THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 667

NORTHUMBERLAND ISLANDS.
Beverley Group.

A SAND SPIT, not laid down on the Chart, extends
about half a mile from the S.W. side of the north-
western island of the Beverley Group. This island
lies South eight miles from Prudhoe Island, and
eleven miles N. W. by W. W. from Cape Palmerston.

*F Isles.*

A Spit, upon which, at a distance of three-quarters
of a mile from the shore, there is not more than six
feet at low water, runs to the westward from the
centre island of the F Isles.

G. P. HEATH, Commander, R.N.,
Portmaster.
Department of Ports and Harbours,
Brisbane, 22nd November, 1871.

Indispensable Reef, Coral Sea.

THE Southern limit of this reef is placed on the
Admiralty Charts in the position assigned to it by
Captain Wilkinson, who discovered it in 1790, in
the "Indispensable," viz., 12° 46′ S., 160° 40′ E.; but
its extent to the north-west on the chart is less by
some 33 miles than the original dimensions given to
it by the discoverer.

From information obtained from Captain Nicholls,
master of the "Delhi," when that vessel was lost on
this reef in September last, and from other sources,
it would appear that it extends at least some 15 or
20 miles further to the north-west than is shown
upon recent charts.

In the neighbourhood of the Solomon Islands a
current was then found setting to the north-west at
a rate varying from a knot to a knot and a half an
hour.

This current is said to be continuous during the
prevalence of the S.E. monsoon, and to run in the
opposite direction during the N. W. monsoon.

G. P. HEATH, Commander, R.N.,
Portmaster.
Department of Ports and Harbours,
Brisbane, 25th November, 1871.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. - SPENCER'S GULF.
Wallaroo and Tipara Bays, and Mundoora Channel.

[All bearings are magnetic. Variation, 4° 40′ E. Soundings
refer to low water spring tides.]

Tipara Lightship. - Notice is hereby given, that
the Tipara Lightship is moored close under the rocky
patch, near the southern extremity of the Tipara
Reef, with the following bearings:-Elizabeth Point,
S.E.S.; Long Point, N.E. by E. The Lightship has
one mast, is painted red, and exhibits, during the
day, a red ball at the mast-head.

Light. - From sunset to sunrise, will be exhibited
a white light from the mast, thirty-five (35) feet
above the sea level, visible from all points of the
compass at a distance of ten (10) miles in clear
weather. When much refraction exists, it may be
seen thirteen (13) miles. No vessel should approach
the reef under seven (7) fathoms.

The following description of the Tipara Reef, and
Sailing Directions for Wallaroo or Tipara Bays and
Mundoora Channel, are published for the guidance
of Mariners :-

Tipara Reef. - The Tipara Reef is an extensive
shoal, the southern extremity being four and a half
(4) miles N.W. from Elizabeth Point. The reef
consists principally of sand; but there is a rocky
patch of small extent near the southern extremity,
which dries at low water. It is under the shelter of
this patch where the Lightship, referred to above, is
moored. From the rocky patch, the reef extends in
a northerly direction about two (2) miles, the outer
edge trending to the N.N.W., whilst the S.E. part
takes a N.E.E. direction. The extreme breadth
from east to west is nearly two (2) miles.

Soundings. - The soundings on the reef vary; in
some places there is a fathom and a half (1), whilst
in others-particularly to the N.N.E. part of the
shoal - there are only two (2) or three (3) feet.

From the northern extremity of the reef, the buoy
off Long Point, referred to in this notice, bears N.E.
by E.E. Vessels rounding the south part of the
reef should not bring Elizabeth Point to bear to the
southward of S.E. by E. E., whilst those intending
to pass to the northward of this danger, into or out
of Tipara Bay, should not bring the buoy, off Long
Point, to bear to the eastward of E. by N.N.

A large cheese-shaped buoy, surmounted with a
conical lattice frame-work and ball, painted red, has
been moored off Long Point in three (3) fathoms,
with the following bearings: - Elizabeth Point,
S.E.; Long Point, E. by N.N.

A black and red chequered buoy has been placed
outside a rocky patch, having only twelve and a half
(12) feet on it at low water spring tides. The buoy
lies in four (4) fathoms at low water, and on the
following bearings:----Smelting Works chimney, Wal-
laroo, N.E. E.; Tipara Light Vessel, S.E. by E.E.

To pass outside or to the westward of the Tipara
Reef, do not approach the Lightship from the west-
ward under seven fathoms; from this position, when to
the westward of the reef, steer a N.N.W. course, in
which the same soundings will be maintained. When
the buoy off Long Point bears east, a course of N.E.
may be shaped, taking care, as the Long Point buoy
is brought to bear S.E., not to come under four and
a half (4) fathoms. When Long Point bears south,
a course of E. by N. may be shaped, when the Pilot
and Harbour Master will come off and conduct the
vessel to the anchorage or jetty.

At night, no vessel in the vicinity of Tipara Reef
should come under seven (7) fathoms, or attempt to
enter the Bay until the lights from the Smelting
Works are clearly defined, bearing E. by N., when
that course may be shaped for the anchorage, taking
care not to come under six (6) fathoms unless the
commander is sufficiently well acquainted with the
bay to take the ship in, or the pilot has taken charge.

Tides. - The tides in the vicinity of the reef, and
Long and Elizabeth Points, are irregular and rapid;
care must therefore be exercised to guard against
the influence of the tides when in the stream of the
reef, or near the points referred to.

It is high water at Port Wallaroo at 5h. 45m., f.
and c.; rise and fall four (4) feet eight (8) inches at
ordinary springs.

To pass inside Tipara Reef, give Elizabeth Point a
berth of a mile and a half (1), to avoid the shoal
rocky patch, which extends nearly a mile from the
Point, in a north-westerly direction.

Buoy. - A red pyramidal buoy has been placed in
four and a half (4) fathoms, at low water, off the
outer end of the reef, off Cape Elizabeth, with the
following bearings:-Cape Elizabeth, mag. E.S.;
Tipara Lightship, mag. N.N.W.W. The buoy is
placed four (4) cables' lengths to the westward of
the shoalest part of the reef, and is visible in clear
weather at a distance of two (2) miles, the eye being
elevated ten (10) feet above sea level.

With the point bearing S.E., distant a mile and a
half, steer due N., which course will lead through
the inner passage in not less than four (4) fathoms.

In beating through, keep the lead going, and do
not, in a vessel drawing more than seventeen (17)
feet, when standing in-shore, bring Long Point buoy
to bear to the westward of W.N.W.

In standing off, when to the southward of the
north end of the reef, do not bring the Long Point