Feb. 9.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 443

ENGLAND.

SOUTH COAST.—DOVER STRAIT.—VARNE LIGHT-VESSEL.—AMENDED POSITION.

Varne Light-vessel has been moved 400 yards northward from its charted position.

The watch-buoy is now about 400 yards north-eastward of its charted position and 1,000 yards 94° from the light-vessel.

Position of light-vessel: 50° 56′ 22″ N., 1° 16′ 52″ E.

IRELAND.

WEST COAST.—GALWAY BAY.—MUTTON ISLAND LIGHT.—SECTOR CHANGED.—POWER INCREASED.

About 1st December, 1921, the southern sector of Mutton Island light was changed to show green from 29° to 49°.

The white sector and northern red sector remain unchanged.

The luminous power of the light was increased to 3,500 candles in the white sector, 1,500 candles in the red, and 900 candles in the green.

Approx. position: 53° 15′ N., 9° 3′ W.

UNITED STATES.

WIRELESS DIRECTION-FINDING STATIONS.—INFORMATION WITH REGARD TO BEARINGS.

The Director, U.S. Naval Communication, states that considerable difficulty is being experienced with merchant ships asking for W/T D.F. bearings on very broad tunes, and that bearings obtained by W/T should be accurate within 2 degrees, provided that the transmitting equipment on board vessels is tuned sharply to 800 metres. W/T operators are cautioned to use sufficiently wide coupling to obtain low decrement. If W/T transmitters are not tuned sharply it is difficult to obtain bearings that are sufficiently accurate for navigational purposes.

Masters of vessels are advised to use the W/T D.F. stations frequently, particularly in clear weather and when the vessel’s position is definitely fixed, in order that the degree of accuracy and dependability of the W/T compass may be established.

PANAMA.

CANAL ZONE.—FUELLING CONDITIONS.

The situation with regard to fuel oil on the Isthmus is such as to permit the oiling of vessels without restriction.

Bunkering restrictions for coal have also been removed, and vessels may hereafter be bunkered in accordance with their desires.

BRITISH COLUMBIA.

VANCOUVER ISLAND.—ENTRANCE ISLAND LIGHT.—CHARACTERISTIC CHANGED.

On 28th December, 1921, the fixed white light on Entrance Island was replaced by a flashing white catoptric light showing one flash every 5 seconds. For half the time between flashes or 2·5 seconds the light is totally eclipsed; for the other half a fixed light of 500 candle-power is visible through which the flashes of 50,000 candle-power show.

The red sector over Gabriola Reef has been discontinued.

Approx. position: 49° 13′ N., 123° 49′ W.

NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN.

HAWAIIAN OR SANDWICH ISLANDS.—MARO REEF.—BANK REPORTED EASTWARD OF.

Position.—At a distance of about 60 miles eastward of Maro Reef. Southern end of bank, lat. 25° 37′ 00″ N., long. 169° 27′ 00″ W. (approx.).

Details.—The French schooner “Raita” reports obtaining a sounding of 33 fathoms (60·4 m.) in the above position; and from this position on a 355° course the following soundings were taken at the distances given: Half a mile, 16 fathoms (29·3 m.) (sand); 2½ miles, 16 fathoms (sand); 5½ miles, 16 fathoms; 7½ miles, 35 fathoms (64 m.).

Note.—The note “Repd. 1921” is to be inserted on the charts against this bank, which is to be indicated by the least depth of 16 fathoms.

SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN.

TONGA ISLANDS.—TONGATABU, NORTH-WESTWARD.—SHOAL REPORTED.—CAUTION.

The master of the steamer “Navua” has reported that while on a voyage from Fiji to Tonga he passed close to the charted position of the active volcano in (approximately) 20° 50′ S., 175° 33′ W., and observed a small patch of discoloured water which looked suspiciously like a shoal. The light conditions were perfect and the sea calm. He recommends masters to avoid this position until further investigation is made.

CHINA SEA.

SINGAPORE STRAIT.—BLANKAN PADANG ISLAND.—LIGHT ESTABLISHED.

An unwatched light showing flashing green, period 3 seconds —flash 1 second, eclipse 2 seconds—has been established on the north point of the coast reef of Blankan Padang Island, in 1° 10′ 05″ N., 103° 52′ 53″ E. The light has a visibility of 7 miles, and is exhibited from a white iron framework on black screw piles, 13 ft. (4 m.) in height.

