During his 10-year sojourn in Sydney, weather beacons were introduced to Australia by Arthur Gray, then Industrial Manager for the M.L.C, in Sydney. Harold did battle with the late L. J. Dwyer over the code of lights to be used and eventually won the day (no easy matter with L. J.!) A year or two later the M.L.C., realising that people didn't readily remember what the lights foretold, organised a Jingle Competition, intended for M.L.C. staff only. As Harold was receiving "M.L.C. News" and there was no mention of outsiders being debarred, he had a go at it and lo! the judges awarded him the prize of £5. This so embarrassed the M.L.C. that the judging panel had to select the best house entry as well. Who should win another £5 but Arthur Gray himself. Rival poets, indeed!

If you would like to know how to .read those lights, Harold's bit of doggerel verse, as he calls it, might help you.

"The M.L.C. Beacon shows the sign
Red for rain or white for fine;
Flashes long, a change impending,
Rain to come* or rain soon ending;
Flashes short, prepare for gales,
Gather the washing, furl the sails.

Up above, when lights are rising,
warmer weather they're advising;
But when lights are running down,
Out with furs and woolly gown.
Yes, the Beacon's altogether
Tops for telling coming weather".

* Subsequently changed to mean 'showers'.

In 1964 Harold became regional Director for Tasmania, taking the place of Jack Johnston. Right from, the start Harold took a keen personal interest in the welfare of his staff and liked to see everyone happy in his job. Or, for that matter, her job—for since 1965 many women mets. have begun their forecasting career in Hobart; and he had an all-girl communications staff because the men couldn't type (so he says!).

Bureau of Meteorology