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of the Keepers. Northward of this last named block and connected therewith by a short passage, a further building has been erected for use by the Chinese Assistant Keepers and by the Telegraph Clerk. This structure is also of rectangular shape and measures 43 feet 6 inches in length, 20 feet 9 inches in width, and 22 feet in height.

11. The lantern and apparatus were prepared by Messrs. CHANCE BROTHERS, the former has flat glass and is not, in our opinion, of so good a form as the helical frame lantern with circular glazing, which has been adopted by the Trinity House. We may, however, observe, in this connection, that had the circular glazing been adopted, we are of opinion that the damage which was caused by the Typhoon of October 1893 would not have been averted. The apparatus is of the usual form for a light of this character. It is of the first order, dioptric, giving a flashing light at half minute intervals. The focal plane is 141 feet 8 inches above mean sea level and the light is visible, in clear weather about 20 miles.

12. The light was first shown in the early part of April 1892, and has since been continuously exhibited with the exception of one night, viz., on 2nd October, 1893, after the typhoon which oaused the damage.

13. The cost of the Lighthouse, buildings, apparatus, etc., complete, exclusive of the expenditure incurred in the purchase of the attendant tug Fame, was $145,000.

14. Importance of Light.--The light on the Gap Rock is an extremely important one in the interests of navigation. It is "made" by vessels approaching Hongkong from the South, and also indicates the position of the islands and rocks to vessels leaving the Port southward. It is evident from a perusal of the papers that Gap Rock was decided upon as the best position for the light only after the most mature deliberation, strong reasons for fixing on this Rock for the then proposed lighthouse will be found in the letters from Commodore MORANT, R.N., and the Surveyor General, dated respectively 30th September and 20th November, 1886. Although therefore the Gap is unquestionably a most exposed site for a lighthouse and the configuration of the Rock, as we have pointed out, is unfavourable, still it would appear highly undesirable to remove the light to a less exposed position, in view of the strong reasons which were given in favour of erection on its present site, putting aside the prolonged negotiations which had to be conducted with the Chinese Government before the present position was definitely fixed, and which would have to be re-opened were it decided to remove the light to one of the larger adjacent islands.

15. Damage caused by typhoon of October 1893.-The Director of the Hongkong Observatory in a letter dated 20th October, 1893, pointed out that it was blowing with typhoon force at the Gap Rock from the morning of 2nd October, until the early morning hours on the 3rd, also that the typhoon was one of exceptional severity at the Gap and that the disaster was greatly intensified by the unusually great length of time the blow lasted. It would also appear from this letter that the Gap Rock lies very near the track of the worst typhoons that have been felt in the Colony.

16. We have been informed by Mr. CHARLES NICHOLAS, the Senior Keeper, who was on the Rock when the typhoon occurred, that the chief damage was caused about noon on 2nd October; this consisted mainly in the breaking of four panes of lantern glass,inch in thickness, on the east side, three centre panels of the apparatus destroyed and one damaged; one upper panel of prisms broken and others slightly damaged, three bottom panels of prisms slightly fractured. Sundry damage was occasioned to the doors, windows and other details connected with the buildings as described in the report by the Director of Public Works dated 16th October, 1893.

17. In consequence of the damage to the lantern and apparatus no light was exhibited, as we have previously named, on 2nd October. On 3rd three lamps were rigged temporarily by the Keepers and the light was partially shown; it was only, however, on two or three days after the disaster, that the flashes could be exhibited with approximate regularity.

18. Upon reference to the log kept at the Rock, it would appear that from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on 2nd October, which covers the period when the damage occurred, the wind was from east, thus, when the typhoon was at its height, the gap and spur must have assisted in a material degree to produce the disaster, in consequence of the latter directing the seas into the funnel, which were then concen- trated and shot on to the Lighthouse and buildings.

19. Although it is patent now from experience, what serious results can be produced by the spur and gap, we can fully realize the disadvantages under which the original designers of the Lighthouse and buildings laboured from the limited knowledge of the Rock which was all that was then available.

20. Upon the occurrence of the disaster, both the Director of Public Works and the Harbour Master adopted, with the least possible delay, such measures as were necessary for the reinstating and service of the light in an efficient manner, strong iron shutters have also been fitted to the most exposed of the windows in the quarters.

21. Whilst on this point we may observe, that it is not, in our opinion, practicable to adopt efficient measures for protecting the lantern glass during typhoons. Any protection of this kind which might be provided could not be fixed with such readiness and certainty as is imperative under the extremely adverse conditions which would prevail; and moreover if it were possible so to shield the lantern, the efficiency of the light to the mariner must inevitably be impaired thereby at a time when it is most required.

22. Typhoon of October last --A typhoon, also of exceptional severity, occurred on 5th October last. On this occasion the direction of the wind during the height of the typhoon varied from east to