51

had better be adopted until a Buoy is placed on
the Middle Bank.
The Middle Bank bears W., by S. 1/2 S.,
and is two and a-half miles distant from "Ship
Patch."

The shore between Cowan Cowan and Tan-
galooma is fronted by a narrow bank, upon parts
of which there is not more then four or five feet
water; the south part of this bank is about a
mile off shore, inside which there is anchorage
which may be gained by passing between it and
the "Ship Patch."

There is good anchorage in Yule's Road, off
the watering place, about a quarter of a mile
from the shore, in 10 or 12 fathoms water,
where wood and water can be easily obtained.
Whalers would find this a most convenient
place for taking on board either of these articles,
the water is supplied by a never failing stream
into the bay, and wood can be cut within fifty
yards of high-water mark. An anchorage may
be taken in 5 and 6 fathoms water on the bank,
opposite the Pilots' Station, and more out of
the strength of the tide; but the distance from
the watering place would be considerably in-
creased.

The soundings on the chart are reduced to
the lowest water at spring tides; the rise is
from three to seven feet; strong south-easterly
winds cause the greatest rise, and during the
prevalence of strong westerly winds in the win-
ter; the range of tide is at times scarcely pre-
ceptible. The general set of the tide is, the
flood to the south, and the ebb to the north,
but in some places the direction of the stream is
varied by the shoals.

In the channel, between the east and west
banks, the first of the ebb tide sets strong to
the N.E. over the banks, after half-tide it takes
a northerly direction, and latterly about N.N.W.
it runs E.N.E. through Freeman's Channel.

Coasters and steamers drawing twelve feet
water may use Freeman's Channel with safety,
by keeping about a quarter of a mile off the
sandy beach on the north shore of the Island;
they should not stand to the southward until
Cowan Cowan is well open of the extreme of
the sandy point at Camboyuro..

In going out by Freeman's Channel a course
should be kept to the northward past Camboy-
uro, until the north extreme of Cape More-
ton is open to the northward of the sandy
beaches, but the eye is the best guide for this
channel.

As Moreton Island is entirely of sandy for-
mation, the banks nearest to the shore are con-
stantly undergoing changes in size and position
therefore it would not be prudent for a stranger
to attempt this channel without having a pilot
on board.

The ship channel should on all occasions be
used by large ships; there is a safe channel
through the eastern banks, with seldom less
than four fathoms water, which is generally used
by steamers and other coasters, but should not
be taken by a stranger. As the eastern limit
of the north bank has not been ascertained, it
will be advisable for vessels coming from the
northward, that Mount Tempest should not be
brought to bear to the eastward of S. by E.
until the Lighthouse bears E.S.E., a ship will
then be on the channel course, and may steer
W. 1/2 N. and follow the foregoing directions.

The soundings in the channel between the
east and north banks, will decrease gradually
from 7 to 5 fathoms, and after rounding the
Light Vessel will increase to 10 and 12 fathoms
there will not be less water until abreast of
Tangalooma Point.

From the Pilot Station to some distance
beyond Cowan Cowan, the water is much deeper
and varies from 15 to 20 fathoms.

Ships making Cape Moreton late in the
evening will find safe anchorage from 2 to 3
miles inside the north extreme of Cape Moreton
and about a mile and a half off shore, in 6 fathoms
water.

The bearings are magnetic. The Light
Vessel has done away with the necessity for the
chequered buoy at B, but in the event of her
being temporarily removed that buoy will supply
her place. The Light Vessel will show a double
light at night, namely, two vertical lights, with
an intervening space of about 5 feet.

J. C. WICKHAM, Capt. R.N.,
Government Resident.

NOTICE TO MARINERS.

THE Light will be exhibited at the Lighthouse
on Cape Moreton, for the first time, on Satur-
day Evening, the 14th February, of which all
persons interested are requested to take notice

STUART A. DONALDSON.

Colonial Treasury,
Auckland, February 28th, 1857.

NOTICE is hereby given that Mr. W.
C. Wilson's tender to print the "Maori
Messenger" for the twelve months commencing
January 1st, 1857, has been accepted at the
following rate.

Royal octavo size, at per 16 pages, stitched
in coloured paper wrapper, 500 copies of
each number, £10 10s. per number.

By his Excellency's command,
C. W. RICHMOND.

ERRATA. In Gazette No. 43, of 1856,
page 315, in the list of Magistrates for the
Province of Canterbury, for "Charles Robert
Blackiston, Esq.," read "Charles Robert
Blakiston, Esq."; for "Joseph Dickson, Esq.,"
read "Joseph Dicken, Esq."; for "Bent John
Carew, Esq.," read "Walter John Carew,
Esq."