CO129-206 - Public Offices & Others - 1882 — Page 511

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no Expense will now be incurred in the levelling

preparation of

the site which is ready for the reception of the buildings. The ground floor of these when built will be seactly 100 feet above : sea level. As the Observatory will be in an

favourable position in respect of the ships in

The

-Anchorage, I proposed in 1877, and Istill. adhere to that proposal, to drop the time-ball from Bimtratsui Joint where it will be seen from all parts of the harbour. Isimtsatsui Point May

be connected with the observalary by a short telegraph wire and the ball dropped with the same facility as at the observatory building itself.. Rhould Experience prove that I simtsatsui Point is inconveniently far from the ships (17/32 miles) it may be desirable to transfer the timeball to the Hong Kong sides and drop it from the Harbour Master's Office in the

of the port. This can be done by laying a submarine wire from the observatory across the harbour to the Harbour master's office. The alternative however is one which, owing to the increased scepente, a would not recommend until a very full and fair trial has been given to The Experiment.

ent of dropping the ball from

I from the

Centre

very

Point first suggested. From a meteorological point of view Mount Elgin formes an Equally desirable site, as it is an isolated Eminence free from any disturbing influences. For the magnetic work I regret to Jay

I am unable to speak as favourably. The soil is a silicate of alumina tinted deep red with iron oxides, but I know no spot in Hong

Kong

ay

505

Howloong, that is less

that is less unfavourable,

the geological formation being uniformly de composed granite with iron protoxide. "Mount Elgin however is free from any great masses of nock

or any features likeḥto Exercise special attraction over the magnets.

Observatory Buildings.

will consist.

of:

(i) a main

The buildings proposed

building of brick and flat tiled roof; two stories, the lower one to be the Azervatory and the upper to be the re

· Lidence of the Superintendent. (ii) a block of sewants quarters and out =

offices at the back of the main building and joined with it by a covered (i) a transit room abutting against the

Eastern End of

the main building. (iv) two isolated wooden huts for the

mag

-netic instruments to be built on the

western Eminence of Mount Elgin 300 feet away from the main building.

The underground self recording magnetometers is postponed, the present.

or sunken Chamber for the

d for

block

The main building will be a re-

rectangular 70 feet long by 30 feet-wide including the pont verandah. The upper floor will be deosted Entirely to quarters for the Superintendent who will have a sitting room dining room,

bed.

room with bath allached, and a spare soom.

The ground floor comprising four rooms with

be the observatory . These four rooms are

5-