Go to National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa
Volume 1, 1868
Previous Article | Table of Contents | Next Article

Appendix.

I.
Yield of Gold Throughout the World
From the Discovery of America in the year 1492 to the present time.

Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, July 28, 1868.
(See Proceedings.)

The following information respecting the yield of gold throughout the world, from the earliest time of which we have any record, namely, the discovery of America in 1492, up to the present time has been collected from various sources, in order to show the relative importance of the Californian, Australian, and New Zealand goldfields.

Excepting perhaps in very early times, prior to that date, gold seems to have been obtained principally by trade with the inhabitants of various districts in Europe and Asia, so that the yield though small was uniform.

From the time of the discovery of America, however, the amount of gold obtained annually, has on the average steadily increased.

The progress of the gold discoveries since the above date may be divided into the following periods.

During the 16th Century the principal supply was from Central America and Peru. In the 17th Century the Mexican and Brazilian mines attracted most attention. In the 18th Century, in addition to the large yield which continued from America, gold mining enterprise was directed to Siberia, and a large quantity was obtained by trade from Africa.

In the first half of the present century the yield from the Siberian mines became permanent, though it never equalled that from America.

The year 1850 may be taken as the starting point of the modern goldfields, and 1860 for that in which this colony is most interested.

– 4 –

Dividing the history of gold discoveries according to their period, the following table will show at a glance their relative importance.

[The section below cannot be correctly rendered as it contains complex formatting. See the image of the page for a more accurate rendering.]

oz.
From the discovery of America (1492) to 1600—108 years, 41,000,000
From 1600 to 1700. 80,000,000
From 1700 to 1800 America. 100,000,000
Africa, Russia 27,000,000
248,000,000
From 1801 to 1850 America 60,000,000
Russia 30,000,000
50 years 90,000,000
From 1851 to 1860 America, excluding California, say 7,000,000
California 23,000,000
Australia 25,000,000
Russia 7,000,000
10 years 62,000,000
From 1861 to 1867 California and British Columbia 11,200,000
Australia 13,300,000
Rest of America and Russia, say 8,400,000
New Zealand 3,500,000
36,400,000

[The section below cannot be correctly rendered as it contains complex formatting. See the image of the page for a more accurate rendering.]

Total Amount, 1492 to 1867.
Russian dominions 33,734,000
Europe (Austria) 3,271,000
Southern Asia (East Indies) 11,300,000
Africa 2,436,000
South America 26,136,900
United States 52,400,000
British Columbia 1,440,000
Australia 39,183,000
New Zealand, to July, 1868 3,906,500
173,806,500
Thus the average yield of Gold has been for the
oz.
17th Century 800,000
18th Century 1,270,000
1801 to 1850 1,800,000
1851 to 1860 6,200,000
1861 to 1867 (including New Zealand to date) 5,002,000

II.
The Climate of New Zealand

Meteorological Statistics.

The following Tables, which form the most reliable data for judging of the Climate of New Zealand, are extracted from the Reports of the Inspector of Meteorological Stations, for 1867, and are appended for the information of those to whom the above Report was not accessible.

[The section below cannot be correctly rendered as it contains complex formatting. See the image of the page for a more accurate rendering.]

Table I—Mean Temperature of the Air in shade, recorded at the Chief Towns in the North and Middle Islands of New Zealand, from the earliest Observations to the end of 1867.
Place. Mean Annual Temp. Mean Temp. for (Spring) Sept, Oct., Nov. Mean Temp. for (Summer) Dec., Jan., Feb. Mean Temp. for (Autumn) Mar., Apl., May. Mean Temp. for (Winter) June, July, Aug. Period of Observations
North Island. Degrees. Degrees. Degrees. Degrees. Degrees.
Auckland 60.3 58.8 68.6 62.3 53.3 15 years
Taranaki 56.8 55.9 64.2 57.4 49.5 12 "
Wellington 55.7 54.6 63.6 56.7 47.9 10 "
Means for North Island 57.6 56.4 65.4 58.8 50.2
South Island
Nelson 55.0 53.3 62.5 56.4 46.7 16 years
Christchurch 55.1 55.5 61.4 55.9 44.5 11 "
Dunedin 50.7 50.0 57.4 51.6 47.0 15 "
Means for North & South Island 53.6 52.09 60.4 54.6 46.0
57.6 56.4 65.4 58.8 50.2
53.6 52.9 60.4 54.6 46.0
Means for North & South Islands 55.6 54.6 62.9 56.7 48.1
– 6 –

