886
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
E.AN., outer islet N.E. by E., and Emery Island
W.N., 9\frac{1}{2} fathoms (sand). In this position, with a
strong trade wind blowing, the water was perfectly
smooth, and we were able to water ship in bulk from
good wells and a smooth sandy beach. At the
same time, in Lee Bay, a considerable swell was
rolling in; and from the fact of that bay having an
extensive shore reef extending right across the bight
of the bay, which prevents a boat landing at low
water, and if a surf should be setting in, makes
communication with the shore uncertain, I consider
that at all seasons, when the trade wind may be
depended upon, the N.E. Roadstead is to be preferred
to Lee Bay; the latter has the advantage that, if the
wind should be blowing from the northward or west-
ward, a sailing vessel would more readily clear the
land. In making Lee Bay, ships must avoid closing
the eastern point, as off it extends an extensive reef.
Care also must be taken, when making the land from
the eastward, to distinguish the two islets off the
N.E. Roadstead from two very similar islets off the
eastern extreme of Rotumah Island; these small
islets are from 150 to 200 feet in height, and covered
with cocoanut trees.

Mitchell Group.

This cluster of eleven or twelve islets are situated
on a coral reef which completely surrounds a shoal
lagoon, in extent about five miles north and south
and two miles east and west. A shore reef attaches
itself to all the islands, which renders the landing for
European boats a hazardous operation; even the
native canoes are frequently capsized. There is no
passage into the lagoon for ships; but a precarious
anchorage may be obtained off the reef on the lee
side in fine weather. The principal village and the
best landing place is on the W.S.W. side of the
island, and may be known by a neat whitewashed
church, which, when abreast of the islet may be seen
through the trees. Canoes come off readily to the
ship. A small quantity of brackish water may be
obtained. The natives, about seventy in number,
are all cleanly, inoffensive, and Protestants. A white
man is resident on the island.

Fanafuti, or Ellice Island.

The remarks on this cluster of islets in the South
Pacific Directory are correct. It may be added that
the chain consists of thirty islets, one of which only,
Fanafuti, is permanently inhabited; it is situated on
the N.E. quarter of the reef, and is from eight to ten
miles in length, but exceedingly narrow. The natives
report (and it is confirmed by a white man resident
on the island) that two large safe ship-channels exist
on the east side of the reef; and these have the great
advantage of making the prevailing easterly winds
fair for entering the lagoon, whilst from the western
entrances it is (with an easterly wind) a dead beat of
eight or nine miles to the anchorage off the village.
The lagoon is of great extent, and possesses working
room for any number of ships. All dangers are
clearly discoverable in daylight, out of the glare of
the sun. A small supply of brackish water exists on
the island. The number of natives is about 140-
very quiet pleasant people, and Protestants. Since
writing the above we have received the plan of
this group from the Admiralty. It appears very
incorrect.

Nukufetau, or Peyster Island.

To the description of these islets in the South
Pacific Directory may be added, -That the group
consists of eight or nine islets situated on a reef of
some nine miles in diameter. The village is on the
west side of the reef near the entrance to the lagoon,
and is the only permanently inhabited one on the island.
The whitewashed church, school, and native teachers'
houses, are only visible from the north and west side
of the group. The inhabitants are Protestants.

We found the tide in the ship-channel running out
of the lagoon from four to five knots.

By a misprint at page 598 of the South Pacific
Directory, the latitude of this island is stated to be 7
degrees 26 minutes 11 seconds south; whereas by
reference to the table of positions page IV. Ellice
Group, the correct latitude is given 7 degrees 56
minutes 11 seconds south.

Netherland, or Eeg Island.

In the South Pacific Directory the form of the reef
is correctly described as a crescent, the islets, six or
seven in number, being situated on its circumference;
the N.W. and S.W. horns of the crescent are joined
by a long connecting reef, through which there is no
passage. The village, together with the church and
schoolhouse, are on the S.W. islet. No other islet
is permanently inhabited, but a sanatarium for the
islanders exists on the south side of the group; it
can be seen from the sea, and must not be mistaken
for the village. European boats would generally
find a difficulty in landing. The inhabitants are
about 200 in number, all Protestants.

Speiden, or Lynx Island.

We found this island to be twenty miles S. 78º W.
of its position on the chart. Our course and distance
made good from Eeg Island to Lynx Island was N.
9º E. sixty miles, whereas the course and distance
between the two islands on the chart is N. 25º E.
sixty-nine miles; again, on the following day, our
course and distance made good from Lynx Island
to Hudson Island was S. 81º W. sixty-four miles,
whereas the course and distance as they are placed
on the chart is S. 83º W. eighty miles, thus proving
that its position on the chart is not correct. To the
short description given in the South Pacific Directory
may be added, -That the island is about two and a
half miles long by one and a half broad, densely
covered with cocoanut trees. A narrow shore reef
extends all round the island, on which a heavy surf
runs, rendering landing impossible except for
canoes. The population consists of 417 souls,
governed by a king and a chief. The missionaries
recently landed on the island, and about half
the natives are Christians, the rest are devil-worship-
pers. A small quantity of brackish water, which
filters into their wells at high tide, is the only water
on the island. The village is on the west side of the island. Pigs
and fowls are plentiful.

Hudson Island.

To the description of this island in the South
Pacific Directory, page 529, may be added, -That a
narrow shore reef, with an unusually precipitous face
to seaward, extends round the island, rendering land-
ing difficult. Native missionary Protestant teachers
are here established. The village is on the west side.

Gran Cocal.

After a careful search for this island in clear
favourable weather, passing over the position assigned
it on the chart, I am of opinion it does not exist. At
St. Augustine Island I learnt, from an English sailor
resident there, that as an island it did not exist, but
there was an extensive shoal, three or four miles in
circumference, somewhere between St. Augustine and
Hudson Islands, with from 5 to 7 fathoms water, on
which in heavy weather the sea breaks. The man
stated that he had frequently sailed over this shoal,
and seen the bottom.