588
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
land from the north-westward should never sight the
red or white light on a bearing more southerly than
east half south, and on seeing the green light should
immediately alter the course more southward, so as
to give a good berth to the outlying reefs westward
of the Cape which run parallel with and extend one
mile from the shore.

Vessels from the eastward should not bring the
white or red light to bear to the westward of west-
north-west; and when the green light becomes visible
on that bearing should steer more southerly, in order
to give a wide berth to the reef which stretches to
the eastward from Cape Northumberland.

In bad weather, with the wind hanging from the
southward, it will be advisable to keep Cape Northum-
berland at such a distance as will enable a vessel to
pass the lighthouse without seeing the green light;
and, should the weather be thick or it be blowing
hard, it will be prudent not to sight the red light,
which under such circumstance will not be seen at
the former distance.

The coast north-westward of Cape Northumberland
is low, and, owing to the heavy ocean swell which
sets directly on shore, should be very carefully
avoided.

An eddy current to the northward has sometimes
been experienced within ten or twelve miles of the
land, between Cape Northumberland and Lacepede
Bay, apparently occasioned by a current which
Captain Flinders found in the middle of April setting
toward the Cape from the W.S.W. at the rate of half
(½) a knot.

Captain Douglas in his survey of this part of the
coast does not mention the existence of a current, but
cautions navigators to give the coast a wide berth,
owing to the heavy ocean swell which sets directly in
shore, and should be carefully avoided.

In the report of the Commissioners appointed by
His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief to inquire into
the circumstances connected with the wreck of the
steamship "Admella," it is stated that the loss of the
"Admella" is to be attributed chiefly to the effects
of a current which appears to have been setting
towards the coast between Capes Willoughby and
Northumberland, on the 5th and 6th August, 1859.

Captain King, of the P. and O. steamer "Bombay,"
on or about the same date, in a letter to the Com-
missioners, states that between Cape Jaffa and Cape
Northumberland he found a current setting strong
towards the land, and he considered it as much as
fifteen miles in an easterly direction in the run be-
tween the two Capes.

On one occasion, in the Government schooner
"Flinders," after taking shelter from a S.S.W. gale
in the south end of Rivoli Bay, in August, 1872, the
wind falling light and veering to the eastward, tripped
the anchor and stood out to the W.S.W. for five or
six miles, when it fell calm; found a current setting
the schooner E.N.E. nearly one and a half miles an
hour. Fortunately the wind freshened, and he got
away from this dangerous coast. The master of the
schooner informed me that he often felt a current
setting towards the land.

A vessel off the coast between Cape Jaffa and
Cape Northumberland, when in soundings of forty-
five fathoms and upwards, is in a position of safety.
It is therefore recommended that masters of vessels
during night in thick weather, or in doubt, should
verify their position by sounding.

R. H. FERGUSON,
President Marine Board, South Australia.

SUNKEN REEF-INNER ROUTE TO TORRES STRAITS.
CAPTAIN Pearn, of the Schooner "Io," reports the
existence of a sunken reef, with 12 feet of water
over it at low water, in the following position, viz.,-
Half-way Island-Centre, N.N.E.
Boydong Cays-Centre of southernmost islet,
S.E. E.

G. P. HEATH, Commander R.N.,
Portmaster.

Department of Ports and Harbours,
Brisbane, 14th July, 1876.

Appointment of Office Surveyor.

Surveyor-General's Office,
Wellington, 16th August, 1876.

HIS Excellency the Governor has been pleased to
appoint

ALEXANDER BARRON, Esq.,
to be Office Surveyor in the Department of the Sur-
veyor-General, from 1st August, 1876.

H. A. ATKINSON.

INLAND MAIL SERVICES.

General Post Office,
Wellington, 14th August, 1876.

SEALED Tenders will be received at the General
Post Office, Wellington, until Saturday, the 9th
Sptember proximo, for the conveyance of Mails
twice a week each way between Napier and Tauranga,
by Four-horse Coach, from the 1st of November next,
until the 31st December, 1878, a period of two years
and two months.

Forms of tender, together with terms and condi-
tions of contract, may be procured at any Post Office.
No tender will be considered unless made on the
printed form.

Tenders to be indorsed "Tender for Napier and
Tauranga Mail Service," and addressed to the Hon.
the Postmaster-General, Wellington.

The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted.

By order.
W. GRAY,
Secretary.

Traffic Returns.

KAIPARA TO RIVERHEAD RAILWAY.

RETURN of Traffic for four weeks ending 29th
July, 1876.

PASSENGERS.
No. £ s. d. £ s. d.
Passengers ... ... 570 79 10 6
Parcels, &c. ... ... 5 14 6 85 5 0

GOODS.
Freight 267 tons
Timber 128,532 feet
Cattle 1 } ... 157 10 7

Total ... ... £242 15 7

AUCKLAND TO MERCER RAILWAY.

RETURN of Traffic for four weeks ending 29th
July, 1876.

PASSENGERS.
No. £ s. d. £ s. d.
Passengers ... ... 9,101 760 17 8
Parcels, &c. ... ... 63 18 7
Season Tickets ... ... 14 44 16 0 869 12 3