THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

Thompson's Sound.—Anchorage inside McDermot's
Island, in Bradshaw Sound, in 15 fathoms.
This is a good and well-sheltered anchorage, but
not nearly so large as the charts and directory would
lead one to suppose.

Notes by Navigating Lieutenant Campion, H.M.S.
"Blanche."

Cook Strait, No. 2, Chart No. 2685.
The rock awash in the Kakaho Channel has a small
iron beacon, with a ball erected upon it.

Nelson Harbour, Chart No. 2185.
The lighthouse is not on the Boulder Bank, as
shown in the chart, but on the bank or island always
3 to 6 feet above high water on the same line of
bearing as the chart shows.
The light also shows red between the bearing of
E. by N.—the south limit of white light—to N.E. by
N., the approximate position of the outer white buoy.
The two beacons on shore for entering the inner
harbour are upper one white, and lower one red;
and they show similar lights at night.
The light on Pilot-house is discontinued.
A white light is shown at night on the beacon off
Haul-ashore Point, on its being known a vessel is
coming in.
The clump of trees on with a ravine in the moun-
tains S. E. does not exist, the trees having disap-
peared, but a large white house stands where the
trees were. It is a difficult mark for a stranger.
The Pilot reports that the Waimea River is rapidly
closing up, the south bank silting up to the north-
ward.

FIJI ISLANDS.
LEVUKA.

Lighthouses.—An improvement has been made in
the shape of the two lighthouses, which are used as
leading marks for the entrance. They have been
increased in height, and made of a pyramidal shape.
They are whitewashed, and can now be seen well
from seaward. The lights have not been altered.

Beacon.—A cask beacon, chequered black and white,
has been erected on the centre of the reef which fronts
the entrance.

Buoys.—The following buoys have been placed in
Levuka Harbour, north entrance :—
One chequered buoy on a patch having 9 feet over
it at low water, S.E. S., 1¼ cable from the S.W.
extreme of the reef on the N. side of the north en-
trance.
One red buoy on a patch having 7 feet over it at
low water S.E. by S., 4 cables from the S.W. extreme
of the reef on the N. side of the north entrance.
The best passage is north of chequered buoy.
One chequered buoy has been placed on a patch
having 10 feet over it at low water, S.E. by E., 2½
cables from Observation Point.

SOLOMON ISLANDS.

Note by Lieutenant Nowell, of H.M.S. "Sandfly."
Savo Island.—The best anchorage is about 60 yards
from a large conspicuous stone on the beach; but you
must be careful not to let her have too little cable,
as the patch is small, and you drag off without
warning.

Extract from Log of H.M.S. "Conflict."
Mortlock Islands.—Passed between the assigned
position of Mortlock Islands, without seeing them.

PACIFIC ISLANDS.

223

Extracts from Letter of Commander Dupuis, dated
31st October, 1874.

Onaseuse, or Hunter Island.—About noon on 26th
July, 1874, we passed over the position of Hunter
Island, as laid down on the chart. Clear weather,
no signs of land.

Rotumah Island.—(Lee Bay, Lat. 12° 29′ S., Long.
176° 59′ E.) Population last census three years ago
2,700, decreasing; 14 white people. Two hurricanes
were experienced in January and February; great
damage done, causing a scarcity of food.

Ellice Island.—(Mission House, Lat. 8° 31′ S.,
Long. 179° 10′ E.) Population 130, slowly increasing;
2 whites. Steamed along the reef looking for the
passage as marked in the chart; being unable to make
it, anchored outside in 8 fathoms. When canoes came
out an intelligent half-caste pointed out the passage.
Passed through without difficulty (5 fathoms), and
anchored off the principal village (6½ fathoms).

Nukujutan, or De Peyster's Island.—(West Islet,
Lat. Long. 178° 18′ E.) There is a good ship
channel into the lagoon. Population 260, 3 whites.
Strong W.S.W. current off the island.

Rotcher Island.—On the 9th August, 1874, at
8 a.m., the "Rosario " passed close to the position of
Rotcher Island, as marked in the chart. There were
no signs of land.

Gilbert Island—Tapoutoucea, or Drummond Island.—
(Anchorage, Lat. 1° 10′ S., Long. 174° 38′ E.) Popula-
tion between 6,000 and 7,000, 3 whites. The islands
seem to be badly off for supplies, the natives being
short of necessary food, and the islands over-populated.
The natives should not be trusted too implicitly.

Noncuti, or Sydenham Island.—(South Point, Lat.
0° 51′ S., Long. 174° 29′ E.). Population about 3,500,
1 white man. Island seems to be over-populated; the
natives being short of necessary food, few supplies to
be obtained; natives not to be trusted. Wind being
fresh from the eastward, a heavy surf was breaking
on the reefs. Landing by boats appeared imprac-
ticable.

Marakie, or Mathew Island.—An unusually strong
N.W. current. Population about 1,800, a few
(4) white men. Natives in an unsettled state, no
chief or king; constantly quarrelling and fighting.
Seems to be over-populated. No anchorage.

Apaiang, or Charlotte Island.—(Anchorage, Lat. 1°
46′ N., Long. 173° 0′ E.) Experienced a tremendous
current west, before making this island. Passage
into the lagoon shallow, least water 2½ fathoms, strong
tide running. Population nearly 3,000, 7 whites;
over-populated. No supplies can be obtained. Natives
untrustworthy.

Tarawa, or Cook's Island.—(Anchorage, Lat. 1° 22′
N., Long. 172° 56′ E.) Population 3,000, 1 white;
over-populated. Natives not to be trusted, con-
stantly fighting, have lately elected a chief (October,
1874).

Taritari, or Touching Island.—(Anchorage, Lat. 3°
3′ N., Long. 172° 47′ E.) Strong N.W. set. Entered
the lagoon without difficulty; uneven bottom, 3
fathoms on one side of the ship, 4½ to 7½ on the
other. Anchored off a village on south side. Popula-
tion about 1,500; no whites. Natives understand but
little English. Very few supplies could be obtained.
Natives well-disposed, civil, and more settled among
themselves than at other islands of this group; chief
or king living at Pitt's Island.

Marshall Islands—Mille, or Musgrave Island.—
(Observation Point, Lat. 6° 14′ N., Long. 171° 46′
E.) Sighted it on the 26th August. Passed through
the reef entrance into the lagoon, entrance on north
side very deep, about two cables wide, anchorage 19
fathoms; weather for the last two days unfavourable,