From the above Table it will be observed that in the North Island the mean annual temperature for Auckland is the highest (60.3 degs.), and that for Taranaki (56.8 degs.) the next, while Wellington is the lowest (55.7 degs.)

In the South or Middle Island, Christchurch and Nelson show the highest annual mean temperature (55.1 and 55.0 degs.), and Dunedin is very much lower, viz., 50.7 degs.

January and February, corresponding to July and August in England, are the two warmest months in New Zealand; and July and August, the two coldest (excepting in Nelson and Wellington, at which places the mean readings are lowest for June and July).

The climate of London is 7.2 degrees colder than that of the North Island, and 3.8 degrees colder than the Middle Island of New Zealand; and the difference between the mean annual temperature of the whole of New Zealand and that of London is 5.7 degs., the former being 55.7 degs. and the latter 50 degs.

The following are the means for the two warmest and two coldest months in the year in the several localities, with their differences:—

[The section below cannot be correctly rendered as it contains complex formatting. See the image of the page for a more accurate rendering.]

Auckland. Taranaki Wellington. Nelson. Christchurch. Dunedin.
69.6 64.7 64.6 63.6 65.2 58.0
53.1 49.3 47.8 45.9 44.3 43.2
16.5 15.4 16.8 17.7 20.9 14.8

From which we find that the average difference between the mean temperature of the warmest and coldest months of the year in New Zealand is 17.0 degs.; at Rome it is 27 degs., at Montpellier 33 degs., at Milan 38 degs., and at Jersey 22 degs.

The observations from these six Stations have been selected to form the above Table as they extend over a tolerably long period, and give a fair comparison of the climate of the North and South Islands.

[The section below cannot be correctly rendered as it contains complex formatting. See the image of the page for a more accurate rendering.]

Table II.—Showing the influence of the Southern Alps on the Climate of the East and West Costs of the Middle Island; from Averages for the year 1866 and 1867.
Locality Mean Annual Temperature Maximum Solar Radiation recorded. Minimum Terrestrial Radiation recorded Mean Elastic Force of Vapour. Mean Degree of Moisture. Mean Annual Rainfall. Average number of days on which Rain fell. Average Velocity of Wind, in miles per day.
Degs. Degs. Degs. Inches. Sat.-100. Inches. Days. Miles.
Cristchurch(East Coast.) 53.3 137.Feb. 18.July. .347 76 24.70 91 165
Hokitika (West Coast.) 52.3 103.Jan. 22.Aug. .393 89 119.00 202 133

[The section below cannot be correctly rendered as it contains complex formatting. See the image of the page for a more accurate rendering.]

