196 



HYDROGRAPHY. 



Malaki Island, is the Malaki Passage. When bound for the island 

 of Vanua Levu, the Sea of Viti can be entered through it. With the 

 ordinary winds a vessel can sail direct for 'Mbua or Sandalwood Bay, 

 a distance of only 30 miles; with daylight, many of its dangers may be 

 seen and avoided. I cannot too strongly urge the necessity of navigators 

 visiting this group, to avoid passing the night under way in any of 

 the seas and channels, if it can by any possibility be prevented, as 

 it will greatly endanger the safety of a vessel. Although I have great 

 confidence in our charts, yet I feel the necessity of recommending 

 every precaution in case the navigator, on his entrance into the group, 

 might be disposed to trust too much to them. When he has been a 

 short time within the influence of the reefs and channels, these pre- 

 cautions will be unnecessary, as he will have found himself in situa- 

 tions that must arouse his attention and insure watchfulness after- 

 wards. 



Monersah Point lies 2 miles to the east of Malaki Island ; it is the 

 most northern point of Viti Levu, and is the eastern point of Malaki 

 Bay. The point is high ; the land rises immediately behind it into 

 lofty spurs, which come from the central range of the island. Three 

 miles to the eastward of Monersah Point are the Annan Islands, 

 three in number : these are of volcanic formation, and project some 

 three miles beyond the mainland to the northward ; the sea-reef again 

 projects - beyond them. The larger Annan is 610 feet in height. They 

 trend north-northwest and south-southeast, are 4 miles in length, and 

 three-fourths of a mile in width ; they are connected by coral reefs, 

 and communication can be kept up without difficulty between them. 

 To the east of the Annan Islands are several patches and sunken 

 shoals ; they require care to pass among them. 



Between the southern end of the Annan Islands and Viti Levu 

 is the Kume Channel ; it is only one-third of a mile wide, and may 

 be used by a large vessel. It leads into Novelou Bay, distant 2i miles, 

 where there is good anchorage. This bay is small and somewhat cir- 

 cumscribed ; to reach it from the west many shoals have to be passed. 

 With a head wind it ought not to be attempted. From the east there 

 is no difficulty. By steering for the south point of the Annan Islands 

 it will lead clear of these shoals, which lie nearly parallel to the coast. 

 The town of Novelou lies at the head of the bay, where supplies may 

 be obtained. From Novelou Point the shore of Viti Levu trends 

 south-southeast, 4 miles, and from thence south-southwest, forming the 



