NAUTICAL NOTICES.

All Bearings Magnetic, unless otherwise stated.

1.-ENGLAND.-Entrance to the Thames.—Alteration in the Character of the Light at the North Foreland.-During the month of May, 1880, the light at the North Foreland will be made occulting. At and after that time, the light will, once in every half-minute, suddenly disappear for five seconds, and then as suddenly reappear at full power. Further notice will be issued.

2.-ENGLAND.-Entance to the River Thames.-Gas Buoy at East Oaze.-Early in the month of January, 1880, the present East Oaze Buoy will be replaced by a buoy lighted by gas. Mariners are cautioned to be particularly careful to avoid colliding with the said buoy, as by sudden contact the light may be extinguished.

3.-ENGLAND.-South Coast-Alteration in the Colours and Character of the Light on Plymouth Breakwater.-During the month of May, 1880, the colours of the light on the Plymouth Breakwater will be changed from red to white towards the sea, and from white to red towards the anchorage. At and after that time the light will show white from E. by S. S. round south and west to N.E. E. from the lighthouse, on a line with the Melampus buoy, and red within the anchorage. Also, the character of the light will be changed from fixed to occulting, whereby the light will, once in every half-minute suddenly disappear for three seconds, and as suddenly reappear at full power. Further notice will be issued.

4.-ENGLAND-West Coast.-River Severn.-The Trinity House, London, has sanctioned the establishment of the following lights near Sharpness docks, and at Severn Bridge, River Severn:

(1.) Sharpness Docks.-A fixed white tidal light on the north pier head of the tidal basin entrance, to be exhibited when the state of the tide renders it necessary to guard against passing vessels striking the pier. Also a fixed red light on the high land northeastward of the pier, to be shown only when specially required.

(2.) Severn Bridge.-A fixed red light on the centre pier between the two wide arches, and a white light at the landward extremity of each wide arch, to be shown on each side of the bridge.

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5.-SCOTLAND.-East Coast.-Peterhead-Discontinuance South Harbour Light and Closing of South Harbour.-Closed to shipping, pending harbour improvements.

6.-SCOTLAND.-West Coast.-River Clyde.-Discontinuance of Light in Gourock Bay. The floating swimming bath has been removed and the fixed white light marking it is discontinued.

7.-IRELAND.-North-east Coast.-Antrim.-Hunter Rock, near Entrance to Lough Larne.-Proposed Change of Buoyage.-As soon as possible after April 1st, 1880, it is intended to replace the present wreck buoy, 40 fathoms N. by E. of Hunter rock, by a first class conical buoy, with a staff and cage, painted black, and marked "North Hunter Rock." At the same time the present first class can buoy, 40 fathoms S. by W. of Hunter Rock, will be replaced by a first class conical buoy, painted black, and marked "South Hunter Rock."

8.-IRELAND.-West Coast.-Galway Bay.-Aran Islands.—As soon as possible after April 1st, 1880, it is intended to alter the colour of the lighthouse towers of the Aran Islands. That on Aran Island, north (or Eeragh Island), will be painted white, with two red horizontal belts on shaft of tower. That on Aran Island, south (or Inisheer Island), will be painted white, with one broad red belt, 28 feet in width, on shaft of tower.

9.-NORTH SEA.-Ems River.-Light on Borkum Island.--The new lighthouse is completed, and on 15th November, 1879, the light would be exhibited. It is a fixed and flashing light, showing a flash every two minutes, preceded and followed by an eclipse; elevated 207 feet above high water, and visible from a distance of 21 miles. At the distance of from 14 to 16 miles a faint continuous light is seen. Position, lat. 53° 35′ 25′′ N., long. 6° 39′ 45′′ E.

Note. The old lighthouse kept in line with the new lighthouse leads through a straight channel of 4 fathoms at low water.

10.-NORTH SEA.-Ems River.-Borkum Flat Light-Vessel, Alteration in Fog-Signal.-A fog-horn (syren) has been established, which during thick and foggy weather will give a blast of five seconds' duration every minute.

11.-FRANCE.-North Coast.-Portrieux Light.-Alteration in

Position. With reference to previous notice, the permanent light (fixed red and visible 7 miles) is now re-exhibited from the new pier head; and the provisional light is discontinued.

12. SPAIN. -North Coast.-Light on Cape Higuera.-With reference to previous notice respecting the temporary exhibition of a light from the ruin of the old lighthouse on cape Higuera, west point of Fuenterrabia bay, a fixed white light is now exhibited on the ruin, visible from a distance of about 10 miles. This light will be shown from 1st November to 30th April, and is specially intended to serve as a guide for the fishermen of Fuenterrabia.

13.-MEDITERRANEAN.-France.- Gulf of Foz.-Bouc Fort Light.-Alteration in Sector.-In consequence of the extension of shoal ground south-eastward of the entrance to the river Rhone, the following alteration has been made in the outer limit of the sector of red light shown from Bouc fort, eastern side of gulf of Foz. The sector has been extended seaward 64°, so that it is now visible through an arc of 46°, or from St. Louis canal entrance on one side, to the bearing N.E. E. on the other.

