ARMED CONSTABULARY FORCE.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1873 Session I, H-14

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1873. NEW ZEALAND.

ARMED CONSTABULARY FORCE.

(ANNUAL REPORT OF COMMISSIONER.)

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by command of His Excellency. Tho Commissioner, Armed Constabulary Force, to the Hon. the Native Minister. Armed Constabulary. Sir, — Commissioner's Office, Wellington, 14th July, 1873. In accordance with clause No. 159 of the Armed Constabulary Regulations, I have the honor to report on the state of the Force, as to number of men, their distribution and efficiency, for the year ending 30th June, 1873. At the commencement of the last financial year, the Force consisted of 724 of all ranks. During the year, there has been an increase of 138, as shown in Table No. 2, and a decrease of 158 as per Table No. 3, leaving the strength at the close of the year 704. These are distributed as appears in Table No. 4. In this my third Annual Report, it gives me much pleasure to be again able to inform you that a marked improvement in the efficiency of the Armed Constabulary during the past year is apparent. The health of the men has been very good, and their conduct generally exemplary. The officers have been zealous in carrying out my orders, and the non-commissioned officers and constables have been active and diligent in the discharge of their several duties. The arms, accoutrements, and equipment, the condition of the horses, and the general appearance of the posts, are satisfactory. With reference to Table No. 3, it is observable that the number of men who have taken their discharge voluntarily during the year has not been so great as last year, but still the total is very considerable. I have in my previous annual reports, called attention to the only apparent remedy for this —namely, a more lengthened term of service. So long as men are not compelled by the terms of their enrolment, there are few who will be found to endure the monotony and isolation of such posts as those in the Taupo and Wairoa country for more than twelve months, which is the present period of engagement. Enclosed are reports from Officers Commanding Districts, showing a very large amount of public and tiseful works executed during the past year by the Armed Constabulary, for which great credit is due to the officers and men, and more particularly to those in the Taranaki District, for the energy and ability displayed in the erection and completion of a substantial bridge over the Urenui River, a detailed account of which will be found in Inspector Tuke's report. The bridge comprises eleven spans, is 224 feet long, and contains over 45,000 feet of the best timber, cut in the bush by members of the Armed Constabulary. On my recent visit to the Waikato District, I found three new posts had been established. The redoubts were strongly built on sites well chosen for defence, and commanding the ground between, as also the approaches from, the King country. The chain of posts on the frontier, together with a regular system of connected patrols along tho confiscated boundary line, seems to have given confidence to the settlers, all of whom have remained on their farms, and, from inquiries made, they were in no way alarmed or uneasy. The report of Inspector Broham, in charge of the Auckland Police District, is deserving of serious consideration. It is manifest that the number of men provided for by the Provincial authorities is utterly inadequate for the proper discharge of the important duties required of them ; and considering the large population and extent of country over which their operations extend, the success which has hitherto attended their exertions is creditable alike to officers and men. In the Estimates of the Armed Constabulary, recently submitted, the sum set down for the maintenance of the Auckland District for the year 1873-74, viz. £6,630 155., is the amount voted by the Provincial Council for this service for the year 1873, the periods for which provision is made by the Provincial and General Governments not being concurrent; but I w-ould earnestly recommend that the Inspector's estimate may be acted upon, and that the Provincial authorities be urged to provide for the increased expenditure involved, which only amounts to about £860. AVith regard to the crime of " specimen stealing," to which allusion is made, I have to observe that as the powers under " The Quartz Crushing Machines Regulation and Inspection Act, 1872," have been recently delegated to His Honor the Superintendent of Auckland, there is no reason to doubt that its provisions will be enforced without unnecessary delay, and that additional facilities for the suppression of this offence will be afforded thereby. I—H. 14.

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In the absence of any arrangements for the classification of prisoners in the Mount Eden Gaol, the want of a Reformatory in Auckland is much felt; and as there is a large number of juvenile delinquents, the establishment of such an institution would certainly be followed there, as in other places, with satisfactory results. In connection with " The Arms Act, 1569," tho small force set apart under Inspector Thomson for giving effect to its provisions has had great difficulties to contend against, as the knowledge that special attention was directed to offences against the Act naturally caused the utmost caution to be observed by offenders. Nevertheless, in two out of the three cases which were brought to light during the past year, convictions were obtained, and heavy sentences passed on the accused. The services of this branch of the force have not, however, been exclusively confined to the detection of offences under the Arms Act alone, but have been extended to the suppression of crime generally, by which means the perpetrators of several grave offences have been brought to justice. I attach more importance, however, to the certainty that the illegal traffic in arms and ammunition has diminished since the existence of a force specially set apart for its prevention became known. I attach the report of Captain Stack, the Officer Commanding the Depot, and Instructor of Musketry of Armed Constabulary. He observes upon the annual training, and points out tho improvement in the shooting of the Force, as evidenced by the five following facts : — 1. That the figure of merit is higher than it was last year. 2. That there are a greater number of marksmen this year than last, though the strength of the Force is somewhat less. 3. That the shooting of winners of Armed Constabulary Prizes (20 men) was throughout better than last year. 4. That the number of men qualified for representatives at the Colonial Prize Firing was nearly three times what it has hitherto been. 5. That of the representatives there were more winners of prizes at the Colonial Meeting, one mounted sergeant coming within two points of tho score of tho Cavalry Champion for the year. This officer has carried on the duty of training and disciplining the recruits at the Depot well, expeditiously, and to my entire satisfaction. In concluding this report, I would venture to say that, should the services of tho Armed Constabulary bo required in the field, judging from their training and character, they will be found an efficient and reliable Force. I have, &c, W. Moule, Lieut.-Colonel, Tho Hon. the Native Minister. Commissioner A.C. Force.

/Enclosure 1. Inspector Lyon to the Commissioner, Armed Constabulary Force. Sir, — Head Quarters, Cambridge, 16th June, 1873. In accordance with instructions contained in Circulars No. 122 and 47, I have the honor to submit the following report for the information of the Hon. the Native Minister: —■ Military Duties. Average Strength. —The average strength of the Armed Constabulary Force in Waikato District from the Ist June, 1872, to 31st May, 1873, was 7 officers and 140 non-commissioned officers and constables. Parades and Drills. —The usual Divine service and heavy marching order parades were held at each station during the year. When the men were in quarters during the winter months, their time was occupied from 9 a.m. till 4 p.m. in Company and Light Infantry drill, and station fatigues. In addition, the whole force iv the district was put through the annual course of musketry instruction. Patrols. —Parties of the Armed Constabulary, consisting each of 1 sergeant and 5 constables, from Orakau and Kihi Kihi, patrolled from an hour before until an hour after daylight the banks of Puniu River on tho frontier line outside all settlements, meeting at the Tokanui Ford. These patrols were commenced on the 25th April. Small bodies of the Te Awamutu and Cambridge Volunteer Cavalry Corps have been employed patrolling in front of their respective districts. Mails and Despatches. —From the 20th June, 1872, to the 21st December, 1872, a weekly mail between Hamilton, Te Awamutu, and Alexandra, was carried by a trooper of the Armed Constabulary, but was discontinued on Mr. Quick taking the mail contract. Despatches have been conveyed by the mounted men of the force from head-quarters to out-stations, and vice versa. Escorts and Guards.- —Escorts have only been needed for the conveyance to Auckland Gaol of prisoners sentenced to imprisonment by the Resident Magistrate, except on one occasion, when ammunition for the Te Awamutu Cavalry A'olunteers was sent from Alexandra to Kihi Kihi. A guard of honor consisting of 1 officer, 4 non-commissioned officers, and 50 constables was in attendance on His Excellency the Governor during his stay in Ngaruawahia, in the month of March, 1872. Night guards were mounted at all the frontier stations when there were men available for the purpose. Target Banges. —New rifle ranges, 1,000 yards in length, with the necessary butts and mantlets, were made at Alexandra and Ngaruawahia Stations, but in the latter the distance beyond 600 yards has not been marked off. Telegraph Linemen. —Two members of the Armed Constabulary Force are employed at the present time, one at Cambridge and the other at Alexandra. Occasional assistance has been afforded to the Telegraph Department in repairing the lines when out of order.

