232 
The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. [July 
1. Mr. Hudson reported the discovery by telephone on the evening of 
Sunday, June 9, N.Z.T. 
2. Mr. Crust reported by letter dated June 10, received June 13. 
3. Sergeant-major Comrie reported by cable, received June 14. 
Mr. Hudson’s time of discovery was 10 h. 45 m. p.m. on Sunday, June 9 
= June 8 d. 23 h. 15 m., G.M.T. Mr. Crust’s time of discovery was 9 h. 10 m. 
p.m. on Sunday, June 9 = June 8 d. 21 h. 40 m., G.M.T. Information 
has not yet been received from Mr. Comrie as to the time of discovery 
by him. 
An extract from Mr. Hudson’s letter, published in the Evening Post , 
Wellington, Monday, June 10, 1918, is as follows:— 
“ At 10.45 p.m. on the 9th I was astonished to observe a new star of the first 
magnitude situated between the constellations Aquila and Serpens, in a north - east 
direction, and considerably above the bright star Altair. Right ascension 18h. 44 m. 
declination 0° 30' t north.” 
Mr. Crust’s letter is as follows :— 
93 Maitland Street, Dunedin, 10th June, 1918. 
To the Government Astronomer. 
Dear Sir,—■ 
Noticing in the Evening Star of June 10th your telegrams in regard to the nova 
in Aquila, I thought it might be of interest to you to know that I saw the star on the 
evening of the 9th inst., at 9.10 p.m. 
It was then of 1st mag. and of about the 7th or 8th brightest order. It shone 
with a somewhat purer white light than at present time of writing (9.15 p.m. on 10th 
inst.). 
Although I have little time (being in Upper V in Otago Boys’ High School) to 
devote to the subject, since a small boy I have been keenly interested in astronomy, 
and in having a lookout on Sunday night at 9.10 p.m. discovered this star, which I 
knew had never appeared in that position before, and I am sorry that I did not write 
at once to you. lam, yours faithfully, 
Alex. G. Crust, 
Mr. Comrie’s cable is as follows —- 
Discovered star in Aquila.— Comrie. 
New Zealand Standard Time. 
The following is the report of the Wellington Philosophical Society 
on New Zealand standard time :— 
The present agreement as to civil time in New Zealand dates back to 1868 (see Trans¬ 
actions of the New Zealand Institute, vol. 1, page 48). In the early days of the colony each 
district kept approximately the local mean solar time of its chief town, but as coastal 
communication developed and distant places began to be linked together by railway 
and telegraph it became necessary to adopt a uniform system. In 1868, on the recom¬ 
mendation of Dr. (afterwards Sir James) Hector, the Government resolved to adopt 
a standard time 11 h. 30 m. in advance of Greenwich mean time. The following extract 
from the New Zealand Gazette of the 31st October, 1868, contains the Government 
announcement regarding the standardizing of mean time for the colony :—- 
“ Colonial Secretary’s Office, 
Wellington,' 30th October, 1868. 
“ In accordance with a resolution of the House of Representatives to the effect 
that New Zealand mean time be adopted throughout the colony, it is hereby notified 
for public information that the time corresponding to the longitude 172° 30' east from 
Greenwich—which is exactly 114 hours in advance of Greenwich time—has been 
adopted as the mean time for the colony; and that from and after the 2nd day of 
November the public offices of the General Government will be opened and closed in 
accordance therewith. “ E. W. Stafford. ' 
