46 



thence to the seconds hand of the clock so as to ensure accuracy in 

 giving the signal to three-tenths of a second, it may in the ordinary 

 way, ^vith care and diligence, be given to two or three seconds of time, 

 and in some cases even less than that. 



•A principal reason why gun signals are preferable to all others is 

 the great distance to which sounds are propagated. A cannon fired 

 at Hobart Town, under an ordinary state of the atmosphere, would 

 be heard in all the surromiding districts ; there are cases on record 

 in which, under very favorable atmospheric circumstances, guns have 

 been heard at distances from 100 to 200 miles. 



If the Council of the Society, with the concurrence of the present 

 meeting, consider this subject of any import'ance, and that ihe 

 proper time has arrived for taking such steps, there is little reason 

 to doubt but that on application the government will be induced to 

 give the necessary assistance, which (apart from the expense), wdl 

 only require the services of a correct man for about half an hour 

 each day, with a good watch to carry the time from the transit 

 clock to the cannon. The correct time, I scarcely need say, I shal 

 always be happy to supply. 



