Feb. 28.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 371

SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN.

TONGA OR FRIENDLY ISLANDS.—TONGATÁBU ISLAND.

Position of Dido Reef.—The following information has been received from Commander Watson, H.M.S. “Miranda,” relative to Dido Reef, north-east coast of Tongatábu Island —

Dido Reef was seen from the “Miranda,” marked by two lines of breakers, which extended in a N.N.W. direction about three quarters of a mile and a quarter of a mile respectively. From the colour of the water the least depth on the reef appeared to be about 4 fathoms. It lies with the north extreme of the eastern reef, Tongatábu Island, bearing S.S.W. ½ W., distant three miles and three-quarters.

Position, lat. 20° 56½′ S., long. 174° 55′ W.

Shoal between Makkahāa and Eastern Reefs.—Also of the existence of a shoal lying in the fairway of the southern part of the channel between Makkahāa and Eastern Reefs, northern side of Tongatábu Island.

This shoal, seen from the masthead of the “Miranda,” appeared to be of very small extent. It lies with the following bearings and distance: Eastern extreme of Manecma Islet, S. 7° E.; northern extreme of Makkahāa Islet, S. 84 W., distant 5 cables.

The channel, about 1 cable in breadth, between this shoal and the sunken rock on the south-west end of Eastern Reef, appeared to be clear. Between the shoal and reef fringing Makkahāa Islet the channel is narrow.

Tongatábu Island.—Shoal in Tongatábu Harbour Approach: The German Government has given notice, on the authority of the commander of the German vessel of war “Hyäne,” of the existence of a shoal lying in the northern approach to Tongatábu Harbour, Tongatábu Island:—

The bottom was seen from the “Hyäne” when passing near this shoal (Hyäne), and a depth of 6 fathoms was obtained about 2 cables northward of a spot on which the sea was breaking; to the northward the depth increased to 9 and 16 fathoms. For the position of the 6 fathoms the following bearings are given:—

Mallenoah Islet . . . . South.
South extreme of Atataa Islet . . S.W. ¼ S.
Position: Lat. 20° 55½′ S., long. 175° 5′ W.

The bearings are magnetic. Variation—10°, easterly, in 1883.

This notice affects the following Admiralty charts: (1.) Australia, general, No. 2759A; Australia, North-west Coast, No. 475; Cape Ford to Buccaneer Archipelago, No. 1047; Admiralty Gulf and Vansittart Bay, No. 1050; also Australia Directory, Vol. III., 1881, page 133. (2.) Tonga or Friendly Islands, No. 2421.

SAMOAN OR NAVIGATOR ISLANDS.—TUTUILA ISLAND.

Shoal in Pago Pago Harbour.—Also of the existence of a shoal lying in the western part of Pago Pago harbour, south side of Tutuila Island.

This shoal, of sand, about 20 yards in extent, with 15 feet on it at low water, and 5 to 9 fathoms close around, lies with the following bearings and distance:—

Point next westward of observation spot, N. 72° E.
West point of Fonga Tonga Bay, S. 49° E.
Northernmost large house, Pago Pago, N. 85° W., distant 3 cables.

The bearings are magnetic. Variation—9°, easterly, in 1883.

By command of their Lordships.

FREDK. J. EVANS,
Hydrographic Office, Admiralty,
London, 13th October, 1883.

This notice affects the following Admiralty charts: (1.) Mayor Island to Poverty Bay, No. 2527; Poverty Bay to Cape Palliser, No. 2528. Also New Zealand Pilot, 1875, page 106. (2), (3), (4). Pacific Ocean, No. 730 (2); Tonga or Friendly Islands, No. 2421 (2); Tongatábu, No. 2363 (3); Samoan or Navigator Islands, with plan of Pago Pago harbour, No. 1730 (4); also Hydrographic Notice, No. 3 of 1876, page 1.

AUSTRALIA.—NORTH-WEST COAST.

