THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 1173

Mbengha Passage.—The Mbengha Passage between
the Island of Mbengha and the south coast of Viti
Levu is 10 miles long, and has for its limits—on the
south side the Pratt Reefs, the Pearl Rock, the
Cæsar Rocks, and the Nisithi Rocks; and on the
north side the Naitata Flats, the Rovondrau Reefs,
Combe, Lake, and Shark Reefs, and the Lerua Reef.
Between Shark Reef and the Cæsar Rock the passage
is but little over one mile wide, the depth in the
middle being 150 fathoms.

Landmarks.—In passing through the Mbengha
Passage the most conspicuous landmarks are—Storm
Islet, Mbengha, Tanutha, and Bird Islet, on the port
hand; the Kovondrau Bay, Shark's Fin Hill, and a
sandy bay on the Shark Reef, on the starboard hand.

Directions for Mbengha Passage.—Pass within 1
mile of the Rovondrau Bay, and steer W. by S. S.,
keeping well over to the Shark Reef to insure clear-
ing the Cæsar Rocks which do not break. The Cæsar
Rocks are passed when Shark Reef Bay is in line
with the Shark's Fin, when a more southerly course
may be steered, if necessary, to clear the reefs off
Lerua.

Pratt Reefs.—The Pratt Reefs are a group of
coral patches half way between the North Shore of
Mbengha and the Rovondrau Reefs. In the centre
of the largest patch is a sandy bay which is awash at
low water.

Pearl Rock.—Pearl Rock, W.S.W. 2 miles of the
sand bay mentioned above, is a coral patch with 3
fathoms on it at low water.

Cæsar Rocks.—The Cæsar Rocks are two small
coral heads of 6 feet below low water, situated
N.E. N. 2 miles from Bird Islet. There is seldom
or ever any break on them.

Nisithi Rocks.—Between the Cæsar Rocks and
Thakau Nisithi the bottom is very foul, being strewn
with rocks about 6 to 12 feet below low water.

Thakau Nisithi.—Thakau Nisithi is the name
given by the natives to the coral reef upon which is
situated the Bird Islet (of Wilkes), which is a small
sandy bay with a group of bushes on it, making its
entire height 4 feet above high water.

Tanutha Island. (Called Namuka on Chart 2691.)
—Tanutha Island, 8 miles W. by S. of Mbengha
Peak, is 1 mile long by mile broad. It has three
peaks, the highest of which is 450 feet. There is
anchorage in 7 fathoms, sand, off the N.W. coast, pro-
tected from prevailing winds. In going north from
this island care must be taken to avoid the coral
heads between the Tanutha Reefs (to the West of
Tanutha and Thakau Nisithi).

The Shark's Fin.—In passing through the Mben-
gha Passage the most conspicuous landmark on the
starboard hand is the Shark's Fin—a hill covered
with trees, and 680 feet high.

Combe Reef.—Combe Reef is a large patch awash at
low water 1 miles W. by S. of the Rovondrau Bay.

Lake Reef.—Lake Reef, 1 W. by S. of Combe
Reef, is below low water, and less conspicuous than
the latter.

Shark Reef.—Shark Reef is 14 miles long. The
western half of it is awash, but the eastern half is
a few feet below low water. The sand bay on Shark
Reef is 1 foot above high water and is situated 2$rac{1}{2}$
miles S. E. of the Shark's Fin.

Lerua Harbour.—Lerua Harbour is well protected
from all winds, but not suitable for sailing vessels,
on account of the difficulty of egress when the trade
wind is blowing. There is good anchorage in 16
fathoms, mud, with left extreme Lerua Islet in line,
left extreme land beyond, distant 1,200 yards.

The Hog's Back.—2 miles west of Lerua Har-
bour is a round, wooded hill, called the Hog's Back,
conspicuous for many miles from both East and
West.

Hog's Back Point.—Hog's Back Point is the ex-
tremity of the ridge running down from the Hog's
Back.

Harbours between Lerua and Thuvu.—Vinariu,
called Grandy Harbour in Chart 2691. Levi and
Thuvu Harbours are suitable for steam vessels only.
Vinariu Harbour.—Vinariu Harbour is 1$rac{1}{2}$ miles
W. by S. of Hog's Back Point. Good anchorage in
8 fathoms, mud; well protected.

Levi.—Levi Harbour, 17 miles W. $\frac{1}{2}$ N. of Hog's
Back Point, has anchorage in 7 fathoms, sand.

Thuvu.—Thuvu, or Thub, Harbour (erroneously
called Ndronga on Pub. Chart No. 176) is 6 miles
W. by N. of the Singatoke River. Anchorage in
5 fathoms, sand. Staff Commander Hosken has
executed a sketch of this small port.
Bearings given are magnetic.

Corrections to Chart No. 2691.

Longitudes depend on Obs. Spot, Courthouse,
Levuka, being 178, 49, 03, East.

Corrections to Chart No. 2691.

Longitudes depend on Obs. Spot, Levuka being
178, 49, 03.
It appears from the above positions that islands
fixed by the United States Expedition are placed too
far West. Biva has probably been corrected since.