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accurate to the nearest second, and when more accurate signals are required the error on mean time can usually be supplied, provided recent observations have been obtained. During intervals of bad weather the signals have to be suspended, as the standard clocks cannot be relied on for any length of time. The signal-clocks are fitted with a variety of contacts for sending out timesignals. The first contacts fitted were somewhat similar to the spring contacts of the Dent clocks, but as the new lever contact has been so satisfactory similar contacts have been applied to both the signal-clocks. Formerly it was necessary to stop the clock and remove the face before the contacts could be cleaned and adjusted; now it is only necessary to remove the clock-cover, when the contacts can be cleaned and adjusted without interfering with the clock. In the past it was the custom to send only one time-signal at each hour from the signal-clock. When the time-signal was required at any port in the Dominion the Telegraph Department provided a direct connection from the Observatory clock to a galvanometer at the port, and the navigator compared his chronometer with the galvanometer signal. It was sometimes found, however, that owing to other impulses on the telegraph-line it was not possible to identify the time-signal with certainty, and the only way to test this was to wait for the time-signal at the next hour. This involved considerable inconvenience to all parties concerned; and, to avoid this, additional contacts have been put on the signal-clocks, so that a series of five signals is given during the first five minutes of each hour. The increased convenience has been much appreciated by navigators. Daily Time-signal. —The daily time-signal is sent from the Observatory standard clock to some 2,400 telegraphic stations by the Telegraph Department every day (except Sundays) at 9 a.m. The operation is an interesting one. A clock in the telegraph operating-room at Wellington is kept to eorrect'time by comparison with the time-signal from the Observatory standard clock. At a few minutes before 9 a.m. all the telegraph-offices are called to attention by the Morse signal " LS," which is repeated until the Supervisors call "Time," exactly at 9 a.m., when each operator telegraphs the word " Time." By this means all the railway and telegraph offices receive correct-time signals. The more accurate signals required for rating chronometers are sent entirely automatically from the Observatory clock over the telegraph-lines. Rates of the Astronomical Clocks. —The astronomical clocks have developed certain irregularities in their rates, and they have been overhauled and adjusted, but without showing much improvement. Experience this year agadn confirms the previous conclusion that clocks of more modern type in airtight cases are required for standard clocks. Owing to the irregularity in the rates of the standard clocks it has been necessary to disconnect the galvanometer in the public telegraph-office, Wellington; and in a recent interval of bad weather it became necessary to suspend all time-signals until observations could be obtained to determine the clock-error. Proposals for the improvement of the time-service equipment are under consideration by the Government. Radio Time-signals. Reception of Radio Time-signals. —Nothing further has been done to complete the radio receiving outfit at the Observatory. With a view to checking the Observatory clocks arrangements were made with Dr. J. M. Baldwin, Government Astronomer, Melbourne, to send scientific timesignals by radio twice a week from the Melbourne Observatory. Unfortunately, the apparatus at our Observatory is not sufficiently sensitive to hear these signals with. Such signals are invaluable during intervals of bad weather, when observations cannot be obtained at our Observatory. Suggestions for suitable apparatus are now under consideration, and it is expected that the equipment will be put in working-order ere long. - Transmission of Radio Time-signals. —Further experiments have been made in sending out time-signals from the Observatory by radio-telegraphy. The same series of five signals (referred to above) during the first five minutes of the hour is sent from the Awanui Radio Station. The Telegraph Department have provided a direct connection between the Observatory signal-clock and a relay at Awanui over a land line about 600 miles long. The relay operates a sounder which serves as a, key to work the high-power transmitting-apparatus. The receiving-apparatus at the Observatory is capable of receiving the radio time-signals sent out by Awanui, and they have been checked frequently. It is possible to hear the click of the Observatory signal-clock with one ear, and with the radio receiver on the other ear the radio signal from Awanui is clearly heard. It is not possible to detect any difference between the two sounds, so that for all practical purposes the signals may be considered to be simultaneous. No doubt there is some slight difference between the two sounds, and steps will be taken to measure the lag by means of the chronograph as soon as some reliable method of automatically recording the radio time-signals is devised. The radio time-signals sent from the Observatory have been received at Tahiti, Rarotonga, and other Pacific islands, while captains of steamers report that the time-signals have been heard at Honolulu. Longitudes of Islands. As radio stations are now constructed at Chatham Islands, Rarotonga, Samoa, and otherPacific Islands, it will be possible to determine the differences of longitude between these places and the Observatory. In this way the charts can be corrected. Similarly, the differences of longitude between the Observatory and the other islands near New Zealand can be determined as soon as a vessel fitted with radio-telegraphic apparatus is available for this service. Geneeal. Nova Aquilce. The discovery of the new star in the constellation Aquila was reported to the Government Astronomer by (1) Mr. G. V. Hudson, Karori, Wellington; (2) Mr. Alex. G. Crust, of Dunedin;

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