1853 - Earp, G. B. New Zealand: Its Emigration and Gold Fields - CHAPTER III. THE CLIMATE OF NEW ZEALAND, AND THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE GENERALLY.

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CHAPTER III.

THE CLIMATE OF NEW ZEALAND, AND THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE GENERALLY.

THE first consideration of an intending emigrant, is, or should be, to ascertain the character of the climate of the country to which he contemplates emigrating. If he be a single man, such an inquiry on his part is matter of policy; if he be married, and have a family, it becomes an imperative duty, for he has no right to expose his dependents to excesses of climate unsuited to their constitutions; which violent contrasts may entail on them, and himself too, miseries far worse than those from which he is endeavouring to escape. Health is the basis of independence, which, in a colony, cannot possibly be realized without it: this, then, should form the first question: the second is, in any particular climate, how many days in the year can man labour remuneratively? The climate which, with the greatest certainty of health, offers the highest chances for remuneration, should, as a matter of course, be chosen.

There are two great emigration fields open for his choice; British North America and the colonies of the Pacific; --a passing notice of the comparative climates of all which colonies will not be without its uses.

It is generally asserted, and as generally believed, even by

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seafaring men, that the countries of the southern hemisphere are considerably colder than those of corresponding latitudes in the northern hemisphere. But this opinion is greatly modified by well-ascertained facts, though we have not as yet sufficient data whereby to arrive at the exact truth. One point has, however, been clearly established by the data which we do possess, viz., that there is no discrepancy of climate in the equinoctial districts north and south of the equator; and there are abundant data for concluding, that as far as from 40 to 45 degrees of south latitude, the warmth of the southern hemisphere is equal to that of the northern; whilst it is in many cases much higher, instead of lower, than the temperature in corresponding northern Transatlantic latitudes.

Beyond these limits, it is also believed to be a fact that the southern hemisphere has a lower temperature than the northern European, but not than the northern Transatlantic. Hence large masses of ice descend towards the equator from the southern pole to a much greater distance than is the case in the northern seas; icebergs of considerable magnitude being occasionally fallen in with as far as the latitude of the Cape of Good Hope; and this fact will go far to account for the seamen's belief in the greater cold of the southern latitudes.

To test these statements. The latitude of Wellington, in New Zealand, corresponds nearly with that of Rome. The mean temperature of the coldest month at Rome is 42 degrees of Fahrenheit; the mean temperature of the hottest month at Rome is 77 degrees, giving a difference of 35 degrees between summer and winter.

The mean temperature of the coldest month at Wellington is 44 degrees; the mean temperature of the hottest month 64 degrees, giving a difference between summer and winter of 20 degrees only; a range of temperature perhaps less in variation than that of any other country on the globe. There is, however, a reason for this, independently of the mere consideration of latitude. The islands of New Zealand are narrow

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in comparison with their length, and the vast magnitude of the ocean by which they are surrounded--the sea radiating less absolute heat than dry land--contributes to diminish the summer temperature by the cool currents of air which it supplies. The same cause, as sea preserves a much more uniform temperature than land, supplies warm currents to modify the winter's cold. Perhaps no country better elucidates the well-known fact, that islands have universally milder climates than inland regions under the same parallel of latitude. The mild winters and cool summers of Ireland form an exemplification of the same kind nearer home.

Let us now contrast the temperature of New Zealand, with a few instances of Transatlantic temperature.

The latitude of Otago, in New Zealand, nearly corresponds with that of Quebec in the northern hemisphere. We do not as yet know the means of temperature at Otago, but this we do know, that at Otago snow is unfrequent, and rarely continues beyond the day on which it falls; whilst the winters of Quebec last seven months of the year, the snow lying during the whole of this long period many feet deep, to the complete stoppage of all agricultural operations. At Quebec, moreover, the freezing of mercury, which takes place at 39 or 40 degrees below zero, is no unusual occurrence. The mean temperature of the coldest, month at Quebec is 14 degrees, that of the hottest, 73 degrees; giving a range of no less than fifty-nine degrees.

Again. Let us take the instance of New York, nearly corresponding in latitude to Nelson, in New Zealand. The mean temperature of the coldest month in New York is 25 degrees, that of the hottest month, 80 degrees; giving an extreme range. of 55 degrees. At Nelson the temperature is little beyond that of Wellington, as previously given, whilst the extreme range is perhaps even less.

