Mar. 4.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 685

BRITISH COLUMBIA.

JUAN DE FUCA STRAIT ENTRANCE.—SWIFTSURE BANK.—BUOY MISSING.—Captain S. Robinson, of the R.M.S. “Empress of Japan,” reports that on 27th November, 1908, at 2.30 p.m., when passing Swiftsure Bank, Juan de Fuca Strait, he observed that the gas, whistle, and bell buoy marking that bank had disappeared from its station.

CHATHAM SOUND. BROWN PASSAGE.—STENHOUSE SHOAL.—POSITION AND COLOUR OF GAS AND WHISTLE BUOY.—Referring to Notice to Mariners No. 43 (1912) of 1908, the Canadian Government has given further notice that according to information received from the officers engaged in a new hydrographic Survey of Brown Passage, Chatham Sound, the gas and whistle buoy marking Stenhouse Shoal is located about 200 yards southward of its shoalest part, instead of to the westward as previously stated.

Also that when the buoy is next lifted its colour will be changed to black, as the channel southward is much clearer than that northward of the shoal, and it is advisable for vessels to keep to the passage between Stenhouse Shoal and North Breaker.

FRASER RIVER ENTRANCE.—NORTH FORK.—CORRECTED POSITION OF LIGHTS AND BEACONS.—The Canadian Government has given notice that the lights and beacons marking the channel at the entrance to the north fork of the Fraser River, British Columbia, are located as follows :—

The outer lighted beacon showing a fixed white light, on the outer edge of the flats of Sturgeon Bank, about 1,600 yards S. 19° W. from Point No Point. A line drawn from the light tangent to Point Grey will cut the western extremity of Eagle Island.

Approx. position : Lat. 49° 14′ 06″ N., long. 123° 15′ 02″ W.

Dolphin No. 1, consisting of a cluster of unpainted piles carrying a board bearing the number 1, on the southern side of the channel about 1,045 ft. S. 43° 30′ E. from the outer lighted beacon.

Dolphin No. 2, consisting of a cluster of unpainted piles carrying a board bearing the number 2, on the southern side of the channel about 1,379 ft. S. 54° 45′ E. from Dolphin No. 1.

Dolphin No. 5, consisting of a cluster of unpainted piles carrying a board bearing the number 5, on the southern side of the channel about 2,725 ft. S. 66° E. from dolphin No. 2.

Inner lighted beacon showing a fixed white light, on the northern side of the channel about 1,634 ft. S. 77° 15′ E. from dolphin No. 5.

Approx. position: Lat. 49° 13′ 38″ N., long. 123° 13′ 33″ W.

Dolphin No. 7, consisting of a single unpainted pile carrying a board bearing the number 7, on the northern side of the channel about 1,045 ft. S. 88° 30′ E from the inner lighted beacon.

Dolphin No. 8, consisting of a cluster of unpainted piles carrying a board bearing the number 8, on the southern side of the channel about 1,230 ft. S. 54° 45′ E. from dolphin No. 7 and near the spit on which stands Musqueam Indian Church.

Two range beacons, consisting of posts bearing diagonal cross-boards, in line lead into the narrow channel between the rush-beds northward of Iona Island.

The front beacon is located on the southern side of the channel at the edge of the reeds about 2,251 ft. S. 77° 15′ E. from dolphin No. 8.

The rear beacon is on the southern side of the channel at the edge of the reeds about 1,581 ft. S. 66° E. from the front beacon.

SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN.

HORNE ISLANDS.—FOTUNA ISLAND.—GENERAL INFORMATION.—Lieutenant-Commander W. K. Gise, U.S. Navy, commanding the U.S.S. “Annapolis,” reports that in March, 1908, Fotuna Island, Horne Islands, South Pacific Ocean, was swept by a hurricane, which did much damage to churches and houses, and destroyed most of the cocoanut and banana trees. Consequently provisions are scarce, and Natives are trying to leave the island, and give evidence of unfriendliness towards Europeans.

Approx. position : Lat. 14° 16′ S., long. 178° 10′ W.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.

MAUI ISLAND.—NAKALELE POINT.—LIGHT ESTABLISHED.—Referring to Notice to Mariners No. 44 (1989) of 1908, further notice is given that on 10th December, 1908, a fixed white lens-lantern light was established on Nakalele Point, north coast of Maui Island.

The light is exhibited about 20 ft. above the ground and 184 ft. above high water, on a platform on top of a small white house with red roof and lead-coloured trimmings.

Approx. position : Lat. 21° 02′ 00″ N., long. 156° 35′ 30″ W.

H

Notice to Mariners No. 16 of 1909.

Marine Department,
Wellington, 27th February, 1909.

THE following Notices to Mariners, received from the Board of Trade, London, are published for general information.

J. A. MILLAR

IMPORTANT NOTICE.—Now ready. Supplement to the International Code of Sigs., 1908. (Prepared under the authority of the Board of Trade.) This Supplement embodies all alterations and additions made in the International Code of Sigs. from the date of the 1st edition (1900). Published for the Committee of Lloyd’s by Spottiswoode and Co. (Limited), 5 New Street Square, London E.C.; and at 21 Water Street, Liverpool; price 2s. 6d. Nov., 1908.

GENERAL NOTICES.—CHARACTERISTICS OF LIGHTS.

ALTERATIONS IN DEFINITIONS.—The large increase in late years in the variety of lights exhibited by the different maritime nations, made possible by the more extensive use of lights which alter in colour, has necessitated alterations in the definitions of the characteristics of lights in the Admiralty publications, and also in their designation on the Admiralty charts, as undermentioned.

These alterations will be embodied in the Admiralty Lists of Lights for 1909, but some time must necessarily elapse before all the charts can be amended.

In Admiralty List of Lights, Parts I to VIII, Introductory Remarks, cancel paragraph commencing “Characteristics,” and paragraph commencing “Explanation”; also cancel note at foot of page, and substitute:—

Characteristics.—Lights may either show a continuous steady light, or be varied by the introduction of flashes, eclipses, &c. They are divided generally into two classes, as shown below in parallel columns, viz. :—

(1.) Lights whose colour does not alter throughout the entire system of changes;

(2.) Lights which alter in colour,

both classes having the same characteristic phases.

(U) after the name of a light indicates that it is Unwatched.

• NOTE.—For hydrographic purposes a light is classed as flashing or occulting solely according to the relative duration of light and darkness, and without any reference to the apparatus employed. At short distances, and in clear weather, flashing and revolving lights may show a faint continuous light.

Explanation.—“Period” is the interval between successive commencements of the same phase.

In the case of lights which alter in colour, there are, strictly speaking, two periods—viz., one of phase, and one of alternation of colour. That shown in the column headed “Period” is the first of these. Details of the second are set forth in the column headed “Remarks.”

The bearings are magnetic, &c. Dec.