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similar nature. That real efficiency in storm-signal systems is only to be attained by giving every facility for the receipt and distribution of weather telegrams, is shown by the following extract from the report of the sub-committeo appointed to consider this special matter at the International Meteorological Congress, held at Vienna in September, 1873. In reply to a question submitted to them as to their opinions "in respect of the action of the storm signals hitherto in use, &c," the sub-committee reply that " It is sufficiently evident from the various answers of scientific men who have been asked for their opinions, as well as from the other official and non-official reports of the individual directors of Meteorological Institutes, that there is a general conviction of the importance of weather telegraphy for the purposes of practical life, and that the existence of such a system is considered a necessity: this is shown from the results obtained hitherto from the system already in existence. " The sub-committee therefore expresses its opinion in the following words: —lt seems desirable that the system of weather telegraphy should be developed as generally as possible, and on as uniform a plan as possible. In all countries in which, up to the present time, such systems have not been organized, steps leading to such an organization should be taken as soon as possible." After stating their opinion that systems should be in close relation to each other, and that all observers should be well instructed for purposes of weather telegraphy, the sub-committee state that "In order to make the system of warnings as perfect as possible, according to the present state of the science, the sub-committee must indicate that it is desirable that the observations and reports based thereon should be made as complete and continuous (as regards the former) as is possible, i.e. neither Sundays nor holidays should make a difference to them, and there should not be a complete interruption during the night;" and that "representations should be made to the respective Governments to facilitate weather telegraphy as much as possible. This is of importance, not only with reference to the expense, but also with reference to time in respect of the telegrams within each system, and from one central office to another. If telegraphic weather reports are delayed from a consideration of other despatches, the operation of the system will, in the opinion of the sub-committee, be seriously interfered with." If such direct system of working has been found very desirable in countries of large area and more extended communication, and where reports on these matters are not published until after they have been revised by the central office, how much more necessary must they be in New Zealand, whose peculiar disadvantages in these respects have been already alluded to. I now propose to bring under your notice certain disadvantages which are felt in working this system, but which are not in my power to ameliorate. Of course you are aware that the Harbour Masters' Departments are virtually under the Provincial Government, and there are one or two cases in connection with this circumstance that interfere with the work considerably. I wish especially to bring under your notice one instance in which the officer who supplies my report is entirely without office accommodation, and is so straitened for room that I have instructed him to return me all papers connected with the storm-signal service, so that I may have them in safe custody until he.has more room at his disposal. Besides this disadvantage, the want of an office will prevent my being able to supply him with a standard barometer, &c, as valuable instruments should only be kept where there is little possibility of accident, and this cannot be said to be the case where an ordinary dwelling-house is already so filled that the necessity for relief has become urgent. The want of reliable instruments at this place will be much felt in my duties, especially as the position is one of considerable interest. There is also another instance in which the weather reporter has to perform the duties of signalman and pilot, and other very responsible matters have also to be carried out by him without either assistance or office accommodation, and, unless these are given, it is useless for me to supply him with instruments to which he could not give the necessary attention. I have been informed that this officer's residence is a considerable distance from the telegraph station, and being without office accommodation he has to go to his own house to make observation of the instrument whenever I telegraph for information, and it thus happens that I sometimes cannot get a reply to even an urgent telegram for some hours. A third case of a somewhat similar nature is that of the officer in charge of the telegraph station at Castle Point, who is lineman as well as telegraphist, and, of course, when repairs to the line are required, the office is closed. Prom the peculiar situation of the station it is very useful in supplying additional information, and, being so near Wellington, replies can be received from thence very quickly—a fact of which I frequently avail myself if there are appearances of easterly winds. When this office is closed I am, of course, unable to obtain this advantage. Castle Point is a place where a great deal of wool is shipped in coasters, and should the Government decide at some future time to establish storm signals, it will bo advisable to have the telegraph office at Castle Point more frequently available. A fourth case of this kind exists at a very important station for purposes of weather forecast, and I find on inquiry that there is neither harbour office nor Harbour Master's residence; so I have not yet been able to obtain reports from thence, though I have at various times given intimation to the Harbour Master of the probable approach of bad weather. There are several other places amongst the reporting stations where the observer has to do work similar to that at Castle Point; and when this absence from the station is taken into consideration in connection with the third primary cause already pointed out, it becomes evident that we have to contend with another disadvantage, though in this latter case the evil is remediable. I must now bring under your notice that, when the instruments ordered from England are all in position and supplying daily information, the increased amount of material forwarded to the central office will necessitate there being some additional assistance given to me, not only in the ordinary official work of recording letters, &c, but also in tabulating and reducing the observations previously to attempting any forecast of the weather. This, I submit, should be the duties of myself and an officer fully competent to share the responsibilities and undertake the duties of the office in case of my being in any way unable to carry out the work. Such assistance is especially necessary, as it should be my province to visit each station once a year and to personally superintend