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Issuers and Storekeepers. —One sergeant of the Armed Constabulary acts as storekeeper to the force, to issue on requisition. Erection of Bedoubts and Stockades. —When I forwarded my last report, the redoubt at Alexandra was in course of erection, and was finished on the 3rd October, 1872. The length of time occupied in building this work w ras caused by the small number of men available for this duty the majority of the force being employed on road work, and undergoing their annual course of musketry instruction. A bastioned redoubt at Rotorangi (an island in the Moanatuatua Swamp, about eight miles from Cambridge and one mile off the New Swamp Road between Cambridge and Rangiaowhia) was commenced on the 23rd May, 1873, and finished on the 12th June, 1873. An average of 20 men was employed during that time. This work is now garrisoned by 28 men (all ranks), and is capable on emergency of holding from 60 to 70 men. Great credit is duo to the officer in command, Major and Sub-Inspector Clare, and the non-commissioned officers and constables, for the rapidity with which the redoubt was completed, as well as the excellence of the work put in. It is built of couchgrass sods, and there is reason to believe it will last for a length of time. Another redoubt, overlooking two of the fords of the Puniu River, on a hill half-way between Kihi Kihi and Alexandra and about three miles from Te Aw ramutu, is in course of erection by the Native Contingent under Sub-Inspector Tregear. On my last visit there I was much pleased with the amount of work performed and the manner in which it was done. A redoubt 50 feet by 50 feet, with two flanking angles, has been erected at Kihi Kihi. Other redoubts are in progress, a report of which will be forwarded on completion, together with plans showing the construction and relative positions. Civil Duties. —One or more constables have been specially appointed at each station for the prevention of crime and detection of criminals. The Resident Magistrate's Courts at Hamilton, Cambridge, Alexandra, and Ngaruawahia is attended by a member of the force, who acts as clerk, issues summonses, &c. The same duties are also performed for the Coroner of the district when required. Members of the Armed Constabulary were employed in the month of March taking the agricultural statistics of tho district in accordance with instructions. Useful Works. —At Alexandra, the graves of the soldiers of the Imperial army who fell in action at Wai-iri were enclosed with a bank and ditch and paling fence. The officers' quarters were repaired, and the old barracks, with detached kitchen, pulled down and removed into the redoubt. The new barracks are well on towards completion, and are commodious and comfortable, being lined and ceiled throughout. There are six large rooms capable of accommodating 14 men, but only one (the largest), 24 x 21 feet, is at present in use as a room by the men, it being sufficient for the garrison not including non-commissioned officers. No. 2 room, non-commissioned officers ; No. 3 room, surgery and sick ward ; No. 4 room, temporary magazine ; No. 5 room, empty; No. 6 room, readingroom. A brick chimney with double flue has been built, one fire-place in the reading-room, and the other in room No. 5. A kitchen has been built with two rooms —one for cooking range, and the other a large dining-room, with tables for thirty men to sit at one time. The fresh timber,. &c, required for re-erection of barracks, &c, amounts to 14,150 feet and 48,000 shingles, all cut and split by the Armed Constabulary Force. At Cambridge tho works during the year have been limited in extent, owing to the small number of men at disposal in the station. At Kihi Kihi, during the last twelve months, barrack accommodation has been erected. The building is 30 feet by 30 feet, with 10 feet studs, divided into four rooms, viz.,— One sleeping-room, 30 feet x 15 feet; One with brick chimney, 20 feet x 15 feet; One for non-commissioned officer, 10 feet x 7 feet; One for library, 10 feet X 7 feet. The old quarters have been converted into stables, 30 feet x 16 feet, with four stalls and a forage-room. A magazine 8 feet x 6 feet, with 5-feet studs, has been built in one of the flanking angles of the redoubt, of timber and galvanized iron. A flagstaff 46 feet high has been erected. Barracks and officers' quarters have been thoroughly painted at Orakau. The blockhouse at this station, besides being painted, has been repaired, re-blocked, and stayed ; also the palisading strengthened by another row of posts. A well 60 feet deep has been sunk inside the palisading, which affords a good supply of water. Substantial windlasses and well-heads have been provided for Kihi Kihi and Orakau. At Hamilton new blocks were cut and placed under the barracks and Government offices. A brick chimney has been built in the barracks. A magazine built of timber and galvanized iron has been erected on the hill behind the Government Offices, and a small earthwork, with two flanking angles, was built around it. A gymnasium 40 feet by 20 feet, with 12-feet studs, containing 8,000 feet timber and 13,000 shingles, is nearly finished; but in consequence of head-quarters being removed to Cambridge, only one carpenter has been left to complete it. A building for a mess-room, attached to the kitchen, has been built. At Ngaruawahia no work has been executed except the ordinary station fatigues. Public Works. —The return of works done by the Armed Constabulary in this district, under the Public Works Department, is shown in attached return, furnished by the Resident Engineer. Bemarks. —l have much pleasure in stating that the principal work of the Armed Constabulary during the past year —namely, that of road making —has been performed in a most satisfactory manner, and I think I may venture to assert that it is much appreciated by the settlers. The road across the Moanatuatua Swamp is completed so far as its formation, though as yet it is only partially gravelled. Great credit is due to the men of the force employed on this work.

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The number of offences committed has been but few, and of no serious nature. Those men, however, who have misconducted themselves and proved to be useless and unworthy to be in the ranks of the Armed Constabulary, have, on my request to the Commissioner, been discharged. The health of the men has been very good. No sickness to mention. A Rifle Association has been formed during the past year ; it is much to be encouraged, as it materially tends to the improvement of the shooting. The members of the force also subscribe to a library of their own for the purchase of books, periodicals, newspapers, &c. I have, &c, AVilliam C. Lyon, Inspector A.C., The Commissioner, Lieut.-Colonel, Commanding Waikato District. Armed Constabulary Force, Wellington. Return of Work done by Armed Constabulary Road Parties in the Waikato District, from 31st May, 1872, to 31st May, 1873. Hamilton West. —Earthwork, 2,527 cubic yards ; forming, 53 chains ; fascines, 1,320. Hamilton East.' —Earthwork, 561 cubic yards ; forming, 6050 chains. Hamilton and Cambridge Boad. —Earthwork, 906 cubic yards ; forming, 313 chains ; two culverts (brush) made and others laid. Moanatuatua Swamp Boad. —s9'Bo chains 7-feet drain widened from 2 feet to 5 feet; 475 chains 7' X 4' 6" drain dug; 1825 chains 3' X 2' drain dug; 725 chains 2' X 2' drain dug; 1,700 fascines cut and carried 100 yards; 22 chains fascining; 1250 chains fascines laid; 90 chains turf spread; 94 chains sand spread; 15 chains tail-race 2' 0" x 3' dug; culvert 15' X 7' 6" made. Alexandra and Whata Whata Boad. —Earthwork, 3,153 cubic yards; forming, 71 chains ; fascines, 400. Ngaruawahia and Whata Whata Boad. —Earthwork, 1,543 cubic yards ; forming, 36 chains ; wings &c. fixed Ohote Creek Bridge, valued at £5. Ngaruawahia Ferry. —Earthwork, 1,369 cubic yards ; fascines, 250. Ngaruawahia and Hamilton Boad. —Earthwork, 320 cubic yards ; forming, 39 chains. Taupiri Gorge, Great South Boad. —Earthwork, 563 cubic yards. Tamahere and Cambridge Boad. —Levelling, 324 chains. Hamilton and Ohaupo Boad. —Earthwork, 2,548 cubic yards; forming, 8 chains. Cambridge Bridge. —Sinking holes in rock for bridge repairs, &c, valued at £3 Bs. Armed Constabulary of all ranks employed on roads, Waikato District, from 31st May, 1572, till 31st May, 1873, varied from 22 to 83; average throughout, 59. W. H. Clarke, Resident Engineer, Waikato.

Enclosure 2. Inspector Tuke to the Commissioner, Armed Constabulary Force. Sic, — Armed Constabulary District Office, Taranaki, 31st May, 1873. I have tho honor, in compliance with your Circular Memorandum of the 21st ultimo, and in terms of Circular 47, of the sth June, 1871, to forward a report of the various duties performed by the Armed Constabulary Force in the district under my command during the past year. Military Duties. Average Strength. —The average strength during the year has been 82, all ranks. Parades and Drills. —In addition to the regular parades, the force has been exercised in company and light-infantry drill'as often as practicable throughout the year. The major part of tho force has also been put through the usual course of musketry, with an improvement on last year's results. Patrols, Scouts, Sfc— The telegraph station south of Okato is frequently visited by a patrol from that station. There is no other established patrol. Most of the mounted men and a large proportion of the foot, having a good knowledge of the country, could act as scouts if required. Conveyance of Mails, Sfc. — Communication as hitherto is systematically maintained in all weathers with all stations north of head-quarters twice a week, and south of the town once a week —special orderlies being employed to bring news or despatches of any importance to the District Office, for transmission to the seat of Government. Escorts, Guards, Sfc. —Escorts continue to be furnished from the mounted or foot portion of the force whenever required. Guards are regularly mounted as heretofore at all stations or posts where considered necessary. Target Banges. —A new range 750 yards long, and capable of extension to 1,000 yards, has been cleared at Pukearuhe Station, and tho usual butts and platforms erected. The old range till lately in use at New Plymouth has been much improved, and a new range, 650 yards, in a much safer position, is now completed. Issuers, Storekeepers, Sfc. —At head-quarters, the District Clerk still continues to act as issuer of clothing, librarian, &c. At the Front, or Pukearuhe Station, the contractors have a person in their own employ at present acting in that capacity. Erection of Bedoubls and Stockades. —A new and'strong redoubt has been erected at Pukearuhe. The old redoubt at Wai-iti has been reduced in size, to accommodate a few men in charge of stores, horses, paddock, &c.; and all other posts have been kept iv good repair. Civil Duties. Prevention of Crime. —The assistance of the Armed Constabulary has not been required during the year in aid of the civil power. Parties were however detailed to assist in preserving order at race meetings, &c, if called on.