Cincinnati, again, nearly corresponds in latitude to New Plymouth. The mean temperature of the coldest mouth at Cincinnati is 29 degrees, that of the hottest, 74 degrees,

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the extreme range being 43 degrees. The winters of Cincinnati are very severe; whilst at New Plymouth snow is unknown, except as seen crowning the summit of Mount Egmont.

But these mean temperatures in the Transatlantic states give but a very faint idea of the extremes of temperature to which they are subject. At Quebec, the heat, during the very short summer of Canada, is sometimes as high as 100 degrees; this, contrasted with the extreme cold of 40 below zero, is quite sufficient to make the emigrant pause before submitting himself and his family to contrasts of climate so trying to the constitution of an Englishman, unused to such extremes of temperature. He has only to apply to his medical man, to learn how the excessive heat of summer, after the vigour of a seven months winter, increases the irritability of the nervous system. His children will become acclimatized; but it is ten to one that he himself will, for the rest of his life, feel the effects of the process of acclimation.

To show further, how fallacious are the vague assertions of the greater degree of cold in the southern hemisphere, let us contrast the climate of Pekin in the northern hemisphere with that of Wellington, as previously given, Pekin being a degree lower in latitude. The mean temperature of the coldest month at Pekin is 24 degrees, that of the hottest 84 degrees; giving a range of sixty degrees, the most extreme range known, whilst in point of extremes of temperature, Pekin, which has a mean annual temperature equal to that of the coast of Brittany, has the heats of summer equal to those of Egypt, with winters as rigorous as those of Sweden. In other words, the mean temperature of the coldest month at Pekin is 20 degrees colder than that of Wellington; the mean temperature of the hottest month at Pekin is 20 degrees hotter than at Wellington, and the extreme range of temperature is 60 degrees beyond that of Wellington. So much for the absurdity of the assertions as to the greater cold of the southern hemisphere.

It would be easy to continue this most interesting discussion

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to great length, by instituting comparisons between the climate of New Zealand and other places lying in a corresponding northern latitude, but, as my object is merely to point out to the intending emigrant the peculiar favourableness of the New Zealand climate, both for agricultural operations and health, it is unnecessary to say more than has already been stated. One instance more, showing the fallacy of the conclusion to which I have before alluded, viz., that "beyond 45 degrees the southern hemisphere is colder than the northern," will, perhaps, be desirable.

The Falkland Islands lie under the parallel of 60 degrees south, and the mean annual temperature is 47 degrees. At the same European latitude the mean annual temperature is 50, or three degrees greater than that of the Falkland. Islands. In the corresponding American latitude the mean annual temperature is from 35 to 37, being from 10 to 12 degrees less than that of the Falkland Islands, and from 14 to 16 less than the corresponding latitudes of Europe. So that, in the southern hemisphere, even beyond 45 degrees, here is an instance of a higher temperature than in a corresponding north latitude.

The great object of the emigrant should be to select those countries most favourable to health, and what, for want of a better phrase, may be termed atmospheric enjoyment. These desiderata he will not find combined in any of the emigration fields of the northern hemisphere. It is in the south alone that he can escape those violent seasonable contrasts of temperature which form the distinguishing characteristics of the Transatlantic states. Mild winters, alternating with cool summers, are the invariable results in our southern colonies. Even at Sydney, corresponding in latitude to Cairo, the winter is that of Egypt, and the summer that of Marseilles, with the exception of those fearful droughts, which, in New South Wales, occasionally destroy both vegetation and cattle. In Van Diemen's Land, corresponding in latitude to Rome, there is the summer of Paris and the winter of Naples.

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Perhaps the delightful climate of New Zealand has never been better portrayed than in the following graphic description by the Bishop of New Zealand:--

