Feb. 5.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 201

The red danger light will remain as heretofore.
The light can be seen at a distance of twenty-four nautical miles in clear weather, and is visible from E. by S. round northerly to W. ½ S.

DRAPER’S REEF, QUEENSCLIFF.
Masters of vessels and others interested are hereby notified that a 200-gallon (black) cask buoy has been placed in position at the outer extremity of the patch of rock known as Draper’s Reef, east of Doctor’s Jetty, in 10ft. low water.

A. W. MUSGROVE,
Secretary for Trade and Customs.

Ports and Harbours,
Melbourne, 7th January, 1891.

Notice to Mariners, No. 5 of 1891.

Marine Department,
Wellington, 3rd February, 1891.

THE following Hydrographic Notice, received from His Excellency the Naval Commander in Chief, Australian Station, is published for general information.

JOHN MCKENZIE,
(For the Minister having charge of the Marine Department.)

HOLOTHURIA BANKS, ETC., NORTH-WEST COAST OF AUSTRALIA.

“Orlando,” at Hobart, 1st January, 1891.
(Hydrographic Notice No. 1.)

THE following information, received from H.M.S. “Penguin,” is hereby promulgated:—

HYDROGRAPHIC REMARKS.

I. Affecting Chart No. 1047, IX., 88, Cape Ford to Buccaneer Archipelago, and Australian Directory, Vol. III., page 136.

The Holothuria Banks are situated from six to seven miles west of the position assigned to them on the published chart.

There is no reef of rocks, as represented, between the parallels of 13° 17′ S. and 13° 25′ S.

North of the reef marked “Breaks” the soundings show from 8 to 19 fathoms sand and coral bottom as far north as latitude 13° 7′ S., the point of the bank being in the meridian of 126° 10′ E. The reef marked “Breaks,” which is in latitude 13° 26′ 5″ S., longitude 125° 54′ 30″ E., is seldom visible except in strong winds.

A shoal has been found with 7 fathoms over it, coral bottom, in latitude 13° 7′ S., longitude 125° 59′ E., which has not yet been completely examined. There may be less water.

Caution: The water on and around the Holothuria Banks is extremely thick. Great caution is required in navigation, as the tides are strong and even the shallowest spots do not break in light winds.

II. When navigating between Port Darwin or Cambridge Gulf and southern ports, the best parallel on which to cross the Holothuria Banks is latitude 13° 15′ S. Daylight should be chosen if possible.

III. Captain Jamieson, of the s.s. “Otway,” states that he struck upon a small coral bank in latitude 14° 1′ S., longitude 125° 21′ E. The “Penguin” searched for this danger without success. Pending further examination, it is recommended that a rock be inserted on the charts in the above position, with the notation (P.D.) against it.

IV. The Montalivet Islands are four miles to the south and three miles to the east of the position given to them on the existing published chart.

V. Chart No. 1048, Corr. XII. 88, Buccaneer Archipelago to Bedout Island.

A cast of 7 fathoms, sand bottom, was obtained in latitude 16° 43′ S., longitude 121° 37′ E. There may be less water, but no danger was seen from the masthead. This shallow water may be an extension of the Baleine Bank, or it may indicate that this bank is really further to the westward than the position assigned to it on the published chart.

VI. Chart No. 1055, VII. 88, Bedout Island to Cape Cuvier.

The alleged position of the Strathmore Rock was passed over by the “Penguin” on a day peculiarly favourable for seeing a danger of this description. Nothing was seen from the masthead.

VII. With reference to caution, p. 29, Supplement of Australia Directory, Vol. iii., Cape Cuvier is placed on the existing published chart in its correct position.

VIII. Chart No. 518, Nov. 87, Shark Bay. Chart No. 1056, May 89, Cape Cuvier to Champion Bay.

Babbage Island Beacon has not been removed as was anticipated. It is now in the same position as marked on the plan.

The light of the lightship off Gascoyne River is not to be relied upon. The forestay anchor light of any coasting-vessel is far more conspicuous.

A vessel drawing 16ft. 6in. can coal alongside the hulk (which is also the lightship) at low-water spring-tide. The supply of coal is very uncertain, and seldom exceeds 40 tons.

IX. Wind: In November a moderate but persistent gale blows from the south along the western coast of Australia. The passage from Cossack to Fremantle is extremely difficult except for powerful steamers.

X. Chart No. 1033, XI. 86, Champion Bay to Cape Naturaliste. Chart No. 1058, Aug. 86, Rottnest to Warnbro’ Sound. Australia Directory, Vol. iii., p. 236.

Rottnest Light can be seen with difficulty in very clear weather at a distance of twelve miles. In ordinary weather it can be seen about seven miles distant.

C. T. SCOTT,
Rear-Admiral.

The respective Captains and Officers Commanding H.M. Ships and Vessels on the Australian Station.

Commissioner’s Decisions under Tariff Acts.

Department of Trade and Customs,
Wellington, 2nd February, 1891.

IT is hereby notified, for public information, that the Hon. the Commissioner of Trade and Customs has decided to interpret “The Customs and Excise Duties Act, 1888,” in relation to the under-mentioned articles as follow:—

NOTE.—“Not otherwise enumerated” appears as n.o.e.; “other kinds” as o.k.; “articles and materials suited only for, and to be used solely in, the fabrication of goods in the colony” as a. & m.s. Articles marked thus * are revised decisions.

W. T. GLASGOW,
For Secretary and Inspector.

Commissioner’s Order No. 388.]

Road Board Elections.

Colonial Secretary’s Office,
Wellington, 4th February, 1891.

THE following notices of elections of members of Road Boards have been received at this office, and are published in accordance with the provisions of “The Road Boards Act, 1882.”

G. S. COOPER,
Under-Secretary.