JAN. 3.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 29

with the south point of Didot Island, bearing N. 62° E.,
leads through the Mouéo Pass. When within the south
point of the reefs keep Béco Beacon in line with a
cut in the mountains, and after passing the 8-feet patch,
which is always visible and lies just within the southern reef,
steer to pass about one-third of a cable north of the south
beacon, and when the beacon on Ié Island opens the south-
east extreme of Grimoult Island steer with these in line
bearing N. 43° E. until the beacon on Nepoui is in line with
the west extreme of Grimoult Island; keep the latter marks
on until the three south points of Grimoult Island come in
line, when alter course to pass one cable west of the perch
upon Grimoult Reef, and from thence to the anchorage off
the south point of Nepoui.

Vessels not drawing more than 16 feet water may keep on
the leading mark, Béco Beacon, in line with the south point
of Didot Island N. 62° E., until Nepoui Beacon is in line with
the west point of Grimoult Island.

Uitoe Passage: Shoals.—A shoal, 4 cables long, in an east
and west direction, and 2¾ cables wide, lies just to the
northward of the fairway in the eastern part of Uitoe
Passage; the least water obtained on the shoal was 26 feet,
over sand and coral, and breakers have been seen upon it with
the south-westerly swell. It is advisable to pass to the south-
ward of this patch when navigating the passage.

La Dives Reef.—This coral reef, upon which the French
Government transport “La Dives” was wrecked, is situated
near the south-west side of Tia Reef, to the southward of
Havannah Passage. From the reef the north extreme of
Nuare Island bears S. 63° W., and the east extreme of Kie
Island N. 10° W.

Port Noumea.—A buoy has been moored, in a depth of
3 fathoms, south-east of Denouel Point, on the northern side
of Little Entrance.

Buoys have also been laid down upon the east and west
sides of L’Infernal Bank.

The least depth between the two buoys marking the
channel between Picard Point and Dumuri is 16 feet.

Kauí Shoal: Beacon.—A beacon has been placed upon the
northern part of Kauí Shoal.

Garnault Rock.—This rock, which is steep-to, is about
50 feet in diameter, has a depth of 9 feet over it, and lies
with the north extreme of Goélands Island bearing N. 72° W.,
distant two and a half miles.

Rocks.—Two small coral heads, having respectively 4 feet
and 13 feet over them, lie to the south point of N’de Island
(south-eastward of Mount D’Or), bearing N. 19° W., distant
about three-quarters of a mile.

Loyalty Islands.

Maré Island: Tandine Bay.—The Commander of the
French Government transport “Allier” reports the existence
of a coral knoll in Tandine Bay. From the knoll, on which
the least depth found was 7½ fathoms, Uopao Point bears
S. 18° W., the Commandant’s house S. 72° E., and the White
Hut N. 53° E.

Uea or Halgan Island: Bishop Sound.—A church has
been built at the village of Achir, situated in the north-east
part of Bishop Sound. The church, which is coloured white,
is conspicuous from seaward, and shows well from a distance
of from ten to twelve miles.

Rocks.—A coral knoll, about 25 feet in diameter, and
having 3 fathoms water over it, lies with Observation Islet
bearing N. 85° W., and Cap Hill N. 12° W.

Another coral head, over which there is a depth of
2 fathoms, lies with the mission church of Faiaoué (Tdgawee)
bearing S. 67½° E., distant 9½ cables.

New Hebrides.

Erromango Island: Dillon Bay.—This bay is reported to
have shoaled since the survey was made by Mr. Tilly, Master,
R.N., in 1861, and there is now (1882) about 4 feet over the
river bar at low spring tides. The mission station is upon the
north point of the river entrance, the houses showing to
seaward. The sandalwood station and wharves have been
demolished.

Vessels will be upon the anchoring ground when the white-
sand beach both north and south of Dillon Bay are shut in
by the land.

Vate or Sandwich Island: Havannah Harbour.—This
harbour, formed by the Island of Vate and the two smaller
islands, Protection Island and Deception Island, is six and a
half miles long from Protection Island to the boat passage,
the centre part being too deep for anchoring until eastward
of White-sand Point.

The channel south of Protection Island, 5½ cables wide, is
deep; Little Entrance, or that northward of the island, is
about 2 cables wide, and carries an average depth of 7 fathoms.
Vessels working in by the south channel should be prepared
for heavy squalls, which at times blow out of Ai Valley.

