760
To connect all Lighthouses and Signal Stations direct.
-ly with this Office by TELEGRAPH, using recording Instruments
similar to those now in use at Gap Kock. Of these we have four now,
and four more are all that need be added to complete the system. Üne Instrument would be in this Office, with suitable relays, &c.,
and a switch or plug board for connecting with any station at
will. The stations concerned are Gap Rock (already provided with a
recorder), Wagian, Cape D'Aguilar, Green Island, the Peak Signal
Station, Blackhead hill and Cape Collinson. The last is not, as
yet, connected by wire with any other station, but would make a
very valuable auxiliary station, more especially when Magian is
obscured by fog, which frequently happens. Another potent reason
for connecting this Lighthouse is that irregularities undoubtedly
occur in Junk Bay and the adjacent waters of the Colony, which can
be seen only from this station, and, were the connection made,
these could be reported and steps taken to guard against their
recurrence. At present no steps can be taken in the vast majority
of cases which are known of.
(b). To work these instruments i would engage three Euro-
-pean Telegraph Operators, to keep a constant watch, night and
day, sending and receiving all messages, and attending the tele-
-phones. Naval Signalmen Pensioners would be suitable men, and i
think could be obtained. At Gap Hook and Wagian, and, eventually
at Green island, the Light keepers, being Telegraphists, would work
the instruments, as they now do at Gap Rock. The signalen at the
Signal Stations, and the Lightkeeper at Cape Collinson, would have
to learn the Morse Code, no difficult task.
The advantages which I claim for this system
are
(a)
Uniformity of method.
(b)
Assurance of accurate, automatic, record of
messages.
(c)
Reduction of delay in transmission to a
mininum.
(a)