Table III.—Showing the Rainfall in the North and Middle Islands of New Zealand, compiled from the earliest Observations to the present date, 1867.
Place. Mean Annual Rainfall. Averages of Rainfall for the different Seasons of the Year, with the Mean Number of Days of Rain. Mean Number of Days on which Rain Falls Annually. Period of Observations.
Spring.
(Spt., Oct., Nov.)		 Summer
(Dec., Jn., Feb.)		 Autumn.
(Mar., April., Mary.)		 Winter
(June, July, Aug.)
North Island Inches. Inches. Days. Inches. Days. Inches. Days. Inches. Days. Days.
Auckland 44.682 11.031 45 8.378 27 11.009 37 14.265 56 177 15 years.
Taranaki 58.584 17.088 42 10.974 27 14.133 30 17.199 47 146 12 "
Wellington 50.091 12.148 35 9.685 27 12.666 33 16.021 46 146 10 "
Means for North Island 51.119 13.422 40 9.679 27 12.602 33 15.828 49 156
Middle Island.
Nelson 54.721 16.746 28 13.211 17 8.795 19 14.551 23 92 16 years.
Christhurch* 31.636 5.145 24 7.266 23 8.022 26 13.193 35 113 11 "
Dunedin 32.886 8.129 44 9.428 41 7.943 38 7.253 36 178 15 "
Means for Middle Island 39.747 10.006 32 9.968 27 8.253 27 11.665 31 127
51.119 13.422 40 9.679 27 12.602 33 15.828 49 156
39.747 10.006 32 9.968 27 8.253 27 11.665 31 127
Means for both Islands 45.433 11.714 36 9.823 27 10.427 30 13.746 35 141

Note.—From the above it will be observed that Taranaki has the highest average annual rainfall (58.584), and Nelson is the next (54.721), while the average means for Christchurch (31.636) and Dunedin (32.886) are the lowest; but while Dunedin has a much smaller annual fall of rain than the others, yet there are a greater number of days of rain yearly at that place than at any of the other Stations; and although the mean fall for Nelson is one of the highest averages, still the mean number of days of rain in that locality is the least of all. Taking these six Stations, the annual rainfall and number of days of rain is greater in the North than in the Middle Island.

[Footnote] * The monthly averages for the amount of rain and the number of days of rainfall are only for eight years, while the mean annual fall and number of days are for the eleven years.

III
Members
of the
New Zealand Institute, 1868.

