[Aug. 2.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

(2.) REGULATIONS WITH REGARD TO VESSELS' LIGHTS.

Notice is hereby given that, under the Defence of the Realm
(Consolidation) Regulations, 1914, the following order has
been made by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and
is now in force:

1. Anchor Lights.—No electrically lit lanterns are to be
   employed as anchor lights. The normal brilliancy of all
   other anchor lanterns is to be reduced by 50 per cent.
   All anchor lanterns are to be fitted with overhead screens,
   so arranged as to cut off the light at an angle of between
   20 and 25 degrees above the horizontal.
   NOTE.—Specimen screens can be viewed at the Board of
   Trade Surveyors’ Offices at Leith, North Shields, Hull, London,
   Plymouth, Cardiff, Liverpool, Glasgow, and Dublin.

2. Bow and Masthead Steaming-lights.—Vessels in estuaries,
   harbours, anchorages, and channels where navigation in the
   dark hours is permitted are not to employ electrically lit
   lanterns as bow or steaming lights, with the exception of
   those vessels specially mentioned in paragraph 5.

3. Other Lights.—No light, either aloft, on deck, or below,
   except those authorized by the Admiralty Confidential In-
   structions, and such as may be necessary for authorized
   signalling purposes, are to be permitted to be visible from
   outboard. This applies to vessels whether under way or at
   anchor.

4. The above order applies to vessels of every description,
   other than H.M. ships and the vessels mentioned in the suc-
   ceding paragraph, in the waters of the United Kingdom.

5. Vessels carrying volatile oil or spirits in bulk are, notwith-
   standing the above orders, to exhibit (in lieu of oil-lamps)
   electrically lit lanterns not exceeding in brilliancy 50 per cent.
   of the brilliancy of the normal oil-lamps.

(3.) WAR INSTRUCTIONS FOR MERCHANT VESSELS.

Notice is hereby given that, under the Defence of the
Realm Regulation (Consolidation) Regulations, 1914, the
following order has been made by the Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty, and is now in force:

The orders contained in Admiralty War Instructions for
British Merchant Ships, or in any instructions or advice,
confidential or otherwise, issued or given to masters of vessels
by British or Allied Naval Officers, or by other duly autho-
rized officers or officials, as to routes to be taken and other
precautions to be observed to avoid capture or destruction by
the enemy, are to be observed even when they are in conflict
with the provisions of the Regulations for preventing Collisions
at Sea, and every vessel observing such regulations, instruc-
tions, or advice shall be deemed to be taking measures
to meet “special circumstances” within the meaning of
Article 27 of the Regulations for preventing Collisions at Sea.

CAUTION.
Sections (2) and (3) of this Admiralty Notice to Mariners
are issued under the provisions of the Defence of the Realm
(Consolidation) Regulations, 1914, and failure to comply
strictly with the directions contained in them will constitute
an offence against those regulations.
Any person found guilty of such an offence is liable to
severe penalties both of imprisonment and fine.
Any person aiding or abetting the commission of such an
offence is himself guilty of an offence against the regulations.
Attention is also drawn to the fact that any infringement
of the directions contained in sections (2) and (3) of this
Admiralty Notice to Mariners is liable to result in the deten-
tion of the ship or vessel.

NOTICE TO ALL MASTERS AND SHIPOWNERS OF
BRITISH VESSELS.

USE OF MINE-PROTECTION GEAR BY VESSELS IN CERTAIN
WATERS.
Notice is hereby given that under the Defence of the
Realm Regulations the following regulation has been made
by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty with a view
to protecting vessels navigating within certain areas from the
risk of damage by mine, and is now in force:—
No British vessel equipped as directed by the Admiralty or
Shipping Controller with the “Otter” protective gear shall,
while navigating within the 60-fathom line off the United
Kingdom, or in any waters less than 60 fathoms deep where
mines have been reported or may with reasonable probability
be encountered, or in less than 80 fathoms in the Mediterranean
Sea, neglect to have such protective gear properly adjusted
and actually running outboard and adequately manned to
secure the efficient working of the apparatus; and the master
or other person in command or charge of any British vessel
who neglects to see that such apparatus is so adjusted, running,
manned, and worked shall be guilty of an offence against the
Defence of the Realm Regulations.

