272 SUPPLEMENT TO THE HONGKONG GOVT GAZETTE OF 16TM¤ AUG., 1884.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.--No. 294.
The following report from the Government Astronomer for the month of June, 1884, is published for general information.
By Comunand,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 16th August, 1884.
FREDERICK STEWART,
Acting Colonial Secretary.
HONGKONG OBSERVATORY.
Weather Report for June, 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 in Nagasaki and Wladiwostock.
During the previous month the Barometric pressure in these regions had been very evenly distributed, but so that gradients for gentle NE winds, which prevailed during the first part of that month were gradually replaced by gradients for gentle SW winds. From the 1st to the 9th of June gradients for moderate SE winds prevailed and were about the latter date replaced by gradients for SW-winds, which did not vary much up to the date that the Typhoon made its influence felt. At the beginning of the month the weather was fine and dry, the Barometer rising and light NE breezes were felt. On the 4th a change set in with strong NE breezes, a falling Barometer and Temperature and rising Humidity. On the 7th the NE breezes moderated but continued up to the 12th, the weather being overcast and damp. On the 13th moderate SW winds, which had prevailed in the Southern portion of the China Sea during the whole month, set in and brought with them overcast but warm and rather dry weather, and the Barometer rose. On the 16th the Barometer and Temperature began to fall and the Humidity to rise, while the SW wind decreased in force. On the 18th the wind freshened and brought rainy and squally weather. Next day the Barometer rose and the Temperature fell. On the 21st the Barometer began to fall and the Temperature rose with moderate SW winds and squalls from NW. On the 25th the Barometer rose, fell from the 26th to the 28th and then rose again. This was owing to a typhoon (No. 1 of 1884) that passed over Luzon, recurved in the neighbourhood of the Pratas Shoal and proceeded between the Pescadores and the South Cape of Formosa. Being unable to cross the high mountains North of Takao, its path was deflected and it moved northwards with decreasing violence. It re-entered the Pacific North of Formosa. Light winds prevailed here until the morning of the 30th when a fresh SW breeze was felt.
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 6 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- num 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 11 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 4 feet above the floor, except fire Maximum Thermometer, which is a few inches higher. The Radia- tou Thermometers, are pliced at the same height above the ground as at the Observatory. At Cape d'Aguilar the Thermometers are placed about 170 feet above Sea Level (according to the Government fiozelle) in a wooden screen 2 feet above the ground, except the Maximum Thermometer, which is a few inches higher.