Notes Prepared by John Hogan
Introduction
I Join the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology
H. A. Hunt (1866–1946) — First Commonwealth Meteorologist
Inigo Jones (1872–1954)
Griffith Taylor, D.SC, B.E., B.A. (1880–1963)
Edward Kidson, O.B.E., D.Sc., F. Inst. P. (1882–1939)
My Recollections of Captain Edward Kidson (R.E) O.B.E, D.Sc., F. Inst. P. (1882–1939)
Macquarie Island
Willis Island
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Dating from colonial days, the Sydney Divisional Office maintained a daily exchange of meteorological messages of rainfall, river heights and weather forecasts between major inland post offices, particularly in those towns on the major rivers of the Darling River system. Postmaster-General's telegraphic communications were used, and these messages were free, as were all meteorological telegrams. On a certain day the edict came at short notice from the Postmaster-General's that charges would be made for these messages. The Bureau's budget was completely inadequate to meet this enormous expense, so the Commonwealth Meteorologist ordered that this exchange of weather information should cease immediately. So great was the clamour that followed from the country people and conveyed to the Parliament by local members that the proposal was rapidly withdrawn.
The growth of the Public Service over the years is reflected by the size of the Commonwealth Government Gazette. When I first became aware of it, the Gazette, if printed at all, consisted of a single sheet which could be read in less than a minute, with the Meteorological Branch very rarely rating a mention.
My career compared favourably by any standards with those of the majority of my contemporaries, particularly those who remained in the Public Service. Many of course left the Public Service, some of them distinguished themselves in their professions, especially in law and medicine. As a measure of my progress, in the Gazette in which I was promoted to Deputy Director, Sydney, a former friend from Geelong, who had sat beside me at the entrance examination and who I have not seen since, was promoted to Deputy Director in a Branch of another Department.
September 1969
J. Hogan
People in Bright Sparcs - Hogan, John
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