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Taking Census, Sfc. —The agricultural statistics of the Province have been collected by members of the force. Public and Useful Works. Nature and Extent of Boad Works. —About 27 chains of road, 20 feet wide, has been formed on the south approach to the camp at Pukearuhe. In its construction about 1,000 cubic yards of earth were removed. Seven chains of cutting have been repaired on the road between Wai-iti and Pukearuhe, and a bridle-track of about 16 chains cleared and formed, to facilitate communication between the two stations. About one chain of road has been repaired between the Papatiki Stream and Native settlement at Wai-iti, and the bridge over that stream and its approaches have been put in order. A track of about 1,000 yards has been cut, leading from the stream below the Pukearuhe redoubts to the top of a leading spur on the nearest range, intersecting old Native tracks, and about 150 yards of steps cut to the stream from the redoubt. Building Bridges and Culverts. —A substantial bridge has been built by order of the Hon. the Defence Minister over the Drenui River. This bridge is 224 feet long, with a roadway of 12 feet, and stands 6 feet above the highest freshets Or spring tides. Over 45,000 feet of the best procurable timber, as puriri, matai, andrimu, sawn by members of the Armed Constabulary, were used in its construction. The piles, 10 inches square, and of great length, are driven some distance into the bed rock ; iv fact, the original lengths were found too short, for a 24-foot pile w ras driven to low watermark on the cast bank before tho rock was penetrated. The bridge comprises eleven spans, eight of 15 feet and three of 20 feet, the latter spanning tho centre or deepest part of the river. In procuring suitable timber, great difficulty was experienced, necessitating over twenty pits and the construction of 327 chains of road, of which 110 chains were through bush, and the remainder through swamp and fern. In addition, 17y chains of side-cutting were necessary, and 4 chains of raupo swamp were bridged over with fern and earth. The western approach necessitated the removal of 3,750 yards of earth, and on the eastern side of the bridge tho road has been considerably repaired. This bridge has for some time been open for traffic. Building Houses, Stables, Sfc. —A strong redoubt has been built at Pukearuhe, with flanking towers and raised bastions, commanding the interior. In its construction about 2,630 yards of earth were removed, and large quantities of fern and sods cut and carried to the site of the redoubt. A barrack room containing about 23,000 feet of timber has been built in New Plymouth by members of the force, and awaits transport to the front. Twenty-three whares up to tho present time have been built at the front, in most instances with Native assistance. An officers' mess-house, a wharo used as a reading-room, a canteen, and storeroom, have been built. A large mess-whare and reading-room, and new cook-houses, &c, are now in course of erection. 3,500 feet of timber, sawn by members of the force at Pukearuhe, were used for different purposes of this nature. At AVai-iti a five-stall bush stable was built during the year. Also, at the same station, a whare 24 x 18 feet has been built for the accommodation of the men.. The barracks at Marsland Hill, and quarters at Mount Elliot, and grounds, have been kept in thorough repair during the year. Fencincf Paddocks and Laying Down in Grass. —At Wai-iti, eight chains of ditch and bank fencing between that station and the Native settlement were repaired, but owing to the removal of camp not proceeded with. In addition, the necessary repairs to all fencing in the district have been performed, and the paddocks kept in order, cleared of docks, &c. Erecting and Bepairing Telegraph Lines, and Building Sea Walls. —No works of this nature have been carried on during the year by any members of the force in this district. Remarks. I have the honor to report favourably on the state of this district for the past year. Since my last report, eight men have been discharged at their own request; one dismissed the service for misconduct; and three transferred for duty to other districts. In addition to these, a party consisting of one officer, two sergeants, and twenty-eight men have been transferred for duty to Waikato. During the past year, as many men as could possibly be spared from garrison duties have been employed on public and useful works ; and owing to the removal of the camp from Wai-iti to Pukearuhe, the erection of new earthworks at that place, and the numerous buildings and fatigues incidental on the change of a permanent camp, tho whole of the dismounted portion of the force has been busily employed for the last twelve months. Equally important with the erection of these necessary works, under the immediate supervision of Sub-Inspectors Goring and Rowan, has been the bridge built under the direction of Captain Messenger and his detachment of Armed Constabulary, To this officer and his party great credit is due for the energy and ability they displayed in that important work. It will be readily understood by the Commissioner that such works as these must to a considerable extent interfere with drill, as it would be most inconvenient to take the men from their present employment, and mass them for that purpose. No opportunity has, however, been lost to make the force acquainted with its military duties ; and the public benefit derived from such work as the bridge above alluded to will compensate in a very great degree for any slight deficiency in that respect. The Commissioner, in a former report, has alluded to the desirability of enlisting men for a longer service than twelve months. This year, the subject has been prominently brought under my notice; and I am of opinion that were men enlisted for a longer period, and, in consequence, likely to be longer

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together, far more esprit de corps would exist than at present, joining, as many of them now do, from necessity, and simply to recruit their finances, and leaving, or at liberty to leave, just as they become efficient. Much stress is laid, by persons imperfectly acquainted with the force, on the absolute necessity for more marching out and regular bush work. However desirable this may be, it must be borne in mind that with so small a force in garrison it would be imprudent still further to weaken it by detaching parties for that purpose. Constant exercise has an almost equally salutary effect, as far as physique is concerned ; and in this, and no doubt in all other districts, there are many experienced bushmen. In conclusion, I have the honor to state that the general conduct of the force in this district has been exceedingly good; and both officers, non-commissioned officers, and men zealous and diligent in the performance of their several duties. I have, &c, The Commissioner, Arthur Tuke, Armed Constabulary Force, Wellington. Inspector A.C. Force, Taranaki.

Enclosure 3. Inspector Turner to the Commissioner, Armed Constabulary Force. Sic, — Armed Constabulary District Office, Patea, 11th June, 1873. In compliance with the instructions contained in Circular No. 47,1 have tho honor to forward my report on tho duties performed by the Armed Constabulary Force in this district from Ist June, 1872, to 31st May, 1873 :— Military Duties. Average Strength of Officers and Men in District. —One inspector, 3 sub-inspectors, 1 assistantsurgeon, and 75 non-commissioned officers and constables. Nature of Parades and Drills. — Divine service and marching order parades once a week, periodical drills, mounted and foot. Patrolling and Scouting. —Mounted constables occasionally perform patrol duties throughout the district, and almost constant communication exists between the several stations. Carrying Mails and Despatches. —Mounted orderlies from Waihi attend regularly twice a week at Hawera for conveyance of mail; they also have frequently carried despatches to and from AVaihi and Patea, and to other stations. Cobb and Co.'s coach carries a bi-weekly mail from AVanganui as far as Hawera in this district. Escorts, Guards, Sfc. —Mounted orderlies have been in attendance on Ministers and heads of Departments during their visit to tho district. Foot constables, employed as police, have escorted civil prisoners to Patea or New Plymouth for trial from various parts of the district, and on one occasion a constable escorted a prisoner from Wanganui to Auckland. A twenty-four hours' guard of 1 non-commissioned officer and 3 constables is posted daily at AVaihi; at Hawera, Manutahi, Wairoa, and Waitotara a flying sentry is always on duty. Making and Improving Target Banges. —At Patea and Waihi occasional improvements, such ,as clearing, &c, have been made to the target range and butts. Three new iron targets have been supplied to the force at Waihi Station. Telegraph Linemen. —One mounted constable is kept in readiness to act as lineman when his services are required. Issuers, Storekeepers, Sfc. —One foot constable has been employed as assistant in Government Store, Patea, throughout the year. Erection of Bedoubts and Stockades. —No new work of this nature has been performed. The stockade at AVaihi, and redoubts at other stations, have undergone occasional repairs. Civil Duties. Steps taken for the Prevention of Crime. —One constable has been employed on police duty in the townships of Carlyle and Hawera. At the other stations, except Wanganui, members of the force are always available for police duty. The cases of crime in the district throughout the year numbered 23 arrests. Civil cases, 92, heard by Bench. Two mounted constables were employed in November, 1872, at AVanganui, in searching for evidence in the case of the burning of the Kai-iwi Bridge by the Natives. Attending Civil Courts.— At the monthly sittings of the Resident Magistrate's Court, Carlyle, members of the force have always been in attendance. A non-commissioned officer is employed as clerk to the Court. On 13th January, 1873, Matthew Carey, of Patea, was committed for trial at the Supreme Court, New Plymouth, for larceny. Sergeant McKay, who apprehended him, and Foot Constable Buckley as police witness, attended the Court; the latter conveyed the prisoner to goal, and awaited trial for two months. Taking Census.— Mounted Sergeant King was employed taking agricultural statistics from Patea to Wanganui, and Mounted Constable Black, from Patea to Waingongoro. Public and Useful Works. Nature and Extent of Boad Works. —A new road has been formed from Waihi in the direction of Hawera, of about 12 chains, depth of cutting 5 feet, average width 21 feet. A road has been formed within the Waihi Camp, about 6| chains. Building Bridges and Culverts. —A bridge over the Waihi Stream, on the new road, has been built of matai, —length, 29 feet; span, 15 feet. Also three culverts on the same road, 25 feet long.

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Building Houses, Stables, Sfc. —The buildings at the various stations have been kept in repair: the barrack-room at Patea has been ceiled and partitioned ; at Waitotara, a comfortable whare has been erected for the accommodation of the three men at that station; at AVaihi, a library-room has been erected by Armed Constabulary labour 43 x 14, and a room 14 xl 2 partitioned off. Part of the material for this building had been sawn by Armed Constabulary at AVaihi; the whares at that station have required re-thatching and other repairs. Fencing Paddocks and laying down in Grass —At Patea, the Government paddock of 14 acres has required constant repairs to the fence of posts and rails erected in 1869, and a large portion of it has been put up entirely of new material. At Hawera, a 5-acre paddock enclosing the blockhouse is being fenced in. At Waihi, 19 chains of post and two rails with ditch and bank fence have been put up on southwest side of Government paddocks, 7 chains of which are post and rails only, the material used is split by the Armed Constabulary in the bush near AVaihi, and is of matai timber. The paddock fence at Patea has been renovated by material supplied from Waihi. A paddock at Waihi, 6J acres, was cross ploughed and harrowed and sown in oats. The crop was saved for hay. This paddock is now sown with grass seed. A 4J-aere paddock was also sown with oats, of which the crop was destroyed by wet after being cut. A paddock of 7 acres at Waihi has been sown with grass after fern was burnt off. A small paddock at Patea has been ploughed, harrowed, and sown with grass, after having been levelled as much as possible with the view of improving it as a parade ground. Erecting and Bepairing Telegraph Lines.' —One mounted constable has been employed almost exclusively by the Telegraph Department throughout the year. Bemarks. —Several duties not comprised under the various headings already mentioned have been performed by members of the Armed Constabulary Force in this district. The Infantry portion went through a course of musketry instruction at AVaihi, under Sergeant-Major (since Sub-Inspector) Hackett. One non-commissioned officer is employed as Armed Constabulary district clerk, and one non-commissioned officer as Militia clerk and drill instructor. Two mounted sergeants are drill instructors to the Volunteer Cavalry in tho district. One foot constable has been employed since March last as clerk to Captain Wray, Acting Confiscated Lands Commissioner, Government Storekeeper &c. Five foot constables were detailed for duty on Government Survey parties in tho district in March last. One foot constable (half-caste) acts,as Maori interpreter at Patea, when required. This district furnished a Cavalry representative at the Government Prize Firing in Nelson this year, who came within two points of the championship ; it also secured three out of the fifteen prizes given annually by the General Government to the Armed Constabulary Force throughout the Island. This year has seen the return of the Natives of the Pakakohe Hapu, with their chief Tauroa, from Dunedin Gaol, to their old settlements in this district, at Mokoia, Manutahi, Otoia, Hukatere and Oika. The number of Natives now living in and travelling through the district is considerably increased since last year, but as yet no serious complaints have been made against any of them by the settlers or others. With regard to the state of the district, its prospects, &c, they are improving gradually. Several new settlers have occupied their lands, and the increase of cultivation and iv the numbers of stock is very marked. The sale of Government land in the AVhenuakura Block, of 5,000 acres, on 10th April last, which realized over £12,000, proves the estimation in which land in this district is held, and also the security against war felt by those who were purchasers. Another sale of 10,000 acres takes place this month, which promises to be equally successful. Many of the members of the Armed Constabulary Force under my command have expressed a desire to purchase land on deferred payments by deductions from their pay, which I have reported to you, and which seems worthy of consideration by the Government. In conclusion, I would remark that the appearance and conduct of the men in this district has, with few exceptions (since dismissed) been most satisfactory. I have, &c, H. V. Turner, Major, The Commissioner, Inspector A.C. Force, Commanding Wanganui Armed Constabulary Force, AVellington. and Patea District.

