THE POET OF OAMAKU Is situated in a bay at the Oamaru headland to the north of Cape Wanbrow, is about forty-three miles north from T&iaroa Head, and thirteen miles south from tlic mouth of the Waitaki River, on tho east coast of the Middle Island, of New Zealand; lat. 45° 0' S., long. 71° 1' E. It is the outlet for the produce of the Waitaki and part of the Waimate District, and forms tho terminus of several branch lines of railway—the Windsor and Livingstone, Duntroon and Kurow, and the Waimate and Waihao forks, as well as the Mooruki-Waitaki section of the main line. The principal articles of export are, wool and clotb, grain- and farm-produce, breadstuffs, frozen mutton, and the famous Oamaru building-stone. Tho port has been improved by the construction of a concrete sea-wall and a rubble mole, 1,850 ft. and 1,700 ft. in length respectively, enclosing about 60 acres, and forming a perfectly safe, commodious, and easily-accessible harbour. The entrance is COOft. in width, well sheltered by the sea-wall. Four wharves have been built, (Macandrew, Normanby, Cross, and Sumptei Wharves), a large area has been dredged round the wharves, and the Sumptcr Wharf especially stands in a basin dredged to accommodate vessels of the largest class. Strong moorings have been laid, and warps, cranes, and other appliances are kept in readiness ; every care and attention being afforded to vessels by the Harbourmaster and his assistants. Full particulars of the by-laws, charges, &c, maybe obtained on application at the office of the Harbour Board, Oamaru. SAILING DIRECTIONS. Lights. A fixed red light is exhibited from a lighthouse on the South Head, Oamaru Bay, and is seen in clear weather about eight to ten miles over an arc of 146° 0' 15", between N.N.W. and S. by W. from seaward, the outer anchorage being on a S.W. by W. bearing, distant one and a half miles. All bearings are magnetic. A green light is exhibited from a staff at the north end of the breakwater, at an elevation of 16ft. above the soa-levol, and is seen in clear weather three or four miles from seaward, between bearings .S.W. and S.S.W. (magnetic). A red light is exhibited on east end of north mole. Tho light is about 14ft. above high-water fark, visible all round, and distant from the green light on the breakwater 550 ft., the lights bearing am each other S.W, £ W., N.E. £ E., between which light is the entrance to the harbour. Vcsels entering should give the breakwater end a berth of at least 40 fathoms. Signals. The signals are shown from a flagstaff erected on the cliff immediately south of the breakwater. TEe~ToTlowmg signals'are shown in accordance with" the provisions of the Harbour Regulations;—;— Put to Sea or keep to Sea. —Day: Two balls horizontal on yard on either side of mast. Night; Two white lights horizontal, with red light between them. In tad weather the green light at the end of the breakwater cannot be shown. Masters of vessels in the roadstead, in calm weather, will require to exercise judgment in getting their vessels to sea. There are exhibited at the Port of Oamaru two leading lights on beacons erected above tho cliff to the south-westward of the harbour: From the upper or south beacon, a fixed green light, 120 ft. above sea-level ; from the lower beacon, a iixed white light, 104 ft. above sea-level. The beacons are white, with a black vertical stripe in the centre of each : the north beacon, a circular disc ; the south or upper beacon, the gable of a small hut. They are 180 ft. apart, bearing from each other N.N.E. J E., and S.S.W. J W. (magnetic). The beacons in line lead in, clearing the spit afc the breakwater-end about 80ft., and the moleend about Ssft., with 18ft. water at two cables' length off breakwater, 17ft. abreast of the spit, and 16ft. abreast of the mole end, low-water springs. Vessels making for tho harbour should get the lights or beacons in one when about two cables' length off the breakwater, keeping them in lino till the end of the breakwater boars S.E. by E.; then starboard the helm, passing the mole (on which is a fixed red light) about 120 ft. off, and steer for wharf, if directed, or anchor where convenient, out of tho fairway, if possible. ■ Signals to Steamers. —Steamers arriving at night, and sounding whistle on approaching the breakwater, will be signalled to wharf as follows :— Maoandrew Wharf: A red light on west or outer corner of wharf. Normanby and Sumpter Wharves: East side, a green light on east comer of wharf; west side, a red light on west corner of wharf. If wharf-berth is not clear, tho above lights will not be shown ; then anchor or make fast to mooring-buoys. Strangers should not attempt to take the port at night, but keep five miles to the windward till daylight, more especially in heavy southerly weather, as then the wind draws directly out of the entrance, and, if much sea on, vessels would bo liable to get dangerously near to the north beach, Wμ. SKWELL, Harbourmaster.