"You would not wonder that I love New Zealand, if you knew as much of it as I do. It is amusing to hear the new comers, sitting in their flimsy houses at Auckland, and looking out upon the slimy paths which straggle like the tracks of snails about the hills of stunted fern, complain that they are disappointed in the climate and scenery of New Zealand. No one knows what the climate is till he has basked in the almost perpetual sunshine of Tasman's Gulf, with a frame braced and invigorated to the full enjoyment of heat by the wholesome frost or cool snowy breeze of the night before. And no one can speak of the soil or scenery of New Zealand till he has seen both the natural beauties and the ripening harvests of Taranaki. When he has sat upon the deck of a vessel sailing to Taranaki, and watched the play of light and shade upon the noble mountain and the woods at its base, and far behind, in the centre of the islands, the thin white wreath of streamy smoke which marks the volcano of Tongariro, and to the south the sister mountain of Ruapaho covered with perpetual snow, --then he may be qualified to speak of the scenery of this country, especially if he has added to his sketch-book the great chain of the southern Alps, which I have lately seen in all their wintry-grandeur, stretching in almost unbroken line from north to south for more than three hundred miles. And no one can speak of the healthfulness of New Zealand till he has been ventilated by the restless breezes of Port Nicholson, where malaria is no more to be feared than on the top of Chimborazo, and where active habits of industry and enterprise are evidently-favoured by the elastic tone and perpetual motion of the atmosphere. If I am not mistaken, no fog can ever linger long over Wellington to deaden the intellectual faculties of its inhabitants."

The following meteorological table will render our view of the climate sufficiently complete:--

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TABLE OF THE CLIMATE OF LONDON COMPARED TO THAT OF WELLINGTON.

The foregoing remarks on the climate of New Zealand apply chiefly to the southern provinces. The clever editor of the New Zealander has supplied an admirable synopsis of the condition of the climate of the northern provinces, some extracts from which will render this part of our subject complete:--

The climate of New Zealand, though undoubtedly good, has been described injudiciously, and without discrimination. Beautiful, delightful, and splendid, are the epithets which have commonly been applied to it. These terms naturally convey the impression of an atmosphere rarely disturbed by wind or rain. Until its true value comes to be appreciated by them, strangers are at first somewhat rudely disenchanted by finding that their imaginary Paradise can be visited, and that, too, rather roughly, by the winds and rains of Heaven. This disenchantment frequently takes place at an early period; for it not uncommonly happens that vessels enter the harbour in a gale of wind. Impatient to view the promised land, the new-comer, in spite of the weather, lands without delay. Wading along a sloppy clay road, in a boisterous gale of wind and rain, with, perhaps, an umbrella turned inside out in one hand, and his hat jammed tightly over his head with the other, he can scarcely divest himself of the idea that the ship must have lost her reckoning, and mistaken her port. Pride, however, prevents him asking questions, and politeness forbids disparaging remarks. But in New Zealand, as elsewhere, a storm is followed by a calm;

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and if disenchanted to-day, the new arrival will probably be charmed to-morrow by one of those calm, bright, and lovely mornings, whose beauty no language can fittingly describe. The fact is that the climate of a country may be fertile and salubrious--and such is the climate of New Zealand--without being either splendid or delightful.

The general salubrity of the climate, of New Zealand has now been established by the experience of years. For persons of delicate constitution, predisposed to disease of the lungs, it is unequalled, save by Madeira. Compared with that of Nice, one of the most celebrated continental climates, the climate of Auckland is more temperate in summer--milder in the winter-- equally mild in the spring--but a little colder in the autumn:-- with this advantage, too, over all the boasted continental climates, that it is not so liable to the very great variations of temperature common to them all from sudden shifts of wind. The climate of New Zealand is doubtless less charming and delightful than that of Italy and the South of Trance, but it is certainly more salubrious, and probably better suited to the English constitution. For although it has its share of wind, rain, and broken weather, it has the advantage over Italy and France, in being more limited in range of temperature--embracing a less oppressive summer heat, less sudden changes of temperature during the twenty-four hours, and a more gradual change of temperature from month to month.

Many of the Continental and Mediterranean climates are, during certain seasons of the year, finer, steadier, more agreeable than, and equally salubrious as, that of New Zealand, but their summer heat is in some cases too great; their autumn weather frequently unhealthy--winter, too cold--and spring objectionable from being liable to gusts of cold and chilling winds. By moving constantly about throughout the year-- traversing continents and seas, it would no doubt be possible to be always in a fine and salubrious climate. But, as a fixed and permanent residence, there are probably few places to be found, in all respects, more suitable to the English constitution than

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New Zealand; and if that be so, then, few more suitable for persons of delicate chest or lungs; the true theory being, that for preventing the development of diseases of the chest, that is the best climate which will admit of the greatest and most constant exposure to the open air, and which is at the same time best calculated to promote the general health; a tendency to disease of any kind being best warded off by keeping the bodily system in a vigorous tone of health.

