THE “TIME” MOMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19639, 27 July 1935, Page 10

THE “TIME” MOMENT.

A TELEGRAPHIC EPISODE. CHECKING'THE CLOCK. A daily service rendered by Nev. Zealand’s telegraph system is that of synchronising lime 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 are normal at 8.45, save for the discovery of a fault on a line, involving tests In the operating room and calculations at the desk, revcal- ! ing, without examination of the line itself, that the fault is 59 miles distant. The nearest lineman is quickly on his way. We arc getting nearer 9 o’clock. Operators stand up. The tapping of the Morse keys, hitherto a mixed medley, now changes to a rhythmic sequence—“ dot-dash-dot-dot, and dol-dot-dot" —otherwise “LS,” the “All stations” signal. A Shout of “Time." Standing in front of a galvanometer, which will be operated from the Dominion Observatory, is u telegraph

1 officer. Suddenly the needle Is do- S 1 fleeted. The officer shouts “Time, I - and instantly every Morse key taps out E 1 “TIME,” and scores of telegraph I ; operators in every part of New Zealand | l -cheek Hie clock. The Wellington 3 signal is acknowledged promptly, and ■the event is over until 9 a.m. the next day. On machine printing circuits, where transmission is automatic, the sending tape is prepared beforehand, and immediately “Time" is sounded thc machine transmits a hell signal, followed by the letters “TIME. At all offices connected with the principal g operating centres a similar aiiange- I ment is made for instant circulation ol l the time-moment, and even at tele- | Phone offices the attendants wait lor H the signal which keeps even the mos remote clock in unison with that of R tho Dominion Observatory. 1