314
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

Colonial Secretary's Office,
Auckland, 29th November, 1861.
HIS Excellency the Administrator of the
Government has been pleased to accept
the resignation of
Ensign JOHN SMITH,
No. 9 Company "Nelson" Rifle Volunteers.
WILLIAM Fox.

Colonial Secretary's Office,
Auckland, 29th November, 1861.
IT is hereby notified that Writs issued for
the election of Members of the Provincial
Council of the Province of Auckland have been
returned with certificates to the effect that

For the District of Mongonui—
James Ball,

For the District of Bay of Islands—
James Busby,
Thomas Bateman,

For the District of Marsden—
Roderick Ross,
Duncan McKenzie,
Robert Skeen,

For the District of Northern Division—
David Sheehan,
George Samuel Graham,
Allan O'Neill,
Alexander Adam Melvin,
Jerome Cadman,

For the District of the City of Auckland East—
William Rattray,
Edward James Skyrme,
Michael Creagh,

For the District of the City of Auckland West—
William Crush Daldy,
Edward King,
Daniel Lynch,
James O'Neill,
James George,

For the District of Parnell—
Thomas Cheeseman,
Isaac Worthington Harrop,

For the District of Newton—
Hugh Carleton,
William Rowe.

For the District of Pensioner Settlements—
Robert Williams Wynn,
James Foley,
Richard McGhee,

For the District of the Town of Onehunga—
Frederick Morris Preston Brookfield,
William Powditch,

For the District of Franklin—
Albin Martin,
John Wallace,
James Farmer,
George Gruchy,

For the District of Raglan —
Joseph May,
William Thomas Buckland,
Robert Oliphant Stewart,
have been duly elected.
WILLIAM Fox.

Colonial Secretary's Office,
Auckland, 29th November, 1861.
THE following "Notice to Mariners" is
published for general information.
WILLIAM Fox.

NOTICE TO MARINERS.

SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN.

REEF OFF STEWART ISLE, NEW ZEALAND.

Hydrographic Office, Admiralty,
London, 15th August, 1861.
It appears from an examination of the Wea-
ther book of the ship Bruce, Thomas Meikle-
john, Commander, in her passage from Otago
by the South of New Zealand to Calcutta, in
November last, when passing the South-east
extreme of South or Stewart island, discovered
a dangerous Reef which is not laid down in the
Admiralty or any other Charts, or noticed in
the New Zealand Pilot or Sailing Directions.

This danger which is described as two low
rocks from 3 to 6 feet high, and close together,
on which the sea breaks heavily, lies in the
direct track of vessels closely rounding Stewart
island in proceeding to or from the Southern
settlements of New Zealand.

Its position, which appears to have been de-
termined with some accuracy, is as follows :—
7 miles, E. by N. N. from Owen Island,
off Lord's River.
5 miles, E. by N. N. from the extreme
of the Break Sea Isles.
3 miles, E. by S. S. from Wreck Reef
off Port Adventure.
7 miles, S.E. E. from East Head, norta
of Port Adventure.

Or, in latitude 47° 7' 35" S., and long.
168° 21' 35" E.

Soundings, though tried for, were not ob-
tained in its neighbourhood, from the rapid
rate of sailing of the ship in passing the danger.

Caution.—It is creditable to Captain Meikle-
john to have entered the discovery of this Reef
in his Weather book ; but it is greatly to be
regretted that he did not take some steps im-
mediately on his arrival at Calcutta or in Eng-
land to make public the existence of this very
serious danger which lies but little out of the
sailing track of ships bound to the Southern
settlements of New Zealand.

Had not the remark been seen by Rear-
Admiral Fitz Roy (who was searching this
book for Meteorological facts, and at once
transmitted it to the Admiralty for publication)
this reef might not have been heard of until it
had caused the wreck of a vessel. On being
applied to for further information, Captain
Meiklejohn readily sent up his original Chart
on which the reef was marked at the time,
and there can be little doubt of its existence;
Masters of vessels are therefore warned to keep
a good look out in this neighbourhood. They
are further requested on the discovery of any
danger to report the same immediately on