Feb. 7.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 449

Notice to Mariners.—No. 6 of 1918.

Marine Department,
Wellington, N.Z., 5th February, 1918.

THE following Notices to Mariners, which have been received from the Hydrographic Office, London; the Hydrographic Office, Washington; and the Department of Trade and Customs, Melbourne, are published for general information.

G. H. TANNER,
For Secretary.

AUSTRALIA.

EAST COAST.—BREAKSEA SPIT.—LIGHT-VESSEL EXPERIMENTALLY ESTABLISHED.

MARINERS and others are hereby notified that it is proposed to establish a light vessel on Breaksea Spit, on or about 1st April, 1918.

Position.—The light-vessel will be moored about three miles to the northward of Breaksea Spit. Position will be approximately lat. 24° 22′ S., long. 153° 12′ E.

Character.—White group flashing, showing three flashes in quick succession every fifteen seconds, thus—flash ½ sec., eclipse 1½ secs.; flash ½ sec., eclipse 1½ secs.; flash ½ sec., eclipse 10½ secs.

Elevation.—30 ft. approximately.

Visibility.—10 miles.

Power.—1,500 candles.

Vessel.—Description.—Hull painted red, and marked “Breaksea Spit” on each side in large white letters. The vessel has one steel mast carrying the lantern. A fog-bell is carried, operated by the motion of the vessel.

Note.—The light will be unwatched.

Remarks.—Further notice will be given.

CANADA.

VANCOUVER ISLAND.—VICTORIA HARBOUR, SHOAL POINT—ALTERATION IN POSITION OF LIGHT-BEACON.

New Position.—At a distance of about 60 yards southward from former position, and 350 yards, 108° (N. 83° E mag.), from Berens Island Lighthouse. Lat. 48° 25½′ N., long. 123° 23¼′ W.

Abridged description.—Lt. F. red, 16 ft.

Remarks.—The fixed red light is now exhibited at an elevation of 16 ft. from a red pile beacon, surmounted by a red slatwork ball.

Variation.—25° E.

NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN.

SANDWICH ISLANDS, HAWAII.—ALIA (PEPEEKEO) POINT LIGHT.—ALTERATION IN CHARACTERISTICS.

Position.—Lat. 19° 51′ N., long. 155° 6½′ W.

New abridged description.—Lt. gp. fl. (2), ev. 7½ secs., 141 ft. (U).

Details.—The fixed red light has been replaced by a light having the undermentioned characteristics:—

Character.—A group flashing white light showing two flashes every seven and a half seconds, thus—flash 1 sec., eclipse 1 sec.; flash 1 sec., eclipse 4½ secs.

Elevation.—141 ft.

Power.—350 candles.

Structure.—A white pyramidal framework tower, 75 ft. in height.

Remarks.—The light is unwatched.

Note.—The former structure has been removed.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.—OAHU.—HONOLULU HARBOUR.—LIGHT DISCONTINUED.

Honolulu Channel Light No. 6 has been discontinued.

SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN.

TONGA (FRIENDLY) ISLANDS. — TONGATABU GROUP. — AMENDED POSITION OF REEF REPORTED SOUTH-EASTWARD OF.

Position (approximate).—Lat. 22° 43′ 00″ S., long. 173° 55′ 00″ W.

Description.—A reef; depth not ascertained.

Remarks.—The barquentine “Gleaner” struck on this reef when drawing 17 ft.

Note.—The symbol for a rock with a depth of less than 6 ft. is to be inserted on the charts in the above position and marked “Reported (1910) (Posn. Approx.),” and the rock formerly shown on the charts about 46 miles to the eastward is to be expunged.

Charts affected.—No. 2421, Tonga or Friendly Islands; No. 780, Pacific Ocean—south-west sheet; No. 2935, Oceanic soundings—Eastern Pacific Ocean; No. 2483, Atlantic and Indian Oceans, &c.; No. 2683, Pacific Ocean.

Publication.—“Pacific Islands Pilot,” Vol. II, 1908, page 36; Supplement No. 3, 1916.

Authority.—U.S.A. Hyd. Office Notice No. 2280 of 1917.

NEW HEBRIDES.—AMBRYM ISLAND.—DIP POINT ANCHORAGE.—HARBOUR ENTRANCE CLOSED.

The entrance to the small harbour southward of Sealark Hill is completely closed, and a note “Entrance silted up (1917)” is to be inserted on the charts.

Approximate position of Sealark Hill: latitude 16° 13′ S., longitude 167° 56′ E.

SOCIETY ISLANDS.

TAHITI.—METEOROLOGICAL REPORTS BY RADIO.

Tahiti radio station transmits every day, including holidays, on a wave-length of 2,000 meters, two meteorological reports, one at 11 a.m. and the other at 11 p.m. Greenwich mean time, which are made up as follows:—

I.

The reports contain the data of the meteorological station of the peninsula of Point Venus, followed by a group of eight figures.

The first three figures give the atmospheric pressure in millimeters and tenths of millimeters, the figure denoting hundreds of millimeters being omitted; as a general example, the figures 542 would indicate 754·2 millimeters.

The fourth and fifth figures indicate the direction of the wind (Table A).

The sixth figure gives the strength of the wind (Table B).

The seventh figure gives the state of the sky (Table C).

The eighth figure gives the state of the sea (Table D).

In cases where any of the particulars are not known each of the relative figures is replaced by the letter X.

TABLE A.—DIRECTION OF THE WIND.
[Fourth and fifth figures.]
02 = N.N.E. 10 = E.S.E. 18 = S.S.W. 26 = W.N.W.
04 = N.E. 12 = S.E. 20 = S.W. 28 = N.W.
06 = E.N.E. 14 = S.S.E. 22 = W.S.W. 30 = N.N.W.
08 = E. 16 = S. 24 = W. 32 = N.

TABLE B.—STRENGTH OF THE WIND.
[Sixth figure.]
0 = calm. 5 = fresh breeze.
1 = light air. 6 = strong wind.
2 = light breeze. 7 = gale.
3 = gentle breeze. 8 = storm.
4 = moderate breeze. 9 = hurricane.

TABLE C.—STATE OF THE SKY.
[Seventh figure.]
0 = clear. 5 = rain.
1 = slightly cloudy 6 = snow.
2 = cloudy. 7 = mist.
3 = very cloudy. 8 = fog.
4 = overcast. 9 = thunderstorm.

TABLE D.—STATE OF THE SEA.
[Eighth figure.]
0 = calm. 5 = rough.
1 = very smooth. 6 = very rough.
2 = smooth. 7 = high.
3 = slightly disturbed. 8 = very high.
4 = moderate. 9 = violent.

The report is preceded by the following signal: “Tahiti Observatoire.”

II.

Notice to navigators concerning alterations of light-vessels or light-buoys, the presence of derelicts, and the disappearance of light-buoys or important buoys, and any other information in regard to navigation, will be added, as occasion arises, to the report. It will be sent out in English and French.

III.

The reports will be transmitted three times in succession; the first time transmission will be made rapidly, the second and third times slowly.

IV.

A warning signal will be transmitted to ships at any hour of the day or night, repeated at short intervals 10 times on full power: “Tahiti T. T. T.,” followed by advice of cyclones, typhoons, or derelicts, or any sudden changes in the position or form of fixed obstructions or of landmarks. The message will be repeated three times with intervals of 10 minutes.

Note.—A note, “Wireless Storm Sigs.,” is to be inserted on the chart.