3045

NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN.
IRELAND, SOUTH-WEST COAST.—DERELICT REPORTED SOUTH-
WESTWARD OF.
Date sighted.—On the 4th June, 1917.
Position.—Lat. 51° N., long. 14° W.
Description.—Derelict vessel.
Caution.—This derelict constitutes a danger to navigation.
CANADA, ATLANTIC COAST, AND NEWFOUNDLAND.
CAUTION WITH REGARD TO EXTINCTION OF LIGHTS AND
ALTERATIONS IN AIDS TO NAVIGATION.—CAUTION RE-
SPECTING VESSELS’ LIGHTS.—TRAFFIC REGULATIONS.
I. Extinction of Lights and Alterations in Aids to Navigation.
Mariners are hereby warned that it may be necessary to
extinguish certain lights and to discontinue or remove aids
to navigation on the east coast of Canada and the coast of
Newfoundland without further notice.
Information has been received that the following lights in
St. Pierre Island have been extinguished: Ile aux Chiens
and St. Pierre leading-lights.

II. Caution respecting Vessels’ Lights.
The following orders with reference to vessels’ lights on the
east coast of Canada are now in force:—

1. Anchor Lights.—No electrically lit lanterns are to be
   employed as anchor lights. The normal brilliancy of all other
   anchor lanterns is to be reduced by 50 per cent.
2. Bow and Steaming Lights.—Vessels are not to use electric-
   ally lit lanterns as bow or steaming lights in the vicinity of
   harbours.
3. Other Lights.—No light, either aloft, on deck, or below,
   except those required by the Regulations for the Prevention
   of Collisions at Sea, and such as may be necessary for autho-
   rized signalling purposes, are to be permitted to be visible
   from outboard. This applies to vessels whether under way
   or at anchor.
4. The above orders apply to vessels of every description,
   other than H.M. ships, within the waters of Canada on the
   east coast, and extending up the St. Lawrence River as far
   as the Port of Quebec.

IV. Port of Halifax.—Traffic Regulations.

1. The Eastern Passage is closed to all traffic. Masters of
   vessels attempting to enter thereby render themselves liable
   to be fired upon without warning.
2. The passage westward of George Island is closed to all
   traffic.
3. All vessels, other than H.M. ships of war, wishing to
   enter the port are required to communicate with the Examina-
   tion Steamer situated in the vicinity of the Examination
   Anchorage.
4. Incoming merchant vessels will be admitted to the
   Examination Anchorage at all times of the day or night
   irrespective of whether the port is opened or closed, but when
   the port is closed no merchant vessel will be permitted to
   proceed beyond the Examination Anchorage. Masters of all
   vessels are particularly warned that in foggy weather they
   must approach the Examination Anchorage at moderate
   speed or they are liable to be fired upon.
5. The Port of Halifax is closed to all vessels between
   sunset and sunrise.
6. Usual signals made by vessels arriving either with flags,
   guns, bomb rockets, lights, &c., are not to be made.
7. The Examination Steamer may be distinguished by the
   following special marks:—
   (a.) PORT OPEN: During the day the Examination Steamer
   will hoist the following distinguishing marks when
   the port is open for merchant traffic,—
   She will fly a Blue Ensign (Canadian). At the fore-
   mast head she will fly the special pilot flag,
   which is a red and white horizontal stripe
   surrounded by a blue border.
   (b.) PORT CLOSED: At times during the day when it is
   necessary to close the port to all merchant traffic,
   the Examination Steamer will hoist distinguishing
   marks as follows:—
   She will fly the Blue Ensign (Canadian). At the
   foremast head she will fly the special pilot flag
   (see above) and in addition three red balls.
   In addition, if the port is closed during the day, there will
   be hoisted at Camperdown Signal-station, northward of
   Chebucto Head, three red balls.
8. Vessels are not permitted to anchor within 300 yards
   of a line joining George Island pier and Fort Clarence pier.