Nov. 4.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 2817

FIJI ISLANDS.—NANUKU PASSAGE.—CURRENTS.—DIRECTIONS.—The following information concerning currents in the vicinity of the Fiji Islands has been received from the commanding officer of the U.S.S. “St Louis,” under date of 3rd August, 1909:—

Vessels approaching Nanuku Passage after a northerly breeze experience a set to the eastward, contrary to the westerly current usually experienced. This easterly current begins about one day after the beginning of a northerly breeze, and lasts a day or more after the breeze has ceased. It varies in strength with the strength of the northerly breeze, and in one instance amounted to nearly ¾ of a knot per hour.

Owing to the strong currents which prevail in this part of the ocean, vessels approaching the Fiji Islands from the northward should make the Horne Islands, and take final departure from there. Between these islands and Wailangilala light the ship’s position should be carefully checked.

Before the new light was established on Wailangilala Island a vessel was trying to make Nanuku Passage (the light was obscured for some reason), and narrowly escaped being wrecked on Duffs Reef, although her reckoning placed her well to the westward of the lighthouse. Still more recently another vessel was set 7 miles out of her reckoning, and went ashore on one of the reefs to the westward of Wailangilala Island. Strangers should therefore make Wailangilala Lighthouse by daylight, although the new light established there can probably be depended upon.

(See Notice to Mariners No. 19 (978) of 1909.)

If after passing Wailangilala light the run to Suva Harbour cannot be made before dark (176 miles), vessels can lie to comfortably for the night off Nassalai light.

The navigation of Goro Sea, between Wailangilala Island and Suva Harbour, is exacting on account of the reefs and currents and the paucity of aids to navigation.

Hydrographic Office Charts.—Nos. 825A and 2021.

British Admiralty Charts issued to U.S. Vessels.—Nos. 2691 and 440. Pacific Islands, Vol. ii, 1908, page 167.

VITI LEVU ISLAND.—SUVA HARBOUR.—HYDROGRAPHIC AND GENERAL INFORMATION.—The following information concerning Suva Harbour, Fiji Islands, has been received from the commanding officer of the U.S.S. “St. Louis”:—

Leading-marks.—The leading-marks for the passage through the reefs are prominent truncated cones, painted white, and are distinctly visible for several miles. There is no difficulty in picking them up.

Pilots.—The only pilot is the Harbourmaster, who is required to bring vessels in if a signal for him is made. In rough weather his services probably cannot be obtained, as his boat is small and not built for outside work. The services of a pilot, however, are not needed.

Coal.—If more than 200 tons of coal is required, it would be necessary to give the Vice-Consul at least three weeks’ notice. Coal is stored in hulks, which will come alongside if desired.

Water.—Water may be obtained at the anchorage from two lighters containing 600 gallons each. If water is desired in large quantities vessels should go alongside the dock and have it piped on board.

Hydrographic Office Charts.—Nos. 825A and 2021.

British Admiralty Charts issued to U.S. Vessels.—Nos. 2691, 167, 905, 1757, and 1660. Pacific Islands, Vol. ii, 1908, page 115.

WAILANGILALA, KORO, AND VITI LEVU ISLANDS.—LIGHTS.—The following information concerning lights in the Fiji Islands has been received from the commanding officer of the U.S.S. “St. Louis”:—

Wailangilala Island.—The flashing white light, mentioned in Notice to Mariners No. 19 (978) of 1909, has been established, and shows 1 flash approximately every 6 seconds, visible over the whole horizon for a distance of 18 miles.

Approx. position: Lat. 16° 45′ S., long. 179° 06′.

Koro Island.—The fixed red light, exhibited on Vunaku Point, will be discontinued, and a flashing white light established on Alldin Point, the south-western extremity of the island.

Approx. position: Lat. 17° 23′ 45″ S., long. 179° 23′ 00″ E.

Viti Levu Island.—In addition to the light now exhibited on Navula Reef, west coast of Viti Levu Island, red and white range lights will be established on the shore to lead through Navula Passage.

Hydrographic Office Charts.—Nos. 825A and 2021.

British Admiralty Charts issued to U.S. Vessels.—Nos. 2691, 440, 382, and 845. H.O. Light List, Vol. i, 1909, Nos. 1358, 1359, and 1366A. Pacific Islands, Vol. ii, 1908, pages 171, 141, and 130.

