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with Article 45(3) of the Service Regulations appended to the International Radiotelegraph Convention of 1912. Operators are also required to keep themselves provided with the most accurate time available, in order to know when to shut down.
The signals are sent by a programme wheel on the seconds arbor of the Dent Mean Time clock, which operates a relay in parallel with the chronograph. They are transmitted to the Cape d'Aguilar wireless station through the relay, and are emitted as wireless signals by means of a magnetic key. The officer in charge of the wireless station at Sandakan (1,000 miles to the south of Hongkong) reports that he receives them at 9 p.m. as good, medium strength signals.
The service was interrupted on eleven occasions owing to defects on the line between the Observatory and Cape d'Aguilar.
Anti-glare glasses. In the month of September, thirteen samples of anti-glare glasses were received from the Scientific and Industrial Research Department, London, with a request that they might be tried and reported upon; the object being to provide the Services with the most suitable anti-glare glasses for protection of the eye from the physiological effects of glare and for improving vision in connection with the picking up of air craft. The glasses, with report thereon, were returned on October 21.
year.
Staff—No change occurred in the European staff during the year. Mr. B. D. Evans, First Assistant, was absent on Military Service throughout the year. He left the Colony on 1917 February 10 and was posted to the 3rd Field Survey Company, Royal Engineers, on April 25.
The Director acted as Cable Censor from July 14 to August 18 and from October 10 to December 3, and as Deputy Cable Censor for the remainder of the year.
Yuen Lai-sang was promoted from 6th grade telegraphist to 5th grade computer on October 1.
Expenditure. The annual expenditure on the Observatory for the past ten years is as follows:-
Year Total Expenditure Increase Decrease 1909 $22,388.63 $1,278.02 1910 $21,787.55 $601.08 1911 $23,353.02 $1,565.47 1912 $22,595.08 $757.94 1913 $24,255.49 $1,660.41 1914 $25,398.31 $1,142.82 1915 $23,233.12 $2,165.19 1916 $21,977.78 $1,255.34 1917 1918 $20,028.24 $6,862.26 $26,890.50 $4,912.72