COMMUNICATIONS
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major exchange units were in various stages of construction at the end of the year.
ROYAL OBSERVATORY
The Royal Observatory was established in 1883 to make meteorological and magnetic observations and to provide a time service for the Colony and for shipping.
Meteorological services. The observatory is the sole source of meteorological information in the Colony and also forms part of a world-wide network of meteorological stations. The central fore- cast office provides weather forecasts and information for the public, Government departments, shipping, aviation and the armed forces. Routine surface observations of the meteorological elements are made throughout the 24 hours at the observatory, the airport, Waglan Island and at Cheung Chau. The last three stations are primarily concerned with the needs of aviation. During the year a new windfinding radar was installed at King's Park where upper air soundings of wind, pressure, temperature and humidity are carried out. Numerous raingauges are operated throughout the Colony by Government employees and private individuals on behalf of the observatory. Rainfall maps and observations from the observatory and King's Park are published, while results from other stations are recorded on punched cards to facilitate rapid analysis.
At the aviation forecast office, which moved into the new terminal building at Kai Tak in August, pilots of all aircraft leaving Hong Kong are briefed and issued with documents depict- ing meteorological conditions relevant to their flights. Information is also sent to other weather centres and to aircraft in flight either by direct radio communication or by special aviation broadcasts.
Weather bulletins for shipping and local fishermen are broad- cast over Radio Hong Kong; there are also other broadcasts over special channels for shipping. Liaison officers visit merchant and Royal Navy ships in port to check their barometers and other meteorological instruments, to supply daily weather charts and to assist in other ways. The Hong Kong fleet of weather observing ships totals between 60 and 70 vessels, which is comparable in size with the fleets of large countries. Reports from these ships are particularly valuable to the observatory and are rebroadcast