Compared with Great Britain, New Zealand, so far as its general salubrity can be ascertained, possesses a marked superiority. From the results of observations made by Dr. Thomson, of the 58th Regiment, for a period of two years, from April 1848, to April 1850, when the strength of the troops stationed in the colony amounted to nearly two thousand men, it appears from valuable tables compiled by him, that, taking diseases generally, out of every thousand men, twice as many were admitted into hospital in England as were admitted into hospital in New Zealand. And the mortality amongst equal numbers treated was about 8 1/2 in New Zealand to 14 in England.

Cases of fever in New Zealand are rare. Prom the same Returns, it appears there are six cases of fever in Great Britain for one in New Zealand; and out of forty-seven cases in New Zealand there was but one death. Of diseases of the lungs, three cases were admitted into hospital in Great Britain to one in New Zealand; and out of an equal number treated, seven terminated fatally in Great Britain, and but four in New Zealand. Diseases of the stomach and bowels are more prevalent by half in Great Britain than in New Zealand. Diseases of the liver and brain are nearly the same in the two countries. The only class of cases in which the comparison is unfavourable to New Zealand are complaints of the eye, which are more than twice as numerous here as they are in Great Britain. Small-pox and measles are as yet unknown in New Zealand.

Comparing New Zealand with the healthiest foreign stations

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of the British army, it will appear from the following table, compiled by the same authority, taking into account all classes of disease receiving hospital treatment, that the comparison is greatly in favour of this country. And with reference to pulmonary disease, there are in Malta two cases for one in New Zealand. In the Ionian Islands there are three cases to two in this country. At the Cape of Good Hope there are ten cases for six in New Zealand. In the Mauritius there are the fewest number of cases treated after New Zealand--the proportion being about eight in the Mauritius to six in New Zealand; but the mortality from pulmonary disease is twice as great in the Mauritius as it is in New Zealand. While in Australia there are twice as many cases of pectoral disease as in New Zealand, and the disease being, at the same time, twice as fatal:--

In cases of fever, there are at least five in Malta, the Cape, and in Australia, to one in New Zealand.

Of complaints of the liver, there are two cases in the above-mentioned places to one in New Zealand.

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And of diseases of the stomach and bowels, there are more than two cases at each of the above-mentioned places for one in this country.

TABLE showing the Annual Ratio of Admissions and Deaths among 1,000 Troops at the following Stations from the undermentioned Classes of Diseases:--

* From seven years' observation, ending March 1850, kindly furnished by Staff-Surgeon Shanks, Principal Medical Officer, New South Wales.

But assuming the above Returns to show correctly the comparative healthiness of our troops in Great Britain, and at the various foreign stations, it does not necessarily follow that they correctly exhibit the comparative salubrity of the climates of the countries to which they relate, so far at least as regards the community at large--and for this reason, that our troops are for the most part lodged in barracks; and that the health of the men is influenced by the manner in which they are lodged, as well as by the climate of the country in which they may be stationed; and that barracks vary considerably in the the several important particulars of size, ventilation, construction, and position. This result, therefore, might easily follow

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--that men stationed in a bad climate but lodged in barracks erected on a well chosen site, spacious, dry, well ventilated, well drained, and supplied with good water, may have fewer hospital cases and less mortality, than men stationed in a good climate, but lodged in barracks in a bad situation, close confined, ill drained, and badly constructed. But, making allowance for all such disturbing causes, there can be no doubt that the foregoing Tables afford satisfactory proof of the general salubrity of the country.

Compared with an English summer, that of Auckland is but little warmer, though much longer. But the nights in New Zealand are always cool and refreshing, and rest is never lost from the warmth and closeness of the night. It is also much warmer here both in the spring and autumn; and the winter weather of England, from the middle of November to the middle of March, with its parching easterly winds, cold, fog, and snow, altogether unknown. Snow, indeed, is never seen here; ice, very thin and very rarely; and hail is neither common nor destructive. The winter, however, is very wet, but not colder than an English April or October. There is a greater prevalence of high winds, too, than is personally agreeable: but with less wind the climate would not be more healthy. There is most wind in the spring and autumn; rather less in the summer; and least of all in winter.

