V I T I GROUP. 



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direct for Votia Island, which lies off Vitonga Point, the next conspi- 

 cuous headland to the northeast, a distance of 10 miles ; this is entirely 

 protected by the line of the Kasoa Reefs. Three miles from Vunda 

 Point is Sand Island, and Sam Island lies three miles beyond it. The 

 western side of these islands is to be preferred, anchoring wherever it 

 is deemed necessary. The bottom is good holding-ground, and the 

 water not deep, and will at all times be found smooth. If wishing to 

 enter into Vitonga Bay, either side of Votia Island may be taken, as 

 may appear desirable. On reaching Vitonga Point, a vessel may pass 

 into the Sea of Viti, and be well to windward of the Kasoa Reefs, 

 which lie to the westward, but it is more advisable for a ship to keep 

 within the reefs and near the land, until arriving at one of the 

 passages more to windward. Off Vitonga Point, the shore-reef 

 extends to some distance, but leaves a clear passage between it and 

 Votia Island, though a very narrow one, into Vitonga Bay, the least 

 water being 5 fathoms. Vitonga Bay lies between Vitonga Point and 

 Tabooa Point ; it is 9 miles in length. This bay is protected on the 

 north by an extensive coral reef, which lies parallel with the shore for 

 4 miles, and is about half a mile wide ; it is exposed to the sea by the 

 opening between the reef and Votia Island Reef, which is 2i miles 

 wide; the anchorage, however, is good under the reefs. Vitonga Point 

 and Tabooa Point are both formed by sharp spurs from the moun- 

 tains, but the land between is low and cultivated ; mangrove bushes 

 growing along on the shore-reef. 



Off Tabooa Point 2 miles, lies Tabooa Island, situated on the 

 southern end of an extensive reef, which projects to the northeast, 

 and with others forms a line of sea-reefs, enclosing what I have named 

 Ba and Egleston's Bays, which extend to the northeast 15 miles, to 

 the Leonidas Passage, near the Dongaloa Islets. 



After passing Tabooa Point the hills take a sweep inland, making 

 a bend as far as Batia Point, a distance of 22 miles. This portion of 

 the island is densely wooded, its shores being also overgrown by man- 

 grove bushes. The trend of the coast continues northeast to Ba 

 Point, after which the shore inclines more to the eastward. The dis- 

 tance between the sea-reef and the shore, beyond Tabooa Point, in- 

 creases to the width of from 2 to 3 miles, until arriving at Dongaloa 

 Islets, which is within 4 miles of Batia Point, where the channel again 

 becomes contracted to less than half a mile. The Ba Passage is a 



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