47

I.—7a.

the dispute shall have arisen, have been or are to be executed, whose award shall be final, binding, and conclusive on all parties: Provided, however, that, before any such dispute as aforesaid shall be so referred, the Contractor shall give to the Minister for Public Works one calendar month's notice in writing of such dispute, and of the matter and cause whereof, and in such notice the Contractor's claim shall be explicitly stated ; and, if such claim be for pecuniary compensation, the amount thereof shall also be stated. John Caeetjthebs. John Bbogden and Sons.

Specification of the Mannee of cqnstbucting the Auckland and Mebcee Railway. General Description. 1. The line of railway included under the title "Auckland and Mercer Railway," and to which this specification applies, begins at a point in the Town of Newmarket, and terminates at the wharf in the Township of Mercer, on the Waikato River, as delineated on the accompanying plans and sections; the total length of the contract being forty-one miles thirty-four chains or thereby, with an addition of two miles of sidings. Drawings. 2. The drawings, including general plans and longitudinal sections, as shown on List A, accompany this specification. These show the character of the works to be executed. Further drawings of details will be issued from time to time as may be necessary. The general plan is drawn to a scale of three chains to an inch, and shows the course of the railway, the centre line of which has been staked out on the ground, and is represented on the general plan by a red line. The road and stream diversions are shown on the general plan. The longitudinal section is drawn to a horizontal scale of three chains to the inch, and to a vertical scale of thirty feet to the inch. It represents the natural profile of the ground along the centre line of the railway. The red line shows the level of the bottom of the ballast. On the longitudinal section are shown the positions and sizes of the culverts and bridges described in this specification. Alignment of Structures. 3. In the construction of bridges, culverts, road-crossings, and generally, it is to be understood that they are to intersect the line of railway at such angle or curve as may be necessary and approved in each case, although they may be shown on the drawings straight and at right angles; and in the interpretation of tbe drawings and schedules, and of this specification, it shall be distinctly understood that all works or materials necessary to the due and workmanlike completion of every erection are to be provided, whether specially described or not. Contractor to provide Labour, Plant, and Materials. 4. The Contractor is to provide all labour, tools, implements, plant, and materials, and is well and substantially to construct and complete the railway in accordance with the plans and specifications, and to deliver the same complete, and is to maintain and keep the said railway, and all works connected therewith, in perfect order and repair for the space of three months from the delivery of the same to the Government. The said railway shall be made in accordance with this specification, and with the plans and sections herein referred to, or with such modifications of the plans and sections as the Engineer shall order, provided such modifications shall not increase the cost of the work. Felling, Clearing, and Grubbing. 5. The whole of the timber within one chain and a half of the centre line is to be felled. Of this extent the central chain is to be cleared by removing all logs and underbrush half a chain from the centre line, and to a greater distance where the formation requires it. Throughout all cuttings and along formations on the level all stumps and roots are to be grubbed out entirely and removed, so as to leave no loose timber whatever, and no stumps within two feet of formation level along centre or within one foot of the surface in the slopes. The Contractor will be permitted to apply to his own use the timber which he has felled for the purpose of clearing the line. Fencing. 6. Ten miles of the line are to be fenced on both sides ; and wherever present fences are disturbed or interfered with they are to be made good at the expense of the Contractor. At all crossings of roads, and other places where cattle-stops are used, fences are to be completed across the line up to the cattle-stops. The description of fencing used shall be that described in special fencing specification as Qualities Nos. 2 or 3, at the option of the Contractor. Earthworks. 7. All flax, scrub, rushes, or Maori-heads growing on the line of the railway shall be cut down to the full width between the outside of the slopes. No public or private road that crosses or intersects the railway or works thereof shall be obstructed by excavation or otherwise until the Contractors shall have provided such temporary roads as may be necessary for the traffic. The cuttings are to have a base at formation level of 10 feet in rock, 11 feet in loose rock, and 13 feet elsewhere, and are to be made in accordance with plan and section attached; but should the Engineer require any of the cuttings or banks to be made with different slopes from those shown on Drawing No. 34, the difference in cost shall be added to or deducted from the contract sum. Such alteration to be ordered in writing. A drain is to be cut along the bottom of slopes of cuttings, except in rock; this drain to average