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September 30, 1896.]
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. THE OBSERVATORY REPORT FOR | meters were verified. In addition several hundred barometers and aneroids on board ship were compared with our standard.
1895.
The following are extracts from Dr. Doberok's annual report:
My eleventh volume of observations and re- searches was published last summer and the twelfth volume is now being printed. It con- tains investigations of the typhoons in 1890, 1891, 1893, and 1895, which I have conducted in co-operation with Mr. Figg. Thus all the typhoons that have been observed since this Observatory was started in 1884 have now been investigated, and we are at present busy with a revision of the laws of storms on the basis of these investigations. This will probably be finished in a year, and the results can be utilised for weather-forecasts and storm-warnings in 1897 and following years.
The thanks of the Government are due to the Telegraph Companies for continuing to forward the meteorological telegrams free of charge. If paid for at the rate charged for messages with precedence urgency the cost per Annum would be very great. Most important telegrams are also forwarded by the Chinese Telegraph Administration with precedence urgency and free of cost, but they are very often received too late.
The thanks of the Government are due to the Inspector-General of the Imperial Maritime Customs of China for ordering meteorological observations to be made at the treaty ports and transmitted to this Observatory, and it is to be hoped that it may be found possible to greatly extend the number of ports from which such information is telegraphed. There exists no meteorological service in China and the infor- mation that can be collected at present is insuf ficient. For the issue of weather-forecasts and storm-warnings it is necessary that the China Sea should be surrounded by telegraphic report- ing stations worked by trained observers sup- plied with accurate instruments, and reports
from the north of China and stations inland in China such as the treaty ports along the Yang- tae-kiang are equally necessary.
Daring the past year the staffs of the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company at Bolinao (Luxon) and at Sharp Peak (near Foochow) made observations at all times during the day and telegraphed them direct to Hongkong, and this frequently enabled Mr. Figg to indicate the subsequent movements of typhoons with much greater accuracy than could have been effected without that information, in the ab- sence of which in fact many typhoons could not have been announced at all.
The China Coast Meteorological Register was printed daily at the Observatory, and in- formation regarding storms was telegraphed to and (exhibited on notice boards in Hongkong and elsewhere as often and as fully as such information could be justified by the weather telegrams received. This happened on 45 days in 1895. The red drum was hoisted 5 times, the black drum 3 times, the black south cone 5 times, the black ball 1 time, two lanterns vertically 3 times, and horizontally 1 time. The gun was fired one round in 1895. Printed expresses were circulated twice."
During 1895, in addition to meteorological registers kept at about 30 stations on shore, 1,977 ship-logs have been received, 1,708 were. forwarded by captains, and 269 were copied on board ship in the harbour. The ship-logs collected in 1895 were thus distributed :-For 1893, 1 log; for 1894, 59 logs; for 1895, 1,917 logs. The total number of ships, whose log- books have been made use of, was 296. The total number of days' observations was 16,835. These data are collected, reduced, tabulated and made available for the study of typhoons and, other meteorological features by Miss Doberok. The entry of observations made at sea in degree squares for the area between 9 deg. south and 45 deg. north latitude, and between the longitude of Singapore and 180 deg. East of Greenwich for the construction of trustworthy pilot charts has been continued, and 94,322 observations in all have now been entered.
44
As stated in the Instructions for making Meteorological Observations, etc.," meteoro- logical instruments forwarded by observers who regularly send their registers to the Observatory are verified here free of cost. During the past year 4 barometers, 2 aneroids, and 78 thermo-
and levelled the axis of the transit instrument Mr. Plummer observed 514 transits in 1895,
181 times. Table V. shows the errors of the time-ball in 1895. The probable error was in January 08.09, in February 0s.19, in March 08.21, in April 0.12, in May Os.13, in June 08.12, in July 08.09, in August 0s.11, in September 08.13, in October 08.13, in November 08.12, and in December 08.11. The errors depend apparently upon the mean amount of clouds, but really upon the periods of clondy weather when no transits can be obtained. The time-ball is not hoisted on Government holidays.
It was not hoisted on the 5th
February, as the reversing galvanometer was under repair; on the 29th May, as the lock was ander repair, a broken spring being replaced; on the 19th of June, when Mr. Ho To-shang, Second Assistant, forgot the key of the tower; on the 28th July, owing to a strong gale; on the the Public Works Department making altera- 14th September, when the line was interrupted, tions; and on the 2nd and 24th November, when there was no discharge current, the fault lying with the battery. On 7 days the ball was therefore not hoisted. It was hoisted but failed to drop 5 times. On the 3rd and 28th May the failure was due to the reversing galvanometer being out of adjustment. On the 31st May the piston failed to rest on the tooth of the lock. On the 1st June the hammer spring was not pulled tight enough. On the 1st September the cause of failure is not known.
There fell only half the normal amount of rain during 1895. The excessive drought had The relative humidity was only two per cent. no influence on either pressure or temperature. less than usual. The number of hours with bright sunshine was 149 in excess. The dura- tion of rain was 158 hours less than usual and the intensity of rain was only six-tenths of the average. The wind was normal and the cloudi- of the clouds was higher than usual. During ness very slightly below the mean, but the level, the month of August the wind is generally very light and in consequence the daily variation in direction is great, but in 1895 the direction backed throughout the 24 hours. It probably backed most quickly about 7 or 8 a.m.
