MOSGIEL ROAD RATE.—On the request of this

Board, two Gentlemen were appointed by the
General Road Board to audit the books of the above
Board. As this has not been done, the Treasurer begs
to submit to the Ratepayers an abstract of his accounts.

PAID.

Jan. 31, 1866,
Books and Blank Forms ... £ 0 17 0
April 17, 1867,
Provincial Treasurer ... 50 0 0
June 24, 1867,
Provincial Treasurer ... 20 0 0
Cash in hand ... 3 17 6
Rates to receive ... 27 18 9

102 13 3

RECEIVED.

1867, to May 8,
Jas. Todd, Esq. ... £ 0 1 0
By Rates ... 53 8 6
To June 24th,
By Rates ... 21 5 0
Balance Rates due ... 27 18 9

102 13 3

MONIES DUE TO BOARD.

1866, December 25,
By Rates ... £102 12 3
J. Todd ... 0 1 0
1867, April 17,
Provincial Treasury ... 100 0 0
June 24,
From Provincial Treasury ... 40 0 0

242 13 3

G. LITTLE,
Treasurer.

Mosgiel, 25th June.

To those gentlemen who entered into an engagement
for the formation of the Main District Road, the Treasurer of the above Board begs to inform them of having
received from the Government a supplementary sum of
£65 6s. 8d. towards the metalling of the portion that
has been formed.

G. L.

Colonial Secretary’s Office,
Wellington, 11th June, 1867.

In order to enable different Soils in New Zealand to
be chemically analyzed, and the results to be published from time to time for general information, it is
requested that Samples of Soil, for chemical analysis,
may be forwarded to Dr. Hector, at the Colonial
Museum, Wellington.

The following instructions to contributors are published, and printed Slips thereof, together with the Form
to be filled up and to accompany the Specimens of Soil,
will be sent to the several Superintendents of Provinces,
for distribution in each Province.

E. W. STAFFORD.

INSTRUCTIONS.

Attention is requested to the following instructions
by persons contributing Samples of Soils to the Colonial
Museum, for the purpose of being chemically analyzed:

1. The quantity transmitted should not be less than—
   6 lbs. weight of surface soil,
   2 lbs. weight of sub-soil.

2. The surface soil should be selected free from roots
   and undecomposed vegetable matter, and of uniform
   quality, gathered in several equal portions from different
   parts of the field, and from two inches below the
   surface.

3. The sub-soil should be taken in the same manner
   from a depth of twelve inches.

4. Small specimens of iron-pan, sole, or other concretionary bands that may occur in the soil, should be
   forwarded in a separate parcel.

5. Each sample of soil should be carefully secured in
   a calico bag, distinctly marked “surface soil” or “sub-soil”
   and also with the name of the contributor and a
   number, the same number being used for corresponding
   samples of surface and sub-soils.

6. A copy of the enclosed Form, distinguished by
   this number, must be filled up with the required particulars, and transmitted along with the specimen it
   refers to.

7. Parcels and letters are to be addressed—“On
   Public Service only—Specimens for Analysis—Dr.
   Hector, Colonial Museum, Wellington.”

N.B.—Under no circumstances will an analysis be
made of a specimen unless the necessary information is
supplied, and properly authenticated by the signature of
the contributor.

Form to be filled up and transmitted to the Laboratory of
the Colonial Museum along with specimens of Soil
for chemical analysis.

1. Name of contributor.

2. Number of marks on the specimen or specimens referred to in this Form.

3. If the sample is from uncultivated land, state the nature of the vegetation,
   whether ever or frequently burnt,
   whether stocked, and for how long and
   to what extent.

4. If cultivated, state for what period,
   the succession of crops, and nature of
   present or last crop; also the nature of
   the original vegetation in the natural
   state.

5. State average depth of soil and
   sub-soil, and the nature of the formation
   on which they rest, whether sand, gravel,
   clay, limestone, or rock, and whether
   porous or bound.

6. General remarks as to the nature
   of the country, whether alluvial plains,
   low undulating hills, or steep broken hill
   surface, and any other points that occur
   to the contributor.

Date at which specimens were collected:
Date at which they were forwarded to Museum:
How transmitted:
Signature of contributor:

MERTON ROAD.—NOTICE.—Parties in arrears
are hereby warned that legal proceedings will at
once be taken to recover the Rates.

ALFRED CATHWOOD,
Treasurer.

Superintendent’s Office, Southland, May 15th, 1867.

INQUIRIES having been made respecting a person
named James Battersby Wray, of Hawksbury Mills,
Canada West, America, by profession a Civil Engineer,
and who is supposed to have been surveying on the
Waikiwi Plains, Southland, in September 1863. Any
person who may be able to give any information respecting
him is requested to communicate with the Chief Surveyor
of Southland.

JOHN P. TAYLOR,
Superintendent.

PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OBSERVATORY,
Port Chalmers. Lat. 45° 48' 55" South. Lon.
11h. 22m. 36.5s. E.—On and after 1st June, 1867,
the Time Ball will be dropped daily (Sundays excepted)
at 1 p.m., Port Chalmers Meantime, or 1h. 37m. 23.5s
a.m., Greenwich Meantime.

EDUCATION RESERVES.—Printed Copies of the
Education Board’s Amended Regulations and
Conditions for the Leasing of the Education Reserves
may now be had on application.

Further information may be obtained from
JOHN HISLOP, Secretary.

Printed under the authority of the Provincial Government
of Otago, by Mills, Dick & Co., of Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand,
Printers to the said Provincial Government for the time being.