Feb. 15.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 611

In No. 1 area the number of votes recorded for the proposal was 9, and the number of votes recorded against the proposal was 0.
I therefore declare that the proposal for No. 1 area was carried.

In No. 2 area the number of votes recorded for the proposal was 4, and the number of votes recorded against the proposal was 0.
I therefore declare that the proposal for No. 2 area was carried.

Dated this 9th day of February, 1917.

R. W. G. RUTHERFORD,
Chairman, Mangawara Drainage Board.

Notification of Vacancy of Seat in the House of Representatives for the Electoral District of Hawke’s Bay.

IN compliance with the provisions of section 99 of the Legislature Act, 1908, I, Frederic William Lang, Speaker of the House of Representatives of New Zealand, hereby notify that Robert McNab, a member of the House of Representatives for the Electoral District of Hawke’s Bay, died on the 3rd day of February, 1917, during a recess of the House, and that the said seat in the House of Representatives for the said electoral district is vacant by reason of such death.
Dated at Auckland the 7th day of February, 1917.

F. W. LANG,
Speaker.

The Census and Statistics Act, 1910.—Agricultural and Pastoral Statistics.

Census and Statistics Office,
Wellington, 13th February, 1917.

THE following estimated average yields per acre of wheat and oats for the current season 1916–17 have been compiled from reports furnished by the Fields Inspectors of the Department of Agriculture throughout the Dominion, and are published for general information.

Average (estimated) for the Dominion, season 1916–17 .. 25·15 30·88
Average (actual) for the Dominion, season 1915–16 .. 21·59 35·98

According to the above estimates the total yield for the Dominion should be approximately as under, the figures for the previous season being given for comparison :—

The remarks of the Fields Inspectors as to the condition of the crops in the various districts may be briefly summarized as under. As a general rule crops throughout the Dominion are lighter than usual, but in fair condition.

Auckland.—Very little grain is grown for threshing in this district. In the Waikato the caterpillar has done considerable damage to crops, and in some parts of the district rust is in evidence.

Hawke’s Bay.—Early-sown crops have not done well owing to wet weather in some parts of the district. Later sowings give fair prospects. The weather has been unfavourable for harvesting, and for this reason much of the grain will be discoloured.

Taranaki.—Generally speaking, wheat crops are fair. Oats also promised fairly well, but considerable damage has been done by caterpillar.

Wellington.—In the majority of cases crops have ripened early owing to hot, dry weather. In Rangitikei County crops, particularly wheat, suffered considerably through a heavy gale during January.

Nelson and Marlborough.—Wheat crops generally are in fair condition, while oats have yielded well. In Awatere County some excellent crops have been harvested.

Canterbury.—In the northern portion of the district many crops which show a good growth will give a disappointing yield, owing to the dry weather causing the grain to ripen before reaching maturity. Some very fine crops of oats have been harvested, but in parts rust and caterpillar have affected results.

In South Canterbury winter-sown wheat will in most cases yield well, but spring-sown wheat is poor owing to the dry season that has been experienced. Oat crops are patchy; some will give fair returns, particularly those grown on the higher levels. In Geraldine and Ashburton Counties considerable damage was done to crops by a heavy hailstorm during January.

Otago.—Early-sown crops are mostly good, while some are excellent. Late-sown crops, particularly oats, are poor owing to the drought. In Waitaki County some crops suffered from rust. In Taieri and Bruce Counties crops are expected to yield well, good rains in January having had a beneficial effect.

Southland.—The district has experienced the driest season for some years, and in consequence the yields will be considerably below the average.

MALCOLM FRASER,
Government Statistician.

School Colours, &c.

Education Department,
Wellington, 13th February, 1917.

THE following school colours, &c., have been registered in accordance with regulations published in the New Zealand Gazette of the 12th of August, 1915.

W. J. ANDERSON,
Registration Officer.

WAITAKI BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL, OAMARU.

Colours.—Band 2¼ in. wide in black and dark-red horizontal stripes; the black stripe 1¾ in. wide flanked by dark-red stripes ⅜ in. wide; badge worked in red on black band.

Badge.—Shield bearing an open book and rising sun.

Cap.—Black, with dark-red band running round it, and school badge in front.

Education Board of the District of Southland.—Board Election, Central Ward.—Extraordinary Vacancy.

IN accordance with the provisions of the Education Act, 1914, it is hereby publicly notified that the under-named person has this day been elected a member of the Education Board of the District of Southland :—

JOHN DALRYMPLE TROTTER.

The result of the voting is as follows: Peter Arnott, 65; John Dalrymple Trotter, 79.

The total number of valid votes recorded was 144. The number of votes rejected as informal was 1.

F. G. STEVENSON,
Returning Officer.

Invercargill, 24th January, 1917.

Public Service Stores Tender Board.—Tenders for the Supply of Arm-combiners.

Wellington, 8th February, 1917.

TENDERS will be received at the office of the Chairman, General Post Office, Wellington, not later than 4 p.m. on Wednesday, the 28th February, 1917, for the supply and delivery of 8,000 galvanized-iron arm-combiners.

Particulars and conditions of tender may be obtained at the offices of the Controller of Stores, Post and Telegraph Department, Wellington, and the District Storekeeper, Post and Telegraph Department, Christchurch.

J. ORCHISTON,
Chairman.

Conscience-money received.

The Treasury,
Wellington, 13th February, 1917.

THE Minister of Finance directs me to acknowledge the receipt of the sum of 10s., forwarded from Oamaru to the Railway Department by some person unknown, as conscience-money to the New Zealand Government.

G. F. C. CAMPBELL,
Secretary to the Treasury.