South of the East Cape the flood sets to the northward, ebb to the southward, within the Bays of Turanga and Tolaga the tide is not felt. The influence of the tides extend fifteen miles off this coast, the water being so much shoaler than in the Bay of Plenty.

WINDS AND WEATHER.

The winds on either side of the East Cape are frequently very different although it may be blowing very fresh. The strong westerly sea breezes, which blow through the Bay of Plenty, are suddenly lost when passing south of the East Cape Islet, the distinct line of breeze is curiously depicted on the water. A vessel may be becalmed here for hours in sight of very strong breezes.

Proceeding south it will be found that the ordinary sea breeze is N.E., while the N.E. gales are far less common than in the Hauraki Gulf, whereas the S.E. gales so uncommon at Auckland, are frequent, and blow very hard, on both sides of the East Cape, lasting several days.

The south winds come on very suddenly on both sides of the East Cape, frequently accompanied by rain.

The north winds with gloomy weather and rain, frequently precede the south winds, and the changes from north to south is very sudden.

These remarks although generally applicable, are from our own observations between October and February.

The N.E. gales are most frequent in March and April, the S.E. during the winter, accompanied by showers and lightning to the S.E.

In the Bay of Plenty the barometer rises to the W.S.W. winds, and the same effect is produced by the N.E. sea breezes south of the East Cape; it falls to northerly winds; and rises when about to shift to the southward.

Before N.E. gales the barometer is generally very high, they come on very gradually, with a leaden sky, rain follows, and they invariably shift to the N. and N.W., veering to W.S.W. it frequently remains at that quarter for some days, they seldom last more than forty-eight hours. It will be found that three o’clock in the afternoon is not an uncommon time for change during any gale in these seas.

The following are the Latitudes and Longitudes of some of the principal points and islands with the time of high water at full and change:—

Kate Kate River, (north head) lat. 37° 27′ S., long. 176° 2′ E. . H.W. 7 44

Mayor Island, (Highest Peak) lat. 37° 16′ S., long. 176° 18′ 3″ E. . H.W. “ “

Motu Hora, (Highest Peak) lat. 37° 50′ S., long. 177° 10′ E. . H.W. “ “

Opotiki River, (Mission House) lat. 37° 58′ S., long. 177° 20′ E. . H.W. “ 00

Tekaha Point (out extreme) lat. 37° 42½′ S., long. 177° 42′ E. . H.W. 6 30

Hick’s Bay, (Matakawa Point) lat. 37° 32′ S., long. 178° 22½′ E. . H.W. 9 00

East Cape Islet (summit of) lat. 37° 50′ S., long. 178° 37½′ E. . H.W. 8 55

Tolaga Bay, (Motu Heba) lat. 38° 22½′ S., long. 178° 28½′ E. . H.W. “ “

Poverty Bay, (Halbert’s house, Wero Wero) lat. 38° 42′ S., long. 177° 58½′ E. . H.W. 6 06

N.B.—All bearings in this are by compass.

BYRON DRURY,
Commander and Surveyor.

Provincial Secretary’s Office,
Christchurch, June 5, 1854.

THE following Notice to Mariners is published for general information.

H. G. GOULAND,
Provincial Secretary.

VICTORIA, PORT PHILLIP.

AUSTRALIA, BASS’ STRAITS.—REVOLVING LIGHT ON CAPE OTWAY.

Trinity House, London,
20th July, 1853.

The following particulars respecting the Revolving Light at Cape Otway (the first exhibition of which, in August, 1848, was notified from this house on the 11th April, 1849), having been communicated to this corporation by direction of Her Majesty’s Secretary of State for the Colonies, are hereby made public for the general information of mariners, viz.—

The Lighthouse on Cape Otway in Bass’s Strait is situated in latitude 38° 51′ south, and in longitude 143° 29′ east. The light revolves showing a bright flash once in every minute, and burns at the height of 300 feet above the level of high water, and may be seen by estimation at the distance of eight leagues.

Mariners are requested to observe that the reef off Cape Otway lies about one-half or three-quarters of a mile therefrom, in a S.E. to S.S.W. direction, and extends one and a quarter miles to the westward.

By order,

J. HERBERT, Secretary.

ADDITIONAL LIGHTHOUSE AT THE ENTRANCE TO PORT PHILLIP.

The second Lighthouse at Shortland’s Bluff being now nearly completed, mariners are requested to take notice that on and after the first day of January next, a fixed red light will be exhibited thereon from sunset to sunrise.

The leading lighthouse tower is built of