REEF NORTH-EASTWARD OF TROUGHTON ISLAND.

INFORMATION has been received of the existence of a reef lying with Troughton Island bearing S.W. ¼ S., distant about six and a half miles.

This reef (Guichen Reef), on which the French steam vessel of war “Guichen” struck, is stated to be of some extent, with several rocky heads that uncover at low water.

Position approximate on Admiralty charts: Lat. 13° 39′ S., long. 126° 18′ E.

Bearings magnetic. Variation—1 4-30, easterly, in 1883.

By command of their Lordships.

FREDK. J. EVANS,
Hydrographic Office, Admiralty,
London, 19th November, 1883.

Notice to Mariners, No. 7 of 1884.

ROCKY PATCH, NEAR ANCHORAGE, POVERTY BAY.

Marine Department,
Wellington, N.Z., 22nd February, 1884.

WITH reference to Notice to Mariners, No. 25 of 1883, issued by this department on the 13th July last, notice is hereby given that a buoy, painted red, has been placed to mark the position of the Rocky Patch, near the Anchorage, Poverty Bay. The buoy is moored in 10 fathoms of water, with the patch bearing from it N. by E. ⅓ E., distant about one cable. Vessels bound either to the usual anchorage or to Turanganui River should pass the buoy on the starboard hand.

H. A. ATKINSON.

Tenders.

Public Works Office,
Wellington, 21st February, 1884.

THE following list of successful and unsuccessful tenders is published for general information.

EDWIN MITCHELSON,
Minister for Public Works.

KOPUARANGA CONTRACT (FORMATION ONLY).—
WELLINGTON-NAPIER RAILWAY.

Accepted.
£ s. d.
T. H. Downes, Auckland . . . . 31,425 10 0

Declined.
D. Henderson and Co., Porirua . . . . 31,989 11 4
D. Glendinning, Napier . . . . 32,990 0 0
Alexander and McFarlane, Wanganui . . . . 34,211 6 8
J. Lockie, Wellington . . . . 48,864 0 0

Alterations and Additions to Scale of Fares and Charges in force on New Zealand Railways.

IN accordance with section 144 of “The Public Works Act, 1882,” I, Edwin Mitchelson, the Minister for Public Works, do hereby make the following addition to the scale of charges for the purpose specified below, such addition to come into force from and after the 28th day of January, 1884:—

PART IV.—LOCAL RATES.

HURUNUI BLUFF SECTION (ALBURY BRANCH).

Class H.—Wool.

The charge on wool from Fairlie Creek or Eversley to Timaru will be 2s. 8d. per bale undumped and 4s. 4d. per bale double-dumped.

As witness my hand this 26th day of February, 1884.

EDWIN MITCHELSON,
Minister for Public Works.

Alterations and Additions to Scale of Fares and Charges in force on New Zealand Railways.

IN accordance with section 144 of “The Public Works Act, 1882,” I, Edwin Mitchelson, the Minister for Public Works, do hereby make the following alterations and additions to the scale of charges for the purpose specified below, such alterations and additions to come into force on and after this date:—

PART IV.—LOCAL RATES.

HURUNUI-BLUFF SECTION.

Rakaia and Ashburton Forks Railway Company’s Line.

The following rates will be charged per mile upon the Rakaia and Ashburton Forks Railway Company’s line:—

s. d.
Classes A, B, C, D, per ton . . . . 0 9
Class E, per ton . . . . 0 4
Classes N, P, per ton . . . . 0 4
Wool (undumped), per bale . . . . 0 1½
Timber, per 100 superficial feet . . . . 0 1
Classes F, M, per truck . . . . 0 9
Double-floor trucks, rate and a half.
Class L, per truck . . . . 1 0

For local traffic on the company’s line, and between the terminal Government station and the company’s stations, the minimum rate will be not less than classified rates.

As witness my hand this 28th day of February, 1884.

EDWIN MITCHELSON,
Minister for Public Works.