FURTHER PAPERS RELATIING TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS IN THE NORTH ISLAND.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1871 Session I, D-01c

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FURTHER PAPERS RELATIING TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS IN THE NORTH ISLAND.

111. ROAD WORK BY ARMED CONSTABULARY.

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OP THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BY COMMAND OF HIS EXCELLENCY.

WELLINGTON.

1871.

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SCHEDULE OF CORRESPONDENCE.

No. Date. From. To. Subject. 1 1871. Feb. 23 Hon. Defence Minister Officer Commanding, Waikato Hon. Defence Minister Officer Commanding, Waikato Hon. Defence Minister Officer Commanding, Waikato Instructions in reference to the employment of Armed Constabulary in road work. As Armed Constabulary employed on road work will receive Is. a day extra, remissness to be reported. To put himself in communication with Road Boards, to obtain their co-operation, and to avail himself of assistance oifered by settlers. Reporting employment of Constabulary in road work. The severity of the weather has caused much sickness amongst those employed in the Moana Tua Tua Swamp. Requiring report on progress of roads, with names of officers who have displayed most zeal and earnestness in promoting road work. Reporting fully. Can make no distinction between officers, all having shown themselves willing and anxious to further public works according as they have been directed. Requiring report from time to time as to who the officers are that display most zeal and assiduity in promoting public works. Cases of disinclination to be reported. Difficult to particularize where all are attentive. SubInspector Gudgeon very zealous. Non-commis-sioned officers or men not likely to show disinclination as the work is very popular. Forwarding circular relative to the advantages of employing tho Armed Constabulary on road work, and confidential memorandum thereon. 2 March 4 3 March 6 May 22 Officer Commanding, Hon. Defence Minister Waikato May 17 Hon. Defence Minister Inspector Roberts May 25 Inspector Roberts ... I Hon. Defence Minister May 30 Hon. Defence Minister Inspector Scannell May 31 Inspector Scannell ... Hon. Defence Minister May 31 I Hon. Defence Minister Officer Commanding, ; Armed Constabulary, Wellington

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CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS BY ARMED CONSTABULARY.

No. 1. Memoeanbttm by Hon. Defence Minister for Otficee Commanding Waikato. Alexandra, 23rd February, 1871. 1. The roads in Waikato require a series of improvements, in order to render them available for military purposes. 2. Under the circumstances of the period, it is necessary that easy communication should be established between the different posts, so that a rapid concentration of the force under your command could be effected on any threatened spot. 3. The aspect of affairs in your district has been the cause of your being reinforced, so that you will shortly have now (200) two hundred men under your command. You are well aware that the constitution of the Armed Constabulary does not exempt it from the road duties, which troops in all ages have been called upon to perform to the benefit, not only of the country in which lay the scene of their labours, but also of their own health and well-being. 4. It has invariably been found that the habitual idleness prevalent in detached posts, has resulted in the demoralisation of their garrisons ; and everywhere it has of late times been the object of the authorities to wean their men from lazy habits, and afford them some occupation beyond the daily routine of drill and pipeclay. Wherever this has been achieved, the results have been highly satisfactory, and it is with a view to improve the physique of your men, as well as to carry out works, which will prove of advantage to the district, that it is decided to employ them on road works. Idleness, and a continuous series of harassing and useless parades, giving the forces no bodily exertion, and stunting their minds and muscles, were the bane of the militia forces in the Colony. Oflicers of the Constabulary have before them the experience of the last ten years, and can well point out to their men that exercise and a due amount of labour, will in every way make them more efficient members of the force, and useful to their adopted coyntry. 6. With the means placed at your disposal, you will be able to keep in reserve one hundred (100) men, distributing a similar number at the outposts ; the number to occupy each post will rest entirely with you, it being understood that frontier places, like Alexandra and Kihikihi, shall be held in ample strength. 7. With regard to the road parties, the following are the arrangements which should be carried out: — 8. The hundred available men for reserve are to be divided into two working parties of 50 men each, the one to at once undertake the formation of the road by Ohaupo, from Alexandra to Hamilton, thus giving you free communication in all weathers ; the other to complete the unfinished part of the road from Cambridge to Eangiaowhia, through Messrs. Douglas and Walker's swamp, which would enable you to move at all times along the extent of your frontier line. 9- A third road will be from Alexandra to Isgaruawahia, through Whatawhata : and as a garrison of fifty (50) men is to be kept at Alexandra, I see no reason why twenty-five (25) of them, at least, should not at once be put on this, to be supplemented afterwards by the first party of fifty (50j which has finished its appointed work. The labour will be by the piece, and it will be, therefore, necessary that a proper supervision should be exercised in laying out the lines, and giving out the different sections; for this purpose, the services of Sub-Inspector Kenny will be at your disposal. On his sending in a requisition for plain levelling instruments, for the proper laying out of the road through the swampy ground, on the way to Ohaupo. he will be furnished with them, as well as with a copy of the general instructions for road works, issued by the Public AVorks Department, and the forms of monthly returns to be sent to that office. 10. These forms you will have to countersign. It will, of course, be part of your duty to exercise a general superintendence over the whole of the road works, and to report specially whenever a necessity occurs for so doing. You will use your own discretion in giving alternate turns of road work and outpost duty to your force. 11. You will of course act in concert with Road Boards, in existence, and avail yourself of their local knowledge and experience in any deviation or improvement that may be suggested, in the direction of the roads. Donald McLean.

