V I T I GROUP. 



221 



TASMAN'S STRAIT. 



Tasman's Strait is 4 miles in length, by 1 mile wide ; it separates 

 the Island of Kamia from that of Vuna, and is much choked up with 

 coral shoals, several of which are just beneath the surface, on which 

 the sea does not break. A range of these shoals lies across the 

 northern entrance, stretching from the eastern point of Vuna around 

 towards Matangi, which require attention on the part of navigators. 

 The passages between them are readily perceived, and may be passed 

 through without difficulty by daylight. 



In the narrowest part of this strait the water is deep, and by keep- 

 ing a good lookout it may be passed through without apprehension. 

 The winds are frequently light under the lee of Kamia, the high land 

 causing calms or light eddy winds. When a strong southeast wind 

 prevails, the wind draws through the strait from that quarter. To 

 the northward the water is smooth, the flood-tide sets through to the 

 south, while the ebb flows strong to the north. 



SOUTH COAST OF VANUA LEVU. 



Mount Cocoanut is situated on the extreme east end of Vanua 

 Levu ; it rises to the height of 500 feet. To the westward it appears 

 somewhat of a sugar-loaf in shape, and is very conspicuous in passing 

 down the Somu-somu Straits ; from the north it serves as a good 

 mark to steer by, keeping it a little open on the starboard bow when 

 in midchannel. The land slopes from Mount Cocoanut to the south- 

 east, and terminates in Niebee Point, which lies li miles to the east- 

 ward of the meridian of Mount Cocoanut ; it is low, and beyond it the 

 Tokanova Reef extends into the Straits of Somu-somu nearly 2 miles. 



From Niebee Point to that of Tokanova the course is southwest 3 

 miles; between them there is a considerable bay, in which are situated 

 three small islets near the shore. This bay is entirely useless, 

 the reef running across it east and west, and has no break in it ; 

 consequently there is no access for vessels. Boats at high water 

 may pass over the reef, and find a safe and good passage along the 

 land, secure from the swell of the ocean. The centre one of the islets 

 which lie on the western side of the bay, II miles from Tokanova 

 Point, was named Tom's Islet. Tokanova Point is the southern point 



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