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PUBLIC RECORD

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C.O. 885

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ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

extend in a line from Rocky Point across the entrance to the cove, but, as the water is deeper inside, do not break right into the cove as a rule.

Landing was also easily made on one day in West Cove, where there was no swell, but a fresh north-east wind, which would have rendered the landing in East Cove some- what difficult. A rough track exists up from this landing place, which appears to have been used by people landing on the island in olden times.

Cable.-The best place for landing the cable would, in my opinion, be in East Cove. In West Cove the shore is steep, there being 8 fathoms within 10 yards of the rocks.

Pier.-No pier (unless one constructed at great expense) could be made so as to ensure landing at all times, an iron pile pier might be built out through the centre of East Cove from the place marked with a +; this would facilitate landing, but it is doubtful whether it would withstand the effects of a northerly gale, which must throw a very heavy sea into East Cove.

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Buildings-The most suitable place for a house would be at the position marked 'Caup A

on the plan, at this place is the only fairly level ground on the island, and its extent is about 50 square yards.

The Island.—The whole island consists of ridges and cliffs; the lava rock is very rotten, rendering climbing about the cliffs somewhat dangerous.

A rough pathway extends along the highest part of the island, and appears to have been much used by the people who visited the island in ancient times, and who had constructed rectangular stone platforms in almost every available spot on the island, a few rough stone idols about 2 feet 6 inches long were seen, and the island appears to have been much used by the Hawaiians or some other people in ancient times as a place of worship.

The island is inhabited by a vast number of birds, but the guano is not of very great

amount.

A few turtles were seen in East Cove.

Fish are plentiful, mostly cavally, but are coarse and difficult to catch. Sharks are extremely numerous.

A scrubby bush about 2 feet high covers the higher parts of the island.

Water-The only water discovered was a very slight drain through the cliff near East Point of what was probably rain water.

During our stay off the island, two or three heavy showers of rain were experienced daily.

Currents.-The currents over the bank were found to run at the rate of 2 knots generally to the W.S.W., but what appeared to be the ebb tide reversed this current and set to the N.E. at a rate of about 1 mile an hour for a certain time each day.

t

Tides.No tidal observations were possible, but the rise and fall did not appear to be more than 3 feet.

Shoals. The island is clear of dangers except off East Point, where a rocky ledge extends out for about 100 yards; with three rocks, one of which is 10 feet above water.

Off West Point, a ledge runs out for about 50 yards.

Anchorage. There is anchorage on any part of the bank surrounding the island; with the N.E. trade winds blowing it is better to anchor on the south side of the island, half- a-mile from the shore, with the highest part bearing N.N.E. (magnetic),

Variation. The variation was found by swinging the ship on 16 principal points to be 10° 35′ E. By azimuth compass on shore, 11° 8′ E.

Latitude.-Of west base & was found to be 23° 35′ 30′′ N. by mean of ✪ meridian altitudes, using sea horizon.

Longitude.-By meridian distance from Honolulu of west base ▲ 164° 39′ 58′′ W. The working out of the sights taken for the meridian distance are attached.

Altitudes.-The height of east base a was found to be 300 feet, and of west base A 280 feet, the height found by altitudes taken from the ship at anchor and by aneroid readings.

ST

T

I have, &c.

ROWLAND Nugent,

Lieutenant (N.).

19304.

No. 37.

SIB H. W. NORMAN (New GUINEA) to the MARQUESS OF RIPON. (Received November 3, 1894.)

(New Guinea-No. 42.)

MY LORD MARQUESS,

Government House, Brisbane, Queensland,

September 27, 1894.

In the second paragraph of my Despatch No. 37 (New Guinea) of the 4th instant, I informed your Lordship that I would again address you when I heard from the Chief Secretary of Queensland on the subject of the request of Sir William McGregor that before other routes for a cable between Australia and Canada are encouraged consideration should be given to the route from Thursday Island or Cooktown by way of British New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and the Gilbert Islands.

2. I have now the honour to inform your Lordship that the Chief Secretary states that he has made a note of the suggestion of Sir William McGregor, and will give it consideration when any proposal for a cable between Australia and Canada comes before this Government.

I have, &c.

18743.

No. 38.

H. W. NORMAN.

COLONIAL OFFICE to FOREIGN OFFICE.

(Dated November 3, 1894.)

[Transmits copy of Mr. Mercer's telegram of Oct. 27, 1894, and of C. O. telegram

to the Earl of Aberdeen, dated Nov. 1, 1894+.]

19847.

SIR,

No. 39.

FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE. (Received November 14, 1894.)

Foreign Office, November 10, 1894. I AM directed by the Earl of Kimberley to transmit herewith, for the information of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, a copy of a Despatch from Her Majesty's Consul-General in the Sandwich Islands, on the subject of the negotiations with the Government of Hawaii for the cession or lease of an island to serve as a station for the landing of the projected Pacific Submarine Telegraph Cable.

I am, &c.

Enclosure in No. 39.

H. PERCY ANDERSON.

Consul-General HAWES to the EARL, or Kimberley. (Received November 8.)

(Confidential.)

MY LORD,

Honolulu, October 17, 1894. WITH reference to my Despatch to your Lordship of the 12th instant, I have the honour to report that the Conference between the Government of this Republic and the Delegate of the Canadian Government, assisted by Mr. W. H. Mercer, of the Colonial Office, on the question of the Pacific cable, was this day brought to a termination.

The enclosed copies of the correspondence that took place at the closing of the Conference will fully explain to your Lordship the results of the negotiations.

મ

The difficulty of obtaining a conclusive agreement now is undoubtedly owing to the hands of this Government being tied by their Reciprocity Treaty with the United States. They are perfectly willing to accept the proposals for telegraphic connexion, but are

• No. 27.

† Nos. 32 and 35.

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