Page 4 Advertisements Column 3

Press, Volume XXXI, Issue 4289, 29 April 1879, Page 4

_....." Government __©tices. Government Advertising. The Directors of tlie Pbess Company "having had brought to their noticea leading article in the " Lyttelton Tinted of 13. J. instant, on the subject of Government Advertising, think it advisable to publish the following statement for public information; On the 6th November, 1876, the Government of Major Atkinson called for tenders for advertising v such public notifications as were required j to be or mere usually published i in the Provincial Government Gazette" in Canterbury. The "Lyttelton Times" proprietors were the successful tenderers, being lower in price. This contract did not apply to the bulk of Government advertisements, viz. :— those issued from the Colonial Secretary's office, and from the office of the Minister for Fublie Works. The year 1877, for which the contract was given, coming to a close, fresh tenders were called for in November of that year. The tender of the " Lyttelton Times" was higher than that of the Peess Company, and was accepted for three (3) months only on the ground of the prices quoted being deemed excessive ; that of the Peess Company being rejected on the ground of informality. Shortly after the expiration of that period, the Government, instead of calling for fresh tenders for the whole or any portion of the advertising, discontinued advertising in the Press newspaper, and gave all the advertisements to the " Lyttelton Times" at its oven price, and that arrangement is still in force. Lf extent of circulation had been the guide of the t Government in their selection of the lest advertising medium, they would have called for fresh tenders periodically. It is plain that, had they wished to act fairly in the matter, they would have adopted that • simple and obvious course. ■ It being generally received thai the crucial test of the value of an advertising medium is its circulation, the Directors of the Pbess Com--1 pany are prepared to prove to . the satisfaction of any officer the Government may appoint, that the circulation of the Pbess newspaper is larger than that of any other morn- , ing newspaper published in New Zealand. Christchurch, March 13,1879. Published Gratuitously. rg*lHE Directors of the " P___ss " Nkwspa__b ■JL Cb-iFA-rir have the honor to lay before their subscribers and the public generally the following f-Ots-s—The Government had been in the habit of inserting public notifications in both the __orrimg newspapers published in Obi-st-h-a-h until .17th April, 1878. Since that date no ardors, for advertising have been given to' the Pbxbs newspaper from the Colonial Sea-toy's office or the Public Works Department in Wellington, whilst such notices have regularly and to a large extent been advertised in the " Lyttelton __mes." In consequence of this change, the Directors of the Passe Company deemed it advisable to make inquiries a headquarters, and one of them visited Wellington for that purpose, and had interviews with ; the Government on the subject generally. It was ascertained that it was the intention of the Government that in future such advertisements would be given only to the "Lyttelton Times" and the" Timaru Herald" in Canterbury. It waa represented to the Government that so partial a distribution of Government advertising would not only place the excluded journals at a disadvantage, but would also be ijurious to the publio interest, as tending to lessen the publicity given to the advertisements in question. The Government stated that economy in advertising was necessary, and that, other things being equal, it would not be surprising if they gare their advertisements to their own supporters. The Directors of the P___b_ Company, perceiving that the absence of the Government notices in the Press will place the subscribers to that journal at a disadvantage, have determined to publish without charge all Government notices appearing in the " Lyttelton Times," but withheld from the Pbbss. Their subscribers and the Government will, therefore, obtain a gratuitous advantage so long as the present system oontinues. In ffl ft M"g this pecuniary sacrifice, the Directors of the Pbbss Company feel that they will have publio sympathy, and that public opinion will justify their present action in reed-ting any attempt on the part of the GovernI Bent to use Government advertising as a means of securing political support.

NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS. RAILWAY SLEEPERS. Commissioner of Railways Office, <3bri_tchurch, April 22,1879. I TENDERS will be received at this office till 7th day of May next, for the Supply and Delivery of RAILWAY SLEEPERS at any of the Railway Stations on the Christohurch Sections. - Specification and forms ef tender can be obtained at the Store Manager's Office, Christchurch, and from the Station Masters, Oxford west and Wahnate. Tenders to be addressed te the Commissioner of BaElways, Christchurch, and to be marked outside " Tender for 81eepers." The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. . _____ WLLLTAM OONYERS, , Commi-s'-ner of Railways. stew___ai_and railways. otago central rail"way. w-NgattdTcontract (Formation only). ____S , GTH.ABO_t7_-ILES 65 CHAINS. Public Works Office," '.■ "' '.'-"■ Dunedin,Feb. 13th, 1819. W/BITI'MS TENDEBS wDI be received at TT this office up till Noon on MONDAY, May 31st, 1879, for the above contract. They are to be marked on the Outside " Tenders for Wingatui Contract," and addressed to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Dunedin. Telegraphic tenders, B-niiarly addressed and marked, will be received if presented at any Telegraph Office- by noon of the same date,. provided written tenders in due form are lodged at any District or Besident Engineer's Office, by the same hour. Drawings, specifications, and general conditions may be seen at this office, and at the Publio Works offices Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and InvercargiQ. The lowest or any tender not necessarily ao cepted. By command, W. N. BLAIR, Wnmnnnr in OhaKre Mlddkl ______