No. 2. Memoeandttm by the Hon. Defence Ministee for Aemed Constabulary, Waikato. Alexandra, 4th March, 1871. As the men of the Armed Constabulary at work on road parties will receive extra pay of one shilling a day, the officer in charge of the works will report to you any remissness on their part in finishing the different pieces allotted to them by him. It will then be at your discretion to stop the extra pay, or take any such other steps as you may think fit. Donald M'Lean.

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CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS

No. 3. Hon. Defence Minister to Officer Commanding Waikato. Sib,— Alexandra, 6th March, 1871. It appears that out of the £12,400 given by the General Government to the Province of Auckland, a sum of some £1,300 haa been apportioned by the Provincial Council to the different Eoad Board s in Waikato. I have in consequence to request that where men of your force are to be employed on road works, you will put yourself into communication with the Koad Board of the district, with a view of obtaining its co-operation. This will best be attained by the Board making the requisite bridges and culverts, while your men carry on the road work. A great readiness seems to be displayed on the part of the settlers, irrespective of Eoad Boards, to aid in road work, by giving the assistance of drays. &c. Of such offers you will, of course, avail yourself. I have, &c, Lieut.-Colonel Lyon. Donald M'Lean.

No. 4. Lieut.-Colonel Lyon to Hon. Defence Minister. Sir,— Hamilton, May 22nd 1871. I have the honor to report for your information that in accordance with instructions received, (ac per margin) working parties of the Armed Constabulary force have been employed since the month of March, 1871, in constructing the road from Eangiaowhia to Cambridge, through the Moana Tua Tua swamp, in repairing and re-making the road between Hamilton and Alexandra via Ohaupo ; and further, a small party in doing the same on the Hamilton and Cambridge road. This latter piece of work, though not actually mentioned in authority marginally noted, I undertook, as I considered it necessary in a military and defensive point of view. I beg to state that I have been compelled to withdraw the working party from the Moana Tua Tua swamp, as the severity of the work in water at this time of the year caused much sickness, (see attached copy of report from Assistant-Surgeon Carey, Armed Constabulary). Attached is a tabular statement, showing particulars as to work done to 30th April by Armed Constabulary in the district, with all information that could be furnished on the subject. I have, &c, The Hon. the Defence Minister, AVilliam C. Lton, Lieut. Colonel, Wellington. Commanding Waikato District.

Memo, for Officer Commanding Waikato District, from the Hon. Ministor bearing date Alexandra, 23rd February, 1871.

