JUNE 16.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 993

6. Vessels are warned that if they disregard these regulations they will expose themselves to serious damage, and will be liable to be fired on by the batteries.
   [NOTE.—The hours during which vessels may cross the mine-fields in the vicinity of Fort Caswell, at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, have been extended by direction of the Secretary of War to all hours of daylight between 4 a.m. and 8 p.m.]

Charleston Harbour, South Carolina.

No vessel will be allowed to pass through the channel between the hours of 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. During this interval vessels must not approach within three miles of the fort.

2. A patrol-boat will be stationed above or below the defences. This boat is authorised to stop vessels to inquire into their character or to instruct them how to pass through the mine-fields. The orders of the patrol-boat must be strictly obeyed.

3. Sailing-vessels, and all vessels drawing 3 ft. or less, can pass safely through any part of the channel during the daytime.

4. Steam-vessels must pass at slow speed through a special channel which will be indicated to them by the patrol-boat.

5. No vessel will be allowed to anchor within three miles of the fort without special authority.

6. Vessels are warned that if they disregard these regulations they will expose themselves to serious damage, and will be liable to be fired on by the batteries.

Savannah River, Georgia.

1. No vessel or boat of any description will be allowed to pass through the channels on either side of Fort Pulaski except in good daylight, and the channels will be absolutely closed to all vessels between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. During this interval vessels will not be permitted in the space between the Quarantine-station and Tybee. No vessel will be allowed to anchor in this space at any time without special authority, nor in South Channel, Lazaretto Creek, or Wright’s River, within two miles of Fort Pulaski.

2. Patrol-boats will be stationed in the vicinity of Quarantine and Tybee. These boats are authorised to stop vessels and inquire into their character, or to instruct them how to pass through the mine-fields. The orders of the patrol-boats must be strictly obeyed. Sailing-vessels, and all small vessels drawing 3 ft. or less, can pass safely through any part of the channels during the daytime. Steam-vessels must pass at slow speed, and, unless specially instructed by patrol-boats, will follow strictly the sailing-lines laid down on charts.

3. Vessels are warned that if they disregard these regulations they will expose themselves to serious damage, and will be liable to be fired upon by the batteries.

Pensacola Bay, Florida.

1. No vessel will be allowed to pass in or out of Pensacola Bay between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise. During this time vessels will not come within three miles of any of the fortifications.

2. Patrol-boats will be stationed one below and one above the defences, these boats being authorised to stop vessels under way to inquire into their character or to instruct them how to pass the mine-fields. The orders of patrol-boats must be obeyed strictly.

3. Sailing-vessels can pass through the line of the best water.

4. Steam-vessels must pass at slow speed between a point three miles above and a point three miles outside the fortifications.

5. No vessel will be allowed to anchor within three miles of the fortifications without special authority.

6. Vessels are warned that if they disregard these regulations they will expose themselves to serious damage, and will be liable to be fired upon by the batteries.

[NOTE.—It has been directed that the range marking the channel through the Caucus Shoal be extinguished until further orders.]

Mobile Bay and Harbour, Alabama.

1. No vessel will be allowed to pass through the channel between Fort Morgan, Ala., and Fort Gaines, Ala., nor through Grant’s Pass, between the hours of sunset and sunrise. During the interval vessels must not approach within three miles of Fort Morgan, or Pelican Pass, or Grant’s Pass.

2. Patrol-boats will be stationed above and below the defences. These boats are authorised to stop vessels and inquire into their character, or to instruct them how to pass through the mine-fields. The orders of the patrol-boats must be strictly obeyed. Until patrol-boats are put on, orders will be issued by the Commanding Officer at Fort Morgan, Ala.

3. Sailing-vessels and all small vessels drawing 3 ft. or less can pass safely through any part of the channels during the daytime.

4. Steam-vessels must pass at slow speed through a special channel which will be marked by buoys.

5. No vessel will be allowed to anchor within three miles of Fort Morgan, Ala., or Pelican and Grant’s Passes, without special authority.

6. Vessels are warned that if they disregard these regulations they will expose themselves to serious damage, and will be liable to be fired on by the batteries.

Mississippi River.

1. No vessel will be allowed to pass the forts going up or down between the hours of 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. During this interim vessels must not approach within three miles of the forts.

2. Patrol-boats will be stationed above and below the defences. These boats are authorised to stop vessels to inquire into their character or to instruct them how to pass through the mine-fields. The orders of the patrol-boats must be strictly obeyed.

3. Sailing-vessels and all small vessels drawing 3 ft. or less can pass safely through any part of the channel during the daytime.

4. Steam-vessels must pass at slow speed through a special channel which will be marked by buoys.

5. No vessel will be allowed to anchor within three miles of the forts without special authority.

6. Vessels are warned that if they disregard these regulations they will expose themselves to serious damage, and will be liable to be fired on by the batteries.

By order of the Bureau of Navigation.

J. E. CRAIG,
Commander, U.S.N., Hydrographer.

NOTE.—Copies of these notices can be obtained by mariners free of charge, by applying to the Hydrographic Office, to one of the branch offices, or to any of the agencies in the seaboard cities. They are also on file in all U.S. consulates, where every facility will be afforded for their inspection. Shipmasters are especially requested to inform the Hydrographic Office immediately of any newly-discovered danger to navigation, or of the establishment or change of any aid to navigation.

Volunteer Officer resigned.

Defence Office,
Wellington, 8th June, 1898.

HIS Excellency the Governor has been pleased to accept the resignation of the commission held by the under-mentioned officer:—

Wellington Battalion of Infantry Volunteers.
Quartermaster James Thain. Resignation to date from the 31st March, 1898.

T. THOMPSON.

Services of Volunteer Corps accepted.

Defence Office,
Wellington, 8th June, 1898.

HIS Excellency the Governor has been pleased to accept, under clause 39, (1), “The Defence Act, 1886,” the services of the

Clutha Mounted Rifle Volunteers (Balclutha, Otago).
Acceptance to date from the 2nd June, 1898.

T. THOMPSON.

Designation of Volunteer Corps changed.

Defence Office,
Wellington, 8th June, 1898.

HIS Excellency the Governor has been pleased to approve of the designation of the Bluff Naval Artillery Volunteers being changed to the “Awarua Rifle Volunteers,” with the seniority of the first-mentioned corps in the New Zealand Volunteer Force, and with effect from the 2nd June, 1898.

T. THOMPSON.

Bonus for the Production of Quicksilver.

Mines Office,
Wellington, 17th February, 1898.

NOTICE is hereby given that a bonus of fourpence (4d.) per pound will be paid on the production of the first one hundred thousand pounds weight (100,000lb.) of good marketable retorted quicksilver, free from all impurities, from any mine in New Zealand, on the following conditions, that is to say:—