... then I have heard of a highly efficient autogas gauge, compound & Captain A. W. Baird, RE, which was exhibited at the International Geographical Exhibition and Congress at Venice, and for which Captain Baird was awarded a gold medal of the first class. This instrument is now in operation at certain ports on the Coasts of Russia. I am not in possession of any particulars of its construction or cost, but I have little doubt that it is the best hitherto contrived gauge and that gauges of this make may be substituted for the two Staff gauges first recommended without doing any great violence to the figures of any estimate.
Besides fulfilling the purposes mentioned in my Report, good tidal observations in Hongkong will from time to time present valuable records of earthquake disturbances originating in the Philippines, or even so far away as South America, where in 1868 and 1877 they were of such magnitude as to set the waters of the vast Pacific oscillating for many days.
An accurate knowledge of tidal phenomena and laws is also of great importance in connexion with harbour defences such as are now being considered for this colony.
I have the honour to report for his Excellency's information that the detailed drawings for the Observatory...
Buv Sings