Enclosure 1 in No. 4. The Assistant Surgeon, Armed Constabulary, to Lieut.-Colonel Lyon. Sir,— Hamilton, May 17th, IS7I. Having, according to instructions, visited yesterday the camp of No. 3 Eoad Party, at work in the swamp at Mangapiko, beyond Bangiaowhia, 1 have the honor to report that I found the men suffering much from rheumatism, catarrh, and diarrhoea, the effect of exposure to so much wet; and I cannot but think that a continuance of such work in the winter season would act very injuriously upon their health. I would, therefore, recommend that it be discontinued for the present. I have, &c, Lieut.-Colonel Lyon, J. Caret, Commanding Waikato District, Assistant-Surgeon, A.C. Hamilton.

Enclosure 2 in No. 4. REPORT of SURVEY and WORKS from 8th MARCH TO 30th APRIL.

6 a 5 o. o i | 5 a. % £ a — >. > P-i 0 a o no P, -— o bo .9 E o ~_2 to 2 O d 6 3 O • .3 . • ■3 a c o a's s's •- so S i_ M o O -I <3 o --■> i i-J a 8 5 O ■S id o U o a, -^> CO o Q «> CD -3 E aw S <u '& c w ■ M Q -j C3 — ?-> i c a CD '7. g B ft. H W at C3 J8 o 3 _> H 4 C_> d ft «fl .-_ an _. ■o _> P. a. T3 £ s. d. £ s. d, £ s. d. £ s. d. Rangiaowhia to Cambridge 30 0 22 15 14 18 0 110 16 0 125 14 0 4 3 9F| 2 16 li I r 2 16 il 3 41J Hamilton to Ohaupo 58 o! 46 31 IS 17 13 6 145 2 0 162 15 6 Ohaupo to Alexandra 100 79; 34_ 23 4 6 186 2 0 209 6 6 25 4 7. 16 5 64 19 Hamilton to Cambridge ... 60 0 26 128 20 13 6 5 0 63 18 0 70 3 0 248 79 311 76 62 1 0 505 18 0 567 19 0 !2 5 8 Total E: :pend: iture, inclusive of everything, £609 9s. ljd. "William C. Lyon, Lieut, Commanding V -Colonel, Waikato District.

BY ARMED CONSTABULARY.

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GrENEBAL BeIIARKS. In the Report of Surveys and Works for the months of March and April, the charge against the Public Works Department for officers superintending was only calculated at half daily pay for the Ist class Sub-Inspector, according to instructions, (see extract attached and marked C) ; but owing to a subsequent memorandum from Armed Constabulary office, (see copy E attached) a supplementary estimate will be sent in for 2s. 6d. extra pay per diem, for one Inspector, and one Ist class Sub-Inspector for fifty-four days, on which they were employed, and one 2nd class Sub-Inspector for twenty-one days. The work shown, except in the case of the Eangiaowhia and Cambridge road, has consisted chiefly of repairs to already existing roads. The roads, have not as a rule, been regularly made: but are simply surveyor's lines, opened up by traffic and use. Their re-formation and improvement, require nearly as much labour as the absolute construction of new roads. The comparatively large cost per chain, shewn in the schedule, (average £2 us. 8d ) is duo to the fact that the worst places on these roads, such as almost impassable swamps, steep cuttings, &c, have been chosen first for repair, in order to facilitate immediate traffic. The Eangiaowhia and Cambridge road, with the exception of the first twenty-five chains, runs through the Moana Tua Tua swamp. Great difficulties are encountered in the drainage work, as the swamp, formerly a Matai forest, is full of burnt timber, and requires the use of axe and adze, as much as spade and shovel. In the column shewing lengths of road authorised and surveyed, only those portions actually requiring repair are shown. In the column of cuttings—-the one that occurs between Ohaupo and Alexandra, has been made a width at base of twelve feet. This piece of work was an improvement on an already commenced cutting, and the dimensions could not have been increased, without a great additional expense. The culvert shown in No. 1 piece of work was a bo/ one, formed of two inch Eimu planking ; the remaining four were formed of rough logs. No contract work has been entered into at all in this district. Owing to the difference in the number of actual working days, and the days for which half daily pay is charged, the total amount of labor pay will not be represented by calculation of the average number employed at 4s. per diem for given number of days. In estimating the cost of each piece of work, the pay for officers, and the incidental expenses, have not been considered, as is was impossible to fairly apportion the share to each piece; but they are shown separately and estimated in total cost of works in Waikato district. I have, &c., William: C. Lton, Lieut.-Colonel, Commanding Waikato District.

