SUPPLEMENT
To the HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE of 26th July, 1884.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.-No. 269.
The following report from the Government Astronomer for the month of May, 1884, is published for general information.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 26th July, 1884.
FREDERICK STEWART,
Acting Colonial Secretary.
HONGKONG OBSERVATORY.
Weather Report for May, 1884.
In the China Coast Meteorological Register, based on information transmitted by the Great Northern and the Eastern Extension Telegraph Companies-which I have published daily, is given a summary of the atmospheric circumstances in Manila and along the Coast of China as far north as Shanghai. It also contains information concerning the weather prevailing in Nagasaki and Wladiwostock.
At the beginning of the month the Barometer was falling, but began to rise on the 4th. Light Easterly winds and foggy weather prevailed over the Sea, while the Temperature and Humidity were slowly increasing. On the 5th however a fresh NE. Monsoon was reported between Swatow and Formosa. From the 9th to the 16th the Barometer continued to rise with decreasing Temperature anʼl Humidity and the Easterly Winds increased in force. On the 16th the Barometer began to fall with Ön the 18th a rising Temperature and Humidity, and a fresh NE. Monsoon was felt out at sea.
It strong Revolving Gale passed across Wladiwostock, where the Barometer fell to 28.80 at 5 p. travelled from W. to E. and was felt as a Strong Breeze in Shanghai. On the 23rd the Barometer The Barometer continued to fall began to rise and on the 24th strong NE. squalls were met at sea. with rising Temperature and Humidity and moderate winds from the 26th to the 29th. It then began to rise and the NE. Wind freshened.
The Barograph and the Standard Barometer at the Observatory are placed 110 feet above Mean Sea Level. The bulbs of the Thermograph Thermometers are 111 feet above Mean Sea Level and & feet above the ground. They are exposed in an unpainted and double-louvered zinc screen fixed to the north wall of the main building in a shaded position. The Solar Radiation Maximum Thermome- ter is 109 feet above Mean Sea Level and 4 feet above the ground, and the Terrestrial Radiation Mini- mum Thermometer is about one inch above the ground. They are placed over dry earth, as the ground round the Observatory has not yet been turfed. The self-recording Rain-gauge is placed 106 feet above Mean Sea Level, and the rim, which is 114 inches in diameter, is 21 inches above the ground. The cups of the Anemograph are 45 feet above the ground, and 150 feet above Mean Sea Level.
out.
At Victoria Peak the Instruments, except the Radiation Thermometers, are placed in the Look- The Barometer is about 1823 feet above Sea Level. The bulbs of the Thermometers are about feet above the floor, except the Maximum Thermometer, which is a few inches higher. The Radia- tion Thermometers, are placed at the same height above the ground as at the Observatory. At Cape l'Aguilar the Thermometers are placed about 170 feet above Sea Level (according to the Government Gazette) in a wooden screen 2 feet above the ground, except the Maximum Thermometer, which is a few inches higher.
Table I exhibits the hourly readings of the height of the Barometer reduced to 32.0 Fahrenheit, but not to Sea Level, as measured (at two minutes to the hour named) from the Barograms. The Mean Height of the Barometer was 29.752, the Highest was 29.898 at 10 p. on the 5th, and the Lowest was 29.539 at 4 a. and 5 a. on the 29th. The Barometric Tide amounted to 0.079.