Page 2 Advertisements Column 2

Press, Volume XXXI, Issue 4290, 30 April 1879, Page 2 (Supplement)

Government Notices. GoTemment Adrertisdlng. The Directors of the Pbess Company having had brought to their notice a leading article in the " Lyttelton Times" of IZth 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 " such public notifications as were required to be or were usually published in the Provincial Government Gazette" in Canterbury. The " Lyttelton Times 1 ' 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 Public 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 Pbess Company, and was accepted for three (3) months only on the ground of the prices quoted . being deemed excessive ; that of the Pbess Company being rejected on the ground of informality. Shortly after the expiration of that period t the Government, instead of calling for fresh tenders for the whole or any portion of the advertising, discontinued advertising in the Pbess newspaper, and gave all the advertisements to the " Lyttelton Times" at its own price, and that arrangement is still in force. If extent of circulation had been the guide of the Government in their selection of the best 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 that the crucial test of the value of an advertising medium is its circulation, ths Directors of the Pbess Company 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 morning newspaper published in New Zealand. Christchurch, March 13,1879. Published Gratuitously. THE Directors of the " Pbess " Nswspapeb Cob-PANT have the honor to lay before their subscribers and the pnblio generally the following facts:—The Government had been in the habit of inserting public notifications in both the morning newspapers published in 0-ristohnrchunti)|l7th April, 1878. Since that date no orders for advertising have been given to the Pbxss newspaper from the Colonial Secretary's office or the Public Works Department in Wellington, whilst such notices have regularly and to a large extent been advertised in the " Lyttelton Times." In consequence of this change, the Directors ol ihe Pbxss Company deemed it advisable io make inquiries a headquarters, and one of them visited Wellington for that purpose, and had interviews with the Government on the subject generally. It am* ascertained that it was the intention of the Government that in future suoh advertisemente would be given only to the "Lyttelton Times" and the" Timarn Herald" in Canterbury. It was represented to the Government that ao partial a distribution of Government advertising would not only place the excluded journals at a disadvantage, bat would also be ijurious to tbe public interest, as tending to lessen the publicity given to the advertisements in question. The Government stated that economy in advertising waa necessary, and that, other things being equal, it would not be surprising if they gave their advertisements to their own supporters. The Directors of the Pbxss Company, perceiving that the absence of the Government notices in tha Pbxss will place the subscribers to that Journal at a disadvantage, have determined to publish without charge all Government notices appearing in the " Lyttelton Times," bat withheld from the Pbxss. Their subscribers and the Government will, therefore, obtain a gratuitous advantage so long aa the present system oantmues. In making this pecuniary sacrifice, the Directors of the Pbxss Company feel tbat they will have pnblio sympathy, and that pubKo opinion will justify their present action in rad-ting any attempt on the part of the Government to use Government advertising as a means of securing political support. t.- MMiL ~* NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS. lt____WAYS___EPEßß. Commissioner of Railways Office, Christchurch, April 22,1879. TENDEBS will be received at this office till 7th day of May next, for the Supply and Delivery of RAILWAY SLEEPERS at any of the Bailway Stations on the Christcharch Sections. Specification and forms of tender can be obtained at the Store Manager's Office, Christchurch, and from the Station Masters, Oxford west and Waimate. Tenders to be addressed to the Commissioner of Railways, Christchurch, and to be marked outside " Tender for Sleepers." The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. WILLIAM CONYERS, ■ Commissioner of Bailways. NEW ZEALAND BAILWAYS. OTAGO CENTRAL BAILWAY. WINGATUT CONTRACT (Formation only). LENGTH ABOUT 6 MULES 65 CHAINS. Public Works Office, Dunedin, Feb. 13th, 1879. XITBITrEN TENDERS win be received at W tins office op tin 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. tha Minister for Public Works, Dunedin. Telegraphic tenders, similarly 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 Resident 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, .Christchnrch, and Invercargill. The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. By command, W. N. BLAIR, Engwew in Chsrja Hiddla M*» 4.