from Sydney, averaging 80 days, the shortest by the Helen W Almy, in 50 days; 3 from Auckland, N.Z., averaging 58 days; the shortest by the Constance, in 51 days; 1 from Melbourne, the Sea Nymph, in 61 days; 1 from Port Phillip, the Camilla, in 65 days.

From Montevideo, 3 arrivals, averaging 98 days; shortest, 83 days. From Chili, 24 arrivals; 11 from Coronel, averaging 64 days; the shortest, 50 days; 10 from Valparaiso, averaging 621 days; shortest, 43 days; 2 from Talcahuana, averaging 52 days; shortest, 40 days; 1 from Lota, in 78 days.

From Peru, 9 arrivals; 6 from Callao, averaging 56 days; the shortest, 40 days. From Cerro Azul, 2, averaging 56 days; shortest, 55 days. From Pisco, 1, in 50 days.

From the Sandwich Islands, 22 arrivals; 21 from Honolulu, averaging 173 days; the shortest by the Comet, in 10 days; 1 from Hilo, in 26 days.

From the Society Islands, 15 arrivals, averaging 38 days; the shortest, 28 days, made by two vessels.

From Central America, 7 arrivals; 5 from Puntarenas, averaging 42 days; the shortest, 33 days; 1 from Acajatla, in 80 days; and 1 from Tigre Island, in 70 days.

Nautical Notices.

PARTICULARS OF LIGHTS RECENTLY ESTABLISHED.
(Continued from vol. xxx., p. 694.)

F. Fixed. Ffl. Fixed and Flashing. R. Revolving. I. Intermitting. Est. Established,

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS :-Manila to Iloilo, Panay.

We find the following in a recent number of the Shipping Gazette, and preserve it for our own readers. With the chart of the coas trecently published by the Admiralty, it will be very serviceable to ships bound to those parts, &c. The remarks are said to be made by Mr. Nicholas Loney, H.M. Vice-Consul for Panay :—

In the N.E. monsoon vessels from Manilla, or ports to the northward, safely proceed towards Iloilo through the Mindoro Passage, and on through the chain of islands off the N.E. coast of Panay, for which the charts of the Spanish "Comission Hidrografica," compiled by Don Claudio Montero in 1857, would be useful. After passing Tablas and Romblon (which latter island possesses an excellent harbour, where coasting vessels complete wood and water) steer for the group of small islands, collectively the Silanga, off the N.E. coast of Panay, a good mark for which is the high conical island named Pan de Azucar, or Sugar-loaf, visible from a great distance. Approaching these islands in the N.E. monsoon, vessels should pass between the islets of Jintololo and Zapata-mayor; and, during the S.W. monsoon, more in towards the Panay shore, between Olutaya and Zapato-menor.

After leaving the Zapatos, pass to the South or Northward of the Gigantes, as preferred, and take the channel through the group of islands between Sicogon and Calaguan, from whence proceed between Culebra and the main, Pan de Azucar and Malangaban, inside Bulubadiangan and Tagubanhan islands, though for vessels of heavy draught of water, and strangers, it may be found preferable to adopt the outside and broader passage between the group of islands and the island of Negros, keeping a good look-out for the shoal water marked on the chart above referred to. If the inner route among the islands be taken (which is always adopted by coasting vessels of all sizes) ships will find safe anchorage throughout the whole passage, more particularly at Pan de Azucar, and at Bacauan, or La Concepcion, where assistance and supplies may be had, if needed, through the commandant of the district; and at Apiton good water and live stock may also be obtained.

After passing Tagabanan, and emerging into the broad channel. between the coast of Panay and the island of Negros, the best course is to steer direct for the highest land visible on the island of Guimaras, taking care to clear the Pepitas rocks. In case the outside and broader passage should be taken, the North Gigante should be passed at a distance of at least two miles, as discoloured water has been reported at from one to one and a half mile. After passing the Gigantes, steer in for the island of Pan de Azucar, passing to the eastward of the islands of Malangaban, Bulubadiangan, and Tagubanhan, and between the latter and the small island of Anauayan, which has a clear channel of a mile and a half wide, entering the straits between Negros and Panay, keep on by the land, avoiding the Pepitas Rocks, which lie some distance from the shore, and are awash: giving Point Tomouton, on the island of Negros, a berth of at least three miles.

