A Brief Review of 1952.

The annual rainfall was mainly above normal over the North Island except in the far north and in western Taranaki. The surplus was greatest in central areas about Lake Taupo, in southern Hawke's Bay, and near Gisborne. Marlborough and most of Canterbury again experienced a very wet year, but over the remainder of the South Island rainfall was mainly below normal.

There was more sunshine than usual in two small areas around Dunedin and Ashburton, but elsewhere the year was cloudier than average. The sunshine deficit exceeded 100 hours for inland districts of the South Island and almost the whole of the North Island; Auckland's sunshine was lower than for any year since 1910. Temperatures were close to, or slightly above, normal, and only in parts of inland Canterbury were conditions appreciably warmer than usual.

Seasonal Notes.—January, February, and March continued a succession of rather cloudy months which, for many districts, had commenced the previous September. Exceptionally heavy rainfall in Northland caused serious flooding on 15 and 19 February. In many places, however, especially east of the main ranges, conditions were relatively dry over these three months and favourable for harvesting. Pip and stone fruits yielded good crops, but tomatoes and grapes suffered from lack of sunshine. The North Island potato crop was also disappointing. Butterfat production set a new record for the season.

In April and May spells of fine weather lasting about a fortnight alternated with cooler unsettled weather in the later part of each month. Dry conditions persisted in eastern districts, several places in the Gisborne district and Hawke's Bay having record low rainfalls for May. Dull stormy weather predominated from the beginning of June until 9 July. Although there was little rain on the east coast, it was a very wet period for the remainder of the North Island. A long spell of fine settled weather followed and lasted until the end of the month.

As a result of several months of low rainfall east of the ranges winter feed became very scarce and there were many deaths among hoggets and early lambs, particularly in Hawke's Bay. This dry spell came to an end early in August, when easterly winds prevailed, bringing considerable rain during the next six weeks. This latter period, however, was a very dry one for Westland, Southland, and Central Otago. Between Cromwell and Wanaka there was no measurable rain at all in August.

In the middle of September there was a change to boisterous westerly conditions. On 23 September occurred the only appreciable snowfall since mid-June; afterwards severe frosts were recorded in most inland districts. For the greater part of the country September was a very sunny month. In October spells of sunny weather alternated with beneficial rains. It was a warm month and contributed very favourable conditions for the spring season. Crops and pastures made excellent growth, and dairy production was at a high level.

By contrast, dull wet weather prevailed in November and the first half of December. Such widespread excess rainfall and lack of sunshine had not been previously experienced in November for at least fifty years. Eastern districts north of Otago suffered the most; but for Westland and Southland both months were comparatively dry and sunny. Over large areas of farm land the ground became waterlogged. Shearing was seriously delayed and many farmers were unable to cut hay. Blight affected many vegetable crops, particularly North Island potatoes. Conditions were more favourable in the far south, and Central Otago fruit growers were expecting a good harvest.

Conditions improved greatly in the west and south from the middle of December, and in the final week the whole country enjoyed a spell of warm settled weather.

THE NEW ZEALAND OFFICIAL YEAR-BOOK, 1954.