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development, although the origins of civil aviation in HongKong go back more than half a century.The airfield at Kai Tak - not the present airport, whichis built on reclaimed land - dates from the late 1920s.The essential connection between meteorology and flyingemerges in the Royal Observatory's records for 1927:On November 24th, Flying Officer R. Vaughan Williams,R.A.F., came to interview the Director in connection with theestablishment of an air route to Shanghai.The following year brought another visit for a similarpurpose - quite probably from the same officer, though thename is slightly different:Flying Officer R. Vaughan Fowler, R.A.F., came to interviewthe Director in connection with the meteorological needs of aproposed civil aviation company for Hong Kong.The development of meteorological services for thefledgling aviation industry was slow at first, but in hisreport for 1937, the Director, Mr. C. W.Jeffries, noted:Commencing on May 18, a Senior Officer and a Chineseassistant have been stationed at Kai Tak aerodrome daily duringthe forenoon. A synoptic chart of the Far East, on which is alsoall available information concerning upper winds, is preparedand exhibited in the aerodrome, and the officer is available forconsultation by departing pilots. An hourly weather report isbroadcast daily, usually from 0600 to 1600 Hong KongStandard Time, and is communicated directly to the ImperialAirways plane during its weekly flight from Indo-China toHong Kong. A route forecast is also furnished to the pilot on hisreturn flight to Indo-China.The growth of civil and military aviation in the region soonoutstripped the meteorological facilities, and a meteorologicaloffice was included in plans for the new Kai Tak terminal.This office began work in 1939, but operations did notlast long. By Christmas Day 1941, Hong Kong was inJapanese hands.When civilian government resumed in May 1946, Mr. G.S. P. Hey wood became Director of the Observatory, and107