Dec. 13.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 3141

Time of allotment of sections.

7. The sections may be allotted before any bush is felled, or, at the option of the Commissioner, guided by the wishes of the members, on the completion of the burn, or of the grass-sowing, or otherwise as may be deemed expedient; but members actually employed on any particular portion of the land to be allotted, or on the road-works in connection therewith, shall have priority of claim for consideration in the allotment of such portions, subject to Regulation 1.

Bushfelling.

8. The Commissioner, guided by the wishes of the members, may from time to time either (a) employ them or any of them in parties to fell bush in blocks, irrespective of sections, or (b) allow individual members to fell the bush on their respective sections, or such portions thereof as he may determine.

Clearings must be contiguous.

9. In cases where the bush is to be felled on separate sections by the holders of those sections, the felling must, so far as the ground permits, be done on contiguous sections, so that the clearing on one section may join the clearing on the next section, and thus secure a good burn.

Bushfelling contracts.

10. In case of any land being dealt with as provided for in clause 8, (a), of these regulations, each party shall consist of not less than five nor more than ten members, and a co-operative contract shall be let in the manner usual for such contracts, but so that each member shall not fell more than 50 acres in any one season. If it is decided that each member shall fell the bush on his own section, separate contracts shall be let, so that each member shall fell a reasonable quantity of bush on his own section, but not less than 5 acres nor more than 50 acres in any one season.

Chief Surveyor to lay out contracts.

11. The contracts shall in either case be laid out by the Chief Surveyor before the work commences, by marking the trees and running through traverse lines.

Rates for bushfelling.

12. The rates for felling, according to usual specifications, shall be fixed by the Chief Surveyor, according to the nature of the bush, the locality, and ruling prices in the districts, so that wages shall average 6s. a day for reasonable service, provided that the cost per acre shall in no case exceed £1 15s.

Payments.

13. Payments will be made monthly on the value of the work done as estimated by the Chief Surveyor, less 10 per cent., which shall be deducted and retained until completion of the work to the satisfaction of the Chief Surveyor.

Roads.

14. Service roads will be laid out by direction of the Chief Surveyor, and, as far as possible, trees must be felled so as not to cover or cross the roads. Bush on roads is not to be felled until a contract is let for such formation as may be decided upon.

Burning felled area. Advances on scrub or open land.

15. The area felled shall be burned in the early part of the year following the felling thereof, and shall be sown with grass-seed at the proper time thereafter. Each member is to burn his own bush without further payment, excepting in case of co-operative contracts under clause 8, (a); the Government will advance grass-seed if required; members are to find their own tools, tents, and provisions, or, if provided by Government, the cost shall be repaid out of the moneys payable for work done.

When the sections comprise scrub, fern, open country, or swamp, it shall be lawful for the Commissioner of Crown Lands to employ the settlers by contract on clearing the scrub and fern, as also on drainage-works and fencing, according to the rates ruling in the district, so that the wages mentioned in section 12 may be earned. An advance for ploughing and laying down in grass of an area up to 10 acres may be made. Any such expenditure shall not exceed on any one section more than £75 in any one season, and the total expenditure on any one holding must not in any case exceed £150, exclusive of the advance made for the house.

B