APRIL 5.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 939

The coral reefs extend for a considerable distance west-north-westward from Bet Island. The shoal indicated on the chart, with wreck, 3 miles westward of Bet Island, was not sighted.

The head pilot on Thursday Island, who has thorough knowledge of Torres Strait, recommends following the route between Saddle Island and Ninepin Reef (depth 25 ft.), between Bet Island and Sue Island, Cocoanut Island and Dry Rocks, and between “covers at half-tide” and Aureed Island, passing south-westward of Rennel Island and again joining the recommended course. The same pilot reports that Rennel and Stephens Reefs extend further north-westward than shown, and the reefs of Bet Island are extending in all directions.

Approx. position of Bet Island, lat. 10° 9′ S., long. 142° 50′ E.

Hydrographic Office Chart.—No. 826A.

British Admiralty Charts issued to U.S. Vessels.—Nos. 2354 and 2422. “Australia Directory,” Vol. ii, 1898, pages 497 and 504–507.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.

OAHU.—PEARL HARBOUR.—BUOY CHANGED IN POSITION.—On 15th January, 1906, Ford Island Spit buoy No. 19, a black second-class spar, marking the eastern end of Ford Island Spit, Pearl Harbour, Hawaiian Islands, was moved 250 ft. N. 62° E. true (N.E. ½ E. mag.), and moored alongside a 21-ft. patch, in 25 ft. of water, on the following bearings:—

Dr. McGrew’s flagstaff, N. 15° E. true (N. ⅔ E. mag.).

Aiea Railway-station, south gable, N. 59° E. true (N.E. ½ E. mag.).

Fish Pond wall, watchhouse, N. 66° W. true (W.N.W. ⅔ W. mag.).

The upper end of Pearl Harbour is shoaling gradually.

Hydrographic Office Charts.—Nos. 1216, 1368, 867, and 1800. Pacific Islands, Vol. iii, 1900, page 224. H.O. Publication No. 115, the Hawaiian Islands, &c., 1903, page 113.

SUMATRA.

EAST COAST.—BANKA STRAIT.—BANJU ASIN RIVER.—BUOY REPLACED BY LIGHTBUOY.—The Netherlands Government has given notice that the black can buoy in Banju Asin River, near the entrance to Telok Tebing Tinggi, Banka Strait, east coast of Sumatra, has been replaced by a black light-buoy, showing an intermittent white light every 20 seconds—thus, light 10 seconds, eclipsed 10 seconds—visible 6 miles.

Approx. position: Lat. 2° 22′ 24″ S., long. 104° 45′ E.

Hydrographic Office Chart.—No. 1170.

British Admiralty Charts issued to U.S. Vessels.—Nos. 2149 and 3471. H.O. Light List, Vol. ii, No. 276B (Remarks). “China Sea Directory,” Vol. i, 1896, page 400.

EAST COAST.—BANKA STRAIT.—AMELIA BANK.—LIGHTBUOY ESTABLISHED.—Referring to Notice to Mariners No. 44 (1780) of 1905, the Netherlands Government has given further notice that a lifebuoy, painted red and black in horizontal stripes, and showing an intermittent white light every 20 seconds—thus, light 10 seconds, eclipsed 10 seconds—visible 6 miles, has been established on the south-eastern point of Amelia Bank, Banka Strait.

Approx. position: Lat. 2° 13′ 48″ S., long. 105° 17′ E.

Hydrographic Office Charts.—Nos. 826A, 854B, and 1170.

British Admiralty Charts issued to U.S. Vessels.—Nos. 1263, 2757, 2149, 2597, and 3471. H.O. Light List, Vol. ii, No. 276A (Remarks). “China Sea Directory,” Vol. i, 1896, page 413.

EAST INDIA ISLANDS.

FLORES.—WEST COAST.—SHOALS.—The Netherlands Government has given notice that the commander of the Netherlands surveying-vessel “Van Gogh” reports the discovery of the following reefs off the west coast of the Island of Flores, East India Islands:—

A reef with 11 ft. least depth over it in (approximately) lat. 8° 27′ 6″ S., long. 119° 48′ E.

A small reef with 11 ft. least depth over it, located northward of Komodo Island, in (approximately) lat. 8° 25′ 42″ S., long. 119° 34′ 6″ E.

A reef with 9 ft. least depth over it in (approximately) lat. 8° 22′ 30″ N., long. 119° 53′ 30″ E.

An unsuccessful search was made for the shoal (breakers) shown on the chart in (approximately) lat. 8° 27′ S., long. 119° 46′ 18″ E.

The shoal shown on the charts in (approximately) lat. 8° 19′ S., long. 119° 51′ 18″ E., does not exist.

Hydrographic Office Chart.—No. 826A.

British Admiralty Charts issued to U.S. Vessels.—Nos. 1696 and 2466. Eastern Archipelago, Part ii, 1904, pages 217 and 222.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.

