Notes

Abstract

THE Western Morning News has received from its correspondent on board the Challenger an account of the voyage to New Zealand, which has been stormy and protracted. The result of the soundings has been most satisfactory, and it is confidently expected that New Zealand will be telegraphically connected with Europe next summer. The bottom was sand and mud, gradually shelving to a depth of 2,600 fathoms, at which it remained very evenly for a long distance, the temperature at this depth being 33 degrees and at the surface 64 degrees. At this point the soundings commenced getting less, and the next was found to be 1,975 fathoms (temperature 36 degrees). Two days after this 1,100 fathoms was recorded, the temperature rising to 36 degrees. These indications of shallow water were not without cause, for on the second day they came unexpectedly into 400, 350, and at last only 275 fathoms. This was about 200 miles from land. The future movements of the Challenger have now been arranged, and are thus stated:—At Wellington we remain till July 6, then proceed along the east coast, probably calling at Auckland for a few days, after which a course will be shaped to Tongataboo (Friendly Islands), and from thence to Kandsvan (Fiji Islands), where a supply of coal will be taken on board prior to leaving for New Guinea. Here a complete series of explorations and soundings will be made, and it is expected that the dredge and trawl will bring even greater wonders of marine life to the surface than have yet been secured, while the question ot coral reefs and their history will have special attention. After cruising about Polynesia generally for some time, we expect to reach Hong Kong early in November, where probably a month will be spent in coaling, provisioning, refitting, &c.