APRIL 19.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 763

The direct and indirect infection of human intercourse,
however, forms not the only means for the propagation of
plague-germs. Many phenomena in the attack and progress
of the plague are only accounted for by the fact that cer-
tain animals also, living in human neighbourhood, are
attacked by virulent epidemics. Foremost of these are rats,
who carry the plague infection in large measure in their in-
testinal canal. These animals are in the habit of devouring
their own sick and dead, and thus the plague easily spreads
amongst them when once started.

But the plague-rats are not only dangerous to each other;
their secretions contain masses of plague-bacilli, and with
these they infect human habitations—all the more easily
from the accepted fact that rats sick of the plague lose all
fear of man, come forth from their holes, and not seldom die
within dwellinghouses. Mice also seem to play a similar,
although apparently a more restricted, part in the spread of
infection.

It is these agencies, partly subterranean and entirely
beyond control, that throw light on attacks between which
no connection can be traced. They explain also the ten-
dency of the disease—already alluded to—to maintain itself
in overcrowded districts, even in the face of apparent inter-
ruptions in its career.

If the detailed analysis here given contributes to a fuller
understanding of the nature and modes of propagation of the
plague its object will be gained. Above all, may it (if the
plague should ever reach Germany) facilitate for our doctors
a correct judgment on the first cases, in order that they may
be immediately put to the test. One other point scarcely
needs to be emphasized: Having regard to the extraordinary
expansive capacity of a plague outbreak when once it has
taken firm hold of a locality, the diagnosis of the early cases,
if it is to gain its end, must not be given to the world except
on a clear understanding with a properly qualified specialist,
and resting on the sure basis of bacteriological investigation.

—

Notice to Local Authorities under “The Government Loans
to Local Bodies Act, 1886.”

—

The Treasury,
Wellington, 17th April, 1900.

PURSUANT to section 16 of “The Government Loans
to Local Bodies Act, 1886,” the Colonial Treasurer
hereby gives notice that on Friday, the 1st June, 1900,
he will be prepared to consider applications from local
authorities for loans under the Act.

Applications should be addressed to the Colonial Trea-
surer, and must be posted so as to arrive at the Treasury on
or before the 31st May, 1900.

R. J. SEDDON,
Colonial Treasurer.

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Approving and appointing a Bonding Warehouse.

—

CUSTOMS.—In exercise of the powers in me for this
purpose vested by “The Customs Laws Consolidation
Act, 1882,” I, the Commissioner of Trade and Customs, do
hereby approve and appoint the under-mentioned warehouse
to be a warehouse for the reception of goods under bond,
namely,—

Port of Dunedin.

A brick building, roofed with iron, situated in Crawford
Street, on Section 37b, Block 55, to be known as

BAXTER’S BOND.

Given under my hand, at Wellington, this eighteenth
day of April, one thousand nine hundred.

J. G. WARD,
For Commissioner of Trade and Customs.
Commissioner’s Order No. 635.]

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Notice to Mariners, No. 18 of 1900.

—

Marine Department,
Wellington, 17th April, 1900.

REFERRING to Notice to Mariners No. 21 of 1898,
issued by this department on the 25th June, 1898, the
following notice, received from the Presidency Port Officer,
Madras, is published for general information.

WM. HALL-JONES.

—

INDIA, WEST COAST.—MANGALORE LIGHT.

With reference to this office Notice to Mariners No. 18 of
1898, it is notified that the fixed white light referred to in
paragraph 2 thereof will, on and after the 1st May, 1900, be
exhibited from a (cement) grey tower on the southern end
of the enclosure known as the Marine Yard at Mangalore,
latitude 12° 52′ N., longitude 74° 50′ E., approximately.

Pending the exhibition of this light and the removal of
the apparatus from the present tower to the new position, a
temporary light will be shown from the port flagstaff plat-
form, 40 ft. above sea-level, and visible seaward eight miles
in clear weather from north through east to S. 40° E.

THOS. G. R. FINNY,
Commander, R.I.M., Presidency Port Officer.
Presidency Port-office, Madras, 3rd March, 1900.

—

Bonus on Mineral Oil produced from Shale obtained in New
Zealand.—Extension of Time.

—

Colonial Secretary’s Office,
Wellington, 10th April, 1900.

THE time for notifying intention to claim the under-
mentioned bonus, and for making such claim, has
been extended as follows:—

Notice of intention to claim the bonus must be given in
writing to the Colonial Secretary not later than the 31st
December, 1900.

The claim must be made before the 30th June, 1901.

J. G. WARD,
Colonial Secretary.

—

Bonus on Mineral Oil produced from Shale obtained in New
Zealand.

—

Colonial Secretary’s Office,
Wellington, 29th October, 1898.

NOTICE is hereby given that a bonus will be paid for
the production of mineral oil under the following
conditions:—

1. A bonus of 1s. per gallon (£5,000) will be paid on the
   first 100,000 gallons of mineral oil produced from shale
   obtained in the Colony of New Zealand, the oil to be of a
   quality approved of by Government, and to be sold at a
   price not exceeding 1s. a gallon at any port of shipment in
   the colony.

2. Notice of intention to claim the aforesaid bonus must
   be given in writing to the Colonial Secretary not later than
   the 31st December, 1899.

3. The claim must be made before the 30th June, 1900.

4. The first claimant who proves to the satisfaction of
   the Government that he has fulfilled all the conditions to
   be the recipient of the bonus.

5. The other conditions—as to quantity, priority, quality,
   and value—to be fulfilled to the satisfaction of an officer
   appointed for the purpose by the Government.

J. CARROLL.

—

Bonus for the Production of Mineral Manure.—Notice No. 580.

—

Department of Agriculture,
Wellington, 12th December, 1899.

THE following sum is hereby offered as a bonus for the
discovery and working within the colony of a deposit
or deposits of marketable mineral manure, viz.:—

£500 IF FOUND ON CROWN LANDS ;
£250 IF FOUND ON FREEHOLD LANDS.

The following are the conditions under which the bonus is
offered and will be paid:—

1. That the raw material is easily accessible, and within
   reasonable distance of a railway or seaport.

2. That the committee appointed by the Minister for
   Agriculture to examine the deposit is satisfied that there is
   sufficient to meet all ordinary demands for five years.

3. That the manure can be disposed of at a price which
   will allow of it being remuneratively used for agricultural
   purposes.

4. That the composition of the phosphate shall average
   not less than 40 per cent. of phosphate of lime (tricalcic
   phosphate); provided, however, should a phosphate of a lower
   average composition be discovered, the committee may
   recommend that a portion of the bonus be granted.

The terms of payment will be—
One-fifth on the committee reporting favourably of the
discovery;
One-fifth on delivery of first 200 tons ;
The remaining three-fifths by equal payments on de-
livery of each additional 150 tons.

Applications addressed to “The Hon. the Minister for
Agriculture, Wellington,” will be received up to and in-
cluding the 1st day of July, 1900.

W. C. WALKER,
For Minister for Agriculture.