14.-MEDITERRANEAN.-France.-Currents.-The current on the coast of Provence generally runs to the westward, following the contour of the land; thus it sets to the south-west from cape Mele to Antibes; and thence westerly to Marseille, running at times amongst Hyères islands with great strength. The British steamship Chiltern, in August last, when laying the sub-marine cable between Antibes and St. Florent, Corsica, experienced the current setting to the W.S.W. at the rate of 1 to 2 knots an hour. And it is stated on the authority of the captain of the port of Antibes that during the months of June, July, and August-the period during which the melted snow of the Alps discharges itself into the Mediterranean-this south-westerly set has been felt 40 or 50 miles off the land. Mariners are cautioned accordingly.

15.—MEDITERRANEAN.-Grecian Archipelago.-Syra Island.— Syra Harbour, Two Lights on Mole Head.-Instead of one light as previously, there are now two fixed red lights, placed vertically, elevated respectively 34 and 31 feet above the sea.

16.-EASTERN ARCHIPELAGO.- Philippines. - Luzon Island.Manila Bay, Light on St. Nicholas Banks.-A lighthouse has been

erected on the north-western shoal head of St. Nicholas banks, southeastern side of Manila bay. It shows a fixed green light elevated 43 feet above high water, and visible from a distance of 3 miles. The light-tower, constructed of iron and cylindrical in shape, rises from the centre of an octagonal building placed on piles in 13 feet water-the structure is painted a grayish white, with bands of dark gray. Position approximate, lat. 14° 26' 50" N., long.

120° 45′ 20′′ E.

17.-AUSTRALIA.-East Coast.-Reported Reef in Trinity Bay. -This reef is reported by the master of the steam-vessel Wentworth to consist of coral, to be of small extent, just awash at very low spring tides, with a depth of 8 fathoms close-to; and to lie with the following bearings, viz. :-Low island lighthouse, North, Ely.; Island point, W. by N. N.

18.-NEW ZEaland. North Island. South-West Coast.

Wanganui River, Alterations in Local Signals.-On 1st October, 1879, the following alterations in the local signals authorised to be used at Wanganui river entrance came into operation :- Two moveable beacons (inner the higher) have been erected on North head from which are shown, when the tide serves and the bar is safe, red flags by day and red lights at night-these now serve for crossing the bar, instead of the beacon and signal mast as heretofore. Crossing the bar during the day, these two beacons should be kept in line; particular attention also being paid to the semaphore arm, on account of the curves in the channel within the bar. Crossing the bar at night, the two red lights of the beacons should be kept in line; particular attention being paid to the green light, which will be used like the semaphore arm, for guiding vessels inside the bar. This green light travels on a yard on the outer beacon, and vessels must be steered in the direction in which the light is moved.

Note.-Vessels arriving off Wanganui bar at night, should burn flash or blue lights to make their positions known to the look-out at the pilot station, who will answer the signal with a torch or flare light. Sailing vessels should not attempt to cross the bar at night, as then the wind generally dies away or draws off the land. Variation, 61° E.

19.-NEW ZEALAND.- Middle Island.-East Coast.— Banks Peninsula.-Akaroa Harbour.-Intended Light on Akaroa Head.— The lighthouse is in course of erection, and it is anticipated the light will be ready for exhibition early in the year 1880. It will be a' flashing white light, showing a flash every ten seconds. Position, approximate, lat. 43° 54' 0" S., long. 173o 0" 20" E.

20.-NEW ZEALAND.-Middle Island.-South-East Coast.Intended Light on Cape Saunders.—The lighthouse is in course of erection, and it is anticipated the light will be ready for exhibition early in 1880. It will be a revolving white light, obtaining its greatest brilliancy every minute. Position, approximate, lat. 45° 53′ 15′′ S., long. 170° 45′ 40′′ E.

21.-NEW ZEALAND.-Middle Island.-West Coast.-Light at Hokitika. This is a harbour light. It is a fixed white light, elevated 122 feet above the sea, and visible from a distance of 16 miles. The lighthouse, 18 feet high, constructed of wood and painted white, is situated on Gaol hill, 14th miles northward of the flagstaff at Hokitika river entrance. Position, approximate, lat. 42° 42′ 20′′ S., long. 170° 59′ 30′′ E. On the exhibition of this light, the fixed white light previously shown from the flagstaff, would be discontinued.

22.-UNITED STATES.-Pacific Coast.-Washington Territory.New Light at Point-no-Point, Puget Sound.-On and after Jan. 1, 1880, a fixed white light, lighting 270° of the horizon, will be shown from a tower recently erected on this point; elevation, 20 feet above the ground, and 27 feet above the mean sea level. The tower is painted white, the lantern and dome red. The keeper's dwelling, one-and-a-half story wooden building, painted white, stands 200 feet west of the tower. Approximate position, lat. 47° 54′ 41′′ N., long. 122° 31′ 6" W. Bearings and distances of prominent objects are as follows:-Admiralty head-light, N.W., 16 miles; Skatchet head, N.E. by E. E., 4 miles; West point, S.E. S., 15 miles.

23.-SOUTH AMERICA.-Chilé.-Reported Danger South-Eastward of Mocha Island.-Information through Captain Maclear, H.M. surveying vessel Alert, respecting a sunken danger S.S.E. of Anegadiza point, southern extreme of Mocha island :-This reported