VITI GROUP. 



171 



quently the current will be found to set out ; for when the wind blows 

 strong the water washes most over the reef on the weather side of the 

 island, and flows round to escape on the lee side through this passage, 

 the only one for its exit. Within the reef to the north there is no 

 passage for a vessel beyond Cocoanut Island, but several openings for 

 canoes and boats. The passage to the south, as far as Cocoa Point, 

 is suitable for vessels, but beyond this it was not particularly ex- 

 amined, for want of time. A safer course for vessels which seek Colvo 

 Harbor, is to take advantage of the fair wind which leads round the 

 south end of the island to Carr's Harbor, to pass out, instead of 

 attempting to return through the narrow entrance. This route was 

 not particularly examined, though it is believed to be feasible and safe. 



MOAIA. 



Moala is a high volcanic island. Its surface is very much broken ; 

 there is a constant succession of hills and valleys. It is well wooded 

 and extremely fertile. It has an extensive and deep bay on its east 

 side. The shape of the island is somewhat of a triangle, its north 

 side being 6 miles in length, that trending southeast 5 miles, and 

 that trending north-northeast, 7 miles, with an average width of 2 J 

 miles. On the north the sea-reef is entirely wanting ; in place of it 

 there are a great many coral patches near the shore. Off Rocky 

 Point, at a distance of 2 miles, the north point of the sea-reef begins ; 

 it extends in a south-by-west direction, the whole length of the island, 

 and a mile and a half beyond Valivuaka Point, when it turns west 4 

 miles, and thence to the western end conforming somewhat to the 

 shore-line of the island. In all this distance (18 miles), there are but 

 two passages through it : one on its eastern side, opposite Charley's 

 Harbor, and another on its southwest side, opposite the harbor of 

 Thacopa. Attached to the shore there is a coral reef of 200 yards in 

 width; the coves have sandy beaches, but elsewhere rocks of lava rise 

 perpendicularly. 



This island offers, from the easy access to its harbors, great facili- 

 ties for vessels. 



Charley's Harbor is the large bay on the east side, 3 miles in 

 length by one mile in width. It has three large towns situated 

 within it, viz. : Ketira, Nathuvinemaishi, and Vonuga. The sound- 

 ings in it are from 9 to 30 fathoms in depth. Supplies of all kinds 