No. 5. The Hon. Defence Minister to Inspector Roberts. (Telegram) Napier, 17th May, 1871. Befoee you leave Taupo, you will have the goodness to report fully on the progress of roads in your district, giving the names of the officers who have displayed the most zeal and earnestness in promoting road works, and those who have not done so. Donald McLean.

No. 6. Inspector Bobeets to the Hon. the Defence Minister. Sib,— Tauranga, 25th May, 1871. In answer to your telegram asking me to report on the progress of roads in Taupo, together with the zeal displayed by the different officers, I have the honor to report, since my assuming command of the Taupo District in October, 18G9, that more or less, after establishing posts, the Armed Constabulary have been employed in forming new roads or improving the old ones. The road beginning at Tapuaeharuru, as far as three or four miles beyond Eunanga, is now what may be termed a good cart road, but owing to the heavy bush and broken nature of the country to Tarawera, was progressing slowly from Te Haroto, what formerly was the worst part of the road is now very greatly improved. The new line of road is now available for carts five or sis miles, but no weather would obstruct the traffic from Tapuaeharuru to Te Horoto, unless a severe fresh in the Waipunga, which requires bridging. Beyond Te Haroto, towards Napier, up to the time of my leaving, only contract men had been employed, and as I have not travelled the road for more than four months, I am not in a position to report what state it is in ; but can only judge by the way supplies of all kinds have cheapened, together with the number of people that make use of tli6 road, that there must be a great change for the better. I may say what was formerly considered a great undertaking, such as a journey to Napier, and from thence to the East Coast, in fact, within the last nine months, the journey from Taupo, and even from there onward to the East Coast to Tauranga, is merely a matter of distance with the traveller, and not obstacles as formerly. The exact amount of work done by the Armed Constabulary I cannot state until I have my papers from Taupo, but exclusive of the roads, it must be taken into consideration, that the men of the force have been employed in making and fencing paddocks at all the different posts, as well as putting up their respective barracks. Bush land where available, on account of its being of a better quality, was used in preference to the open country, and required being stumped before it could be ploughed, which 2

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CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS

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took up a great deal of time and labor. By next season I think that there will be more than sufficient grass at all the stations for Government purposes ; and, consequently, the large expenditure of forage hitherto found necessary will be greatly reduced. Owing to the large amount of building at the various posts and permanent improvements, work apparently of a trivial but still necessary nature, which required to have been done in season and would have been necessary in establishing a new district, I have not been able to employ as many men on road works as I should have wished to have done. In reply to the second part of your telegram, regarding the zeal shewn by the different officers, I can really make no distinction between them ; all have shewn themselves willing and anxious to further all public works according as they have been directed. I have, &c, The Hon. D. M'Lean, J. M. Koberts, Inspector, Napier. Commanding Tauranga District.

No. 7. The Hon. Defence Minister to Inspector Scannell. (Telegram) Napier, 30th May, 1871. I want to know from time to time who the officers are that display the most zeal and assiduity in carrying on roads and public works in the Taupo district; and, also, the names of non-commissioned officers and men who display a particular aptitude for such duties. Cases where any disinclination is shown to carry on such works should be at once reported. Donald M'Lean.

No. 8. Inspector Scannell to Hon. Defence Miniseee. (Telegram) Taupo, May 31, 1871. Telegram of 30th instant received. Instructions will be attended to. Sub-Inspectors Gudgeon, O'Halloran, Northcroft and Morrison, are in charge of road parties. Very difficult to particularise any as shewing more zeal than the other where all are attentive. Sub-Inspector Gudgeon very zealous. Noa-cornmissioned officers or men not likely to show disinclination to work as it is very popular. J. Scannell, Inspector Armed Constabulary.

