APPENDIX. 271 



The erection of the beacon on Rainess Islet as a mark 

 for the best passage through the outer line of reefs. 



The survey of Endeavour Strait and of all the eastern 

 portion of Torres Strait from Cape York to the coast of 

 New Guinea, a tract that may be stated as 100 miles in 

 length by 60 or 70 in width, and crowded with separate 

 reefs and islands. 



The survey of 140 miles of the coast of New Guinea, 

 with its wide spread banks of shoal soundings, and the 

 mouths of some of the numerous freshwater channels which 

 intersect that coast in every direction. 



In addition to these hydrographical surveys and the 

 astronomical observations necessary for their correction and 

 completion, magnetic observations of various kinds were 

 taken as opportunity offered, both at sea and on shore. 



Lieut, now Commander Shadwell had charge of these 

 observations, and has communicated to me the following 

 remarks. " Many of these observations only derive their 

 "value from a comparison with those of other observers 

 " and are not capable of any immediate popular result. 

 f ' In connection with other observations now in progress they 

 " will probably at some future period be discussed by Col. 

 w Sabine, R. A., to whose zeal and ability the task of reducing 

 c< the observations of the Ordnance and naval magnetic 

 "observations is confided by H.M. Government. 



" The following Table of the dip and variation of the 

 " magnetic needle at various places touched at during the 

 " voyage may be perhaps of some interest to the reader/' 



