F 6
VII. TIME SERVICE.
14. Clocks Cottingham and Mercer 507 (Sidereal) and Leroy 1350 were in use throughout the year. The necessary astronomical observations for the determination of the error of the former were obtained each evening (weather permitting) by the local staff. Observations of the radio time signals emitted by Nauen have been made daily whenever possible during the year and utilised for clock regulation.
15. Time Signals were given throughout the year by radio from 9.55 a.m. to 10.0 a.m. each morning and 8.55 p.m. to 9 p.m. each evening. Dots of about 0.1 second duration were transmitted at each second except for periods marking the minutes and half minutes. The evening programme was duplicated by three white lights (vertical) on the radio mast, the lights being extinguished each second in accordance with the radio programme.
Hourly signals were sent to the General Post Office, Radio Studio, Railway, the associated Telegraph Companies and the Telephone Company.
The errors of the time signals have been published monthly in the Government Gazette.
IX. MISCELLANEOUS.
16. Aviation service.-Commencing on 18th May a senior officer and a Chinese assistant have been stationed at Kai Tak aerodrome daily during the forenoon. A synoptic chart of the Far East, on which is also all available information concerning upper winds, is prepared and exhibited in the aerodrome, and the officer is available for consultation by departing pilots. An hourly weather report is broadcast daily, usually from 0600 to 1600 Hong Kong Standard Time, and is communicated directly to the Imperial Airways plane during its weekly flight from Indo China to Hong Kong. A route forecast is also furnished to the pilot on his return flight to Indo China.
17. Seismographs.-The seismographs have been kept in good order throughout the year. 398 earthquakes were recorded, compared with 342 in 1936. The seismograms have been forwarded to the International Seismological Committee, Oxford.
18. Upper Air Research.-Observations of 526 pilot balloons were made during the year. Details of the flights will be included in Meteorological Results for 1937.
19. Lithography.-Lithographic work for other departments was undertaken as follows:
Electrical Dept. Radio Forms. 2,100 Colonial Secretariat Map of Hong Kong 1,000 Medical Dept. Shing Mun Map 600