THE “TIME” MOMENT

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 255, 25 July 1935, Page 16

THE “TIME” MOMENT

Synchronising Clocks in the Dominion A daily service rendered by the New Zealand telegraph system is that of synchronising time throughout the Dominion. Though commonplace to the telegraph staff because it happens every day of the week, it is really a vivid moment to ’the privileged outsider who is permitted to stand at the superintendent’s desk of the Wellington operating room about 9 a.m. Things arc normal at 8.45, save perhaps for tlie discovery of a fault on a line, involving tests in tlie operating room and calculations at the desk revealing, without examination of tlie line itself, that the fault is 5!) miles distant. The nearest lineman is quickly on his way. Niue o’clock draws nearer. Operators stand up; they need not, but there is an interesting moment coming when the crisis is to be marked by a split second. The tapping of tlie Aforse keys, hitherto a mixed medley, now changes toa rhythmic sequence—“dot-dash-dot-dot, and dot-dot-dot”—oilier wise “LS,” the “all stations” signal.

Operators at the ends of all ti'o circuits are standing to attention while this preliminary signal repeated y out. Standing iu front, of a galvanometer, which will be operated from the Dominion Observatory, is a telegraph officer. Everyone ebse in the room is listening. Suddenly tlie needle is deflected. The officer shouts "Time.” and instantly every morse key taps out. "T I Al E”, and scores of telegraph operators in every part of New Zealand check the clock. The Wellington signal is acknowledged promptly, and the event is over until 9 a.m. next day. On machine-printing circuits, where transmission is automatic. Hie sending tape is prepared beforehand, and immediately "Time” is sounded tlie machine transmits a bell signal followed by the letters “T T M E.” At all offices connected witii the principal operating centres a similar arrangement is made for instant circulation of the timemoment. and even at telephone offices tlie attendants wait for the signal which keeps even tlie most remote clock in unison with that of the Dominion Observatory.