296
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

between Tonoa and Api appears very foul, numerous
reefs and shoals having been seen from the mast-head
and bridge. Approaching the S. end of Api, Nanuka
Island is clearly made out as a cone covered with
trees; it stands well out from the land, but is appar-
ently a mile further E. than placed on the chart.
Between this island and the mainland, the coast line
falls back into a deep bay. The "Dido" coasting
along close inshore, no dangers were seen from the
masthead or bridge, further than the fringe reef, which
trends along this shore about from the beach. On
approaching La Menu Island, we steamed closer
into the shore, and observed a bay between the island
and mainland. Finding, however, nothing less than
30 fathoms, and that very close into the beach, we
steamed out again and made for the Island of Malli-
collo.

Mallicollo Island. - A small wooded island was
observed, which is not marked on Chart No. 1380;
it lies S. 15° W., about 5' from the S.W. point of
South-west Bay. Off its W. point a reef runs out
about two cables, and off S.W. point a reef ex-
tends a short distance. The whole of the S. coast
trends much further back than shown on the chart;
it is also full of small bays and little islands. The
islands appear to lie about one or two miles from the
beach. The "Dido" coasting along, observed a long
low wooded island lying N. and S. from One-tree
Point (so named from having a small rock off it with
one tree standing on it). The channel between this
island and the mainland appeared very foul, and is
about 2' wide. Westerly 3' from One-tree Point is
another bluff-looking point; and between these two
points the land falls back, forming a small bay, with
which we communicated. From Bluff Point a reef
runs out in a south-westerly direction past and round
some small islands lying off the beach. About 3' N.E.
by N. lies another wooded low island, from the E.
end of which a dangerous reef runs out to about two
miles.

Ambrym Island. - This island we found to be at
least 5' nearer to the Mallicollo coast than placed
on the chart. Dip Point is easily recognized by its
name; a small fringe reef runs round the coast. With
this slight exception, the coast appears quite free
from danger.

NEW CALEDONIA.

Shoal Inside the Woodin Pass. - A shoal extending
S. 36° W. (magnetic), 3' from Ta Peak, and marked
(?) on Chart 2907, has been clearly made out and
surveyed by the French officers. It is 2' in length,
W. by S. and E. by N., and carries from 4 to 11
fathoms over it. From the centre of the shoal Ta
Peak bears N. 36° E., Mount D'Or N. 46° W. On
the present chart it is marked (shoal ?)

See Chart. - Island of Pines to Uen Island, No.
2906. Uen Island to Port St. Vincent, No. 2007.

J. A. JONES,
Navigating Lieutenant.

Approved.
W. C. CHAPMAN, Captain.

Her Majesty's Ship "Pearl,"
Sydney, 24th March, 1875.

Hydrographical Memorandum No. 13.
THE accompanying Hydrographical information, which
I have received from Lieut. Rendell, commanding
Her Majesty's schooner "Beagle," is promulgated
for general information and guidance.

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

To the respective Captains
and Officers Commanding, &c., &c.
SOLOMON ISLANDS, &c.

Guadalcanar Island. - There is a good clear channel
along the N. shore, keeping about 1' distant from it.
All the reefs show, so that they can be easily avoided.

Savo Island. - The natives here are very warlike,
and continually at war with their neighbours. They
seem, however, well disposed towards Europeans, but
should not be trusted too implicitly. The island is
steep-to all round, and there are no outlying dan-
gers. There is anchorage close to the beach on the
N.W. side.

Guadalcanar, N.W. Point. - The reefs are said to
extend 12' to the westward of this point, only break-
ing in heavy weather. Mr. Brodie, master of the
schooner "Lavinia," reports a shoal, with highest
peak of Cape Marsh Island bearing N. E., distant
about 4', which only breaks in heavy weather.

The Duke of York Cluster consists of a group of
seven or eight small islands, Duke of York and
Mukkedah being the principal ones. There is good
anchorage in 6 or 7 fathoms between the two latter
islands, and water may be obtained on Mukkedah.
There is no water in Port Hunter, although it is
reported so in the sailing directions.

Cape St. George may be distinguished from the
S.E. by a white patch on it, looking at a distanco
very like a sail.

The positions given in Findlay's Directory about
here are very doubtful.

Port Praslin is given by Duperrey as being in
lat. 4° 49′ 45″ S., long. 152° 54′ 40″ E. This position
agrees with that of a harbour which I have called
Lavinia Harbour, from the natives there having taken
the "Lavinia" schooner. It is on the S.E. coast of
New Ireland, about 3' S. of Cape Bougainville. The
native name is Metlik. It is well protected from
westerly winds, though open to the S.E. Good
anchorage in 5 to 7 fathoms, with a level sandy
bottom, just inside the bluff at the entrance to the
bay. There is a large river emptying itself into the
bay, but the hostility of the natives should deter
vessels from visiting it unless well armed.

Belcher's Port Praslin is 2' N. of Cape St. George,
in lat. 4° 49' S., long. 152° 48′ E.

Carteret Harbour. - The position of Carteret Har-
bour in the Directory, viz. 4° 22′ S., long. 152° 50′ Ε.,
differs considerably from that in Chart No. 1105
(Cape St. George to Carteret Islet), viz. 4° 41' 26" S.
lat., 152° 42′ 25″ E. long. The latter is the cor-
rect one.

The current in St. George's Channel follows the
monsoon. It generally turns before the N.W. mon-
soon sets in. The rains are very heavy, and continue
nearly all the year round. Winds light and variable,
with strong sea breezes on clear days.

St. George's Channel is very free from dangers.
The New Ireland shore may be approached quite
close, but there are reefs running out about a mile
or thereabouts from the New Britain coast.

NEW GEORGIA GROUP.

Keso or Shark Island is situated on the N.W. end
of a long coral reef, running out from the N.W. point
of New Georgia. It is about 21' N.E. by E. E.
from Eddystone Island. There is a very good anchor-
age at the E. end of the island inside the coral
reefs. The entrance is about across, and is easily
distinguishable from the mast-head coming from the
southward. There is a coral patch with 2 fathoms
on it in the middle of the harbour, but this can easily
be seen and avoided. The best anchorage is in 14 to
15 fathoms off the village. The natives here are a
colony from Rubiana.

No water can be obtained here, but must be got
from Koulangbangra, 12' distant,