Jan. 13.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 59

rity of the Board, and maintained in accordance with law,
shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding £2.

I hereby certify that the special order (copy of which
immediately above precedes) was duly passed by the Riwaka
Road Board in accordance with the provisions of “The
Road Boards Act, 1882.”

HORATIO EVERETT,
Clerk to the Board.

Riwaka Road Board, County of Waimea,
4th January, 1898.

Notice to Mariners, No. 2 of 1898.

Marine Department,
Wellington, 8th January, 1898.

THE following Notices to Mariners, received from the
Portmaster, Brisbane, Queensland, are published for
general information.

J. CARROLL,
For Minister of Marine.

INNER ROUTE TO TORRES STRAIT.—PASSAGE THROUGH THE
GREAT BARRIER REEF NEAR THE HOWICK GROUP.

Notice is hereby given that Captain W. Dawson, of H.M.S.
“Waterwitch,” reports having sounded out the passage
through the Great Barrier Reef which lies between Staple-
ton (X) Islet (in latitude 14° 19′ 12″ S., longitude 144° 51′ 3″
E.) and No. 1 sandbank.

The passage, which will be known hereafter as “Water-
witch Passage,” is clear of dangers, and carries a depth of
14 to 19 fathoms.

Vessels proceeding to sea from the inner route should
pass between Bewick and Ingham Islands, and, having made
Stapleton Island, leave it on the starboard hand half a mile
distant; then, steering N. 10° E. (magnetic) for 7·4 miles will
bring No. 1 sandbank abeam. It is close to the edge of the
reef, and should be passed on the starboard hand half a mile
distant. The passage is 1¼ miles wide, but the reef on the
west side of it should be given a good berth, as it was not
sounded off. Heavy tide-rips and strong tidal currents are
met with in the passage, but on the sandbank side it is
always smooth. The northern edge of the reef west of
Stapleton Island bears N. 62½° W. from Stapleton. The
channel between the two is 2·2 miles wide, and quite clear
of dangers.

Charts affected: 2922, 780, and 2964; Australia Directory,
Vol. ii., page 348.

ROCK OFF HAUGHTON ISLAND, HOWICK GROUP.

Notice is also given that a rock, with 18 ft. on it at low-
water springs, exists westward of Haughton Island. From
it the summit of Howick Island bears N. 63° E. (magnetic),
distant 2·3 miles.

The rock is less than a mile off the recommended track.

Charts affected: 2922 and 2764; Australia Directory,
Vol. ii., page 347.

T. M. ALMOND,
Portmaster.

Marine Department, Brisbane, 14th December, 1897.

FRANKLAND ISLANDS (INCORRECTLY CHARTED).

Notice is hereby given that Captain Dawson, of H.M.S.
“Waterwitch,” reports that the west extreme of Normanby
Island (Frankland Islands) is found to be 2 cables further
west than shown on Chart No. 2350.

Australia Directory, Vol. ii., page 322.

T. M. ALMOND,
Portmaster.

Marine Department, Brisbane, 14th December, 1897.

Notice to Mariners, No. 3 of 1898.

Picton Harbour, Queen Charlotte Sound.—Position of
Mooring-posts and Dolphin; also, Alteration in Position
of Wharf-light.

Marine Department,
Wellington, N.Z., 8th January, 1898.

FOR the convenience of vessels visiting the Port of
Picton, two mooring-posts have been placed in a posi-
tion near the wharf, and two ringbolts have been fastened
to the rocks on the eastern shore, opposite the wharf.

A dolphin, painted black, has also been erected on the
edge of the bank situated 305 ft. to the westward of the
wharf. The depth of water at the dolphin is 5 ft. at low
tide, and deepens gradually on the sea side and on the
wharf side to 20 ft. at a distance of 80 ft. from the dolphin.

The red light at the end of the wharf has been moved
back 22 ft.

Charts, &c., affected: Admiralty Charts Nos. 1509, 695,
and 2685; New Zealand Pilot, Chapter v., page 212.

J. CARROLL,
For Minister of Marine.

Notice to Mariners, No. 4 of 1898.

PRELIMINARY NOTICE.—FOG-SIGNAL, PENCARROW HEAD, EN-
TRANCE TO WELLINGTON HARBOUR.

Marine Department,
Wellington, N.Z., 12th January, 1898.

NOTICE is hereby given that an explosive fog-signalling
apparatus is being erected at Pencarrow Head, 384 ft.
S.W. of the lighthouse, and 145 ft. above sea-level. When
this fog-signal is near completion further particulars will be
published, as well as the dates on which experiments are to
be made.

All bearings correct magnetic.

Charts, &c., affected: Admiralty Charts Nos. 1423, 2054,
and 695; New Zealand Pilot, Chapter iv., pages 168 to 183.

W. C. WALKER,
For Minister of Marine.

Notice to Mariners, No. 5 of 1898.

KAIPARA HARBOUR.—REMOVAL OF LEADING-BEACONS.

Marine Department,
Wellington, N.Z., 12th January, 1898.

NOTICE is hereby given that the leading-beacons at
Kaipara North Head are now being taken down for
the purpose of being re-erected on a more suitable site for
marking Galatea Channel. The two top beacons, when
again erected, will be situated about one mile to the west-
ward of their old position. The third or lower beacon will
not be erected again.

Temporary Sailing Directions.—Vessels bound in, when
ten miles off the lighthouse, should bring it to bear N.E.
by N., and then steer in on a N.E. by N. ½ N. course till
passing Tory Shoal buoy, then steer by the land or by
directions given from the signal-station near the lighthouse.
Mariners are reminded that the constant use of the lead is
necessary when navigating these waters.

When the beacons are erected in their new position a
further notice to mariners will be issued.

All bearings are correct magnetic.

Charts, &c., affected: Admiralty Charts Nos. 2543 and
2614; New Zealand Pilot, Chapter vi., pages 249 to 255.

W. C. WALKER,
For Minister of Marine.

Commissioner’s Decisions under Tariff Acts.

Department of Trade and Customs,
Wellington, 12th January, 1898.

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 Acts in relation
to the under-mentioned articles as follows:—

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,
Secretary and Inspector.

Commissioner’s Order No. 588.]