A TIME-GUN.

Evening Post, Volume XV, Issue 99, 28 April 1877, Page 2

A TIME-GUN.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE EVENING POST. Sir — Mr. Severn's lecture of Thursday night revived an idea I have long entertained, that the city should have a time-gun, instead of a time-ball. ' The time-ball is now so hidden that it is compai'atively useless for the city. I would place the gun on Mount Victoria, and fireitiyelectricity. On one day in each week guaranteed chronometer time is given by the timeball. The reason for giving it on one day only Is that sometimes dull weather prevents ol)servations for obtaining the clock-ei;M)f -at the. observatory. There has' been this week, for instance, no chance yet of giving time. On the day after an evening's observation I set the clock which drops the ball from the astrononomical clock at 11.30, and so, when the ball begins to drop the time shown by a chronometer true on Greenwich time is exactly 12h. 30m. It would be easy enough at the ratingrday to hoist at the Custom House a red' flag at ' 10 o'clock. This flag would be seen at the signalstation. A red flag should now be'lioisted there at 11 o'clock, half-mast. Tlie gun would now be loaded ; a platinum wire, connected with a relay battery, be laid across the touch-hole, and powder poured over the wire. Tlie flag should now, at 5 minutes to 12, be hoisted fully. At 12 o'clock the electricity from the observatory could readily enough be made to start the relay battery, and so a current of sufficient intensity be set free to heat the wire, and to fire the gun. The flash of the gun would giye chronometer time as well as the time-ball. The report of the gun would give time to the city, and the smoke of the gun to the Hutt, even if the re-, port were not audible there. The expenses would be the cost of the wire to Mount Victoria ; the gun, with a shed to cover it ; the powder; a strong chest to hold the charges; battery, and payment to signal-man for extra > work. • . i r I am, &c, A. Stock.