Wellington Philosophical Society

  • Abraham, Right Reverend C. J., Bishop of Wellington

  • Acland, The Hon. J. B., Canterbury

  • Allan, A. S., Wellington

  • Anderson, J. G., ditto

  • Balfour, J. B., C.E., ditto

  • Bannatyne, W., ditto

  • Barraud, C. D., ditto

  • Barron, C. H., ditto

  • Batkin, C. T., ditto

  • Beaufort, H. W., ditto

  • Beetham, W., Hutt

  • Bewley, J., Wanganui

  • Bidwell, C. R., Wairarapa

  • Boor, L., M.R.C.S.E., Wellington

  • Braithwaite, A., Hutt

  • Buchanan, J., Wellington

  • Buckley, P. A., ditto

  • Buller, W., F.L.S., Wanganui

  • Campbell, R., Otago

  • Chapman, J.C., Mr. Justice, Dunedin

  • Chapman, M., Dunedin

  • Cowie, J., Wellington

  • Crawford, J. C., F.G.S., ditto

  • Crawford, W. P., Hokitika

  • Cusack, S.A., M.R.C.S.E. Wellington

  • Duncan, T. S., Christchurch

  • Eccles, A., F.R.C.S., Dunedin

  • Farmer, J., Auckland

  • Featherston, His Honor I. E., Superintendent, Wellington

  • France, C., Wellington

  • George, J. G. R., C.E., ditto

  • Gillies, T. B., Auckland

  • Gore, R. B., Wellington

  • Gould, G., Christchurch

  • Grace, M. S., M.D., Wellington

  • Gray, E., ditto

  • Grey, Sir G., K.C.B., D.C.L., &c., Auckland

  • Hacket, T. R., Hokitika

  • Hamilton, W. S., Wellington

  • Harrison, W. H., Westland

  • Hart, G., Christchurch

  • Hart, R., Wellington

  • Hartwright, H., ditto

  • Haultain, The Hon. T. M., ditto

  • Hector, J., M.D., F.R.S., ditto

  • Holdsworth, J. G., ditto

  • Holmes, R. L., F.M.S., Christchurch

  • Huntley, R. H., Wellington

  • Johnson, G. R., ditto

  • Johnson, The Hon. J., ditto

  • Kebbell, J., ditto

  • Killeway, W., ditto

  • Knowles, J., ditto

  • Lapasture, Countess de, Christchurch

  • Levin, Mrs., Wellington

  • Lomax, Mrs. E., ditto

  • Lomax, H., Waitotara

  • Lyon, W., F.G.S., Wellington

  • Logan, H. F., ditto

  • M'Kenzie, T., ditto

  • M'Lean, The Hon. J., Otago

  • Mantell, The Hon. W.B.D., F.G.S., Wellington

  • Marchant, R. M., ditto

  • Marchant, J. A., ditto

  • Maxwell, Rev. P. H., M.A., ditto

  • Mills, E. W., ditto

  • Murison, W. D., Otago

  • Nancarrow, J., Wellington

  • Norris, E. F., ditto

  • Pearce, E., ditto

  • Pharazyn, R., F.R.G.S., ditto

  • Pharazyn, C. J., ditto

  • Pharazyn, C., ditto

  • Pharazyn, W., ditto

  • Pillans, The Hon. F. S., Otago

  • Pilliet, W. H., Wellington

  • Powles, C. T., ditto

  • Potts, T. H.; Canterbury

  • Prinns, H. H., M.R.C.S.E., Christchrch

– 9 –

  • Purcell, E. W., Christchurch

  • Reeves, W., ditto

  • Rolleston, W., M.A., ditto

  • Russell, The Hon. H. R., Hawke's Bay

  • Russell, R., Wairarapa

  • Sauty, C. V. de, Wellington

  • Sheath, A., Auckland

  • Skey, W., Wellington

  • Smith, B., ditto

  • Smith, C., Wanganui

  • Smith, H., Wellington

  • Stewart, J. T., Manawatu

  • Stock, Rev. A., B.A., Wellington

  • Stowe, L., ditto

  • Strode, A. C., Dunedin

  • Thatcher, Rev. F., Wellington

  • Travers, W. T. L., F.L.S., ditto

  • Travers, H., ditto

  • Warburton, E., ditto

  • Wardell, H., Wairarapa

  • Webb, J. S., Dunedin

  • Williams, J. S., Christchurch

  • Woodward, J., Wellington

Auckland Institute.

