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tender obtained at the Office of the Provincial Engineer, Dunedin.

Tenders to be endorsed "Tender for Contract Nos. 7, 8, or 9," as the case may be.

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

PRIZES FOR LABOR-SAVING MACHINES.

NOTICE.—The Provincial Council of Otago being desirous of stimulating invention and securing the introduction of labor-saving appliances calculated to 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 judges and competitors:—The judges to be appointed shall be composed of machinists and agriculturists; and in awarding the prizes the following 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 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 2 ½ 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 the 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.

BONUS FOR GOLD-SAVING APPARATUS.

NOTICE.

THE Provincial Council of Otago being desirous of stimulating invention, and securing the use of gold-saving apparatus in connection with hydraulic mining adapted to the purpose of extracting gold from auriferous earth more completely than any of the machines or methods at present in use, has voted the sum of £250, to be offered as a bonus for the invention of such an apparatus, subject to such condition and regulations as His Honor the Superintendent may seem fit.

Notice is hereby given in accordance with the vote of the Council, that plans and proposals for such an apparatus will be received for consideration, up till the first day of August next ensuing.

The following particulars are published for the information of intending exhibitors of plans. The plans and proposals will be submitted to a body of judges, composed of experienced miners, and such other persons as His Honor the Superintendent may appoint, and in considering them the following points will be kept in view:—

1. The cost of the apparatus as per the plan, and its probable cost by tear and wear.

2. The readiness with which it can be secured in any part of a tail race, and be moved from one part to another and again secured.

3. Its adaptability to the different widths and falls of tailraces used in different districts; to the varying quantities of water used either by choice or necessity for finishing the same; and to the different kinds of wash-dirt from which gold is obtained in the Province.

Inventors are expected to be conversant with the machines and methods at present in use, and not to offer simple reproductions of the same. They are also expected not to offer reproductions of machines or methods which have fallen into disuse. They can obtain practical information on these and other points, by application through the post to the Central Mining Association at Naseby.

If, in the opinion of the judges appointed, any plan shall appear to be worthy of adoption by the miners in this Province, the Government undertakes to furnish copies of the same to each of the Mining Associations in the Province with full instructions as to the intentions of the inventors, and the payment of the bonus will then be determined in the following manner, payment being due within eight months from the date at which the copies of the plans and instructions have been issued to the various Mining Associations:—

By the fact of the apparatus being used by at least twenty-five sluicing companies in the Province, employing an average of at least five men each, for the period of six months, and the intention of the same companies to continue the use thereof; such fact and such intention being verified by the affirmation before a Warden, of the Managers or representatives of such Companies.

In the event of two or more plans being considered worthy of a trial, the Government will determine in what manner the competition shall be carried on, and the best plan discovered.

As the bonus is only intended to stimulate inventive genius, every inventor may reap a further benefit from his invention if he think fit, by taking out a patent.

Plans and proposals intended for submission under this notice, are to be addressed to the Goldfields Secretary, Dunedin, on or before the date first above-mentioned.

D. M'KELLAR,
Goldfields Secretary.
Cromwell, 5th March, 1875.

OAMARU CEMETERY.

HIS Honor the Superintendent directs it to be notified that he has appointed

MR. JAMES KIDD

as a Manager of the above-named Cemetery, vice Mr. James Ashcroft, resigned.

D. REID,
Provincial Secretary.
2nd April, 1875.

KAITANGATA CEMETERY.

HIS Honor the Superintendent directs it to be notified that he has appointed

MR. CHARLES SMAILL

as a Manager of the above-named Cemetery, vice Mr. John Darling, deceased; and that he has appointed

MR. JOHN JOHNSTONE

as a Manager of the above-named Cemetery, vice Mr. R. Beattie, who has left the district.

D. REID,
Provincial Secretary.
2nd April, 1875.

NOTICE is hereby given, that Thomas Craig having applied to surrender the Mining Lease Certificate issued in his favour for section 2, block VIII, Skippers, the same has been cancelled by the Government, and the land is now open for occupation by holders of Miners' Rights, &c.

DONALD REID,
Provincial Secretary.
Provincial Secretary's Office,
Dunedin, 5th April, 1875.

RESIGNATION.—His Honor the Superintendent directs it to be notified that he has received and