No. 9. The Hon. Defence Minister to Lieut.-Colonel Moule. Sir,— _ Napier, May 31st, 1871. I have the honor to enclose a circular, copies of which, as well as of those of the confidential memorandum also accompanying, you will have the goodness to forward to each Inspector or Sub-Inspector in charge of a district. The reports therein called for, will come through you, and as it is not intended that they should be tutile, you will in each case forward them to me, with your remarks upon them. I have, Ac, Lieut.-Colonel Moule, Donald M'Lean. Commanding Armed Constabulary, Wellington.

Enclosure 1 in No. 9. CIBCULAB. The state of tranquility which the country now enjoys, and which renders unnecessary in the field the duties of the Colonial Forces, is at the same time one which will test the component parts of the Armed Constabulary. It has invariably been found that the number of occasions on which troops have actually confronted the enemy, bears no comparison to the time employed in preparations for the event In various armies, these preparations have differed ; but those have been the best, and have ensured the greatest certainty of success, which have accustomed the force to habits of self-reliance, and have inured its individual members to withstand the toils and privations of a campaign, from the first outset of hostilities. To be of any use, a small force must be thoroughly efficient, and, especially in NewZealand, efficiency implies bodily vigour, enabling its possessor to make long or hasty marches through .a difficult country. The late wars in Europe have added to the numerous proofs that the army which, marches best has in itself the elements of victory. Scattered about this country, as are the Armed Constabulary, in remote posts, idleness and listlessness, when indulged in, and allowed to prevail, would lead to habits incapacitating individuals from responding to any sudden call for serious hard work ; and it is with a view of attaining a two-fold object, that the Armed Constabulary are employed on road duties. In the first place, they receive liberal pay for their services, and it is idle to expect that these shall be limited to fighting, if the necessity for so doing should arise. The Government expects of them

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that they shall do duty in time of peace, as well as in time of war, and lays down what that duty is. Following the example of early colonizers in other countries, the Government has entered upon an extensive system of road making, which the Armed Constabulary of all ranks are, wherever practicable, instructed to forward to the best of their ability. Of all the mistakes which are occasionally made by young soldiers, there is none greater than the belief that the use of the pick and shovel is degrading to the profession; it is a fallacy put forth by the idle and careless; and the proof that proficiency with axe and spade is a necessary adjunct to any force of armed men, is to be found over and over again in the pages of historians. In the second place, having assembled an efficient force, it is the aim of the Government to keep it in this state by preserving it in proper health, and keeping up its bodily and mental powers. The results accruing from a state of inaction at a frontier outpost are familiar to Colonial Forces, and it must be expected that men who have been shut up for months in a redoubt, without any exercise will, when called upon suddenly to take the field, and march heavily laden and without cover at night, break down under the sudden strain put upon them, with the results to themselves of impaired constitutions, and to the country of the loss of whatever their previous services may have cost, and of their absence when most urgently required for active service. Both therefore for the well being of the force itself, and for the advantage of New Zealand, the employment of the Armed Constabulary on road work is a step considered by the country at large as one of the highest importance, and one which has largely increased the favor with which the force is regarded. With a view of stimulating the exertions of every individual member in it, and of proving that it is not only in the field that merit can exhibit itself and meet with proper reward, but that diligence and zeal can be as well appeciated in times of peace, the Government have decided that notice shall be taken of energy and talent displayed on road works by individuals, just as if they had distinguished themselves in action. It must be remembered that spasmodic activity will not be recognised, but that continuous good service on whatever works members of the Armed Constabulary maybe employed, will serve as a recommendation for advancement. I have, &c, The Officer Commanding. Donaxd M'Lean.

Enclosure 2 in No. 9. Memoeandum Confidential. Officees commanding districts will, from time to time, send in to the Commissioner's office confidential reports, giving the names of officers, non-commissioned officers, and constables who display especial zeal or ability on the works on which they are employed; and vice versa, shewing those who through carelessness, laziness or incapacity, do not come up to the required standard, and whose services could in consequence be dispensed with. A report of this kind, retrospective, is to be sent in by the 30th June. Donald M'Leait. The Inspector in charge.