on
the Bynoe beach, and two of the Department's boats were smashed. The
dredged cuttings into the Norman River have stood very well, considering
the gales and floods experienced during the year, for, except at one
place near the second black buoy in the outer cutting, hardly any change
is perceptible. At the place indicated, however, the channel for about
400 feet has silted up some 18 inches. Since the weather has become
settled no further alteration has taken place. The buoys and beacons
have been restored to a state of efficiency, but the lightship is still
on shore. As she does not appear to have received much damage, a
contract has been let for floating and taking her to Karumba.

After the "Vigilant" returned to Normanton from Thursday Island, where
she had been relieving the "Albatross," she required a number of repairs
which were executed, and she is now in fair condition.

GENERAL.

The trade to several of the ports having considerably diminished, I have
as vacancies occurred, been able to recommend reductions in the staff by
13 officers and men, which will effect an annual saving of L1,932,
without in any way impairing the efficiency of the Department.

Having visited all the lighthouses on the Queensland coast, I find the
sites upon which the structures are erected have been selected with
great care and judgment, and the illuminating apparatus of the most
modern description (excepting Cape Moreton, which, however, shows an
excellent light), and supplied principally by the eminent lighthouse
engineers, Messrs. Chance Bros., of Birmingham.

Additional 1st or 2nd order lights are not necessary at present, but in
the Inner Route and Torres Strait much time is lost by the mail and
other large steamers through having to anchor at night. Steam vessels
are fast superseding sailing vessels, and their number passing along
this coast increases every month, which will soon render additional
lights necessary.

Pintsch's gas for beacons, buoys, and light-vessels is being adopted to
a great extent in Europe, Asia, America, and the Suez Canal. In the
colony of Victoria Pintsch's gas buoys are also in use. It possesses
great advantages, owing to the cheapness of first cost and to the fact
that no outlay is necessary for lightkeepers, as the light burns from
six weeks to two months without attention. This system of lighting is
admirably adapted for use in the Inner Route and for the shifting
channels at the entra