THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 239

SHOALING UP OF THE MACLEAY BAR.
In consequence of the late shoaling, masters of
vessels trading to the Macleay River are hereby in-
formed that greater caution than ever is necessary in
crossing the bar at the present time.

FRANCIS HIXSON,
President.
Office of the Marine Board of New South Wales,
5th February, 1878.

NOTICE TO MARINERS.
No. 7 of 1878.

Customs Department (Marine Branch),
Wellington, 25th February, 1878.
THE following Hydrographic memoranda, re-
ceived from the Commodore Commanding the
Australian Station, are published for general informa-
tion.

J. BALLANCE.

OLOZENGA ROCK AND OTHER REPORTED ROCKS IN
SOMEWHAT SIMILAR PARTS.
"Wolverene," at Sydney,
5th February, 1878.
Hydrographic Memorandum No. 20.

WITH reference to my general Memorandum No.
27, and Hydrographic Memorandum No. 17, of 1877,
respecting Olozenga Rock, near the Kermadec Group,
W. Polynesia, I have been informed, while seeking to
obtain confirmatory information respecting it, of
rocks said to have been seen in the following posi-
tions by the vessels mentioned:--
"Edith" (schooner), latitude 30° 50' S., longi-
tude 178° 23′ E.
"Vibilia" (schooner), latitude 31° 50' S., longi-
tude 178° 20′ E.
"Kreimhilda," latitude 24° 50′ S., longitude
174° 0' W.
Additional precautions should therefore be taken
in navigating these parts, and every effort made by
Her Majesty's ships to prove the existence or other-
wise of these dangers.

A. H. HOSKINS,
Commodore.
To the respective Captains and Officers
Commanding Her Majesty's Ships on
the Australian Station.

FIJI.
FURTHER INFORMATION FURNISHED BY H.M.S.
"ALACRITY," DURING SURVEY OF GROUP IN 1877.-
NEW CALEDONIA AND NEW HEBRIDES.
"Wolverene," at Sydney,
9th February, 1878.
Hydrographic Memorandum No. 21.
The accompanying Hydrographic information re-
lative to parts of the Australian Station, is promul-
gated for general information and guidance.

A. H. HOSKINS,
Commodore.
To the respective Captains and Officers
Commanding Her Majesty's Ships on
the Australian Station.

Extract from Sailing Directions sent to Hydrographer's
Office from Her Majesty's Surveying Schooner
"Alacrity."
November, 1877.
Tartar Reef. The Tartar Reef is a coral bank
some few feet below low-water springs, 2 miles long
and 1 mile broad, and lying in a direction N.N.W.
and S.S.E. Its north point is situated S. 34 W., 18
miles from the summit of Waia; N. 55 W., 21 miles
from summit of Island of Malolo; S. 17 E., 17
miles from the south point of the Kiva Reef.
Immediately in a line between the Tartar Reef
and the south point of the Kiva Reef there are
no dangers; but coral banks exist, which have from
9 to 25 fathoms of water upon them. In shore of
a meridian 5 miles east of this line, and between
the parallels of Naviti and the Namanutha (Hud-
son's Islands), there are numerous reefs with from 2 to
5 fathoms of water, which break occasionally.
Viwa. Viwa Island is not more than 100 feet
high, and cannot be seen at night. On the south
point of the reef there is a heavy break at all times.
Barrier Reef off Malolo. -The Barrier Reef west
of Malolo ends abruptly in a horn S. 81 W., 7 miles
from the summit of that island.
New Reef West of Hudson Group. -Between this
horn and the Tartar Reef there is a chain of coral
banks with from 3 feet to 5 fathoms of water on
them; there are blind rollers on these banks, but
they break continuously only in strong winds. The
safest passage through will be found in the following
positions :-
N. 80 W., 10 miles from Malolo summit.
S. 84 W., 7 " "
A good light is necessary for entering, as the edges
of the banks are badly defined.
Soundings of between 100 and 200 fathoms were
obtained mile to the west of the banks.
Mamanutha or Hudson's Islands. -The most
westerly of the Mamanutha Islands-viz., Mondrihe
(Alden Island of Wilkes)-lies N. 54 W., 11 miles
from the summit of Malolo.
Passages into Mandi Waters. -There are two good
passages into the Mandi waters, the Navula Passage
and the Malolo Passage; the latter is between
Waldron and Spieden Islands. No reef exists
directly in front of it as represented in the published
chart.
Variation. - Variation at Mandi R., 9° 25' E.
Bearings are given magnetic.

Information furnished by Officers of H.M.S.
"Nymphe."
Vate or Sandwich Island, New Hebrides. -The
"Nymphe" made the island to extend 10 miles
further to the eastward than marked on chart.
Mr. Young, a resident of long standing in Havannah
Harbour, says that traders are constantly speaking
to him of Sandwich Island being so much out of
position. He himself thinks the island cannot be far
short of 40 miles in length.
Chart No. 1380, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, and
Loyalty Islands. -Panoe Bay, in Vate Island, is quite
5 miles across, whereas in Chart No. 1380 it is
only put as 1 mile wide from point to point. The
northern point should not be rounded closer than
mile, as a reef extends some distance from the point.
Chart No. 2907. -Shoal 1 fathom, in latitude 22°
24′ 30″ S., longitude 166° 27' E.; Mahoo N. by W.,
Gorlands Isle W.N.W.
Chart No. 2907. -Reef found off Crony Isle in
place of 10 fathoms, 2 W. W. S. from Crony Isle;
latitude 22° 21' 30" S., longitude 166° 19′ 30″ E.
Chart No. 480, Port of France or Noumea, latitude
22° 16' S., longitude 166°27′ E. - Northern Passage: 15
feet, soundings on chart 19 feet.
Chart No. 480, Port of France or Noumea, latitude
22° 16' S., longitude 166° 27' E. -Little Passage:
White buoy changed to red off Dinouel Point.
Chart No. 2480, Port of France or Noumea, latitude
22° 16' S., longitude 126° 27' E. -A red buoy has also
been placed on the north end of the 24 shoal abreast
Bayonnaise Cove, which cove is being filled up. The
point to the north has been produced to the south-
ward in the same direction about a cable.