Compared with the climate of Wellington, that of Auckland is a few degrees warmer both in summer and winter: the air here, too, being somewhat more soft and genial. Auckland has less wind than Wellington--but more rain. A better climate than that of either Auckland or Wellington is to be found in the Bay of Plenty, and along the east coast of the broadest part of the Northern Island where the weather is steadier and more settled, with much less wind and rain.

The seasons are the reverse of those in England. Spring commences in September; Summer in December; Autumn in April; and Winter in the middle of June.

In the summer, during settled weather, a calm commonly

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prevails until about ten or eleven o'clock in the morning: the heat is then moderated by a brisk sea breeze from the north, which dies away at sunset.

Fruits, flowers, and vegetables, all thrive well; but owing perhaps to their more rapid growth, or, it may be that the same amount of care and attention has not yet been paid to the choice of stocks, and to their cultivation and management as in England, the flowers are rather less highly scented, and the fruits and vegetables less highly flavoured than at home. Cultivated flowers blow quickly; their colour is fine, and no word but profusion can describe their quantity. Figs, peaches, grapes, and melons, ripen in the open air. Gooseberries and currants succeed better in the south, the climate being colder. Strawberries are in season in November, December, and January; cherries and gooseberries in January; apples, pears, plums, peaches, and nectarines in February; and melons, figs and grapes, in March and April. The geranium, arum, fuchsia, balsam, myrtle, coronella, hydrangia, heliotrope, gladiola, and Cape bulbs of every kind, enjoy a vigorous existence in the open air, and roses blow without ceasing.

In the winter, long continued heavy rain is frequent, and the wet appears even more excessive than it is, because the paths and bye-roads as yet continue in their natural state, having their clayey surface unformed, unpaved, and undrained. In the intervals between the heavy winter rains, the weather is bright, clear, and bracing--the growth of grass is scarcely ever checked by the winter cold--the geranium, stock and wall flower, scarlet verbena and daisy, Indian May, and other flowers, may be seen to blow throughout the coldest season; and the face of the cultivated country, with its ever springing pastures, and ever-green trees, looks as bright and cheerful between the rains--on a sunny winter's day--as on an English summer landscape. More rain falls in Auckland than in England, taking an average of the whole country. But there are more fine dry days in Auckland than in the northern and western districts of England. Fogs are rarely seen here;

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thunder storms are less common and less violent than in England, and lightning, though common, is generally harmless.

The days are an hour shorter in the summer and an hour longer in the winter than in England. Of twilight there is little or none.

The prevailing winds are the S. W. and the N. E., the latter being always the warmer of the two, but it commonly freshens into a gale. By observers of the weather, it is thought that the N. E. gales occur more frequently within a day or two after the full and change of the moon than at any other time. These gales, after blowing for about forty-eight hours, cease suddenly when the wind chops round to the S. W., and the weather becomes clear and bright. With the wind at S. W. or S., the weather is commonly steady--settled fine, or settled wet. With the wind at W. or N. W., it is almost always showery, squally, and unsettled. Westerly winds fall in the evening. Occasionally the wind blows from the S. S. E. With the wind in that quarter, the weather is commonly cold, chilly, and wet. A shift of wind usually follows the course of the sun; when the wind shifts in an opposite direction settled weather is not expected.

In all seasons, the beauty of the day is in the early morning. At that time, generally, a solemn stillness holds, and a perfect calm prevails: not a sound is heard--not a breath is stirring, as the rays of the rising sun are gently stealing over the world at rest. Every object breathes repose; and the peaceful landscape, softly sleeping, suffused with golden light, suggests an image of the world before the fail of our first parents.

The change in the weather from month to month is very gradual.

January is one of the finest months in the year, and very favourable for the grain harvest. The temperature indicated by the thermometer out of doors--in the shade--taking an average of several years, is, at eight o'clock in the morning, 66 deg.; at two o'clock in the afternoon, 74 deg.; and at eight o'clock in the evening, 62 deg. Taking an average of the same years and

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during the twenty-four hours, there are in this month, five showery days, two wet days (or days in which there is rain of three hours' continuance), and twenty-four dry days. But, in New Zealand as in England, there is now and then an exceptional season. For instance, in January 1852 the weather was wet and unsettled, altogether unlike that which commonly prevails. In 1846 the weather in January was equally exceptional.

