THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 225

a small islet off the S.W. end of Jesu Maria. Anchor-
age 14 fathoms, protected to the southward by the
reef; anchorage also in 32 fathoms on edge of reef
on its west coast. Proceeded along a string of small
islands which extend in a westerly direction from the
N.W. end of Jesu Maria, all connected by reefs.
Seeing a small bay at the west end of the western-
most one, I ran in and anchored in 27 fathoms close
to the reef. Completed with water hardly fit for
drinking, but good for washing.

Admiralty Island.—On the east coast of this island
there is a fair anchorage, close to a small islet, in 24
fathoms, but it is small (room for a large ship);
anchorage also on south coast protected by reef
(room for large ship).

Up to this position the navigation had been clear,
but continuing along the south coast it became in-
tricate, shoals and reefs extending some distance
from the land, rendering it necessary to pilot ship
from the mast-head, keeping as close to the shore as
practicable, so as to be able to anchor at any time
should the weather become thick, or bad for seeing
the reefs (there would appear to be a deep channel
if passage were known). Good anchorage on the
S.W. coast of this island, where I was detained for
sixteen days by a heavy N. W. gale; the anchorage was
open to the westward, but fortunately protected by
shoals and reefs in that direction, which prevented a
heavy sea getting up; part of the time I lay with
three anchors down. The holding-ground was ad-
mirable, and I do not think that the "Alacrity"
moved her anchors the whole time. (First of the
monsoon.)

On leaving the Admiralty Island I passed out
through some small islands to the westward, there
being a broad clear passage; but between them and
the Admiralty Island the shoals are so numerous
that even in a small vessel I found some difficulty in
picking my way.

From Admiralty Island shaped course for the
Hermit Islands, but, owing to a strong northerly set
of 26', made the Anchorite Islands.

Monks Islands.—I am of opinion that Monks
Islands do not exist, or rather that the person who
discovered them made the Anchorites to be in a
different position. I must have passed almost over
their position as shown on the chart, and that too at
the very time I was keeping a sharp look-out for
land. In this opinion I am borne out by Captain
Hersheim, of the German brigantine "Coeran," who
informed me that he also, coming down from the
N.E., passed over the position of the Monks Islands
without seeing anything of them. I came from S.E.;
therefore I think they are identical with the
Anchorites.

Coumerson.—Appears to be correctly placed; is
uninhabited.

Hermit Islands.—Sparsely inhabited; anchorage a
very good one; the entrance is on the eastern side
of the group: the passage generally used is on the
N.W. side; then vessels lay off the town. We
anchored 3½ from it (anchorage for large ships, 2
cables passage, kind of lagoon, strong tide in
passage).

Anchorite Islands.—These islands are surrounded
by a reef, through which, as far as I could see, there
is no passage; inside the reef it is all shoal water;
the canoes watch their opportunity and come out
through the surf. There are five islands, three from
a half to a quarter of a mile in length, and two islets.
They appear to be thickly inhabited, and build most
of their huts on piles in the shoal water on the reef.

Westernmost Islet of the Admiralty Islands.—Seems
correctly placed on chart. About 8' East there is a
reef three miles long, and as it was to the northward

of me, and night was coming on, I was obliged to
haul to the northward to get an offing before dark.
Los Reyes.—Consist of three small islands; as far
as I could see neither island had a reef extending
more than a hundred yards from it. Their position
appeared to be quite correct, as also that of Vendala.
Port Praslin, New Ireland.—Seems best adapted
for watering and refitting of any harbour hereabouts;
the water is excellent and easily obtained. No na-
tives to interfere.

I experienced very dirty weather passing between
the New Hebrides and Banks Groups, 26th Decem-
ber. (Change of monsoon.)

Accepted Tender for Bookbinding.

Colonial Secretary's Office,
Wellington, 31st March, 1875.

THE following Tender for Bookbinding has been
accepted by the General Government for the
twelve months commencing the 1st April, 1875.

G. S. COOPER,
Under Secretary.

Messrs. LYON and BLAIR, at the following rates :—
ACCOUNT BOOKS, REGISTERS, &c.

1. Super Royal :—Full calf, extra, titled £ s. d.
   and paged, eight quires or under ... 1 3 6
   For every additional quire ... 0 0 9

2. Ditto :—Full calf, extra, single Russia
   bands, titled and paged, eight quires
   or under ... 1 10 0
   For every additional quire ... 0 0 9

3. Ditto :—Full calf, extra, double Russia
   bands, titled and paged, eight quires
   or under ... 2 5 0
   For every additional quire ... 0 0 9

4. Royal :—Full calf, extra, titled and
   paged, eight quires or under ... 1 0 6
   For every additional quire ... 0 0 8

5. Ditto :—Full calf, extra, single Russia
   bands, titled and paged, eight quires
   or under ... 1 7 0
   For every additional quire ... 0 0 8

6. Ditto :—Full calf, extra, double Russia
   bands, titled and paged, eight quires
   or under ... 2 1 0
   For every additional quire ... 0 0 8

7. Demy folio, five quires or under :—
   Full calf, extra, titled and paged ... 0 10 0
   For every additional quire ... 0 0 8

8. Ditto, ditto :—Half-bound, rough calf,
   cloth sides, gilt lettered on back ... 0 5 2
   For every additional quire ... 0 0 8

9. Foolscap folio, ditto :—Half-bound,
   calf, cloth sides, gilt lettered on
   back ... ... 0 4 3
   For every additional quire ... 0 0 4

10. Ditto, ditto :—Half-bound, calf, marble
    paper sides, gilt lettered on back ... 0 3 0
    For every additional quire ... 0 0 4

11. Demy 4to, four quires or under :—
    Ditto, ditto ... ... 0 1 4
    For every additional quire ... 0 0 2

PRINTED BOOKS.

12. Foolscap folio :—Cold pressing, and
    binding in half-calf, cloth sides,
    double lettered on back, at per
    volume of four quires ... ... 0 4 9
    For every additional quire ... 0 0 6

13. Ditto :—Cold pressing, and binding
    in blue paper covers, cloth backs, at
    per quire ... ... 0 0 3