GEOGRAPHICAL AND STATISTICAL.
407
21st.-After a vessel's departure, the general intent of these Regulations will remain in force as against the Consignees or Agents, who may have guaranteed their fulfilment; the amount guaranteed will be collected and distributed in proportion to the amount of claims arising, and claimants will retain their action against delinquents should they return to this country.
22nd. The penalties imposed under these Regulations will be doubled in case of a repetition of the offence, and offenders will be liable for all expenses incurred and be subject to indictment should aggravating circumstances render such a course
necessary.
23rd. All former Regulations and Tariffs not in accordance with the present are hereby abrogated.
Manila, 1st May, 1874.
ILOILO.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE TRADE AND NAVIGATION OF ILOILO.
By Nicolas Loney, Esq., Her Majesty's Vice-Consul.
Vessels bound from Manila, or from Ports to the Northward, during the N.E. monsoon, may safely proceed towards Iloilo by the Maricaban Passage between Luzon and Mindoro, and through the chain of Islands off N.E. coast of Panay. For this route, the charts of the Spanish "Commission Idrogafica," compiled by Don Clau lio Monteros in 1857, would be useful. After passing Tablas and Remblon (which latter island possesses an excellent harbour, much frequented by coasting vessels as a port of refuge and for obtaining supplies), steer for the group of small islands called collectively the "Silanga," lying off the N.E. of Panay, a good mark for which is the high conical island called Pan de Azucar, or Sugar-loaf, which is visible from a great distance. In approaching these islands during the N.E. monsoon, vessels should pass between the islets of Jintotolo and Zapato-Major, and during the S.W. monsoon more in towards the Panay shore, between Olutaty and Zapato-Minor. After leaving the Zapato, the course is to the south of the Gigantes, and the channel through the group of islands is generally entered between Snogon and Calanan, from whence the route is continued between Culebre and the main Pau de Azucar and Malangaban, inside Ygbon Buladingau and Tayubanhan islands. Through_the passage between these islands there is safe anchorage. The Estancia affords excellent anchorage and shelter at all times, and at Apiton, opposite Yogubanham, there is also good anchorage in both monsoons. In the S.W. monsoon there is safe anchorage between Pan de Azucar and Sobrero islands, and in the bay of Malagonoes. In the N.E. monsoon, in addition to the Estancia and Apiton, there is good anchorage under Pan de Azucar, in the small bay or indent looking S.E. At Bacauan, or La Conception, is the residence of the Commandant of the district, and from hence assistance and supplies may be had, if needed, and at the place marked Apiton (Aguada) on the charts, good water is easily obtainable.
The broader channel between the islands of Panay and Negros, although ap- parently good, though formerly adopted by several ships bound to Iloilo, in now found not to be safe, there being large patches of shoal water with coral, imperfectly surveyed, extending off the Batayan and Negros shore. Vessels have occasionally touched in coming through this passage, and it should not therefore be taken.
After passing Tagubanban and Apiton, and emerging into the broad channel between Panay and Negros, the bost course is to steer direct for the highest land visible on the island of Guimarús, care being taken to clear Pepitas Rocks, which lie some distance off the shore and are awash.
Leaving the Calabazas Islets and Pepitas, the route, after making the small block-house near Banate, is due south, until a group of seven remarkable rocks, which lie between the N.E. end of Guimarás and Panay shore, called the Siete Pecados, are sighted. On opening the channel between the Guimaras and Panay and getting the Siete Pecados to bear W. N., steer direct for the passage between these rocks anl