The temperature of the month of February nearly resembles that of January, being 67 deg. at 8 A.M.; 73 deg. at 2 P.M.; and 62 deg. at 8 P.M.; being also usually equally dry. Showery days 5 1/2; wet days 2 1/2; dry days 20 1/2.

In March the temperature falls a little: 8 A.M. 63 deg.; at 2 P.M. 70 deg.; and at 8 P.M. 60 deg.; hut the weather is equally dry as in the two previous months. Showery days 61/2; wetdays2 1/2; and dry days 22.

In April mosquitoes disappear, and the weather becomes sensibly cooler--more unsettled and showery. At 8 A.M. 58 deg.; at 2 P.M. 66 deg.; and at 8 P.M. 57 deg.. Showery days 12; wet days 3 1/2; and dry days 15 1/2. In the year 1852 the very wet January was followed by unusually dry weather. Between the 23rd January and the middle of May there was not one wet day, and the showers were unusually slight.

In the month of May the air begins to have an autumnal feel--but the weather is wet--mush more wet than in the preceding month. Towards the end of the month there are generally some of the finest days in the year--calm, temperate, and bright. Temperature at 8 A.M. 52 deg.; at 2 P.M. 60 deg.; and at 8 P.M. 52 deg.. Showery days 11; wet days 4; and dry days 16.

In the month of June the weather is cold and chilly--but it is very little more unsettled than the two preceding months. In this month also the days are very fine. Temperature at 8 A.M. 49 deg.; at 2 P.M. 46 deg.; and at 8 P.M. 49 deg.. Showery days 11; wet days 4; and dry days 15.

July is generally the worst month in the year--the very

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depth of winter--cold and wet. The ground being now saturated with moisture the water does not readily drain away or evaporate. The dry days are commonly bright and clear; but here is little frost and no snow: the temperature being about 10 deg. warmer here than in an English winter. At 8 A.M. 47 deg.; at 2 P.M. 53 deg.; and at 8 P.M. 47 deg.. The number of showery days being 13; wet days 6; and dry days 12.

In August a slight improvement commonly takes place. There is rather less rain than an July, and towards the end of the month the air becomes perceptibly warmer. But if the preceding months have been unusually fine, August is then the worse of the two. Temperature at 8 A.M. 50 deg.; at 2 P.M. 56 deg.; and at 8 P.M. 49 deg.. Showery days 10; wet days 5 1/2; dry days 15 1/2.

In September, Spring commences. The number of days on which rain falls may not be much less than in the preceding month, but the quantity is smaller, and, owing to an increase in the temperature, the roads are now observed to dry up after a shower, and a decided improvement is perceptible. Temperature at 8 A.M. 53 deg.; at 2 P.M. 58 deg.; and at 8 P.M. 51 deg.. Number of showery days 8 1/2; wet days 5; and dry days 16 1/2.

The weather in October is rarely the same two successive years, being sometimes fine and dry, but more commonly coarse, cold, and boisterous. The temperature is higher than in September, but the number of days on which rain falls, as well as the quantity, is usually the same. High winds and heavy squalls from the westward, with showers, commonly prevail at this season, and it sometimes happens that owing to the force of the wind the cold is as much felt as during the winter when calms prevail. The peach blossoms frequently surfer severely during this boisterous weather. Temperature at 8 A.M. 54 deg.; at 2 P.M. 62 deg.; and at 8 P.M. 53 deg.. Showery days 11; wet days 4 1/2; and dry days 15 1/2.

In November the temperature increases rapidly, but the weather continues unsettled, rain being almost as frequent as during the two preceding months. By shutting up the meadows

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early, grass would now be ready to cut; but owing to the unsettled state of the weather in this month a sufficient interval of fine dry weather for hay-making cannot be counted upon. The practice is beginning to prevail of shutting up the grass later than was formerly the custom, so as to postpone the season of hay harvest until December. Temperature at 8 A.M. 59 deg.; at 2 P.M. 66 deg.; and at 8 P.M. 55 deg.. Showery days 11; wet days 4; and dry days 15.

In December the weather is still warmer and more settled than in November; not so warm as January, but having commonly an equal number of dry days. Temperature at 8 A.M. 58 deg. Number of showery days 6 1/2; wet days 2 1/2; and dry days 22. For travelling in the bush this is one of the finest months.