AUSTRALIA.

EAST COAST.—GREAT BARRIER REEF.—COCKBURN REEF.—SHOALS.

The following dangers are reported to exist near Cockburn Reef:—

(a.) A coral head about 300 yards in extent, about 4 miles eastward of the eastern end of Cockburn Reef.

Note.—The shoal is to be marked on the charts with the note “Shoal repd. (1921), not examd.”

Position: 11° 48′ 45″ S., 143° 32′ 50″ E.

(b.) A coral head about 300 yards in extent with a depth of 1 fathom (1·8 m.) about 0·5 mile northward from the north-western end of Cockburn Reef.

Position: 11° 45′ 24″ S., 143° 15′ 56″ E.

(c.) A coral head about 300 yards in extent, about 0·75 mile north-westward from (b).

Note.—This shoal is to be marked on the charts with the note “Shoal repd. (1921), not examd.”

Position: 11° 44′ 43″ S., 143° 15′ 14″ E.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA.—FREMANTLE HARBOUR APPROACHES.

(1.) Gage Roads.—Intended Alterations in Buoyage.

Date of Alterations.—On or about 28th February, 1922.

(1.) Alteration in description of buoy:

Position.—On the western edge of Hall Bank. Lat. 32° 02′ S., long. 115° 43′ E. (approx.).

Alteration.—The black cask buoy will be replaced by a black perch buoy with staff and cage.

(2.) Buoys to be withdrawn:

Details.—The black conical buoy with topmark marking the southern end of Beagle Rocks and the red cask buoy marking the northern end of Minden Reefs will be withdrawn, and are to be expunged from the charts. Lat. 32° 04′ S., long. 115° 43′ E. (approx.).

(2.) Challenger Pass.—Buoys to be withdrawn.—Caution.

Date of Withdrawal.—On or about 28th February, 1922.

Position.—Challenger Rock, lat. 32° 08′ S., long. 115° 39′ E. (approx.).

Details.—All the buoys marking the passage through Challenger Pass are to be withdrawn—namely, Challenger Rock, Stag Rocks, Three-fathom Bank, Inside Rock, and North-east Spit buoys. These buoys are to be expunged from the charts.

Caution.—On the withdrawal of the foregoing buoys, Challenger Pass will be closed to traffic using the Port of Fremantle.

(3.) Garden Island, Sulphur Bay.—Buoys to be withdrawn.

Date of Withdrawal.—On or about 28th February, 1922.

Position.—Sulphur Bay, lat. 32° 11′ S., long. 115° 41′ E. (approx.).

Details.—The red buoys marking Harding and Sulphur Rocks will be withdrawn, and are to be expunged from the charts.

Note.—No further notice will be given.

MALAKKA STRAIT.

AROA ISLANDS.—SHOAL REPORTED NORTH-EASTWARD.

A depth of 11 fathoms (20·1 m.), mud, was obtained 16·5 miles north-eastward of Aroa Island Lighthouse, in (approximately) 3° 04′ 00″ N., 100° 46′ 10″ E.

Note.—The depth is to be marked on the charts with the note “Khyber (1921) P.A., not examd.”

RED SEA APPROACH.

SUEZ CANAL.—INCREASED MAXIMUM DRAUGHT FOR VESSELS.

Notice is given that from 1st January, 1922, the maximum draught permitted for vessels passing through the Suez Canal will be increased from 30 ft. (9·1 m.), as at present, to 31 ft. (9·4 m.).

The existing notes on the charts are to be amended accordingly, and the following note inserted on Chart No. 233: “Vessels of 31 ft. 0 in. draught are permitted to pass through the Canal (1922).”

Notice to Mariners.—No. 8 of 1922.

THAMES HARBOUR.—DREDGING IN PROGRESS.]

Marine Department,
Wellington, N.Z., 3rd February, 1922.

IN reference to Notice to Mariners No. 54 of 1921, the Thames Harbour Board notifies that the dredging operations which were being performed off Burke Street Wharf have now been completed, and that the dredger, with two punts, will shortly be in operation in the Kauaeranga Channel,