THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 885

HYDROGRAPHICAL INFORMATION.

Keppel and Boscawen Islands.

On the evening of the 21st of June, H.M.S.
"Basilisk" was steering for Keppel Island, the
centre hill of that island bearing N.E. by E. nine or
ten miles; the centre of Boscawen Island bore N.E.
about sixteen miles; it was thus evident that one or
both of these islands are wrongly placed on the
chart.

On the following day (22nd June), whilst the
"Basilisk" was hove-to between Keppel and Bos-
cawen Islands, sights were taken, giving the position
of the ship as follows:-At noon, latitude 15° 54'
south, longitude 173° 59' west, the bearings of the
centre of Keppel Island being S.W. by S. three
miles, and the centre of Boscawen Island N. by W.
three and a half miles; proving that Keppel Island
was correctly placed on the chart, but that Boscawen
Island, instead of being 6' or 7' N.E. by E. of Keppel
Island, is about the same distance nearly due north
(true).

On the same day, when the north point of the
centre hill of Keppel Island bore S.S.W. 4', the ship
going about two knots through the water, got two
casts of the hand-lead in 15 fathoms (rock); on
trying with the deep-sea lead, no bottom at 100
fathoms. The surf breaks heavily on the south shore
of Keppel Island. On the north shore there is a
very extensive coral reef, with a lagoon inside; the
passage, by which the "Basilisk's" boats entered
piloted by a native, was not accessible for ships of
any size, nor does there appear to be any safe anchor-
age off the island.

This island, together with Boscawen, is subject to
King George of Tonga, and contains a population of
about 1,000, all Protestant Christians; a Governor
from Tonga and native missionary reside on the
island. Cocoanuts, yams, plantains, and pigs are in
great abundance.

A dangerous coral reef extends for about a mile off
the S.W. end of the island. Boscawen Island has
only one small village on it.

Uina-fu, or Good Hope Island.

The remarks of Captain Charles W. Hope, of
H.M.S. "Brisk," on this island, leave little to be
added. We judge the extent of the island to be quite
five miles, N.N.E. and S.S.W. The lava cliffs which
surround the island on all sides render, in unsettled
weather, landing difficult. The principal landing
place is under the village (on the N.E. side of the
island), marked by a flagstaff; it is a precarious one
(except in still weather), under the lee of an out-
jutting mass of rock. The "Basilisk's" boats at-
tempted to land here, with a fresh breeze from
N. by E., but could not succeed. About two and a
half miles from this to the east, a large mass of lava
rock projects about 80 yards, and curves round
towards another small projection of rock, forming a
snug boat harbour, where, except at high spring tides,
when the rocks would be covered sufficiently to let
the surf roll over, boats may lie in safety. From
this landing place to the principal village, where the
Governor lives, is about four miles, the first part
over sharp lava rocks and stones. The schooners
which trade to the island for the cocoanut oil anchor
off the first-named landing place, close in, in 15
fathoms, but they give the anchorage a very bad
name.

I believe there is no safe anchorage for large
ships. No water except rain water exists on the
island; but in seasons of drought, a small quantity
of brackish water is obtained from one of the three
small islets which exist in the great lagoon in the
centre of the island.

Uvea, or Wallis Island.

I beg to enclose a tolerably correct outline copy of
a survey of this island and the coral reef surrounding
it, made by a French naval officer some twenty years
ago, but which I believe has never been published.
The coral patches, depth of water, detached rocks,
and hidden dangers inside the great reef, are not
shown. It is believed that a passage for large ships
to sail completely round the island exists, with
anchorage at any part. Of the four entrances
through the reef, three are reported available for
large ships, namely, those marked A, B, and C; but
the best entrance, and that which hitherto has been
solely used, is the southern one, referred to in the
Sailing Directions and also by Captain C. W. Hope,
whose remarks I entirely confirm.

The inhabitants of the island are exclusively
Roman Catholics, and are governed by a native
Queen.

Fotuna, or Hoorne Island.

The channel between this island and Alofi is about
a mile in width between the reefs; a S.W. and N.E.
course leads right through. The "Basilisk" passed
through under sail, with the wind from E.S.E.; it
fell light when under the high land, but did not
change its direction. The tides were neap, but what
current there was appeared to set directly through.

After clearing the channel, the principal village and
a large Roman Catholic church are seen, situated in
cocoanut and bread-fruit tree groves extending for
four or five miles along the coast, the entire length of
which is fringed by a flat shore reef, on which the
surf, with the prevailing winds, breaks heavily. The
"Basilisk's" boats were unable to land; canoes
passed readily through the surf with passengers, but
in returning to the boats they were repeatedly
swamped. The eastern portion of the island is the
residence of the principal part of the inhabitants,
under the government of King Area. His Majesty
exercises a real authority, but has nothing to dis-
tinguish him in house, dress, or appearance from the
meanest of his subjects. The eastern portion of the
island is governed by King Alphonsi. Both Kings,
as well as all their subjects, are Roman Catholics,
and friendly disposed. The "Basilisk," not having
time, did not enter the harbour, which is situated on
the S.W. part of the island; but when hove-to off
its entrance we were boarded by a German resident,
who offered his services as pilot. From him we
learnt the following information :-

That the entrance of the harbour is open to the
S.W., but perfectly sheltered from all other winds;
it is comparatively easy of access, but some sunken
patches of coral render the services of a pilot advis-
able. A large white cross is placed on the south side
of the harbour, on a hill, to guide vessels in. The
anchorage is on a sandy bottom, with 6 to 8 fathoms
from 100 to 200 yards from the shore; at 400 yards
there is 18 fathoms. Very few inhabitants live on
the northern side of the island.

Rotumah Island.

Strangers looking for the anchorages at Rotumah
are likely to experience some difficulty from no
approximate height of the outlying islands being
given; this is especially the case when making the
land from the eastward. Emery Island (a bold, bluff,
conical islet, about 700 feet in height, and bearing a
striking resemblance to the high wooded bluff that
marks the western extreme of Lee Bay), is then shut
in with the main land, and may be easily mistaken
for the bluff itself.

N.E. Roadstead and Lee Bay.

The following were the anchorage bearings of the
"Basilisk," in the N.E. Roadstead:-Ship's head