After passing the Calabazas Islets and Pepitas Rocks, and siglting the blockhouse of Banate (erected, like many others, along the Philippine coasts, for defence against the pirates of the Suloo Sea), the course is due south, until sighting a group of seven remarkable rocks, called the Siete Pecados (Seven Sins), which lie between the north end of Guimaras and the Panay shore; a direct course for these should then be made, taking care to keep the lead going, to avoid the Iguana bank.

On approaching Point Dumangas take care to avoid the shoal water, some distance off it, and steep to. On opening the channel between Guimaras and Iloilo, when the Siete Pecados Rocks bear W. 4 N., steer direct for them, passing on either side close to. This course will clear the Iguana Bank. to the S.E. of the Pecados (with one to two fathoms water on it). The lead is a good guide in entering this channel, the depths of water being 6, 7, 8, 11, and 15 fathoms until the Pecados Rocks are passed to the Northward, when the water deepens to 18 and 19 fathoms. Having passed the Pecados Rocks, the South shore should be kept on board, to avoid the shoal water on the Panay side. When the fort, which is one mile to the West of the entrance of the river Iloilo, bears W.S.W., steer for it, anchoring as convenient, in 10 or 12 fathoms, of a mile off shore to the eastward of the river.

The best anchorage, and least exposed to the tides, is with the guard house on the south point of the river bearing W. 1 S., a short half mile from it, avoiding the extensive mud flat to the Northward, The Dutch barque Billeton completed her loading with the fort bearing S.W. W., and the Bantay (small bamboo watch-box), near the port entrance of the river, N.W. N. The ship was out of the strongest currents, with the advantage that the cargo boats could always easily reach her and return. During the S. W. monsoon, when the surf is sometimes heavy, it is desirable for boats not to keep too near the starboard entrance of the river.

Strangers, during the S.W. monsoon, generally proceed through the Mindoro Straits, and along the West coast of Panay (coasting vessels, however, always use the passage to the East of that island), close along the coast of Antigue, because the West monsoon is not very regular, and does not often blow strongly between Guigos Archipelago and Panay, or to the North of Basilan. To the North, and along the East coast of Mindora, the passage is safe and easy; and if vessels meet with strong S.W. winds near Tablas, there is time then to keep off and proceed along the East coast of Panay. The West coast of Panay may be approached with safety anywhere to the Southward of the Isle of Batbatan (which is very steep, near which, and under Point Lipata, is the only safe anchorage for large vessels during the S.W. monsoon), and the Isle of Maralison, which has a reef to the East and West.

The South coast of Panay is free from danger, except near the village of Otong, and the wind scarcely ever blows on the land. The coast of Guimaras, to the North of Point Balingasag, or to the North of Port St. Ana, is also safe. The bays along the coast have deep water, and vessels can work close in shore, or from point to point, with

perfect safety; but generally there is no good anchorage, as the coast is steep, and the holding ground is not good. In passing the S.W. point of Panay during the night, do not close the islands of Luegas and Ura-Jurso, as both these islands have reefs round them to the southward. When clear of these islands round the S.W. point of Panay, and not too much to the South, vessels may then safely steer N.E. by E. 32 miles without any danger, but after running that distance they should heave to during the night, or if the night be very clear, run by the coast of Panay, keeping the lead going, and, as soon as the water shoals, anchor till daylight, because, by keeping over to the Guimaras shore (particularly during the N.E. monsoon), there is no anchorage, and you will lose ground.

It is necessary to follow the above instructions very carefully, because the Otong bank stretches out more to the W. and S.W., than is shown on the chart, and is yearly increasing, and also because the tide runs very strongly on both sides of it. With the flood-tide (against a N.E. monsoon) vessels can easily work up in short tacks under Guimaras shore. The best mark at present (1860) to clear the West edge of the Otong bank, is the village of Otong, on the Panay coast, not brought to the West of North, until the fort of Iloilo bears N.E. E., from which bearing steer straight for the fort, or a little to the South of it, but be careful in working up never to bring the fort to the East of N.E. Į E.