Enclosure 4. Inspector Pitt to the Commissioner, Armed Constabulary Force. Sir,— Ormond, 31st May, 1873. In compliance with Circular Memorandum No. 122, dated Wellington, 21st April. 1873, I have the honor to forward the following report of the duties performed by the Armed Constabulary in this district for the year ending 31st May, 1873 : — Military Duties. Average Strength of Officers and Men. —One inspector, 1 sub-inspector, 1 sergeant-major, 2 sergeants, 6 mounted constables, 20 foot constables. Nature of Parades and Drills. —Divine service parade at 11 a.m. every Sunday; parade in marching order every Saturday (weather permitting) ; aud drill with arms and accoutrements in squad, company, and skirmishing drill and rifle exercise. On the Bth July, 1872, a parade was held at Gisborne, for the purpose of presenting the New Zealand Cross for valour to George Hill, formerly a constable in the Armed Constabulary. The parade consisted of all the Militia, Volunteers, and Con-

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stabuiary in the district. The annual course of musketry was commenced on the 22nd October, and finished 21st November. Every man in the district was put through the course. Conveying Mails and Despatches. —A mounted orderly is stationed at Gisborne, to convey the mails to Ormond on the arrival of each steamer. On 13th June one constable was sent to Te Wairoa with despatches ; 3rd October, one to Waiapu, orderly to Captain Porter; and on 19th March one to Te Wairoa, orderly to Colonel Gorton. Guards. —One man is detailed daily as night watchman. Making and Improving Target Banges. —The range has been considerably improved. New butts have been built. Issuers and Storekeepers. —Since Ist January a man of the Armed Constabulary has been employed as storekeeper and Militia clerk. Erection of Bedouhts and Stockades. —The redoubt at Ormond has been almost entirely rebuilt, the angles re-stockaded; and a well 38 feet was dug and slabbed, but in consequence of striking quicksands it was found impossible to get water. Two tanks, each containing 400 gallons, have been supplied, and spouting will be placed round the barracks. A fire-proof magazine has been built. Civil Duties. During the year there were 105 arrests made, 94 convictions, 10 committals to gaol, and 2 to the Supreme court. One constable is employed as clerk to the Native Department. On the 18th July, 1 sub-inspector, 1 sergeant, and 2 constables attended the Supreme Court at Napier. During the month of March, 3 men were employed in collecting agricultural statistics. Two men were employed three months surveying the Patutahi Block. Sub-Inspector Richardson is employed under the Public Works Act in supervising the various roads made under the direction of the Road Engineer. Public and Useful Works. Extent and Nature of Boad Works. —Thirty-five chains of road have been made during the year. 16 chains 43 links of an outlet drain were also cut. The roads already formed about the redoubt at Ormond have been kept in proper repair. Building Bridges Culverts, Sfc. —One culvert containing 2,250 feet of hewn timber was placed on the Ormond Road. Buildings, Houses, Sfc. —At Ormond, one barrack room, 40 feet X 18 feet, and one 20 feet X 12 feet, have been built, the timber sawn by the Armed Constabulary being about 9,000 feet, with 15,000 shingles. A second stable has been built for the use of the cart-horses. During the summer the men were employed in haymaking (but through the excessive wet only 5 tons were ricked), grass-seed cutting (132 bushels being collected), and in cutting and threshing oats (131 bushels being stored). The Armed Constabulary paddock at Ormond has been ploughed, harrowed, and laid down in grass. Remarks. The general conduct of the force during the year has been very good. During the summer, inclement weather retarded to a great extent all out-door employment. During the year, the population of the district has very considerably increased ; large runs have been taken up many miles inland ; the Natives are peaceably inclined and industrious, and at present everything'promises prosperity to the district. In conclusion, I may state that a company has been formed for working the oil-wells near Maungatu, a distance of about twenty-five miles from Gisborne ; should it be successful, it will give employment to some hundreds of men. I have, &c, The Commissioner, C. Dean Pitt, Inspector A.C., Armed Constabulary Force, Wellington. Commanding Poverty Bay District.

Enclosure 5. Inspector Cumming to the Commissioner, Armed Constabulary Force. Sic, — Armed Constabulary District Office, Te Kapu, Ist June, 1873. In compliance with Circular Memorandum No. 122, of 21st April, 1873, I have the honor to forward the following report of the duties performed by the force in this district from the Ist June, 1872, to the 31st May, 1873. Military Duties. Average Strength of Officers and Men in the District. —One inspector, 2 sub-inspectors, ,1 surgeon (attached from Militia), 7 non-commissioned officers, and 49 men. Nature of Parades and Drills. —Divine service parades on Sundays, and heavy marching order parades on Saturdays, have always been held at the various stations by the officer commanding the district, or by the officer or non-commissioned officer in charge of each post. Squad and skirmishing drills have been held weekly when the weather permitted; the mounted men have been drilled on horseback whenever a sufficient number could be got together at head-quarters. On account of there being so few men at each station, company drill has not been much attended to. The annual course of musketry was finished on the 20th March, 1873. Operations in the Field. —As Te Kooti was driven out of the district iv May, 1872, no opportunity has presented itself of doing anything under this head. Patrolling and Scouting.- —On the 4th October last, 1 sergeant and 9 constables proceeded to Clyde township to abate a Native disturbance which took place on the occasion of the Wairoa Natives

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being paid for back services prior to 1865, by S. Locke, Esq., R.M. Several of the Maoris were arrested and fined in various amounts by the Resident Magistrate. The party remained in the town patrolling regularly for some days, till the Natives had withdrawn to their homes. Conveying Mails and Despatches. —An orderly leaves Waikare Moana early every week for Te Ariki andTe Kapu, with mails and despatches from Ruatahuna, Te Teko, Galatea, Mangapowhatu, &c, returning again to the Lake on Saturday. By this means constant communication is kept up with all parts of the Urewera country except when stormy weather renders the passage across the Lake impracticable. The orderly stationed at Maru Maru carries mails and despatches to Te Kapu biweekly. Despatches to Napier have been frequent in consequence of the weekly mail not being sufficiently speedy for some services, such as the reporting the stoppage of the telegraph survey by Natives in April last, and Native affairs generally. Escorts, Guards, Sfc. —Lieut.-Colonels Gorton and St. John have had escorts from Te Kapu to the various stations in the district, and subsequently to Napier. Mr. McDonough, Government Annuities lecturer, had an orderly sent with him to Mohaka, that road being new to him. Mr. Locke, R.M., had an orderly placed at his disposal when travelling in the district. Guards are mounted as follows : —At Te Kapu, one man does duty as watchman for twenty-four hours ;at Te Ariki and Maru Maru, two men nightly; and at Onepoto, three men nightly. The man on duty at Te Kapu has to attend at certain hours at the District Office, and convey orders, &c, to the various parts of the station, report all arrivals, and keep Natives from the vicinity of the magazine and store. The services of a constable have been given to the Assistant Engineer, for superintending the operations of the Natives when using blasting powder on the roadworks, when required. Making and Improving Target Banges. —The site of the old target range at Te Kapu having been fenced in and cultivated, a new one had to be formed ; this was completed on the 17th February last. No good site could be selected on tho Te Kapu side of the river, so that one had to be chosen on the other side. Permission was obtained from the Natives, and a range up to 750 yards cut thirty feet wide through dense Manuka and other scrub. Iron targets were received from Napier on the 11th October and conveyed to the ground. At Onepoto, jthe range has been improved by reclaiming a portion of a small lake and erecting fresh marking butts. Issuers and Storekeepers. —Constable Williams still holds the appointment of sub-storekeeper for the district, and meets with the entire approval of the Inspector of Stores. No issuers are required, as the force mess themselves at each station. Erection of Bedoubts and Stockades.— At Onepoto, the redoubt has been partially levelled and reerected, a flanking angle built on the south, and the whole thoroughly repaired. The two flanking angles, one on the north and the other on the south, are so formed that they can be held by the force even if the redoubt itself were taken from them. Civil Duties. Steps taken for the Prevention of Crime. —On the 25th December last, Alexander Campbell, alias Barclay, was arrested on a charge of illegally having Government arms in his possession, with the intent to do grievous bodily harm. The case was dismissed, however, at tho Resident Magistrate's Court, the evidence being insufficient; but the weapon (a central-fire revolver) was confiscated, and forwarded to Major Withers, Napier. The same man was on the 29th December last re-arrested on another charge of having threatened the life of John Finucane, and was released at the Resident Magistrate's Court on his promising to leave the settlement forthwith. For this latter arrest, Sergeant Orbell, who followed the prisoner some considerable distance, was awarded the sum of £3 from the Constabulary Reward Fund. Excepting some minor convictions in the Resident Magistrate's Court for drunkenness, &c, nothing further has been done under this head, no occasion offering requiring the interference of the Armed Constabulary. Attending Civil Courts. —A sergeant or constable has attended the Resident Magistrate's Court whenever required by the Resident Magistrate. Public and Useful Works. Nature and Extent of Boad Works. —The majority of the roads in this district have been formed by contract or Native labour; the work performed by the force has therefore been confined to making approaches to these, and constructing pieces not provided for by contract. At Te Kapu cuttings have been made at the approaches to the ferry on the AVairoa River; about 100 yards road made and fascined between the camp and Scamperdown Creek, and the principal surveyed streets in the township of Frasertown cleared from scrub (which was growing so thick as to stop all traffic) and levelled. The tools forwarded by Major Withers for the use of the Natives working on the Te Kapu and Waikare Moana road have all been conveyed from Wairoa to Te Kapu by the force. At Wairoa, the road to the Cemetery has been improved, and that to Wereroa cleared of a large land slip which impeded traffic for some time. At Te Ariki, various portions of the old road to Te Kapu (which had to be used up to the present date) were improved, fresh cuttings formed to avoid crossing the Waiau River, and small creeks fascined. At Onepoto, 13 miles of road has been repaired between that station and Te Ariki, by clearing scrub and bush, reducing gradients, and fascining swamps ; the party working on this piece were out about a month, and encountered rough weather fully half the time. At Maru Maru, the road made by contract labour has been repaired by removing land slips in various places. Building Bridges and Culverts. —Two bridges over the Awatere Creek, on the line'of road from Wairoa to Te Kapu, having been carried away by floods); temporary bridges were erected by the 2—H. 14.