CHINA.

HONG KONG HARBOUR.—KOWLOON PENINSULA.—CHINSALCHUI POINT.—LIGHT ESTABLISHED.—Referring to Notice to Mariners No. 30 (1665) of 1909, further information dated 4th August, 1909, has been received through the British Board of Trade that a sixth-order flashing red light with a flashing white sector, showing 1 group of 3 flashes every 10 seconds, has been established on Chinsalchui Point, Kowloon Peninsula, Hong Kong Harbour. The light is exhibited 141 ft. above mean sea-level, from a red brick tower with a white lantern, 31 ft. high, located on Blackhead Hill 75 ft. N. 64° E. from the time-ball, and is visible 6 miles. The light shows white over an arc of 8° from S. 81° W. to S. 89° W., covering the deep passage between Cust Rock and Belcher Ridge.

Approx. position of light: Lat. 22° 17′ 50″ N., long. 114° 10′ 28″ E.

Hydrographic Office Charts.—Nos. 796, 529, 929, 2220, and 1254.

British Admiralty Charts issued to U.S. Vessels.—Nos. 1263 and 1262. H.O. Light List, Vol. ii, 1909, No. 504A. China Sea Directory, Vol. iii, 1904, page 74.

EAST COAST.—KIAUCHOU BAY APPROACH.—ARKONA ISLAND.—LIGHTS ESTABLISHED.—PROVISIONAL LIGHTS WITHDRAWN.—Referring to Notice to Mariners No. 27 (1125) of 1908, the German Government has given further notice that two fixed green lights, placed vertically 10 ft. apart, the lower light 91 ft. above high water, visible 4 miles, have been established on Arkona Island, Kiauchou Bay approach, and the provisional fixed green lights withdrawn.

The lights are exhibited from a green, iron, dome-shaped scaffolding surmounting the old tower.

Approx. position: Lat. 36° 03′ 12″ N., long. 120° 18′ 49″ E.

Hydrographic Office Charts.—Nos. 529, 1304, and 2494.

British Admiralty Charts issued to U.S. Vessels.—Nos. 1262 and 857. H.O. Light List, Vol. ii, 1909, No. 385. China Sea Directory, Vol. iii, 1904, page 531.

Notice to Mariners No. 89 of 1909.

Marine Department,
Wellington, N.Z., 26th October, 1909.

THE following Notice to Mariners, received from the Department of Harbour and Lights, Fremantle, Western Australia, is published for general information.

J. A. MILLAR

WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

North-west Coast.

A REPORT has been received from Captain Mills, of the s.s. “Minderoo,” that on the 31st August, 1909, his vessel passed over three (3) shoal patches, carrying about two (2) fathoms of water over them at low tide, in lat. 20° 22′ south, long. 117° 45′ east, with north-west end of Depuch Island bearing south, and the summit of Middle Forestier Island S. 45° east, S. 39° east, and S. 38° east respectively.

From the tide-rips showing, the patches appeared to extend some distance east and west of the positions given.

Chart affected: No. 1055, Bedout Island to Cape Cuvier.

C. J. IRVINE,
Chief Harbourmaster.

Department of Harbour and Lights,
Fremantle, 9th September, 1909.

Notice fixing Closing-hours of Shops wherein Stationery, Fancy Goods, Books, or Newspapers are sold in the Borough of Petone under the Shops and Offices Act.

WHEREAS a requisition in writing, signed by a majority of the occupiers of all the shops wherein stationery, fancy goods, books, or newspapers are sold in the Borough of Petone, has been forwarded to me, desiring that all such shops in the borough shall be closed in the evening of working-days as follows: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 9.30 p.m.; Wednesdays, 1 p.m.; and Saturdays, 10.30 p.m.; except on the day before Christmas Day and New Year’s Day: And whereas the Petone Borough Council has certified that the signatures to such requisition represent a majority of the occupiers of all the shops in the Borough of Petone wherein stationery, fancy goods, books, or newspapers are sold:

Now, therefore, I, John Andrew Millar, Minister of Labour, in pursuance of section 25 of “The Shops and Offices Act, 1908,” do hereby direct that, from and after the 8th day of November, 1909, all such shops in the Borough of Petone shall be closed in accordance with such requisition.

Dated at Wellington, this 3rd day of November, 1909.

J. A. MILLAR,
Minister of Labour.