Provincial Secretary's Office,
Wellington, December 17, 1861.

HIS Honor the Superintendent directs the publication of the following Notice, for general information.

J. WOODWARD,
Acting Provincial Secretary.

NOTICE TO MARINERS.

SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN.
REEF OFF STEWART ISLE, NEW ZEALAND.

It appears from an examination of the weather book of the ship Bruce, Thomas Meiklejohn, Commander, in her passage from Otago by the south of New Zealand to Calcutta, in November last, when passing the south-east extreme of South or Stewart Island, discovered a dangerous Reef which is not laid down in the Admiralty or any other Charts, or noticed in the New Zealand Pilot, or Sailing Directions.

This danger, which is described as two low rocks from 3 to 6 feet high, and close together, on which the sea breaks heavily, lies in the direct track of vessels closely passing Stewart Island in proceeding to or from the southern settlements of New Zealand.

Its position, which appears to have been determined with some accuracy, is as follows:—

27.10—N. by E.—from Owen Island off Lord’s River.

51.10—E. by N.—the extreme of the Break Sea Isles.

74.30—S. by E.—Wreck Reef off Port Adventure.

64.40—S. E. ½ E.—East Head, south of Port Adventure.

Or, in Latitude 47° 2' 33" S. And Longitude 168° 21' 35" E.

Soundings, though tried for, were not obtained in its neighbourhood, from the rapid rate of sailing of the ship in passing the danger.

Observation.—It is creditable to Captain Meiklejohn to have entered the discovery of this Reef in his weather book; but it is greatly to be regretted that he did not take some steps immediately on his arrival at Calcutta or in England to make public the existence of this very serious danger, which lies but little out of the sailing track of ships bound to the southern settlements of New Zealand. Had not the remark been seen by Rear-Admiral Fitzroy (who was searching this book for Meteorological facts, and at one transmitted it to the Admiralty for publication) this reef might not have been heard of until it had caused the wreck of a vessel. On being applied to for further information, Captain Meiklejohn readily sent up his original Chart on which the reef was marked at the time, and there can be little doubt of its existence. Masters of vessels are therefore warned to keep a good look out in this neighbourhood. They are further requested on the discovery of any danger to report the same immediately on arriving at the first port, in order that other vessels may be put on their guard, and for the general benefit of the Mariner.

[All bearings are magnetic. Variation 16 deg. 20 min. east in 1861.]

By command of their Lordships,

JOHN WASHINGTON,
Hydrographer.

Hydrographic Office,
Admiralty, London,
15th August, 1861.

This notice affects the following Admiralty Charts:—New Zealand, General, No. 1212; Foveaux Strait, and South Island No. 2533; New Zealand Plans, No. 3542; Pacific Ocean, General, No. 2533, and Sheet 20, No. 1068; New Zealand Pilot, p. 224.

Provincial Secretary's Office,
Wellington, 4th December, 1861.

SEALED TENDERS will be received at this Office until Monday, the 30th inst., at 2 o'clock p.m., from persons desirous of executing by contract either of the undermentioned services for the Provincial Government for the 12 months ending 31st December 1862.

Printing the Provincial Government Gazette, and inserting the same in one of the local newspapers.

Breaking Official Forms.

Further particulars may be obtained at this Office.

J. WOODWARD,
Acting Provincial Secretary.

Printed under the Authority of the Government of the Province of Wellington by Thomas McKenzie and James Muir, Printers for the said Government.