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detachment stationed at the latter place, pending the calling for fresh tenders for their re-erection by the District Engineer. A large foot bridge, 30 feet span, was thrown across a gully in the centre of the Clyde township, and a small boggy creek bridged on the opposite side of the river, close to the residence of the Resident Magistrate. A culvert was made in the piece of road before mentioned, between Te Kapu and the Scamperdown Creek. Four culverts have been made on the Te Ariki Flat by the detachment at that station. At Onepoto, the bridge over the Mangakiokio Creek, mentioned in last year's report as having been commenced, has been completed, and is acknowledged by competent judges to be the finest work of the kind in the district; the span is 60 feet, and the width 10 feet. A smaller bridge also has been built over a minor creek in the same locality. Three culverts have been built between that station and Te Ariki. Building Houses, Stables, Sfc. —At Te Kapu, a barrack room 30 x 18 feet, 9^-feet studs and 12-feet rafters, has been erected, handsomely ornamented at the gable ends, floored and painted. A district office 18 x 12 feet, 7-feet studs and 8-feet rafters, with brick chimney, and also floored and painted. These two buildings are composed of sawn kauri and shingled with kahikatea. A harness-room and tool-house under one roof, 20 X 12 feet, 6-feet studs and 8-feet rafters ; a cook-house 20 X 12 feet, 7-feet studs and 9-feet rafters, also with brick chimney ; and a public store 12 x 10 feet, 6-feet studs and 7-feet rafters. These three are built of kahikatea slabs, and shingled. A library and sergeantmajor's quarters 35 x 12 feet, 8-feet studs and B|-feet rafters, is now in course of erection, of sawn kauri. A magazine 10 x 6 feet, and 8 feet high, has been excavated in the bank of a terrace, built up with kahikatea slabs, plastered over with mud, and sodded on top, a two-railed fence enclosing it to keep off cattle, &c. Other minor buildings have also been put up of kahikatea slabs. At Te Ariki, two whares have been built of raupo, one 12 x 8 feet for quarters, and one Bx6 feet for stores. At Onepoto, a library, 22 xl 3 feet has been erected of rimu slabs, with stone chimney. Messhouse and stable are now in course of erection. Fencing Paddocks and laying down in Grass. —A small paddock of about one acre has been fenced in, grubbed, ploughed, and sown with oats at Te Kapu, and the paddocks surrounding the buildings have been laid down with Poverty Bay rye-grass seed. Portions of the large paddock have also been grubbed, cleared, ploughed, and sown with grass seed. Tw-o acres have been grubbed, cleared of fern, &c, and sown with grass seed, at Te Ariki. At Onepoto, a 10-acre paddock has been obtained by cutting off the supply of water from the small lake Kiri o Pukoi, by means of a large race 200 yards in length, with an average depth of 9 feet, width 8 feet, and a tunnel 45 feet in length. Three acres have been cleared, grubbed, fenced, and sown with oats for green feed in winter time, intermixed with grass and clover seed. A small paddock has been fenced in at Maru Maru, and will be sown with oats for green feed. Posts and rails are now being split for fencing in a larger one for grass. Miscellaneous. —ln addition to the above, office furniture, consisting of tables, forms, book-cases, shelves, and pigeon-hole eases, have been made for the District Office, at Te Kapu; and at Onepoto fittings for the library (comprising tables, forms, stools, &c.) have been made, also a gymnasium, consisting of parallel and horizontal bars, with hand-swing, has been erected. Gardens have been made at all the stations, and a plentiful supply of vegetables obtained from them all the year round; a quantity of potatoes, sufficient to last the station till next summer, has been dug from the garden at Onepoto. The inner paddock at Te Kapu has been laid out in gravelled walks leading to the several buildings, and a flagstaff erected in the centre, with rigging. At Onepoto, a reservoir has been made, and a race one mile in length carries water right into the camp for cooking, washing, and other purposes. Before the completion of this work the water for the use of the station had to be procured from the large lake, a distance of about 150 yards, and up a very steep hill. Sufficient timber has been sawn for a boat 30 feet long, for use on Lake AVaikare Moana. Bemarks.- —I wish to draw attention to the fact that Te Kapu, the head-quarters station, has been entirely built during the last twelve months; previously all that existed to denote a Constabulary station was an unsightly blockhouse, and one or two whares equally objectionable to the eye; the buildings lately erected are so arranged that the blockhouse can scarcely be seen from any distance, and as it has been painted recently its appearance is slightly improved. The station now presents the appearance of a small town. The other stations have each been considerably improved, and I consider that the quality and quantity of the work performed does high credit to the officers and men. There are seventy-seven wet days recorded in the diary of Duty Book, at Onepoto. I would also bring to notice the improved attitude of the Urewera during the last twelve months ; they have apparently laid aside all hostile intentions, and desire only to cultivate a closer acquaintance with the Europeans; they are always anxious to be of service to the Government, and lately they have been engaged on a portion of the road from Te Kapu to Waikare Moana, which they have executed in quite a European style, their sections bearing favourable comparison with those in the hands of the Wairoa Natives ; in fact I believe the overseer has recommended that a gratuity be given to one of the Urewera for the excellent manner in which he has carried out his contract. Many of the Urewera have left Ruatahuna, and have settled in the vicinity of Onepoto with their wives and families ; those living on the lake have likewise congregated round the Armed Constabulary Station. Although recently a little stir has been made by some of the old chiefs relative to petitioning the Government to abandon this post, yet I may safely state that this desire is not held by the majority. I consider the satisfactory state of the Urewera Tribe attributable to the judicious treatment exercised in the first place by the late Sub-Inspector McDonnell, and of late by Sub-Inspector Ferris, who has attended several Native meetings in Ruatahuna, and has been mainly instrumental in getting them to agree to, and work at, the roads. Sub-Inspector Maclean also had charge of* Onepoto during my recent illness. In concluding this report, I may mention that this district, once the most disturbed on the East Coast, is now one of the most peaceful; and the Waikare Moana country, a short time ago regarded as a terra incognita and very nest of Hauhauism, is now an easy thirty-mile canter from Te Kapu, and can be traversed in perfect safety.

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Several runs have been taken up for sheep-farming during the last six months, and the Whakaki Run has been recently sold for £10,000 to an Otago squatter. I have, Ac, Geo. J. Cummino, Inspector A.C., The Commissioner, Commanding Wairoa District. Armed Constabulary Force, Wellington.

Enclosure 6. Inspector Scannell to the Commissioner, Armed Constabulary Force. Sir, — Armed Constabulary Office, Opepe, Taupo, 31st May, 1873. In compliance with instructions contained in Circular No. 122, dated Wellington, 21st April, 1873, I have the honor to forward for your information the following report of the duties performed by the Armed Constabulary Force in the Taupo District, from the Ist June, 1872, to 31st May, 1873 : — Military Duties. Average Strength of Officers and Men. —The average strength of the Armed Constabulary Force, Taupo District, during the past twelve months, was, 1 inspector, 5 sub-inspectors, 1 assistant-surgeon, 1 sergeant-major, 9 first-class sergeants, 5 second-class sergeants, 13 mounted and 86 foot constables. Nature of Parades and Drills. —lnspection parade and drill in marching order once a week; Divine service on Sundays ; weekly inspection of mounted men's saddlery and horse appointments by officers in charge of posts ; monthly inspection in marching order by officer in charge of district. In addition to the weekly drill in marching order, the force was also drilled once a week from September to January, and daily drills of an hour's duration were commenced on the 16th inst. The drill mainly consists of skirmishing, especially over rough and broken ground, through scrub, and occasionally bush. Also, manual and firing exercises, moving in files, fours, half companies, &c. The regulation annual course of instruction in musketry was commenced on the 18th October, and completed on the 17th December, and showed a great improvement on that of the preceding year in its result. Operations in the Field. —The force in this district have not been engaged in any field operations during the past year. Conveying Mails and Despatches. —No public mails have been conveyed. A mounted orderly is despatched from Opepe to Tapuaeharuru, who returns the same evening with any telegrams or other despatches which may have arrived during the day. Communications between the posts are forwarded by the mounted men of the force between mails. Escorts and Guards. —No escorts have been required. A non-commissioned officer and three men mount guard daily at each post at 9 p.m., and come off at 6 a.m.; a non-commissioned officer at each post being on general duty throughout the day. Making and Improving Target Banges. —In the month of October last twelve iron targets were received for use from Wellington; nine of these, each weighing 400 lbs., were carried by men of the force the greater part of the distance between Tarawera and Runanga, the dray road not then being open. Ranges at Opepe, Runanga, Tarawera, and Tapuaeharuru were improved by erection of screens, markers' butts, firing mounds, &c. Telegraph Lineman, Sfc. —Mounted Constable Roger Dansey, Armed Constabulary, acts as lineman at the Taupo Telegraph Station. Issuers and Storekeepers. —One man of the Armed Constabulary acts as sub-storekeeper for the district. The Public AVorks property at each station is in charge of the officer commanding. Erection of Bedoubts and Stockades. —No new redoubts or stockades have been erected during the past year. Owing to the length of time during which the timber composing the stockades at Runanga and Tarawera has been in the ground, it has decayed, and is now almost worthless. The men at these posts have been employed during the last month in splitting and cutting timber to replace it, and these stockades are now in course of reconstruction. Tho stockade at Opepe has been considerably enlarged, and the men at that post are also employed in completing breast-work, banquette, and gabions for the sides and angles, which were taken down and rebuilt with new timber. About forty-five yards of the Tapuaeharuru Redoubt were taken down and rebuilt, and gabions placed along the top of the parapet. The banquette has also been taken down and re-erected, being necessary from the materials of which they (the parapet and banquette) were composed (principally pumice) wearing gradually away. The material composing the covered way leading from blockhouse to well at Te Haroto having decayed and fallen in, matai posts and slabs were split, an entirely new covered way, of about 80 yards in length, was erected ; a new well sunk and slabbed, as the old one had filled. A slabbed well 40 feet deep has been sunk in the redoubt at Tapuaeharuru. Civil Duties. Steps taken for the Prevention of Crime. —A mounted constable was sent from Opepe to Te Niho o te Kiore, in consequence of a telegram from Inspector Roberts to seize and convey to Tauranga three bullocks supposed to have been stolen previous to their sale to a Mr. Jordan, then working there. A non-commissioned officer and two men were sent to Napier from Tarawera in charge of two civil prisoners from that station on the 21st September, 1873. Three men were also sent to Opotiki from Opepe in April last, as witnesses in the case of John Delaney, apprehended for horse-stealing. Attending Civil Courts. —Since Ist July, 1872, a Court has been held fortnightly at Tapuaeharuru, by the Resident Magistrate of the district, at which two men of the Armed Constabulary attend. A non-commissioned officer officiates as clerk to the Court, and the men of the force are employed as required iv serving summonses, &c.

