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No. 66.
The Hongkong Government Gazette.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
[MAY 2, 1857.
The subjoined Notice from the Government of New South Wales, respecting a supply of Provisions, &c., placed on Booby Island, Torres' Straits, for the use of Shipwrecked Seamen who may seek a refuge on that Island, is published for general information.
By Order,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Victoria, Hongkong, 30th April, 1857.
W. T. BRIDGES, Acting Colonial Secretary.
COLONIAL SECRetary's Office, Sydney, 11th December, 1856.
NOTICE TO MASTERs of VESSELS INTENDING TO PASS THROUGH TORRES' STRAITS.
The following Notice, dated the 2d of April, 1846, respecting the store of Bread, Fresh Water, Meat, and Spirits, established on Booby Island, for the use of Shipwrecked Seamen, is re-published for general information; together with a statement recently received from Lieut. Chimmo, R.N., of the Provisions on the Island on the 17th July, 1856. Towards keeping up the Stock of Provisions, a further supply of the above-mentioned articles is forwarded to Booby Island annually, by this Government.
HY. WATSON PARKER.
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S Office, Sydney, 2d April, 1846.
NOTICE TO MASTERS of vessels intendING TO PASS THROUGH TORRES STRAITS. His Excellency the Governor of New South Wales, desires to make it known to all Masters of Vessels proceeding from Sydney to Torres Straits, that it is intended to forward, by the Enchantress, for the purpose of being placed on Booby Island, a further quantity of Bread, Fresh Water, Meat, and Spirits, as a provision for Shipwrecked Seamen who may seek a refuge on that Island; and His Ex- cellency earnestly invites Masters who may visit Booby Island, after having successfully passed the Straits, to make, from time to time, such additions to the Store, which was originally established by Captain Blackwood, of the Royal Navy, as may suffice to keep up a constant supply of Provisions on the Island.
Directions for finding the Provisions will be left at the place called "The Post-office," on Booby Island.
By His Excellency's Command,
E. DEAS THOMPSON.
Remains of Provisions found in Booby Island Cave, by the “ Torch,” on the 17th July, 1856 :--
2 barrels of Beef.
2 barrels of Pork.
1 keg of Rum. 3 bags of Bread.
Besides many smaller articles, such as Tea, Cigars, Onions, &c., &c.
1 cask of Bread.
8 hhds. of Water.
20 tins of Preserved Meats.
2 bottles of Rum,
The Provisions sent by the Colonial Government in the Washington Irving, 1858, were in good order, and landed safely.
(Signed)
WILLIAM CHIMMO, Lieut. R.N.
I have just learnt from the Commanding Officer of the Duroc, French War Steamer, that they passed Booby Island in great distress and did not know that there were any provisions on it. Notice should be given to this effect to all Ñations.
2d October, 1856.
No. 67.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
(Signed)
W. C.
The Honourable The Officer Commanding the Troops has notified that, on and after Monday next, the 4th instant, the Garrison Gun will be fired at 7 o'clock, P.M.
By Order,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Victoria, Hongkong, 1st May, 1857.
No. 15.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
W. T. BRIDGES, Acting Colonial Secretary.
Diplomatic Department.
His Excellency Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, &c., &c., has much satisfaction in publishing, for general informa- tion, the acompanying Extract of an official communication from Captain HAND, H. M. Steam Frigate Sampson, to the address of His Excellency Sir MICHAEL SEYMOUR, K.C.B., reporting the capture or destruction of 32 Piratical Vessels to the Northward of Amoy, with 35 of their Crews.
By Order,
Superintendency of Trade, Victoria, Hongkong, 28th April, 1857.
W. WOODGATE.”
Extract from Despatch, dated H. M. S. Ship" Sampson,” Amoy, 24th April, 1857, from Captain G. S. HAND, R.N., to the address of His Excellency Rear-Admiral Sın M. SEYMOUR, K.C.B., Commander-in-Chief.
"Pursuant to Your Excellency's orders of the 14th instant, I proceeded to sea that evening, and reached this Port on the 16th, where I found Iler Majesty's Sloop Camilla. Calms, fogs, and heavy rain, coupled with the difficulty of procuring an Interpreter, prevented my leaving till the morning of the 18th, when I took the Camilla in tow and proceeded to Hoo-e-tow bay.
As soon as the foggy state of the weather allowed of our being seen, on rounding the point, four small piratical-looking Junks were observed to be making off, upon which I cast off the Camilla and sent Commander Colvile with the Boats of that brig and two Cutters of the Sampson in chase, steaming slowly up the Bay to prevent them, if possible, passing up, which we succeeded in doing. Commander Colvile returned in the afternoon, having met with slight opposition, and burnt the Junks. Ho spoke favourably of the conduct of the officers and men employed on the occasion.
"On the morning of the 20th, all the extra provisions we could spare were sent to the Camilla, and I procceded to the North East, leaving Commander Colvile to act as he thought best. A strọng N.E, wind setting in, and wishing to economise my fuel as much as possible, I enchored off Tongboo at 1 P.