HAWAII.—HILO BAY.—WRECK-LIGHT DISCONTINUED.—WRECK REMOVED.—Referring to Notices to Mariners No. 44 (1794) of 1905 and No. 2 (78) of 1906, further notice is given that on 20th January, 1906, the fixed red-post lantern light established to mark the position of the wreck of the barque “Martha Davis” in Hilo Bay, Hawaii, was discontinued, the contractor having taken charge of the work of removal on that date.

Hydrographic Office Charts.—Nos. 1216, 1368, and 1096. Pacific Islands, vol. iii, 1900, page 198. H.O. Publication No. 115, the Hawaiian Islands, &c., 1903, page 55.

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 sea-board or lake ports. 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.

AFRICA.

CAPE COLONY.—TABLE BAY.—WHALE ROCK.—BELL BUOY WITHDRAWN.—With reference to Notice to Mariners No. 25 (1286) of 1903, the Government of Cape Colony has given further notice, dated 28th December, 1905, that the bell buoy formerly marking Whale Rock, and situated 1¼ miles S. 8° W. true (S.W. ⅚ S. s’ly mag.) from Robben Island Lighthouse, has been withdrawn.

Approx. position: Lat. 33° 50′ S., long. 18° 22′ 15″ E.

(Notice to Mariners No. 97, Admiralty, London, 1906.)

Hydrographic Office Charts.—Nos. 1131, 1601, and 1558.

British Admiralty Charts issued to U.S. Vessels.—Nos. 2095, 2091, and 636. H.O. Publication No. 105, West Coast of Africa, 1893, page 520. “Africa Pilot,” Part iii, 1897, page 54.

MALACCA STRAIT.

PULO PENANG.—PULO RIMAU LIGHT.—CHARACTER ALTERED.—Information has been received from the harbourmaster at Penang that on 15th January, 1906, Pulo Rimau Light would be altered to a 3rd order intermittent red light every 20 seconds—thus, light 17½ seconds, eclipsed 2½ seconds. It will be exhibited 129 ft. above high water from an iron tower 57 ft. high, erected on a masonry base, situated on the eastern side of the island, at a distance of 350 yards N. 14° E. true (N. by E. e’ly mag.) from its southern point, and will be visible about 13 miles.

Approx. position: Lat. 5°14′ N., long. 100° 16′ 30″ E.

(Notice to Mariners No. 112, Admiralty, London, 1906.)

Hydrographic Office Charts.—Nos. 854B and 1595.

British Admiralty Charts issued to U.S. Vessels.—Nos. 2760 and 1366. H.O. Light List, Vol. ii, No. 258. “China Sea Directory,” Vol. i, 1896, page 147.

CHINA.

EAST COAST.—PORT SHELTER.—ROCKS REPORTED.—Information dated 23rd December, 1905, has been received from Commander R. W. Glennie, H.B.M. surveying-vessel “Waterwitch,” of the existence of the following rocks in Port Shelter:—

A rock, with a depth of 3 fathoms over it at low-water springs, situated in a position from which the north-western point of Shelter Island bears N. 56° E. true (N.E. by E. mag.), distant 800 yards, and the southern extremity of the same island S. 56° E. true (S.E. by E. mag.).

Approx. position: Lat. 22° 20′ N., long. 114° 17′ 15″ E.

A rock, with a depth of 3⅔ fathoms over it at low-water springs, situated in a position from which the north-western point of Shelter Island bears N. 20° E. true (N. by E. ⅔ E. mag.), distant 900 yards, and the southern extremity of the same island S. 68° E. true (E.S.E. e’ly mag.).

A rock, with a depth of 2½ fathoms over it at low-water springs, situated in a position from which the eastern summit of Sharp Island bears S. 24° W. true (S.S.W. ⅓ W. mag.), distant 440 yards, and Keui Island summit (725 ft.) S. 31° E. true (S.S.E. ⅔ E. mag.).

A rock, with a depth of 1¾ fathoms over it at low-water springs, situated in a position from which the northernmost summit of Sharp Island bears S. 7° W. true (S. ⅚ W. mag), distant 660 yards.

The channel between Peaked Rock and Jin Island is foul.

(Notice to Mariners No. 116, Admiralty, London, 1906.)

Hydrographic Office Charts.—Nos. 796 and 929.

British Admiralty Charts issued to U.S. Vessels.—Nos. 1962, 3026, and 1964. “China Sea Directory,” Vol. iii, 1904, page 128.

CALIFORNIA.

SAN FRANCISCO LIGHT-VESSEL NO. 70 TO BE WITHDRAWN FOR REPAIRS.—LIGHT-BUOY ESTABLISHED.—About 1st April, 1906, San Francisco light-vessel No. 70, stationed about 3½ miles outside the bar off the entrance to San Francisco Harbour, 10⅞ miles S. 72° W. true (S.W. ⅞ W. mag.) from Fort Point Lighthouse and about 500 ft. to the northward of the range-line marked by Fort Point light and Alcatraz light, will be withdrawn from her station for repairs, and the station will be temporarily marked by a gas buoy, painted red, with