THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 439

the Australian Station, is published for general
information.
WILLIAM H. REYNOLDS

SOLOMON ISLANDS.
Her Majesty's Ship "Pearl,"
Sydney, 29th May, 1874.

HYDROGRAPHICAL MEMORANDUM No. 5.
THE accompanying Hydrographical information rela-
tive to the Solomon Islands, which I have received
from Commander Challis and Navigating Lieutenant
Browne, of Her Majesty's ship "Rosario," is hereby
promulgated for general information.

JAMES G. GOODENOUGH,
Captain and Commodore (Second Class),
Commanding Australian Station.

To the respective Captains and Officers
Commanding H.M. Ships, &c.

Enclosure in Hydrographical Memo. No. 5.
SOLOMON ISLANDS.

Ramos Island, Indispensable Straits, is a small
island 2' long N.W. by N. and S.E. by S., and about
200 feet high, having off its N.W. point an islet about
100 feet high, with two smaller ones and several
pinnacle rocks between. Making Ramos Island
from the S., it has the appearance of a saddle with
two small islands off its western side. These islands
appear to be connected by a reef probably more than
10 miles to the eastward. Soundings were obtained
in 12 fathoms, 3' to the S.E. of Ramos Island. The
shoal water runs about 4' across in a N. and S.
direction. From observations made in the offing,
and bearings of Cape Pinto, Isabel Island, and
Cape Astrolabe, Malayta Island, the S.E. peak of
Ramos Island should be in lat. 8° 14′ S., long. 160°
6' Ε.

The passage between Ramos Island and Cape
Astrolabe should not be taken by large vessels. No
breakers were seen although there was a heavy swell.

Isabel Island, Port Praslin.—The scale of miles
on the plan of Port Praslin (Chart 209) should be
half-miles, which would narrow the entrance to 2½
cables. The longitude of Port Praslin made to be
158° 12′ E., Cape Comfort being the same distance
(8 miles) to the W. of position on Admiralty Chart.

To the Eastward of the entrance for about 16', there
is a chain of small islands fronted by reefs, with
apparently numerous clear passages, some of which
closely resemble the entrance to the Port.

The island forming the eastern side of entrance is
not so high as the plan (Chart 209) has it.

There are two other openings west of Port Praslin.
The appearance of the interior of the harbour is
altered by the growth of mangrove bushes, which have
filled up the channels between Watering Place Island
and the three islets placed immediately S. of it.

Cape Henslow, Guadalcanar.—Observation taken
in the offing placed Cape Henslow in lat. 9° 54′ S.,
long. 160° 33′ E. Shoal water runs off the point to
the eastward for about 2'. In a bight N. of Cape
Henslow stands the native village of Bulo.

Carteret Nine Islands are low and woody.

St. John's Island was seen at a distance of 35'. It
is high and wooded.

New Ireland, Blossville Island, is about 200 feet
long and 70 feet high. Off the coast of New Ireland,
as far as Lakiliki Bay (Metlik), the "Rosario" carried
deep water until about 1' from N.W. entrance to a
Bay where a shoal point runs off to the eastward.

Inside the parallel of Cape Bougainville, the water
shoals rapidly from 7 to 3 fathoms, sand, and the bay
affords no shelter from the ordinary trade wind.

Duke of York Islands.—The peninsula marked
Gabert Point (Chart 764) is an island. No water is
now obtainable at Port Hunter. Jacquinot Point is
placed too far South.

Great caution is necessary in navigating the Solo-
man Islands during the night or thick weather, as
the positions on the charts are very much out: 25
miles to the eastward of Port Praslin, the land is 15'
too far to the N. Taking North Cape, Bouka Island,
and the East end of Isabel Island as rightly placed,
the whole intervening land should be some 8 to 10
miles farther to the south-westward. The position
assigned to Mount Balbi, Bougainville Island, by
Raper, appeared to be nearly correct, viz., lat. 5° 56'
S., long. 154° 29′ Ε.

Enquiry for Missing Person.

Colonial Secretary's Office,
Wellington, 1st July, 1874.

ENQUIRIES having been made for a person named
JOSEPH SANDERCOCK, who was a passenger to
Wellington by the "Schiehallion" in 1873, but was
last heard of at Picton, any one who can furnish
information respecting him is requested to com-
municate the same to this office.

G. S. COOPER,
Under Secretary.

Deputy Commissioner of Stamps Duties appointed.

Office of the Commissioner of Stamps,
Wellington, 27th June, 1874.

HIS Excellency the Governor has been pleased to
appoint

ALFRED HASSEL KING, Esq.,
to be Deputy Commissioner of Stamp Duties for the
Province of Auckland during the absence on leave of
L. O'Brien, Esq.
This appointment to date on and from the 1st
June instant.

By order of the Commissioner of Stamp Duties.
E. BRANDON.

WELLINGTON-MASTERTON RAILWAY.

RETURN of Traffic for Month ending 30th June,
1874.

COACHING.
No. £ s. d. £ s. d.
Passengers ... 7,448 ... 306 14 6
Season Tickets ... 1 ... 1 10 0
Parcels, &c. ... ... 7 15 5
315 19 1

MERCHANDISE.
Tons. £ s. d. £ s. d.
Freight ... 87 ... 20 9 1
Demurrage ... ... ...
Storage ... ... ... ...
Total ... ... ... £336 9 0

ANTHONY GARSTIN,
Traffic Manager.

1st July, 1874.