276
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

[No. 16

the water between them being deep. As a rule
there is deep water close-to, but in many cases
there is a slight fringe reef, off which there is
generally anchorage for a small craft in about 15
fathoms, with room to swing clear. The group
extends twenty miles in an east and west direction,
and twelve miles north and south. The general
appearance of the coast is low and thickly wooded,
in some cases fringed with mangroves, and in no
cases exceeds 100 feet in height. The west coast
is highest, and there is no bottom with 25 fathoms
line close alongside it, or the coral reefs which
border the cliffs. The highest ridge of the largest
island is divided into four summits, the highest being
1,600 and the other 1,500 feet. The summit of the
next largest island is in the form of a saddle, and
attains a height of about 400 feet. The north side
of the group is partly bounded by a fringe reef,
having numerous small islets on it varying in height
from 10 to 50 feet. They have nearly all vegetation
of some sort on them. In the centre of this reef
there is a passage between two of the islets, It-a-
matie and Ellavaline, the latter of which may easily
be recognized, when near enough, by a tufted bush
in its centre. This passage is deep (no bottom at
25 fathoms), and there is plenty of room for a vessel
to work in or out. Inside the Barrier Reef there
are several coral patches, some of very considerable
extent, but all can be seen from the masthead.
There are several places on the northern side where
vessels may anchor, but in every case the water is
deep. They are, however, so well protected from
both wind and sea that there seems but little proba-
bility of danger. The "Renard" anchored in 15
fathoms, sand and coral bottom, about 60 yards
off the observation spot (a hut) in Renard Sound,
which left her room to swing about 30 yards clear
off the fringe reef. The other anchorages to the
westward are, however, probably preferable, the only
advantage of this one being that there is good water
obtainable about a mile and a quarter up the creek on
the left-hand side entering. The traders who visit
the group, it appears, generally anchor either off the
hut opposite the Island of Moco, in Long Inlet, or
else in the bight opposite the Island of No-no. This
latter one certainly appears the most secure. In the
inlet running to the south-eastward, at the head of
West Bay, there is room for a large ship to swing
easily.

Natives.-The group appears to be but thinly in-
habited, the principal villages being in Paddy's Bay
and Long Inlet; the natives shifting from place to
place according to the yam seasons. They nearly all
speak some English, and seem a harmless and good-
tempered people, and are certainly more civilized
than any we have hitherto come across in the Solomon
Group. They seem well provided with the European
necessaries of life, being great traders.

Products.-The principal products seem to be copra
and ivory nuts; also a little turtle-shell.

Provisions.-In the way of provisions, very good
yams, pigs, cocoanuts, pine-apples, limes, mangoes,
bananas, and spinnach. A few of the eggs of the
myapode (malau) were also brought off.

Observation Spot.-The hut off which the "Renard"
anchored is in lat. 9° 3′ 51″ S., long. 159° 09′ 19″ E.,
depending on Rendova Harbour being in long.
157° 15° 25" E. (Richards).

PRINCESS ISLAND.

The "Renard" passed close to the chart position
of this island, but saw nothing of it.

Bridgewater Reef.-Nothing seen of this supposed
danger: no indications of shoal water in the neigh-

bourhood. The traders fallen in with are of opinion
that neither the island nor reef has any existence.

Brougham Shoal.-The chart position was passed
over by the "Renard" but no indication of shallow
water was observed. It is, however, believed to
exist.

Buraguoi or Murray Island.-By bearings from
the Russell Island Group the centre of this island is
in lat. 9º 10" S., long. 158° 40′ E. It is sometimes
visited by the Russell Island natives on their way to
Maroro, New Georgia, where they go to trade. The
island is said to abound in wild pigs. The only
landing-place is on a small beach on the north-west
side, where the natives haul up their canoes.

Lavinier Shoal.-This danger was not searched for
by the "Renard." The natives of Russell Island,
however, state that it does exist, and is probably in
chart position. They say it is the only one, so that
the reputed shoal of the charts and the Lavinier
Shoal are probably identical.

SAN CHRISTOVAL ISLAND.

Makira Harbour.-This harbour, which is probably
one of the best and safest in every way in the Solo-
mon Group, is somewhat difficult for a stranger to
make out, especially if coming from the westward.
After passing Point Achard, which can easily be
distinguished by the white sand beach to the east-
ward of it, a high double peak will be seen. Steer
for this in a S.E. by E. E. bearing, and soon the
entrance to the harbour will be seen with the two
small islets off the left-hand side, to the left of the
double peak. The best anchorage is between the
observatory rock and the village, in 7 fathoms, sand
and coral, about 120 yards from the shore: this posi-
tion closes in the two entrance points and is con-
sequently perfectly land-locked. There is a good
spot for beaching a vessel, if necessary, just to the
left of a very large tree to the left of the village.

Water.-The best watering-place is immediately
opposite the entrance and to the right of some huts.
The water is very good, and the stream is probably
never quite dry.

Provisions.-The usual native provisions can be
had, but in no great quantity. There is generally
some difficulty in getting in and out of the harbour
under sail, the wind being light and baffling under
the land. There is usually, however, a slight land-
breeze in the early morning which enables a vessel to
get out clear of the land before the sea-breeze comes
up.

Natives.-The natives of the whole of San Chris-
toval are generally believed to be quite peaceable and
friendly.

UGI ISLAND.

Anchorage.-The best anchorage is off the trader's
house, which is situated on the west side of the
island, between the Village of Ete-ite and the Bluff.
Anchor in 15 fathoms, sandy bottom, about one-
quarter mile from the shore.

Water.-Good water can be procured here from a
stream to the right of the trader's house.

Provisions.-Yams, pigs, and fowls, &c., can be
procured from the natives, who are quite friendly.

WINDS AND WEATHER, ETC.

S.E. trade prevails from April to December, or
latter end of November, and seems to blow oftenest
from E.S.E.; but from local information this wind
has latterly not been so steady either in direction or
force as in former years.