  • Aitken, W., Auckland

  • Atkin, W., ditto

  • Alexander, C., ditto

  • Allom, A. J., Port Fitzroy

  • Baber, J., C.E., Auckland

  • Barstow, R. C., Bay of Islands

  • Beere, D. M., Shortland

  • Boardman, A., Auckland

  • Brookfield, F. M. P., ditto

  • Bruce, Rev. D., ditto

  • Buckland, W. T., ditto

  • Buller, Rev. J., ditto

  • Chamberlin, H., ditto

  • Cheeseman, T. F., Remuera

  • Cook, A., Auckland

  • Crawford, J. H., ditto

  • Dyson, R. W., ditto

  • Fenton, F. D., ditto

  • Firth, J. C., ditto

  • Fisher, C. F., ditto

  • Gillies, T. B., Epsom

  • Harding, S., C.E., Auckland

  • Hay, W. M., ditto

  • Haultain, The Hon. Col. T. M., Wellington

  • Heale, T., C.E., Auckland

  • Heaphy, C., V.C., Major A.R.V., ditto

  • Hector, J., M.D., F.R.S., Wellington

  • Hutton, Captain F. W., F.G.S., Auckland

  • Jackson, S., ditto

  • Kidd, R., LL.D., ditto

  • Kinder, Rev. J., Parnell

  • Kirk, T., Auckland

  • Lee, W., M.D., ditto

  • Lowe, J., C.E., ditto

  • Lyell, J. L., Auckland

  • MacCormick, J. C., ditto

  • Macffarlane, T., ditto

  • MacKay, R., ditto

  • MacKelvie, J. T., ditto

  • Morton, H. B., Parnell

  • Murdock, D. L., Auckland

  • Ogilvie, J., ditto

  • Owen, G. B., Epsom

  • Palmer, W. J., Auckland

  • Peacock, J. T., ditto

  • Petschler, C. F., ditto

  • Pollen, The Hon. D., M.D., Te Whau

  • Purchas, A. G., M.D., Onehunga

  • Ridings, R., Auckland

  • Russell, T., ditto

  • Sheppard, A. M., Whangape

  • Sinclair, J. L., Onehunga

  • Sinclair, A., Auckland

  • Smith, W. B., Remuera

  • Stratford, S. J., M.D., Parnell

  • Stewart, J., C.E., Auckland

  • Todd, R., C.E., Raglan

  • Upton, W.B., Auckland

  • Vilcocq, A., Bay of Islands

  • Von der Heyde, Gustav, Auckland

  • Wark, J. N., ditto

  • Wayland, J. M., ditto

  • Waymouth, J., ditto

  • Weston, T. S., ditto

  • Williamson, His Honor J., Superintendent, Auckland

  • Whitaker, F., ditto

  • Wilson, W. C., ditto

  • Wrigley, J., ditto

– 10 –
Philosophical Institute of Canterbury

  • Acland, The Hon. J. B.

  • Back, A.

  • Barker, A.

  • Bealey, S.

  • Blakiston, C. R.

  • Blakiston, A. F. N.

  • Bowen, Rev. C.

  • Bowen, C. C.

  • Carruthers, W. D.

  • Coward, J. W. S., L.S.A.

  • Cawlishaw, H. P.

  • Davie, C.

  • Dobson, E., C.E.

  • Duncan, T. S.

  • Enys, J. D.

  • Frankish, J. D., M.D.

  • Fraser, Rev. C., M.A., F.G.S.

  • Gilchrist, J.

  • Gould, G.

  • Gresson, H. B., B.A., Mr. Justice

  • Haast, J., Ph.D., F.R.S.

  • Hall, G. W.

  • Hanmer, P.

  • Harper, L.

  • Hassall, T. M.

  • Hennah, H.

  • Hewlings, S.

  • Jameson, A.

  • Jollie, E.

  • Lee, E. J.

  • Lockyer, F.

  • Mainwaring, R.

  • Montgomery, W.

  • Marshman, J.

  • Murray-Aynsley, H. P.

  • Nottidge, T.

  • Packe, W.

  • Palmer, J.

  • Powell, L.

  • Purnell, W. C.

  • Reeves, W.

  • Rolleston, W., A.B.

  • Ross, J. V.

  • Sealey, E. P.

  • Stack, Rev. J. W.

  • Tancred, H. J.

  • Tancred, T. S.

  • Thornton, G.

  • Turnbull, J. S., M.D.

  • Wakefield, C. M.

  • Williams, J. S.

  • Wilson, J. C., C.B.

  • Wilson, Rev. J., M.A.

  • Wilson, W.

  • Wright, F. E.

  • Wylde, J.

Westland Naturalists and Acclimatization Society.

  • Abbott, R.

  • Allen, C.

  • Aylmer, J.

  • Beswick, S., M.R.C.S.L.

  • Bloxam, A. R.

  • Bonar, J. A.

  • Clapcott, B.

  • Dermott, T., M.R.C.S.

  • Fitagerald, G. G.

  • Fraser, M.

  • Frew, J.

  • Hardcastle, E.

  • Harper, H., Rev. Archdeacon

  • Harvey, G. W.

  • Heawood, J.

  • Klein, J. P.

  • Mowant, A.

  • Mueller, G.

  • O'Connor, C. Y., C.E.

  • Riley, R., F.R.C.S.E.

  • Roberts, W. C.

  • Rochfort, J.

  • Sale, G. S.

  • Schaw, C. C.

  • South, S. M.

  • Sprott, M.

  • Traill, D.

  • Williams, J.

  • Winter, G.

For names of Office Bearers see commencement of Volume.

Previous Article | Table of Contents | Next Article