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Attending Native Land Court. —A non-commissioned officer and five men of the Armed Constabulary were in daily attendance on the Hawke's Bay Native Lands Alienation Commission, at Napier, from the 25th January to the 18th April, 1873. Public and Useful Works. Nature and Extent of Boad Work. —At Opepe, 316 chains road completed, 18 feet wide, comprising in block and side cuttings removal of 11,959 cubic yards of earth ; remainder formation, 18 chains mitre drain fascined —fascining fastened with matai pegs ; 10 chains drain, 2 feet x 2 feet, to carry off water from roadway. Formed portion of the road at each side of station kept in repair ; the cuttings require constant attention to prevent scouring, especially after the heavy rains prevalent in Taupo. Tapuaeharuru: 84 chains road, 18 feet wide, completed. Runanga: 110 chains 61 feet road, 18 feet wide, completed; and 48 chains 32 feet road widened 8 feet; 541 cubic feet stone retaining wall built; 16,538 cubic yards earth removed in formation of road. Tarawera: 8.39 chains new road completed;-27.81 chains roadway widened, and slips containing 2,172 cubic yards earth removed from roadway. Total earth removed, 7,351 cubic yards. A sod retaining wall for turn-table, 90 feet long, 6 feet broad, and 8 feet high, was also erected. In addition to these works, 8 miles, formed portion of the road in the vicinity of the station, was kept in repair. Te Haroto :10 chains road, 15 feet wide, leading from main road to blockhouse. Up to 9th January, when the men at this post (with the exception of a sergeant and two constables) were transferred to the Tarawera Station, l\ miles of road were kept in repair. This work was of such a nature that it could not be measured, —namely, clearing culverts and drains, filling in ruts, fascining soft places, and removing logs and landslips. Building Bridges and Culverts. —Opepe : 2 long culverts, 25 feet x 4 x 3, very substantial timber, Bquared in the bush, and hauled to the ground by Armed Constabulary draught-horses an average distance of 30 chains. Tapuaeharuru : 1 culvert, 24 feet x 2 x 2. Runanga : 2 stone culverts, 30 and 31 feet long respectively, x 2 feet x \\, 11 wooden culverts ; also erected timber for latter, prepared by Road Engineer, and drawn to roadway by Armed Constabulary draught-horses ; also the materials for stone culverts. Tarawera : 3 culverts each 25 feet long, lof 32 feet, and lof 30 feet, each 1J foot xlt foot; and 1 culvert 25 feet 12 inches x 12 inches. Bitilding Houses, Stables, Sfc. —Opepe: Farrier's and blacksmith's shop, 20 feet x 20 feet, slab sides and shingle roof, completed; small building, 12 feet xlO feet, added to stables for storing forage and keeping saddlery. Loft to storeroom, 20 feet x 12, making an upper floor for storing articles not in frequent use. Men's messroom, 30 feet by 16, roofed and shingled. Tapueharuru : A portion of men's barrack room, accidentally burned, rebuilt; addition of 12 feet xl 2 feet to officers' quarters. Timber cut at, and carted from Opepe. Boat sheds repaired, and read-ing-room 20 feet x 12 erected. Tarawera : A 3-stall wooden stable, with shingle roof, 24 feet x 14 feet erected. The whole of the wooden chimneys at Opepe, Tapuaeharuru, and Runanga have been pulled down and replaced by pumice ones, pointed with mortar. Spouting has been put round the whole of the building, in the Opepe, Runanga, and Tarawera stockades, to carry the water into casks placed conveniently. Each stockade has eight casks of 90 gallons each, which are kept continually filled with water. The casks were packed in staves fom Napier, and put together at the redoubts. Fencing Paddocks and Laying down in Grass. —At Opepe, one of the paddocks has been considerably enlarged, 3 chains three-railed and 58J chains two-railed fence being added ; one paddock containing 17 acres, aud one 50 acres, have been laid down with grass, and clearing and burning scrub has been done to a considerable extent, ready for laying down in grass during the coming spring ; 120 posts and 320 rails have been split and forwarded to Tapuaeharuru for fencing. Another piece of fencing is in course of erection, which, when completed, will comprise an enclosure of about 100 acres. Thirty chains of four-rail fence erected round vegetable garden. At Tapuaeharuru, about 18 chains of fencing have been put up in addition to that already completed, about 3 acres ploughed and laid down in grass, and 20 acres cleared of scrub and ready for grass seed in the spring. The fencing of the old paddocks at each station has been kept in repair, and renewed where the decaying or breaking of any of the posts or rails rendered it necessary. The non-commissioned officer and two men stationed at Te Haroto since 9th January are constantly employed at the paddock there, repairing fence and clearing away fallen timber. Remarks. Two drays and four draught-horses, in charge of members of the force, are kept constantly employed in conveying oats from Runanga to Opepe and Tapuaeharuru, in conveying fencing, building, and other material from Opepe to Tapuaeharuru, and latterly, since the road has been opened, in conveying stores from Tarawera to Opepe. Six pack-horses in charge of the mounted men of the force, who take this duty in turn, have been constantly employed between Napier and Opepe, a distance of eighty-four miles, iv the conveyance of clothing, necessaries, stores, nails, medicines, saddler's material for repair of saddlery and harness, horse shoes and nails, ammunition, camp equipment, stationery, &c. The pumice for the chimney was collected by members of the force from gullies, with great trouble brought down to the road, and thence carted to the redoubts. About thirty cord of manuka timber was purchased from the Native owners at Opepe (that in the Government portion of the bush being all expended), felled, cut into lengths of 4 feet, and converted into charcoal for the farrier's use.

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One man is employed as farrier, one as saddler, and one as armourer. These men do all the work of the district required by their respective trades, such as keeping the whole of the horses regularly shod, repairing riding and pack saddles and harness, and keeping the arms in proper repair. The armourer visits the stations periodically, to inspect and repair arms. Two men are continually employed sawing at Opepe; the timber for repairs to buildings there, and at Tapuaeharuru and Runanaga, is furnished from that station. Tarawera Station cut their own timber as required. A man is also almost constantly employed in making felling and pick-axe handles, and occasionally dray shafts. The Government whale boats (two) at Tapuaeharuru, manned by members of the force, are occasionally despatched on various duties across the Lake. A boat manned by seven men went eight times to Tokano during the past year. One of the boats has also been lent to a Native crew several times, but on all occasions either the whole or part of the Armed Constabulary crew have been sent in order to insure its safety. Large vegetable gardens are cultivated yearly at each post, for the use of officers and men of the force only. I have, &c, The Commissioner, D. Scannell, Inspector A.C., Armed Constabulary Force, Wellington. Commanding Taupo District.

Enclosure 7. Inspector Roberts to the Commissioner, Armed Constabulary Force. Sir, — District Office, Tauranga, 3rd June, 1873. In compliance with your instructions conveyed in Circular No. 122 of the 21st April, 1873, I have the honor to report on the different subjects therein mentioned, regarding the civil and military duties, also public and useful works, performed by the Armed Constabulary Force in the Tauranga District, from Ist June, 1872 to 31st May, 1873. Military Duties. Average Strength of Officers and Men. —Four officers and 56 men. Names of Stations Occupied. —Tauranga, Maketu, Matata, Whakatane, Kaiteriria, Te Teko, and Opotiki. Nature of Parades and Drills. —Divine service parade and heavy marching order parade once a week. Company and light infantry drill as often as a sufficient number could be spared from other duties. The force in the district was put through a course of musketry instruction, the result being a decided improvement upon last year's course. Carrying Mails and Despatches. —Once a week the public mail is conveyed by mounted orderlies of the force to and from Opotiki and the intermediate stations. Despatches, &c, are forwarded in the same way. Escorts and Guards. —Mounted Sergeant Russell acted as guide to the Honorable Mr. Casey through the Lake District and on to Napier. A mounted constable was told off to attend upon Mr. Anthony Trollope through the same district and on to AVaikato. AVhen required, regular guards are mounted at the minor stations. At Tauranga, Whakatane, and Opotiki, a regular guard is mounted, into whose charge all stores and other public property are placed. Several prisoners committed for trial from the district were escorted to Auckland. Making and Improving Target Banges. —At Tauranga, beyond the Cemetery Point, a new rifle range measuring 600 yards has been formed. Owing to the range being on the beach it was necessary to erect a large butt 45 feet long by 9 feet high in rear of the target, to act as a substitute for a background. Earthen platforms 9 feet by 6 feet high had also to be raised at three of the ranges, on account of the inequality of the ground. Issuers and Storekeepers. —Members of the force are employed as issuers and storekeepers at each of the following stations :—Tauranga, Kaiteriria, Te Teko, and Opotiki. Erection of Bedoubts and Stockades. —-Part of the Monmouth Redoubt, namely, 300 feet, has been pulled down and rebuilt, containing 900 cubic yards of earth ; 100 dray loads of ti-tree required in rebuilding if, were cut and carted a distance of more than a mile. To complete the ditch and slope the cliff, 300 cubic yards of earth had to be shifted; 20 cartloads of sand and shells have been laid within the redoubt. It is now completed, and will in all probability last for many years. At Opotiki, 60 feet of the redoubt, enclosing the church, at present occupied by the Armed Constabulary, had to be rebuilt. A. blockhouse is now in the course of erection at the same station for the Armed Constabulary. Civil Duties. Steps taken for the Prevention of Crime. —At Tauranga a second-class sergeant, and at Opotiki a foot constable, have been exclusively employed on police duty. Attending Civil Courts. —Men are detailed to attend all sittings in the Resident Magistrate's Courts. At Tauranga a constable has been detailed to act as clerk to the Civil Commissioner. At Opotiki, First-class Sergeant Mason acts as clerk to the Resident Magistrate. Statistics. —The agricultural statistics for the district were collected by members of the force. Public and Useful Works. Nature and Extent of Boad Works. —At Tauranga, on the Kati Kati road, an embankment 10 chains long by 10 feet wide on the top, containing 2,000 cubic yards of earth, has been formed across

