With regard to the winter rainfall in South Australia, pur records appear to show—

1. That in the thirteen Years when the mean summer pressure was above the average and the temperature below, the following winter rain was below the average in nine years, above the average in only one year, and about an average in three years
2. That in the nine years when the summer pressure was below the average and the temperature above, the following winter rain was above the average in seven years, below in only one year, and an average in one year:

From which we obtain the following general rough rule:—

• Summer cool, with high barometer: winter dry.


• Summer hot, with low barometer: winter wet.

As regards the future, if I may venture to make any suggestions, it appears to be desirable that the meteorological observations of the different colonies should be published in a more uniform and systematic manner, in such complete detail as will assist theoretical deductions, and be accompanied by fuller discussion of results. general character of the weather, storms, extent and duration of droughts, and any abnormal conditions that may have occurred during the year. Mr. Russell has done very much in the latter direction in his publications on the climate of New South Wales, and rains, and state of rivers, &c.

We also require normal isobaric and isothermic maps for each. month and the year, but the observations as at present published hardly afford sufficient data for these, and many of the stations have been too recently established to furnish more than roughly approximate averages.

New Caledonia would be a valuable reporting station in regard to cyclones approaching the Queensland coast from the east, and I trust the cable now laid will be utilised as early as possible. I would also strongly urge an exchange, by mail, of weather charts and observations with the Cape of Good Hope, Natal, and Mauritius.

Bureau of Meteorology