THOSE TIME SIGNALS

Evening Star, Issue 22032, 18 May 1935, Page 4

THOSE TIME SIGNALS

EXPLAINED AFTER INSTEAD OF BEFORE Of the daily time signal broadcasts from the Dominion Observatory, the Wellington ‘ Dominion ’ says:— Suddenly, in the middle_ of the afternoon programme, proceedings are held up while a series of curious _ chirrups and blasts monopolise the entire power output of station 2YA lor a matter of two or three minutes. Not the slightest inkling is given as to how it is possible to set one’s watch to this manifestation until it is all over, when the announcer belatedly draw’s one’s attention to the fact that the last blast occurred at exactly two minutes after the halfhour. Whether it was the beginning or the end of tho blast is never jnentioned. If these, time signals arc to serve any purpose not served by the post office clock, it would surely assist if some idea could be given beforehand as to what was coming. Just how many people have set their watches two minutes wrong by this time signal,’ thereby missing the bus, boat, tram, or car home, will never be known. Doubtless navigators, who rely upon the signal to save them from running ashore, know exactly what to expect. ’ Broadcasting is, however, paid for by listeners as a body, and not by navigators, and the time has come when they should be let into the secret. A short announcement before the outburst would explain it better than any other method.