CO129-534-3 Report of Retrenchment Commission 4-5-1931 - 19-2-1932 — Page 111

ROYAL OBSERVATORY.

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Hong Kong is one of the few Colonies which has an Observatory

department of any size functioning as a self-contained unit.

But Hong Kong is peculiarly situated geographically, and as a

result has to perform weather reporting services for the large

amount of shipping that uses the South China seas.

Depending

as it does for its very existence on shipping it is but right

that the Colony should undertake this work.

2. There is a tendency however on the part of the Observatory

staff to devote a part of their time to taking magnetic and

other observations which, though no doubt of great interest to

international meteorological institutions, are of no benefit

either to Hong Kong or to local shipping. Such work should

not be undertaken, for if it is, there is the danger that the

proper functions of the Observatory will be neglected.

Moreover

it necessarily entails the purchase of expensive instruments;

those for the magnetic hut at Au. Tau for example cost $8,000.00.

in addition to $12,000.00 for the building. The Observatory

should confine its activities to work for nazineHD.

3. The Commissioners recommend that on a vacancy occuring,

which will probably be soon, on the retirement of the present

Director, the post of junior assistant should be filled by a

Chinese. In due course the post of Chief Assistant should

also be held by a Chinese.