Report of the Meteorological Reporter of the Government of Bengal for 1874; and Administration Report of the Meteorological Reporter to the Government of Bengal for 1874–75

Abstract

THIS Report, drawn up by Mr. W. G. Willson, who has acted as officiating reporter during the absence of Mr. Blanford, keeps up the high character of the previous reports of this Office It contains not merely the dry details which form an integrant part of such reports, but also an able discussion of them both in their practical and theoretical bearings. As regards new observations, the most important are those from Sibsagar, situated in the north-east of the Assam Valley. The large barometric oscillation from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M., which on the average of the twelve months of 1874 amounted to 0.133 inch, will indicate their high strictly meteorological value. The hourly observations of the different instruments made on four days of each month at a number of the stations are a valuable piece of work, and the discussion of the results three or four years hence will be looked forward to with much interest by meteorologists. An admirable feature of these reports are the averages, corrected up to date in all instances, which are given with the discussion of each meteorological element, thus affording the means of an immediate comparison of the monthly results with the best averages that can possibly be had. Of these averages and comparisons we would direct special attention to those of the rainfall, which is of so great importance in Indian meteorology. Rainfall averages for different periods were prepared during the past year for the information of the Government of India. These have since been further amplified and corrected, and the present report gives the average monthly and annual rainfall for 146 stations, and incomplete averages for some months for other twenty-three stations. An example of the practical application of the rainfall discussions of the Office is given in the report. A forecast of the rainfall was called for by the Government from the Office in the latter part of July 1874, when considerable apprehensions were entertained regarding the prospects of the principal rice-crop of the year. A comparison of the peculiarities of the rainfall up to the end of July with those of past years, and the general similarity of the meteorological circumstances with those of 1872, induced Mr. Willson to submit the opinion that the rainfall in the latter months of the monsoon would turn out as favourable as in 1872, a forecast which fortunately was fully realised.