I.—7a.

50

There are to be 2,050 sleepers per mile, to be spaced as directed. The following timbers to be used to the extent of not less than 75 per cent, of the whole : Totara, jarrah, Oregon pine, kauri, or puriri. The remaining 25 per cent, may be of matai (Podocarpus spicatd) or birch (Fagus fusca or Solandri). They shall be 7 feet long, and 7 inches by 5 inches, all of heart. They are to be flatted top and bottom, true and out of wind; but any extra width beyond 7 inches need not be removed. The rail seats are to be accurately adzed to a correct bevel. The rails will weigh 40 lb. to the yard; they will be jointed with Ibbotson's patent steel clipjoint, weighing about 12 lb. each joint, and fastened to the sleepers by six fang-bolts to each rail, and two spikes to each sleeper where fang-bolts are not used. The rails and fastenings will be delivered to the Contractor at the ship's side at Auckland, and he shall be responsible for all materials delivered to him. Use of Permanent-way Materials hy Contractor. 15. Permanent-way materials shall not be laid down or employed, without the permission of the Engineer, within 100 yards of the face of any excavation or the end of any embankment, nor used for hauling earthwork before the ballast is laid. When the Contractor shall have complied with the above requirements he may use the rails and other permanent-way materials for the purpose of hauling earthwork or materials on parts of the line. Sidings. 16. The Contractor shall construct at his own cost, at such points as may be indicated by the Engineer, two miles of sidings, including ten thousand cubic yards of earthwork and the necessary ballast, sleepers, and laying of permanent-way, similar to that of the main line, without the points and crossings. He shall also make and construct, wherever required, such station-grounds, buildings, points, crossings, extra sidings, telegraph and other things required for station accommodation, and shall furnish the Engineer monthly with a detailed statement showing their actual cost, exclusive of all cost of management, properly supported by vouchers or as otherwise directed, and to this cost a sum equal to £10 per centum shall be added for Contractor's profits, and this amount shall be in addition to the contract sum. Telegraph. 17. A single-wire telegraph will be constructed and paid for as for station accommodation, and the use of it allowed to the Contractor during construction of the works. During the period of maintenance the Government will transmit, free of charge, all messages sent by the Contractor on the business of the railway. Rolling-stock. 18. The Contractors shall take delivery from the ship's side at Auckland of the articles of rollingstock enumerated below, and shall land, erect, and place the same on the line in working order, and bear all cost of the same. List of Rolling-stock. —3 locomotives, 11 carriages and brake-vans, 66 wagons; 3 weigh-bridges, landing only. Use of Rolling-stock. 19. The Government will furnish the Contractor with such locomotives and rolling-stock as they may have on the line, the Contractor to pay the wages of the engine-drivers and stokers, who must be approved by the Engineer, and to furnish fuel, water, oil, grease, waste, &c, at his own expense. The Contractor shall also return such rolling-stock as may be lent to him iv as good order as when received by him —reasonable tear and wear excepted. In the event of the Government being unable to supply locomotives and rolling-stock when needed by the Contractor, an extension of time will be granted for the completion of the contract; such extension of time to be fixed by the Engineer. The under-mentioned drawings are attached to and form part of this specification, viz. : — 1. Bridge at Ann's Creek. 19. Bridge at 33 m. 72 eh. la. „ „ Canal Creek. 20. „ „33m. 78 eh. 2. „ „ Craig's Creek. 21. „ „34 m. 7 eh. 3. „ „14m. 13 eh. 99 (~ „34m. 39 eh. and 4. „ „18m. 19 eh. zz' ( „ „39m. 18 eh. Design suits 5. „ ~ 18 tn. 34 eh. both bridges. 6. „ „18m. 37 eh. 23. „ „38 m. 3 eh. 7. „ „19m. 15 eh. 24. „ „38m. 43 eh. 8. „ „19m. 27 eh. 9r f „ „39 m. 9 eh. and 9. „ „20m. 25 eh. M' { „ „39m. 34 oh. .10. „ „20m. 31 eh. 26. „ „ Maungatawhiri Creek. 11. „ „20m. 74 eh. 27. „ „41 m. 1 eh. 12. „ „23m. 47 eh. 28. "Wood Culverts. 13. „ „ 24 m. 1 eh. 29. Stone Culverts. 14. „ ~ 26 m. 16 eh. 30. Level Crossings and Cattle Guards. 15. „ ~ 27 m. 57 eh. 81. General Plan and Section, consisting of 16. „ „30m. 14 eh. 32 sheets, numbered Tto 32. ,«. f „ „ 30m.58ch. and 34. Cross-section of Koadway. ( ~ „31m. 17 eh. 35. Cross-sections of Ground Surface, 27 17a. „ ~ 32 m. 54 eh. sheets. 18. „ „33m. 51 eh. Bridge Repairs. The repairs of bridges from the beginning of the contract to 4 miles 67 chains shall be paid for extra, in the manner provided for station accommodation. John Caebuthebs. John Brogden and Sons.