The

In thick or hazy weather, when you cannot see the fort, which is very seldom the case, do not bring the point of Bondulan, on the coast of Guimaras, to the East of N.E. E, Keeping the fort a little open from this point is the best leading mark with a fair wind. When past Point Bondulan, with a fair wind, keep the fort a little on the port bow, but in working up, never bring the fort to the East of N.E. E., because the bank is steep, and shoals suddenly from 9 to 23 fathoms. The island of Guimaras forms in front of Iloilo a sheltered passage, running nearly North and South, of a breadth varying from two and a half to six miles, with deep water and good anchorage. southern entrance to this passage is much narrowed by the Otong Bank, which extends a considerable distance from the Panay shore, and contracts for about a mile the available channel at this part to the breadth of about two miles and a half. The shoal is fast becoming an island. There is, however, no obstacle to large vessels during the S.W. monsoon (especially as the channel is to be buoyed), the passage being quite clear, and in the N.E. monsoon they can work or drop through with the tide, keeping well over towards Guimaras (the coast of which is clear, with deep water quite close to), anchoring, if necessary, on the edge of the shoal, which affords good holding ground, and may be safely approached. The whole of this part of the coast is, in fact, safe anchorage during the N.E. monsoon. If bound to the port of Iloilo, and it should blow hard in the southern channel, a vessel may proceed to the port of Buluangan, or Santa Ana, on the S.W. side of Guimaras, which is easy of access, and capable of ad

mitting vessels of the largest tonnage, and affording good shelter under almost any circumstances.

Tides. It is high water at Iloilo, full and change, at 12h. Springs rise nearly six feet. The stream runs at quite two knots through Ilolio Channel. The flood sets to the northward. Variation scarcely perceptible.

Port Iloilo, situated on the southern shore of Panay Island, is well protected and naturally good. Provided with a good chart, large vessels may enter with safety. The depth of water on the bar, at the entrance to the River Iloilo, is about five fathoms at low water, but at a short distance within it decreases to fifteen feet, and then deepens again. The rise of tide being five feet, a vessel drawing 16 to 18 feet can easily enter or leave; and when, as is proposed, a dredging machine is employed to clear away the mud which has been allowed to accumulate at the shallow parts near the entrance, vessels of almost any draught will be able to complete their cargoes inside. Vessels of 700 tons register have loaded part cargoes alongside the jetties. The custom is for vessels to load to 14 to 15 feet in the river and complete their cargoes outside.

To Enter the River and Inner Port of Iloilo-Although the land is low at the entrance, the mouth of the river is distinctly seen, being marked by four large beacons, one on the port, the others on the starboard side. On entering keep the port beacon close on board, after passing which, steer for the point on the starboard hand, giving it a berth of 40 feet, and keeping the East bank close on board, until after the second point is passed, then close the port side to the wharf or anchorage. The banks of the creek being of soft mud there is little or no risk to be apprehended from grounding. Proceeding about a mile and a half up the creek, which varies in breadth from a half to three quarters of a mile, vessels bring up at the jetties, and have the great advantage of discharging and loading at the stores without employing boats. Beytnd this point the creek reaches as far as Molo, to which place coasting vessels formerly could proceed by passing through a drawbridge. A new bridge has lately been constructed, but the moveable drawbridge designed for allowing vessels to proceed to Molo, is not yet completed. Fresh beef is cheap and very good, and by giving a few days' notice 200 or 300 bullocks could be procured, each weighing about 200 lbs., at the rate of about seven dollars a bullock. Good water can always be got to the North and South of the village called Tilat, on the opposite shore of Guimaras, or N.E.b.E. of the anchorage, where there are both streams and springs. The best plan is to take up the casks at high water on tqe beach, and with the help of the natives fill them ready to go off with the next tide, taking care to leave a little before high water, so as as to be sure of reaching the ship near the fort, as the tide changes very suddenly, and runs down very strong.

Repairs. The American ship Mountain Wave, of 693 tons, was hove down, coppered, caulked, and supplied with a new bowsprit, in 1860.