.
S. BROWN,
Surveyor General.
Note A page 3.-Since writing the above I find that Chambers' Encyclopedia (ed: 1882) and the Encyclopedia Britannica (ed: 1884) state, that at Joyeuse (France) 31.17 inches fell in 22 hours, at Geneva (Chambers says Genoa) 30 inches in 24 hours, at Gibraltar 33 inches in 26 hours, on the hills above Bombay 24 inches in one night, and on the Khasia hills (Assam) 30 inches on each of five successive days. These falls if correctly reported exceed that registered here, but as no details are given, nor authorities quoted, I hesitate to accept these statements without further evidence.
S. B.
Appendix A.
RETURN IN INCHES AND DECIMALS OF DAILY RAINFALL FOR THE FIRST
HALF OF THE YEAR 1889.
Date.
January.
1st,
2nd,
3rd,
4th,
5th,
6th,
7th,
8th,
0.055
9th,
0.135
10th,
0.005
0.015
February.
March.
April.
May.
June.
0.130
0.065
0.205
0.250
0.065
0.925
0.040
0.715
0.025
0.020
0.235
0.005
0.005
0.040
0.075
0.265
1.460
0.060
1.015
0.005
0.650
++
0.085
0.090
0.025
0.110
0.850
0.285
0.085
11th,
0.015
+
12th,
0.085
0.060
13th,
0.010
0:025
0.030
0.215
...
0.010
0.380
14th,
15th,
0.175
0.200
16th,
0.095
2.470
17th,
0.010
0.065
0.500
18th,
0.105
0.010
0.150
0.215
19th,
0.095
0.220
5.945
0.270
20th,
0.080.
1.965
0.025
...
21st,
0.075
1.295
1.110
0.150
22nd,
0.010
0.120
2.805
0.240
...
28rd.
0.015
0.050
0.070
...
...
24th,
0.035
0.510
...
25th,
0,810
0.070
0.575
0.465
26th,,
0.150
0.335
1.505
0.115
27th,
0.015
0.620
28th,
0.085
0.540
0.090
29th,
0.130
3.385
12.615
0.445
30th,
0.470
3.595
20.495
1.000
31st,
0.010
0.030
Totals,.......
0.730
0.720
2.490
12.270
48.840
10.405
Total for Six Months,.
.75".45