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a swamp ; 2-| chains of road approaching the same swamp has been formed. At Opotiki, 118-2- chains of the Opotiki and Ohiwa road formed 12 feet wide, containing 2,658 eublic yards of cutting, 271 cubic yards draining, and 6 chains of ti-tree cleared; also, 146| chains of the Waioeka road, 96 chains being 20 feet wide, the remaining 50 chains had to be increased to 38 feet, owing to the swampy nature of the land. Building Bridges and Culverts. —At Tauranga, on the Kati Kati road, one box culvert 12 feet, 4x4; and at Opotiki, on the Opotiki and Ohiwa road, one box culvert 12 feet, lxl, one 16 feet, 4x4, and one 18 feet, 4x4. Building Houses and Stables. —At Tauranga a sawn timber building, 50 feet long by 20 feet wide, with walls 14 feet high, roofed with corrugated iron, has been erected for a gymnasium. A stable 30 feet long by 18 feet wide, with walls 8 feet high, built of weather-boards with a paling roof, with a yard attached, has been constructed. A corrugated iron building 12 feet by 10 feet, used for storing forage, has been removed from the Monmouth Redoubt, and re-erected close to the stable. The cells within the redoubt have been lined and altered, to prevent the escape of prisoners. The chimney of the messroom being considered unsafe, was pulled down and rebuilt. Fencing Paddocks and laying down in Grass. —At Opotiki, six acres have been laid down in grass and clover. Members of the force cleared the land, but were unable to do the ploughing, &c. (which was done by contract), for want of the necessary implements ; 400 yards of bank and ditch made round it, and 250 yards of ti-tree wattling fence. The ti-tree had to be carted about three miles. At Tauranga, three men were employed eight days in repairing the fences inside and round the cemetery ; and eight men were employed ten days in cutting Scotch thistles about tho settlement, on Government lands. A number of men were occupied from time to time in mending the fence and ditch, eradicating docks, putting up gates, Ac, in the Government paddock. At Whakatane there is only a small detachment, consisting of one non-commissioned officer, one mounted constable, and five foot constables. As many of them as could be spared from military duties were usefully employed in keeping the AVhakatane and Ohopi Road open for travellers, by widening it and removing land slips, fencing and clearing a paddock, building three new huts, repairing the old ones, and keeping the redoubt in repair. Remarks. Consequent upon the numerous civil duties done by members of the force at this station, apart from those already specified, and which have greatly interfered with the progress of other works, but which I cannot sufficiently well enumerate in the body of the report; I append it in the form of a return, which will give an adequate idea of the nature and duration of such duties. The Natives are quiet and industrious, having planted extensively and taken large contracts in various places for roads, the Urewera being among the number. I have, &c, The Commissioner, J. M. Roberts, Inspector A.C., Armed Constabulary Force, Wellington. Commanding Tauranga District.

Enclosure 8. Captain Stack, Instructor of Musketry, to the Commissioner, Armed Constabulary Force. Sir,— Armed Constabulary Depot, AVellington, 12th July, 1873. I have the honor, in compliance with instructions contained in your Circular No. 122, of 21st April, 1873, and in terms of your circular No. 47, of sth June, 1871, to forward you a report upon the various duties performed by the Armed Constabulary at the Depot under my command during the past year, together with the annual musketry practice return of the whole force for that period. Military Duties. Average Strength. —During the year, the average strength was 56 of all ranks. Parades and Drills. —There have been three parades daily (Sundays excepted) for drill, each drill lasting not less than one hour, weather permitting ; and when the weather has not been favourable for outdoor instruction, tho squads have been invariably drilled in the gymnasium or barrack rooms. Once a week the parade has been in marching order. The men have been employed as follows : From morning roll-call until breakfast; from 10 am. to 12.45 p.m. ; from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m.; rollcall and guard-mounting 4.30 p.m., and roll-call at 10 p.m. On Sunday an inspection parade at 10 a.m.; roll-calls at 7 a.m., 1 p.m., and 10 p.m. Escorts and Guards. —19th November, 1872, one constable with two horses was sent on escort with His Excellency the Governor to Rangitikei. An escort of one constable was sent with a deserter from H.M.S. " Dido " hence to Auckland on 29th January, 1873. A guard of 1 non-commissioned officer and 3 constables mounts daily on the magazine. A party of 1 non-commissioned officer and 3 constables are on duty every twenty-four hours at Government House gate ; also one orderly told off daily for His Excellency the Governor. Two constables are detailed nightly to keep watch on the barracks. Guards of honor for His Excellency the Governor have paraded on seven different public occasions during the year. Target Banges. —The range at the Adelaide Butts was slightly improved during tho year by the Armed Constabulary forming a causeway across a piece of swamp which was an impediment to parties passing up and down the range; also the platform for one set of targets was lowered some 8 feet, requiring considerable excavations, and has been found an improvement. Civil Duties. Prevention of Crime. —Assistance has been occasionally afforded to the civil police for the arrest of persons inebriate or riotous ; and on the strike of the Otago Police, a party of 1 sergeant and 12

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constables was sent to Dunedin and performed police duty for a couple of months, some of them being permanently retained by the Provincial Government, sanctioned by the General Government—the remainder returning to their duty in the Armed Constabulary. Two constables volunteered to attend to the patients sent to Soames Island in June last with small-pox, one of whom caught the disease. Agricultural Statistics. —One sergeant and 2 constables were placed at the disposal of Mr. Woodward to collect agricultural statistics, which duty appears to have been satisfactorily performed. The whole strength of the Depot turned out on seven occasions of fire during the past year, to the assistance of the fire brigades and others in the preservation of property, and their eiforts would have been more successful than they wore but for the uselessness of the old barrack engine. However, a new engine has been ordered from England, and will no doubt be turned to good account in future. Public and Useful Works. Fatigues. —The men at the Depot were employed daily on fatigue for three hours cleaning and repairing the barracks and the roads thereabout. During the past year, in addition to the ordinary fatigues, the gymnasium and a magazine guard-house have been built by the men of the force, and a portion of some of the barracks re-weatherboarded. A new cook-house has also been erected. This building, together with the guard-house, were rendered necessary by the Immigration Department having taken over the Upper Mount Cook Barracks, where formerly the cooking for the mess was carried on, and where there was also a guard-room on the magazine, though entirely unsuited to the purpose. The parade-ground and road passing through the barracks were regravelled, a considerable portion of the barracks repainted, some new fencing also put up round the Armed Constabulary paddock and barracks, and a large culvert put in on the Magazine Road, which saved it from being all washed away. Several parties have from time to time been required at the Government Buildings for fatigue purposes, which have been duly furnished. Annual Musketry Practice. Annual Musketry Practice Beturn. —The annual course of musketry training of the force has been carried out, and with a marked improvement upon last year ; the ': Figure of Merit " for this year being 9512 as against 8153 for last year, being an improvement of 1359 points. The total number of marksmen for this year is 55, while last year there were but 42 marksmen, although the force was then stronger. Drill and Practice Beturns — Diagrams. —A comparison of these returns received from the several districts with the practice registers and diagrams shows that they have been carefully and correctly kept, and in accordance with the regulations respecting them. Banqes and Musketry Articles. —Since the date of my last report there has been a large issue of iron targets for the use of the force, and I am not aware that there is any material deficiency of these articles, or any others necessary for carrying on musketry instruction. Arms and Ammunition. —The arms and ammunition which have come under my inspection were in good order. My experience during the past year has not altered the opinion expressed to you in my last report upon the imperfect sighting, and consequent comparatively inaccurate shooting, of the converted Snider medium rifle. Firing for Armed Constabulary Prizes. —My return of the 22nd March last shows the result of the firing for prizes allotted to the Armed Constabulary by the Government out of the money voted for the purpose by the General Assembly last Session. From this it is observable that the prizes (twenty in number) throughout have been won by higher scores this year than last. Colonial Prize Firing. —The improvement noticed in the shooting of the force in their annual course of practice, and in firing for the Armed Constabulary prizes, is equally apparent in their competition for representatives and in their performance at the Colonial Prize Firing, seventeen having qualified as representatives this year while only six did so last year. Of those who qualified this year, six came to tho firing ground at Nelson ; threo were winners of six prizes, while by the five who last year were present at the Christchurch meeting only two prizes were carried off; the representative of the Cavalry portion of the force being within two points of the Cavalry Champion for this year. While on this subject, I would beg to state that the marking for the Colonial Prize Firing was performed mainly by one sergeant and three constables of the force. It is unnecessary for me to enlarge upon the fact that the manner in which they did their work gave general satisfaction, as I am aware that you have already received the report of the officer superintending the firing to the same effect; and I only mention the circumstance as a portion of the duty performed by men detailed from the Depot, to which I should add that myself and Sub-Inspector Marshall were also employed in carrying out the Prize Firing under Major Gordon. Remarks. The general conduct of the Armed Constabulary at the Depot during the past year has been very good. Returns of defaulters have been laid before you from month to month, and lam sure that from them you will have observed that there has been an entire absence of civil crimes, and that offences of a military nature have been few, and for the most part of a light character. The health of the force at the Depot has also been excellent for the past year. During the last very hot summer, when so much illness prevailed in Wellington, there was not a serious case in barracks, showing that the physical constitutions of the men selected for the force are of the right stamp. I cannot conclude without saying that I have received able assistance from the officer and noncommissioned officers whose duty it has been to co-operate with me in drilling and disciplining the recruits ; and that every facility towards this end has been afforded me by the generally high character, steadiness, and willingness of those whose training has been committed to my charge. I have, &c, W. G. Stack, Captain, The Commissioner, Musketry Instructor, Commanding Depot. Armed Constabulary, Force, Wellington.