Slight shocks of earthquake were noticed on the 30th August at 5.45 p.m. and other shocks occurred during the following night.
THE HONGKONG FOOTBALL CLUB.
The following is the report for the season 1895-1896 :-
To the members of the Hongkong Football Club.
The Committee have the pleasure to lay before you their Report on the last Season.
The Accounts attached show a balance of $121.53 to the credit of the Club on September 21st last.
The following record shows the results of the matches played under Association and Rugby rules
Lost 6 Goals for 28. Drawn ...6 Goals against ...19. Won .9 Lost
Association
Rugby
257
ground for each match was borne by this Club. This expenditure will in future be defrayed by the Clubs which enter for the competition. ceiving the Committee's report for the past The annual meeting for the purpose of re-
season, and for electing the Committee and Officers for the forthcoming season, will be held in the Cricket Pavilion on Wednesday, Sept. 30th, at 5 p.m.
CHINA TRADERS INSURANCE CO.,
LIMITED.
The thirtieth ordinary meeting of the China Traders' Insurance Co., Limited, was held in the Company's Offices, Queen's Road, on Saturday, at noon. Mr. J. Kramer presided; and there were also present-Messrs. St. C. Michaelsen, M. D. Ezekiel and J. W. R. Taylor (Directors), W. H. Ray (Secretary), W. B. Loxley, R. M. Mehta, G. Stewart, R. K. Leigh, G. T. Veitch, G. W. F. Playfair, H. W. Slade, F. D. God- dard, J. Orange, E. T. Bond, E. C. Ray,
S. Hancock.
and
The SECRETARY read the notice calling the meeting.
The CHAIRMAN-Gentlemen, with your per mission I will take the report and accounts as read, and will turn to the latter, which I have little doubt you consider satisfactory. The smaller amount of premium shown this year is largely into our transactions of the previous due to the absence of war risks, which entered twelve months. Allowing for this business the premium collected is larger notwithstanding the keen oompetition which existed in every direct- tion. The interest earned shews a falling off of $7,000, the result of the lower rate at present obtainable for deposits in banks and loans on to realize a portion of the securities held in London mortgage. The directors considered it advisable and to reinvest the amount in Indian Govern ment stock. This change resulted in a profit of $41,000, and has also enabled the directors to
recommend the increase of the reserve fund' to
exchange fluctuation account, leaving a sum in $1,000,000 by the transfer of $100,000 from that account sufficiently large to protect sterl ing holdings against a rise in exchange to 4/-, and this provision you will doubtless agree with me is, considering the present outlook, all that will be necessary for some little time to come. Losses, though still large, are not so great by $130,000 as were incurred during the previous year. The net result of the twelve months' working is a balance of $607,348.85, and the directors are pleased to be able to recommend the payment of the same general dividend of 20 per cent. (85 per share) as last year, the increase of the bonus to contributors of business from 15 per cent. to 20 per cent., and to carry forward the sum of $327,348.85. This apportionment, I anticipate, will have your cordial support. The mortgages held by the Company have been reviewed by Messrs. Palmer and Turner, and the properties continue to furnish ample secu- rity for the loans upon them. Nothing further calls for comment by me, but before submitting the report and accounts for approval and con- firmation I shall be glad to afford any additional information that may be required.
No questions were asked, and the Chairman moved the adoption of the report and the pass- 42.❘ing of the accounts.
...0 Points for Drawn ...0 Points against... 6. Won Eight Inter-Club matches have also been played under Association rules, and four under Rugby rules.
For specially good play in the Association matches, badges have been awarded, on the re- commendation of a special Committee, to Messrs. H. R. B. Hancock, J. W. L. Oliver, and H. W. Slade; and for specially good play in the Rugby matches, oaps have been awarded to Messrs. W. M. Greenfield, E. D. Sanders, J. C. Cameron, and P. G. Davies, B.A.
The Club now consists of 95 members. During the year 28 new members were elected. The season was closed by the second annual dinner at which 40 were present.
The competition inaugurated at the com- mencement of the season proved a great success and produced a number of highly interesting matches. It also led to the formation of some new Clubs. To facilitate the carrying out of the competition the expenses of preparing the
Mr. LOXLEY seconded. Carried.
Mr. STEWART moved and Mr. LEIGH seconded, the confimation of the election of Mr. J. W. R. Taylor on the directorate in room of Mr.J. Thurburn, who had left the colony.
Carried.
Mr. BOND moved and Mr. VEITOH seconded the re-election as directors of Messrs. Kramer and Taylor.
Carried.
of the auditors, Messrs. T. Arnold and H. U. Captain GODDARD proposed the re-election
Jeffries
Mr. MEHTA seconded. Carried.
The CHAIRMAN-Gentlemen, that is all the business. Dividend wärrants will be ready on Monday. I thank you for your attendance.
Mrs. Michell, mother of Mr. E. B. Michell, late of Bangkok, and of the Dowager Duchess of Sutherland, died recently at Rugby,
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