F 14
Time Signal by Radio Telegraphy.-In addition to the time signals given by the Time Ball, and on the radio mast, signals are sent at 10h. and 21h. by radio telegraphy via Stonecutters. Particulars of the programme are given in the 1918 Report and in Government Notification No. 452 of 12.3.21. The service was transferred from Cape d'Aguilar to Stonecutters on May 1, 1921.
Radio Receiving Set.-The radio receiving set was in use throughout the year. 256 comparisons were obtained with the Manila Observatory clock via Cavite, and 5 with the Tokio Observatory clock, via Funabashi.
The mean of the comparisons makes Tokio 0.44 sec. fast and Manila 11.4 secs. fast on Hongkong. The corresponding figures in 1922 were 0·54 and 10.3.
Transit Instrument.-Observations for time were chronographically made by the Chinese computers, and were supplemented by eye and ear observations of the sun's limbs, circumpolar, and other stars made by the Chief Assistant for the purpose of checking the computers' observations, and determining the errors of the instrument.
The number of observations in the years 1922 and 1923 were as follows:
1922 1923 Transits 1307 1424 Level determination 696 787 Azimuth 31 52 Collimation 28 20On January 11 the 3" transit instrument by Troughton and Simms was dismounted and sent to England for renovation by Messrs. Cooke, Troughton and Simms. A 24" non-reversible transit by Dolland, kindly loaned by the Singapore Government, has been in use since that date. The observations made with this instrument by the Chinese computers have been extremely discordant and, in consequence, the pre-determination of clock errors has presented considerable difficulty.
Clocks. The performance of the Standard Sidereal clock has been characterised by a steady increase in the daily losing rate for the past two years, apparently irrespective of any consideration of pressure, temperature or season. On November 8, 1923, the losing rate having increased to 11.7 secs., 14 gramme was added to the pendulum. This altered the losing rate to -0·40 sec., which has since been maintained, with inconsiderable variations.