I'm tracking down as much as I can about the period during which Hong Kong had a time ball. The mechanized wonders existed from 1.1.1885 until the time ball service was discontinued on 30.6.1933. I have images (though would welcome more) for it at pretty regular intervals from its first installation at the old Water Police Station in Tsim Sha Tsui until its demise when it was on Signal/Blackhead's Hill. What I have never seen hide nor hair of is any image of the first time ball, which was hoisted to the main topmast head of HMS Victor Emmanuel, and dropped at 1300 local mean time every day from 1.8.1882 until 1.1.1885. The ball was red and 3 feet in diameter.
If anyone has seen an image of the V-E with any such device dangling anywhere up the mainmast (the middle of the three stumps, which had a short topmast on it), I should be thrilled to see it.
Best,
Stephen D
Time Ball photos
If anyone adds a photo that show the time ball, please give it the tag time ball so it's added to this collection:
http://gwulo.com/taxonomy/term/9392/photos-gallery
Regards, David