THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 5TH JANUARY, 1878.
Approaching the Port.
COAST OF SIND.
Indus Banks.
3
The Coast of Sind should be approached with great caution; too much attention cannot be paid to the lead, more especially in passing the banks of the Indus, which are extending considerably to seaward.
By recent Survey,* the edge of the shoal water is 31⁄2 miles to seaward of the former position. It is now in-
Latitude Longitude
24° 4′ 20′′ N. 67° 11′ 50′′ E.
By night, a Vessel should give the banks a berth of 15 to 20 miles, and if after passing the "Swatch," she does not get less than 18 to 20 fathoms, she may haul to the Northward, not coming into less than 15 fathoms until the Kurrachee Light
is seen.
By day, the breakers on the edge of the banks are a good guide, unless the water is quite smooth; but it is hardly possible for a Vessel to run ashore by day on account of the marked discoloration of the water, which extends some distance
outside the banks.
The tides during the springs are strong, the flood sets to the S. E., and the ebb to the N. W.
From February to end of Monsoon a strong South-Easterly current may be expected, running at a rate of from 15 to 45 miles a day.
During the South-West Monsoon, Vessels should make Ras Mauri (Cape Monze), which is 18 miles W. N. from Manora Light-House, and keep to windward of the Port if the weather is thick, or if the tide does not suit for entering the Harbour. Allowance must also be made for a strong set to the South-East, which prevails more or less during the South- West Monsoon.
Do not bring Manora Point to the Southward of E. by N., or go under 15 fathoms near Cape Monze.
Masters of Ships should endeavour to make the Port at daylight, and can with safety approach into 8 fathoms to about 2 miles distance from the Light-House, keeping it on any bearing from N.E. to N.N.E., and heave to for a Pilot.
Anchorage in the Roads.
From June to the middle of September, Ships should not on any account anchor, but stand off and on, keeping the Light-house bearing from N.N.E. to N.E.,-1 to 2 miles distance—until boarded by a Pilot, or directed by signal.
September to end of March.
Anchorage-Light-house N. by E. to N.N.E.,-distance one mile, 7 fathoms.
April and May.
Anchorage-Light-house N.N.E. to N.E.,-distance half a mile, 8 fathoms. Master Attendant's Office, Kurrachee, 31st August 1877.
(Signed) GEORGE C. PARKER, Lieut., I.N.,
Bombay Castle, 20th November 1877.
* In March, 1877, by Lieutenant Stiffe, I.N.
Master Attendant, Kurrachee. JOHN A. M. MACDONALD, Col.,
Secretary to Government.
NOTE. Sinces 1851, the Ships "Admiral Boxer" and "John Starr" have been totally lost on or near the Banks of the Indus, and the Ships "Thomas Campbell," "Auguta," "Diadem," and the Steamer " Pioneer" have grounded on them, but eventually floated off.
Two large Troop Ships have also in the same period touched on them,
Also these casualties were principally owing to not making allowance for a strong set to S.E. and not using the lead.
No. 266.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
It is hereby notified that, in accordance with "The Rating Ordinance, 1875," His Excellency the Governor, by and with the advice of the Executive Council, has fixed the Police Rate for the Year 1878, at Seven-and-three-quarters per cent for Houses in the City of Victoria, and at Five per cent for Houses in British Kowloon and the outlying Villages of the Colony; and the Lighting Rate at One-and-a-half per cent, the Fire Brigade Rate at Three-quarters per cent, and the Water Rate at Two per cent per annum, for Ilouses in the City of Victoria.
The Police, Lighting, Fire Brigade, and Water Rates will be payable Quarterly in advance at the Colonial Treasury, between th first and last Days of the first Month in each Quarter.
These several Rates shall be charged and chargeable on, and recoverable from, the Owners of the Tenements in respect of which the above Assessments have been Lade.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 27th December, 1877.
J. GARDINER AUSTIN,
Colonial Secretary.
NOTICE.
Notice is hereby given, that the Crown Rents for the half-year ending 25th December, 18 should be paid into the Treasury on or before the 15th January, 1878.
Colonial Treasury, Hongkong, 28th December, 1877.
CECIL C. SMITH Colonial Trea