Shoals.—A patch of coral rocks extends 2 cables from the
shore, just southward of White-sand Point. Bluff Point seen
open northward of White-sand Point bearing N.E. ½ N. leads
northward of them.

A small reef which dries at low spring tides extends one
cable from Reef Point.

Anchorage.—The usual anchorage is in Matapou Bay in
18 fathoms, and a depth of 12 fathoms will be found within
50 yards of the beach.

Supplies.—Sheep, poultry, vegetables, and bread can be
obtained. Water can be got from a stream near the flagstaff.

Tide.—It is high water full and change at 6 hours 40
minutes. Springs rise 3 feet 10 inches.

Mallicolo Island: Espiègle Bay.—This bay is situated upon
the north-west coast of Mallicolo Island, and may be recog-
nized by a remarkable white patch on the south side of a
gully at the head of the bay, also by the large sandy beach,
which is the first of any size when approaching the coast
from the northward. From Espiègle Bay to the north ex-
treme of the island the land is low, flat, and densely wooded.

Anchorage.—The “Espiègle” anchored in 12 fathoms, with
South Point bearing S. 12° E., and White Patch S. 59° E.

Water.—Excellent fresh water can be obtained at all times
of tide from a stream running into the bay at the southern
end of the sand beach.

Rock.—A rock, awash at low spring tides, lies off the north
extreme of Lepers Island, with the north-east extreme bear-
ing S.E. by S., and a wedge-shaped clay coloured bluff S.W.
Shoal water extends half a mile from the east side of the
island.

Rose Bank.—The master of the cutter “Rose” reports
having passed over a large coral bank upon which depths of
14 and 15 fathoms were obtained, lying about twenty-five
miles S.E. by S. from Sophia Island, or approximately in lat.
11° 3' S., long. 179° 50' E.; the bottom was plainly seen, and
appeared to be irregular. No land was in sight from the
masthead.

Hazel Holm Bank.—This bank, reported to be situated in
lat. 12° 44' S., long. 174° 4' E., and to have 18 fathoms over
it, was passed over by the barque “Hazel Holm” in March,
1880. Soundings were obtained in from 19 to 23 fathoms
for three miles in a S. by E. direction after the bank was
discovered.

Hydrographic Office, Admiralty,
London, 7th September, 1883.

———

FIJI ISLANDS.—VITI LEVU.

(1.) Mbau Waters—Shoal North-eastwards of Teilau Island.
Information has been received from Commodore J. E.
Erskine, Senior Officer of H.M. ships in Australia, of the
existence of a shoal lying on the west side of Mbau Waters,
distant from Teilau Island about three miles.

This shoal, with probably less than 2 fathoms water on it,
lies with the following mark and bearings: Thang-galai,
just open westward of Leleuvia; Mumbualau Island centre,
S. 58° E.; Mbau Island centre, S. 27° W.; West extreme
Viwa Island, S. 45° W. Position, lat. 17° 53' 50" S., long.
178° 41' E.

(2.) Suva Harbour.—Na Mbukalou Light altered in Colour.
Information has been received that on 31st July, 1883, the
light exhibited near Na Mbukalou, eastern side of Suva
Harbour, would be altered from fixed green to fixed red.

The bearings are magnetic. Variation, 9¾° easterly in
1883.

By command of their Lordships.
FREDK. J. EVANS,
Hydrographer.

Hydrographic Office, Admiralty,
London, 13th September, 1883.

———

Public Libraries.

———

Education Department,
Wellington, 20th September, 1883.

NOTICE is hereby given that the sum of £6,000 has
been voted by Parliament for distribution to public
libraries.

The distribution will take place on the 31st January, 1884,
and no claim will be considered that shall not have been sent
in in due form and received by the Secretary for Education,
Wellington, before the 22nd January, 1884.

Every public library maintained by rates will be entitled
to share in the distribution according to its income from
rates; and every library maintained by subscriptions and
voluntary contributions will be entitled to share according to
its income from subscriptions and voluntary contributions:
Provided in either case that the income for the year has not
been less than £2; and that admission to the library, if within
a borough, is open to the public free of charge.

The income of each library may be stated either for the
year ending 31st December, 1883, or for the year ending with
that day in the year 1883 on which the annual accounts of
the library were made up.

The distribution will not be in proportion to the several
incomes of the libraries; but a nominal addition of £25 will
be made to the amount of each income, and the vote of