H.—l2a,

22

The Snares. The largest of the Snare group is about one mile long by half a mile broad, moderately high, and rises on the south side perpendicular to a height of 470 feet. The N.E. side is less precipitous, and about its centre the land is comparatively low. Here, an excellent boat harbour was found safe in all weather, and only open to the N.E. Plan of this harbour from a rough survey I herewith attach. The soil on this island is everywhere good ; stunted timber growing in the valleys, with dense scrub, and grass on hills. The whole group is covered with innumerable penguins and other sea-fowl. Prom the boat harbour, a road could be made to any part of the island ; therefore, when it is determined to erect a light, no difficulty will be found in getting to the best site, which, I fear, cannot be found below an altitude of 400 feet. The necessity of a light on this group may be judged from the fact that most of the English ships bound to the southern ports make these islands, as well as those froru Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales, bound to America and Europe. The " New Zealand Pilot" also says, " That, for vessels bound to the westward, the group form an excellent land mark, as well as a point of departure." French Pass. The difficulty vessels experience in going through the French Pass at night is to know the exact position of end of reef before getting too close to it. There is no difficulty in getting to the pass, as vessels, both from the north as well as the south, coast along a high and well-marked land ; therefore, it would appear that the proper place for the light is on end of reef, but, I presume, the cost of construction and maintenance is so great, that the idea of erecting it there is out of the question. The alternative plan would be to erect it on the main, at an elevation of, say, 90 feet, showing colour north and south, and reflected white from end of reef, on which glass mirrors would be fixed. A suitable site for this was found, and a one at a lower altitude would not do, as it would reflect its rays too strong in the eyes of an approaching vessel when near the mirrors. E. Johnson, Inspector of Steamers. ~W. Seed, Esq., Secretary and Inspector of Customs, Wellington.