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With a powerful just within the low peninsula forming the pitch of Cape Leeuwin. light on Cape Hamelin there would be no danger of this happening, under ordinary circumstances, even in bad (north-west) weather.

6. Alouarn Island would be of most service to vessels approaching from the eastward, but, as a rule, a good departure can be taken from the white-topped rocks when Alouarn would be useful also, to approaching Cape Leeuwin from that direction.

vessels seeking shelter in Flinders Bay (see chart).

7. The light on Cape Hamelin should keep a vessel clear of the dangers off the Alouarn Islands; a bearing of Cape Hamelin is the clearing mark by day, and with a powerful light on the Cape it would be easy to take a bearing by night, or the light could be cut off, or a red sector be shown over the danger ground.

8. It seems to me that if both lights cannot be undertaken the preference should be given to Cape Hamelin. But I am very glad that his Excellency the Governor proposes to bring the question under the consideration of the Admiralty before coming to a decision in this important matter.

9. St. Alouarn Island would be difficult to keep up communication with, as compared with Cape Hamelin, and for many reasons Cape Hamelin would be preferable as being more accessible.

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powerful flash every 30 seconds, in order to be distinguished from bush firos, which aro numerous during the summer months. A revolving light is superior to a fixed one, inasmuch that you can see the reflected flash above the horizon long before you get in the range of proper light.

A better light is also required on Breaksea Island. The one there at present is of third-rate power,

and is only suitable for a jetty; it is marked on the Admiralty Chart, visible 24 miles. I have passed in and out of King George's Sound at night a good number of times, but I have failed to see the light until close under Breaksea island. A new lamp with new reflectors is urgently needed for the Breaksen island lighthouse. Trusting it will soon be supplied,

I have, &c.. (Signed) C. D. O. CALDER,

Master S.S. "South Australian."

-

Meda," off Champion Bay,

11th July 1885.

I have, &c., (Signed)

J. E. COGHLAN,

Staff-Commander, R.N.,

in charge of Admiralty Survey.

Captain Creer only expresses what all the local captains have told me. Nevertheless, I believe the Peninsular and Oriental captains to have the balance of evidence in their favour as to the advantages of Cape Hamelin as the site for a light.

J. E. COGHLAN.

11th July 1885.

(Signed)

DIRECTOR OF WORKS to COLONIAL SECRETARY.

I BEG to return herewith the papers connected with the question of the lighthouse on Cape Leeuwin. As I understand that the question of proper site is to be referred to the Hydrographer of the Admiralty to finally decide, I would beg respectfully to suggest that the light be placed on the knoll or rising ground at Cape Leeuwin itself. Vessels approaching from the eastward would be able to see it far better than if placed on Cape Hamelin. In the conversations I have had with captains they have all been unanimous as fixing this as the proper place.

So soon as the site be definitely settled, I shall be prepared to furnish plans and estimates of the cost. I would suggest that the light be a first-class dioptric light with half-minute flash. The question of electric lighting with comparative cost and advantages will be forwarded you at the same time as the plans and estimates.

31st July 1885.

I have, &c., (Signed) JOHN ARTHUR WRIGHT,

Director of Public Works.

SIR,

ADMIRALTY to COLONIAL OFFICE.

Admiralty, November 5, 1885. I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 8th October, enclosing copy of a despatch from the Governor of Western Australia with its enclosures respecting the proposed erection of a lighthouse at Cape Leeuwin, and requesting their Lordships' opinion on the question. 2. In reply I am to request that you will state to Secretary Colonel Stanley that on the 29th November 1881 my Lords expressed their views generally on this subject, but the question appears now to have narrowed itself to a site near Cape Leeuwin itself.

Premising therefore :-

1. That, from the report of the officer who surveyed the vicinity and had many opportunities of judging, the summits of the hills near Cape Hamelin and Cape Leeuwin are not unfrequently covered with clouds or thick mist during the strong westerly winds which so often prevail, and that therefore it would be dangerous to place the light at such a height.

2. That in consequence of this thickness of weather at such periods, no ship should run for a land so fringed with rocks, trusting alone to sighting a light; and should either round the cape at a considerable distance, or use the lead frequently.

3. That the light should therefore be in a position which would render it useful to the greatest number of ships passing in both directions during tolerably clear weather, and be seen as often as possible.

My Lords are of opinion that a knoll of an elevation of about 200 feet, behind Cape Leeuwin itself, but below the 487 feet summit would be the best position, as shown in

the enclosed tracing, the difficulty now brought forward of maintaining communication with St. Alouran Island outweighing the other advantages of that site.

The lighthouse should not be of such a height as to make the total elevation above the sea of the lantern more than about 230 feet, which will give a range of over 24 miles, and will generally be under the Cloud banks.

The Under Secretary of State,

Colonial Office.

I am, (Signed)

&c.,

EVAN MACGREGOR.

MASTER OF THE "SOUTH AUSTRALIAN

"to COLONIAL SECRETARY.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

C.O.

Reference:

8855 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

Fremantle, July 13, 1885. SIR,

I HAVE the honour to state that with reference to a light on Cape Leeuwin, which is a matter of great local and national importance, and in my opinion the light should be placed in a position that it would benefit ships, &c. from or to any port of the world, on an elevation bearing east magnetic six miles from Geographe reef, and equal distant from Cape Leeuwin and Cape Hamelin. There I would place the light, as the Geographe reef and south-west reef of Flinders Islet is the outlying dangers off the Leeuwin, and most dreaded by nautical men. Ships making Cape Leeuwin from the north- ward, or from any direction of sector bound westerly to south-east, would be enabled to define these positions by bearings when they came within range of the light, which should be a first-class order dioptric one, and should be seen at a distance of 24 miles, with

SIR,

SIR H. T. WRENFORDSLEY to SIR H. T. HOLLAND.

Hobart, Tasmania, February 14, 1887.

IN continuation of the letter which I had the honour to address to you on the 20th of January last, I beg to forward an article contained in the issue of the Melbourne Argus, under date February 8th. and which supports the proposal to consider the question, submitted to you, at the Conference. I venture to think that the reasons given by this influential newspaper are worthy of your attention, and that they will be fully appreciated by all the members of the Conference. With reference to the obligations of the Crown Colony, the article suggests that Western Australia Z z 3