IMPORTANT TO NAVIGATORS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume I, Issue 48, 6 December 1851, Page 3

IMPORTANT TO NAVIGATORS.

(From the " Sydney Morning Herald.") The annexed information is published for the benefit of shipmasters trading among the islands of the South Seas. From the many vessels lately lost, it is hoped that it will be of some service.

.LATE DISCOVERIES IN 'i'HE SOUTH SEAS, &C. Island discovered by Captain Northwood of the Tamar, lat. 20-20 south, and long. 137-10 west, about two miles in circumference. March 13th, 1838. A group of islands discovered by Captain Grimes in the Woodlark, 28th of September, 1837, lat. 9-29 south, and long. 171-52 west. Rather thickly inhabited. The " Novelty " was lost on this island. A shoal seen by the cutter " Foster Fyans," eastward of Lord Howe's Island, lat. 31-56 south, and long. 160- east. Island discovered by a French ship, lat. 21*39 south, and long. 138-32 west. Aurora Islands, lat. 52-32 south, and long. 44-18 west. The Rapid's Reef, according to her observation, lat. 21-40 south, and long. 174-40 east. (Ist of April, 1841.) Ditto ditto chart, lat. 21-56 south, and long. 175-26 east. May, 1851. Captain I. Underwood, a reef seen in lat. 15*42, long. 175*18 east. May 18, 1841. A second reef discovered by the above, lat. 4-40 south, and long. 161-3 east. Young Phoenix Shoal, lat. 9 #05 south, and long. 167-10 east. Ship "Eucutun's" reef, lat. 1810 south, and long. 175- east. Reef seen by the " Mars," of London, lat. 8-25 south, and long. 165.32 east. An island seen by Capt. Cole, of the " Avon," lat. 23-32 south, and long. 16252 east. An island discovered by Captain. Brown, of the " Ploughboy," in lat. 3-30 south, and long. 176-2 east, surrounded by a reef eight or nine miles off shore. Inhabited. The harbour of "Roan Kitty" is in lat. 6-52 south, and long. 158-24 east. The harbour of Ascension being very indifferently laid down, and a great many reefs extend to the North-east of the Island, 40 miles long. A very extensive reef, about 80 miles long, in lat. 7-21 north, and long. 156-30, or thereabouts. This reef the ship " Isabella" was lost upon, bound to Manilla, in 1841. The latitude was observed on the reef. The Raven Islands, a very good place of supply, discovered in 1841. Resident, John M'Vea, " Offley," ship. • Island discovered by Captain Grimes, in the "Jean," 1841, lat. 9-16 north, and long. 145-43 east, and about six miles in circumference. A shoal seen by the " Munford," schooner, bearing S. by W. * W., distance 18 miles from Velthone's Island. "Sarah Scott," bound to Manilla, saw a shoal, the southernmost of the Deliverance Islands, bearing W. by S. Latitude of the shoal by account, and by the islands, 10-45 south, and longitude by the Chronometer 163-12 east. A reef discovered by the " Cyrus," of London, 1843, lat. 8*43 north, and long. 111-40 east, bearing S.W. by VV. of the London reef, distance 20 mileSj 5 miles in extent. Also a shoal in lat. 7-38 north, and long. 112- east. Also, a bank in lat. 7-42 north, and long. 111-37 east, the least water being seven fathoms. Also, a continuation of breakers from the George to the Abercrombie shoals. . A reef discovered by the ship " Thomas Dickenson, July 26th, 1842. Position, lat. 21-32 south, and long, 168-54 30 west; it appeared about two ships' lengths N.E. and S.W., the night being dark at the time, and blowing a gale of wind, very narrowly escaped shipwreck. A reef discovered by H.M. Sloop, " Favourite." Position, lat, 23*35 south, and lono-. 179-11 west. An island. Lat. 15-37 south, long. 175.23 west. S. D. Norms, Master, Brig " Moa."

The " Oriental" brings the news of the wreck of the ship " Castle Eden," in Torres Straits. She was on her way with horses for Calcutta, when the accident occurred. We cannot gather whether any loss of life took place. H.M.S.S. " Acheron" had set out with a view of getting the unfortunate vessel off, if possible.

Markets.—Hobart Town, October 27th.— Wheat, 9s. 6d. to 10s. per bushel ; barley, 75.; oats, ss. 3d.; maize, 45.; hay, bl. Os.; potatoes, 41. 55.; carrots, 3/. per ton ;* butter, Is. 9d. per lb.; eggs, Is. per dozen: fowls, 3s. 6d. per couple.

Launceston, October 25th.—Business is very dull; we have not heard of a single transaction worthy of notice; prices are nominal.

Wheat at from 9s. to 9s. 6d. ; oats, ss. per bushel; flour, 231. to 241. per ton. Melboubne, October 24th.—Prices of grain and flour at the mills stand at last quotations, but it is thought that they must come down shortly; 800 bags of fine Adelaide flour sold yesterday, by auction, at from 18Z. to 181. 10s. There is now considerable stock on hand, in many houses, and holders are willing to sell at 181. Adelaide, October 11th, —The flour market has a downward tendency; sales have been made at the port, for shipment, at 201. 155. per ton ; in the city, to the bakers, at 19/. 10s. to 201. per ton—sellers at that figure. Wheat, 7s. tid. to Bs. per bushel of 60 lbs.; oats, 6s. 6d. per bushel of 40 lbs.; cracked maize, 75.; barley, (English and Cape) scarce, prices nominal; bran,"ls. Bd. per bushel of 20 lbs.; pollard, Is. lOd. per do.; hay, 5L 1 Os. to 61. per ton; bread, sd. per 2 lb. loaf. 175 tons of flour were exported from Adelaide the week ending October the 4th.