:
COPY.
sir,
Commodore's Office,
Hongkong, 11th. Decaphar, 1913.
617
256
With reference to your letter No. 1400/1910 of 3 December, 1913, relative to the atmospheric conditions in Hong-
-kong compared with the West Indies and Straits Settlements in
their effect upon W. T. Signalling, I have the honour to inform you
that in all three localities the worst period of the year is from
the beginning of May until the end of October. During this period
the atmospheric interference is practically continuous being worst
during the hours of darkness but it is not so severe in the locali-
-ty of Hongkong as in the West Indies or Straits Settlements.
This interference is most felt in Hongkong when typhoons are in
the vicinity.
From the end of October until the beginning of May there is seldom any atmospheric interference in the vicinity of Hongkong during daylight, it usually being at its worst from 8.0 p.m. till midnight, gradually diminishing and generally ceas-
-ing at daylight.
The amount of actual interruption to communication depends upon the power and pitch of the note in use.
I have etc..
(Sd.) C. C. Merry,
Secretary to the Commodore.
The Honoursbke
The Colonial Secretary,
Hongkong.