assist in developing the agricultural resources of the Province, has voted a sum of £150, with a view to enable a first and second prize to be offered for the most approved drainage ploughs—the first prize to be £100, the second prize £50,—the prizes to be awarded on such terms, and in such amounts, as the Government may consider advisable.

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with the vote of the Council, a competition of Draining Machines will be held during the month of August next, in a stiff clay soil, in a locality to be hereafter selected, contiguous to Dunedin.

The following particulars are published for the information of intending competitors:—The judges to be appointed shall be composed of machinists and agriculturists; and in awarding the prizes the following applied points will be kept in view:—

1st. To secure a machine which will remove the soil and finish a drain to the depth of at least 42 inches, and which will leave the drain ready for the pipes with the least amount of manual labor.

2nd. Or, failing the above, a machine that will remove part of the soil, and loosen the remainder to a depth of say 36 to 42 inches, so that it could be quickly removed by manual labor.

Each machine to be capable of adjustment so as to cut different widths of drains, to suit main, sub-main, and ordinary drains, say 12 inches wide at bottom for main drains, and 2½ or 3 inches for small drains.

In determining the merits of the respective machines, the Judges will consider the quality of the work done, the price of the machine, and the cost of the drain, as completed in each case, and other things being equal, the preference will be given to the machine which removes the smallest quantity of earth compatible with the full attainment of the object desired, and which can be supplied at the lowest cost.

Should the judges consider that the machines exhibited do not merit the full amount of the premium, the prizes will be awarded only to such an extent, and in such amounts as they may recommend.

D. REID,
Secretary for Works.

Provincial Secretary’s Office,
Dunedin, 23rd February, 1875.

TENDERS will be received at the Office of the Secretary for Works until noon of Tuesday, 16th March, 1875, for

Contract No. 1023.—Erection of Timber Bridge over Taieri River on road, Naseby to Clyde.

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

Tenders to be indorsed “Tender for Contract No. 1023.”

The Government does not undertake to accept the lowest or any tender.

D. REID,
Secretary for Works.

Dunedin, 22nd February, 1875.

FRESH TENDERS will be received at the office of the Secretary for Works, until noon of Tuesday, 16th March, 1875, for

1. Contract No. 1025.—Widening of embankment near Roscoe’s, on Puera Road.

2. Contract No. 1026.—Formation and Gravelling Exmouth Street, Kaitangata.

Plans and Specifications may be seen and forms of tender obtained at the office of the Provincial Engineer, Dunedin, and at Police Camp, Balclutha.

Tenders to be indorsed, “Tender for Contract No. 1025 or 1026, as the case may be.”

The Government does not undertake to accept the lowest or any tender.

D. REID,
Secretary for Works.

Dunedin, 22nd February, 1875.

FRESH TENDERS will be received at the office of the Secretary for Works, until noon of Tuesday, 16th March, 1875, for

Contract No 1021.—Erection of stone and timber Bridge over the Wether Creek and approaches on road, Waitahuna to Dalhousie.

Plans and Specifications may be seen and forms of tender obtained at the office of the Provincial Engineer, Dunedin, and at Police Camp Lawrence.

Tenders to be indorsed, “Tender for Contract No. 1021.”

The Government does not undertake to accept the lowest or any tender.

D. REID,
Secretary for Works.

Dunedin, 23rd February, 1875.

Provincial Secretary’s Office,
Dunedin, 23rd Feb., 1875.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Scandinavian Water Race Company, Registered, having applied for permission to surrender the mining lease of section 3, block II., St. Bathans District, issued in its favor, the said lease has been cancelled, and the land is open for occupation by holders of Miners’ Rights, &c.

D. REID,
Provincial Secretary.

LEAS E OF TOLLS.

TUESDAY, 2ND MARCH, 1875.

THE leases of the various Toll Gates throughout the Province for the year commencing on the 1st of April, 1875, and ending on the 31st March 1876, will be sold by Public Auction by Mr. James Milner, at the Provincial Government Buildings, on the 2nd day of March next at noon.

The following are the different gates, and the amounts realised by the Government at the sale on 20th March last, for the year ending 31st March 1875.

Anderson’s Bay ........ £755.
Balclutha .............. £560.
Blueskin ............... £710.
Clutha & Tuapeka Junction £800.
East Taieri ............ £690.
Hill Side .............. £2500.
Pleasant Valley ........ £800.
Saddle Hill ............ £1635.
Stoney Creek ........... £300.
Waihola ................ £580.
Waikari ................ £350.
Waikouaiti ............. £680.
Water of Leith ......... £1580.
West Taieri ............ £640.

Terms and conditions of Sale can be seen at the Office of the Provincial Secretary on and after the 15th instant.

NOTICE.—Tenders will be received until the 31st of March next, for 6000 Posts and Rails which have been seized at the Hawea Forest.

Tenders to be sent to the Forest Ranger at Queenstown.

J. T. THOMSON,
Chief Commissioner.

Waste Land Board Office,
Dunedin, 17th February, 1875.

NAMES of Wardens who have been elected for the undermentioned Hundreds for the year 1875—

Mokareta Hundred.

Dr. Menzies, Messrs Douglas, Noble, McGillivary, and Robson.

Toe Toes Hundred.

Messrs Richardson, Carswell, and Doull.

Waihola Hundred.

Nil.

J. T. THOMSON,
Chief Commissioner.

Waste Land Board Office,
Dunedin, 23rd February, 1875.

NOTICE is hereby given that applications will be received for the situation of Ranger for the Interior, up till Tuesday the 2nd day of March next.

J. T. THOMSON,
Chief Commissioner.

Waste Land Board Office,
Dunedin, 23rd February 1875.