298
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
distinguished at any distance, except on the west
side with a strong sea breeze, when it breaks in
2 fathoms. There are two islets off the S.W. point
of Barrow Island, and very good fresh water may be
obtained in a creek on Barrow Island, with sheltered
anchorage between the northern of the two islets and
the S.W. point, but the anchorage is difficult of
access on account of the reefs which extend across
the entrance, and which can only be crossed at high
water.
The alteration of 5' in the position of Barrow
Island will probably extend also to the Monte Bello
Islands and Ritchie's Reef, as the relative positions
of these appear to be correct.
Great Sandy Island, which I have called Beagle
Island, is composed of three islands, connected by a
reef. The N.E. island is rocky, from which the reef
runs nearly due south to a sandy cay, and then trends
away south-west to the principal island. There is
a reef running off from the south-west point about
, and there is a good anchorage in 4 to 5 fathoms,
sandy bottom, with the south-west point bearing
W.S.W., and shelter from the prevailing winds.
There is a coral reef with less than a fathom on it
S.E. 5' from the south-west point of Great Sandy
Island.
Mary Anne Group consists of eight small islands,
the majority of which are little more than sand-
banks. They are all more or less fringed with reefs,
and the passages between are very dangerous on
account of sandbanks and shoals. There is a very
dangerous reef running to the northward from the
north-western island of the group, which breaks
heavily at times, and the uneven bottom in its vicinity
causes heavy overfalls with the sea breeze and an ebb
tide, as the tides run three knots at springs between
this reef and the Barrow Island Reef. Great cau-
tion must be used, and every attention paid to the
lead in navigating amongst the islands of this group.
A mast-head look-out is indispensable, but should not
be too implicitly relied on.
Port Weld is a small indentation in the coast line
15' S.S.W. from Great Sandy Island. It is formed
by Kate Kearney Island, a small mangrove island,
which I place in lat. 21° 23" S., long. 115° 27′ E. It
affords shelter for small vessels from all winds except
northerly, and the holding ground is good (sand and
mud). Two fathoms is the deepest water at low-water
springs.
It is high water F. and C. about noon.
Springs rise 10 to 12 feet. Brackish water may
be obtained from a creek about 2' to the eastward
of Port Weld.
Thevenard Island is an extensive island, being 7' or
8' in length E. and W.
Remarks on the Winds and Weather during the
Summer Season on the North-west Coast.
In the months of January and February the sea
breeze generally sets in about 10 a.m., and blows
strong all day and sometimes half the night. It
varies from S.W. to W.N.W., blowing stronger when
it backs to the northward. About 4 or 5 p.m. the
clouds generally gather up heavy over the land with
much lightning, and occasionally break over the coast
line with a sharp squall about 7 or 8 p.m. During
this season hurricanes have been experienced, but
they do not appear to extend over any great area.
In 1871, about Christmas, a very severe one was felt
at Roebourne, which blew all the houses down, whilst
at the De Grey River to the eastward, and the For-
tescue River to the westward, it was hardly felt at all.
In 1872 one was experienced on the De Grey which
was barely felt at Roebourne. They do not appear to
be of any great duration. The heat is very great.
Our thermometer constantly stood at 92° by day and
88° by night, but the air is so dry that the heat is not
a trying one.
The climate is very healthy; its only drawbacks
being the scarcity of water, and, consequently, the
impossibility of obtaining any green food.
Tides and Currents.—It is impossible to give any
guide to the set of the currents on this coast. The
numerous small islands all appear to affect them, and
in some places the stream turns at half-tide, which
renders it impossible to distinguish the flood stream
from the ebb. It is therefore necessary to pay great
attention to bearings at all times, to avoid being set on
sandbanks or reefs.
The range of tide gradually decreases as you get
to the westward, from 18 feet at Port Walcott to 5 or
6 feet at the North-west Cape.
Supplies.—Capital fresh beef and mutton may be
obtained at Port Walcott, and the islands all abound
in turtle. At Barrow Island, kangaroo may easily be
obtained. All stores are very expensive at Port Wal-
cott on account of the high freights. The only good
watering places at present known are Beadon and
Barrow Islands (south-west point), and both these
are only suited to vessels of light draught.
FREDK. J. RENDELL,
Lieut. Commanding H.M. schooner "Beagle."
Tenders.
Public Works Office,
Wellington, 27th April, 1875.
THE following list of successful and unsuccessful
Tenderers is published for general information.
EDWARD RICHARDSON.
DUNEDIN TO MOERAKI RAILWAY.
PURAKANUI CONTRACT. (FORMATION AND PERMANENT WAY.)
Accepted.
Job Wain, Dunedin ... ... 68,384 13 0
Declined.
C. D. Irvine, Dunedin ... ... Informal.
D. Proudfoot, Dunedin ... ... 74,970 0 0
D. Henderson and Co., Dunedin ... ... 80,573 4 6
E. A. Duxbury, Dunedin ... ... 85,577 3 3
John Brogden and Sons, Dunedin ... ... 85,687 0 0
Charles Abbott, Dunedin ... ... 86,224 0 0
W. N. Morrison and Co., Dunedin ... ... 96,971 0 0
James Mackay, Dunedin ... ... 98,345 7 9
Matheson Bros., Dunedin ... ... 99,259 16 0
J. B. Blair, Dunedin ... ... 100,325 0 0
Notice under Stamp Duties Act.
Office of the Commissioner of Stamp Duties,
Wellington, 26th April, 1875.
THE following Notice under the Stamp Duties Act,
which appeared in the New Zealand Gazette of
13th May, 1869, is republished for general inform-
ation.
CHARLES C. BOWEN.
NOTICE.
THE attention of Executors, Administrators, Legatees,
and Successors, is called to the provisions of "The"
Stamp Duties Act, 1866," which require, —

1. That Executors and Administrators shall, in the
   case of all legacies, annuities, or residues paid by
   them, furnish to the Stamp Office full accounts of
   such payments, and shall pay the duty assessed
   thereon within sixty days thereafter; and in the case
   of legacies, annuities, or residues retained in trust,
   shall before any such retainer furnish to the Commis-
   sioners full particulars thereof, and shall pay the duty
   assessed thereon within fourteen days of such assess-
   ment; and shall furnish accounts of all successions
   under any will or estate executed or administered