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were upon deck, and which was done in safety. At this time there was about three feet of water in the hold; the square sails were all set, with a view to shoot the vessel off the spit at high water. In the meantime all hands went on shore.

A little before high water the Master of the Steamer Planet and the Signal Master, fully expecting that the vessel would float off, were desirous to go on board, and offered their services, but were refused the use of the boat, and the crew would not volunteer their services. There not being another suitable boat at the place, and no seamen available, nothing could be done. As expected, the vessel floated off and ran across the channel, grounding abreast of the Signal Master’s house, on the south side of the channel. Being past high water, any further effort to get the vessel afloat was useless. The following tide the vessel was full of water; the crew employed at low water discharging cargo. The vessel is strained about the top-sides, and part of the bottom planking I believe to be started. Can be hauled up where she now lays, repaired, and launched in safety.

It would appear to me that the grounding of the "Mount Alexander" schooner, in the first instance, was owing to the master losing all presence of mind, thereby unable to manoeuvre his vessel in the narrow waters and strong current, in the second instance the same want of self-possession to decide at the moment that the anchor should have been let go. In the matter of the refusal of the boat, not encouraging the crew, and not going on board himself to save the horses, I consider that the Master did not do his duty.

I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
W.M. THOMSON,
Harbor Master.

CROWN GRANTS.

CROWN GRANTS in favor of the Persons whose names appear in the annexed Schedule, are ready for issue.

CHAS. LOGIE,
Receiver of Land Revenue.

Crown Grant Department,
Waste Land Board Office,
Dunedin, 22nd December, 1862.

SCHEDULE.

TENDERS

TENDERS will be received at the Office of the Provincial Secretary, till 4 p.m., of Tuesday, 13th January, 1863, for the erection of a School at East Taieri.

Plans and specifications may be seen, and forms of Tender obtained, at the Office of the Provincial Engineer, from 24th to 31st December, and at the School at East Taieri, from the 1st to the 11th January, 1863.

By order, THOMAS DICK, Provincial Secretary.
22nd December, 1862.

TENDERS will be received at the Office of the Provincial Secretary, until 4 p.m., of Tuesday, the 30th inst., for the erection of a Fence round the Recreation Grounds, Dunedin.

Plans and specifications may be seen, and forms of tender obtained, at the office of the Provincial Engineer.

By order, THOMAS DICK, Provincial Secretary.
3rd December, 1862.

OTAGO GOVERNMENT.

TOWN LAND SALES.

Of Port Chalmers, at the Court House there, on Monday, the 5th day of January, 1863, at 12 o’clock.

Of Outram, at West Taieri Ferry, on Wednesday, the 7th day of January, 1863, at 12 o’clock.

Of Greyton, at the Thistle Inn, East Taieri, on Friday, the 9th day of January, at 12 o’clock.

Of Waihola, at the School House there on Saturday, the 10th day of January, at 12 o’clock.

Of Molyneux, at the Molyneux Ferry, on Tuesday, the 13th day of January, at 12 o’clock.

Of Kaitangata, at the Molyneux Ferry, on Wednesday, the 14th day of January, at 12 o’clock.

W. H. CUTTEN,
Chief Commissioner.

Waste Land Board Office,
Dunedin, 6th December, 1862.

DUNEDIN, OTAGO, NEW ZEALAND.

TO ARCHITECTS.

Competitive Designs are required by the Provincial Government of Otago, for a Gaol, an Hospital, and a Lunatic Asylum.

Drawings, &c., will be received at the Office of the Provincial Secretary, until 4 p.m., the second day of March, 1863.

The following Premiums will be given to the successful competitors, viz.:

• For the Gaol, 1st Prize... £150, 2nd Prize... £75
• For the Hospital, 1st do... £100, 2nd do... £50
• For the Lunatic Asylum, 1st do... £100, 2nd do... £50

All premiated designs are to become the property of the Government.

Plans of the sites and other particulars may be obtained at the Office of the Provincial Engineer, Dunedin.

By order, THOMAS DICK, Provincial Secretary.
December 15th, 1862.