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THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

Vanikoro, or, La Perouse Island.
The "Basilisk" anchored in Tevai or Bayley's
Bay, on 7th August, 1872. The survey of the Island
by D'Urville renders the approach to the bay easy,
but the directions in the South Pacific Directory are
more than usually obscure, in as much as the names
of island's headlands given in the Directory do not
occur in the chart. Taking the chart as a standard,
the directions for entering the Bay (Tevai) should be
as follows:-When in the centre of the channel
leading to Tevai Bay, steer W.S. for Dillon
(Direction) Island, which is difficult to make out,
being surrounded by high land, but may be known
by its not being more than 300 or 400 yards in
length, and having an abrupt elevation about 250 feet
in height.

When the eastern bluff point of Tevai Bay bears
S. by W., steer S.W.AS. for the anchorage, passing
between the two reefs, awash at half-tide (Deceitful
and Treacherous Reefs), anchoring about 1 cable
from the shore in about 20 fathoms (mud); a shore
reef fringes the bight of the bay.

Indifferent water can be obtained from two streams,
but only with difficulty at low water,—at other times,
the streams are overflown by the salt water. A
dangerous-looking extent of discoloured water was
observed on the south shore to the east of Tevai
Bay.

Torres Islands.
To the remarks of Navigating Lieutenant T. C.
Tilly, R.N., on this group, may be added, -During
the prevalence of the S.E. trades, anchorage can be
found on the lee side of all these islands, in about
20 fathoms, at one-third or half a mile from the
shore; but it is recommended a boat should be sent
in first to pick out a sandy or mud bottom.

About one mile and a half off the E.N.E coast of
Middle Island, with the channel between that island
and the small 600-feet islet open, the "Basilisk"
passed over several coral patches on which we found
6 fathoms, but shoaler water may be found.

Hayter Bay (see accompanying plan) has a snug
anchorage in 16 fathoms, about half a mile from the
shore; an outlying reef (between which and the
mainland an apparently deep-water channel exists)
forming an additional shelter from S.W. We found
no fresh water here. The natives are suspicious and
difficult to approach—at Middle Island more so than
at the others. They all followed the plan of a few
natives, approaching cautiously, whilst large numbers
remained hidden in the bush with their bows and
arrows ready for instant use. Their bows and arrows
(with barbs of human bones) are very neatly made,
and appear very effective.

A westerly current was experienced off these
islands.

Espiritu Santo Island.
Navigating Lieutenant Tilly remarks that St.
Philip's (or St. Iago) Bay is not so deep as it
appears on the chart. Rounding Cape Quiros, from
which Cape Cumberland cannot be seen, it would
appear so, but from Cape Cumberland the depth of
the bay slightly exceeds that on the chart. Jordan
River has a shifting bar, and is at times inac-
cessible for large boats; but by leading a hose to the
river, over the beach, water could in moderate
weather be always obtained. Good duck-shooting
is to be found in the river and swamps. Natives
friendly.

Three Hills, Mota, Valua Reef, Bligh, and Vanua-
Lava and Star Peak Islands.
All these islands are ably described by Navigating
Lieutenant T. C. Tilly, R.N.

St. Maria Island.
In addition to the anchorage mentioned by Navi-
gating Lieutenant Tilly in his remarks on this island,

there is an anchorage for a small craft immediately to
the south of East Point. A passage 50 or 60 yards
wide, with 7 or 8 fathoms depth of water through the
reef, leads to it; but it is patchy inside. Vessels
running in for shelter should anchor directly they
strike 5 fathoms, when inside the reef. The circling
reef round St. Maria does not extend so far to the
S.B. as shown on the chart.

Natives numerous and friendly.

Aurora Island.
H.M.S. "Basilisk" found good anchorage and
shelter from a strong "Lan San," or S.E. gale, off
Laka-rere, in the positions pointed out by Navi-
gating Lieutenant Tilly. Natives shy and distrustful,
not inclined to barter; must be approached with
caution.

Aoba, or Leper's Island.
Very strong tides and races are found in the
channel on its western side between this island
and Aurora Island. Natives on the north shore
numerous and quite friendly.

Pentecost Island.
Found the Natives numerous, friendly, and ready
to barter.

Ambrym Island.
"Basilisk" anchored in Rodd's anchorage on
21st August. Found it a good roadstead, sound-
ings regular, with good holding ground. Natives
friendly.

Loperi Island.
A heavy surf rolls all round this remarkable
volcanic island, rendering it difficult to land.
Natives friendly.

Mallicollo Island.
Sandwich Harbour. The Erskin River cannot be
recommended as a watering place, being a sluggish
river, affected by the tide to a considerable distance
from the mouth, and can only be entered by a boat at
high tide or 3-flood. Natives friendly.

Api Island.
Kambioka Bay (S.E. end of the island). Found
no natives in this bay. Landing is difficult. An
extensive lagoon, with quantities of wild duck, is
near the beach.
Natives friendly.

Tonoa Island.

Two Hills Island.
Landing difficult. The "Basilisk's" boats were
swamped in the surf. Natives friendly. A native
teacher is settled amongst them.

Erromango Island, Polenia Bay.
The "Basilisk" found a good anchorage in the
S.W. extreme of this bay during a strong trade
wind. Soundings leading in are very regular,
gradually shoaling from 14 fathoms to 5 fathoms
(B Sand), about one mile from the shore. At the
head of the bay, under the protection of a small
coral reef, a smooth landing-place for boats may be
found. A plan of this anchorage, made by Navi-
gating Lieutenant T. L. Mourilyan, is enclosed.

General Remarks.
The natives, although inoffensive in the presence
of a man-of-war, should nevertheless be approached
with great caution in a small unarmed vessel.

J. MORESBY,
Captain.

I concur in the above remarks.
T. L. MOURILYAN,
Nav. Lieut.