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Enclosure No. 9. Inspector Broham to the Commissioner, Armed Constabulary Force. Sir, — Constabulary Office, Auckland, sth June, 1873. In compliance with Circular No. 47, of sth June, 1871, I have the honor to report upon the Constabulary of this district for the past year. I attach a statistical return of the crime of the district for the year 1872, and an estimate of the cost of police for the ensuing year. The record of crime shows but a slight variation from the return of 1871. During that year 2,805 persons had been taken into custody, while for last year 2,706 had been arrested. In the classification of offences, the same closeness in the numbers has occurred. During 1871, 1,810 persons had been charged with drunkenness; during last year the number was 1,779. In 1871, 237 persons had been apprehended for offences under the Vagrant Act; during last year 253 persons had been so charged. In 1871,197 persons had been arrested for petty larceny ; during last year 182 had been taken in charge ; and so on, through the entire list, the numbers approach each other very nearly, a result mainly owing to the large number of persons who were reconvicted during both years, and which occurs through the short sentences meted out to those charged with habitual drunkenness and vagrancy. Week after week, and month after month, the same offenders are brought before the Courts, and receive the same lenient sentences they did before, which in no way deters them from falling into their old courses. The likelihood of reformation in these persons is most remote ; and to free society from their presence, and from their contaminating influence, the infliction of the severest penalty the law allows would be no more than their offences deserve. At the present time labour is plentiful throughout the Province; all who wish to earn an honest livelihood can easily do so; and it betokens a truly worthless disposition in the strong and able-bodied to go begging in the public streets, and to spend what they receive in charity in the nearest publichouse. The encouragement which people of this class receives from the benevolent leads others to follow in the same line, while the punishment they get when brought before the Courts is in no way deterrent, and thus the district has a number of drunkards and vagrants out of all proportion to its population. From crime of a grave character, tho district, I am glad to say, enjoys an immunity equal to any other part of the Colony. Organized gangs of highwaymen or burglars are unknown ; the crimes that are committed are usually the work of individuals acting singly, and as they are generally well known to the detectives, rarely escape detection. But while success usually attends the prosecution of ordinary crime, there is one offence, namely, that of " specimen stealing," which is but too common at the Thames, and requires that the Act passed last Session for the registration of crushing machines should be brought into operation without further delay, to enable the police to grapple successfully with it. As directly bearing on the decrease and increase of crime, it may perhaps not be out of place to note here, what is being done in Auckland with regard to the children who usually swell the criminal lists when they grow up. The Industrial School which was established here some two years ago has been attended with the utmost success, and has afforded the means of removing from the evil influence of prostitute mothers and drunken worthless fathers some seventy children, who are inmates thereof at present, and are thus saved from being brought up in the evil courses of their parents. Several of the children have been sent into the country to service lately, and have given great satisfaction to those who have engaged them. The want of a Reformatory for juvenile criminals is equally pressing with our former want of an Industrial School. Toung boys are convicted in the Courts from time to time, and are now sent to Mount Eden Gaol, where they are forced to herd with old and hardened criminals, in the absence of any proper place to keep them. Owing to the absence of a Reformatory, Justices continued to discharge juvenile thieves until the increase of juvenile crime compelled them to resort to the present course, although the certain result of that course is to confirm the youngsters in a criminal career for life. The Provincial Council voted the sum of £250 at its last session for the formation of a Reformatory, but no steps have yet been taken in the matter. Large herds of children of idle and dissolute parents are being brought up here in the back lanes and alleys of the city, who never go to school or receive any instruction either religious or otherwise, and who never hear or see anything except what is foul, immoral, and debasing. In such situations thieves and prostitutes are bred; and that we are likely to have a large addition to their numbers in the future, none can doubt who pays a visit to the by-lanes of the town. I am glad to say that the want of a prison van, which I noticed in my last report, has been remedied, the Provincial Government having employed a covered conveyance at a moderate cost to take prisoners from tho Lock-up in the city to the Gaol at Mount Eden. I am again compelled to bring under your notice the smallness of the force under my charge for the requirements of the district. The population of the Province is, as you are aware, 62,000; the entire police force, officers and men, is 44; thus the ratio of police to population is as one to every fourteen hundred. Throughout the Colonies the police are as one to every seven or eight hundred of population, as it is found that owing to the unsettled habits of the people, more police are required than in England, where one constable to every thousand of population is the rule. There are no special circumstances which would render it allowable to employ a smaller body of police here than elsewhere. The classes which require police supervision are as numerous in proportion to population ; and the result of the present practice of employing one constable where two are needed is, that much of the petty crime of the district goes unpunished and is neglected, and the by-laws for the regulation of towns are not uniformly enforced with the strictness and attention thej' should be. The employment of special constables in country districts is a matter I would again bring under your notice ; as I have frequently stated, these men are of no real worth in conserving the public peace, and only tend to bring the law into contempt with the people. Sometimes the special constable is a barman in a public-house, or a day-labourer seeking employment from different persons, and it is need-

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less to suppose that a person so circumstanced can become an efficient constable, or act impartially and independently in the discharge of his duty. They have been engaged solely on the score of economy, as they only receive from £20 to £50 per annum each ; but viewed from the effects, the employment of such men is likely to breed in the public mind the disregard of law and order. I cannot but think the wisest course would have been to employ ordinary constables from the beginning. From Auckland to the North Cape there is but one constable stationed, who is posted at the Bay of Islands, 150 miles away. In a few of the settlements North, there are special constables employed; but I cannot look to them for the prevention or detection of crime, and thus I may say that the entire country north of Auckland is left quite unprotected. In all districts in which special constables are stationed at present, ordinary constables should be employed, and thus would be obviated the expense and inconvenience of sending constables from the city to all parts of the country when serious cases of crime occur, owing to which the travelling expenses of constables last year exceeded the vote by £153 18s. Gd., which I have provided for in my present estimate. I have likewise provided for four additional constables for city duty, as the number at present engaged is quite inadequate. Representations are frequently being made by the City authorities of the necessity of enforcing the City By-laws more stringently. The reasonableness of their request cannot be denied, but owing to the paucity of constables, which only allows me to detail three men for night duty on the entire town, and two for day duty, lam quite unable to carry out the wishes of the Council, as I would desire. I would also have sent down four constables to replace special constables in the country, if I thought there was any likelihood of altering the present system; but as this is doubtful, I have provided for special constables as before. I have further provided for two first-class sergeants, not as an addition to the present force, but with the view of granting promotion to some of the second-class sergeants, and of thus encouraging deserving men to remain in the service. The sum of £100 has also been added to last year's estimate for contingencies, as I find that during that year such an amount was so expended, although there was no special vote for it. The items of expenditure under this heading are principally made up in the medical expenses of constables who have been injured in the discharge of their duty. On a recent occasion, a constable was disabled for a month, and had to be attended by a medical man, owing to a severe kick he received in the knee in arresting a lunatic who had escaped from the Asylum. At the same time another was unfitted for duty, and under medical treatment for a fortnight, owing to his finger having been severely bitten in arresting a prisoner; and such casualties, as in all police forces, are of frequent occurrence. The sum of £40 has also been added for the forage of a horse for the constable at Papakura. During last year, the cost in horse hire for this constable averaged from £3 10s. to £4 per month, which would more than cover the expense of keeping one, and with the disadvantage of compelling the constable to search for the horse—often getting it only as a compliment, instead of being able to turn out at once in cases of emergency. The Papakura District is large, probably 40 miles by 20; settlement is becoming extended in it; year by year the want of a horse for police purposes becomes greater, and it is much more economical and effectual that a horse should be foraged at the expense of the Department. In my estimate for last year, I set down the pay of the sergeant-major and detectives at 10s. per diem, which I regret to say was not granted. I have done so likewise in my estimate for the ensuing year, as I think the salaries only moderate, considering the present ruling of wages throughout the Colony. The men I have at present in these situations have been many years in the force, are highly efficient officers, and, as is well known, the qualities required in them are such as would advance a man in any calling in life outside of the police force, yet year after year goes by without bringing to them any increase of salary, and in the absence of a Pension Act or Superannuation Fund there are no inducements held out to them to continue in the service. The Constabulary of the district largely avail themselves of the excellent library which has been established for their use by the Department, and an increase of intelligence may be expected from the study of the valuable works supplied. During the year, Sub-Inspector Bullen, of the Thames Sub-District, has conducted the duties of hia charge in a highly satisfactory manner, all the more creditable as the strength of his force, namely, 10 constables, divided between Coromandel and the Thames, is smaller than I have ever seen on a gold field possessing such a large population. Sergeant-Major Pardy has been equally zealous in conducting the duties of the city; the detectives have been very successful in the prosecution of all serious cases of crime ; and the sergeants and constables have been attentive to their duties, and have through their sober and steady habits conduced much towards advancing the Department in the estimation of the public. I have, &c, The Commissioner, T. Beoham, Armed Constabnlary Force, Wellington. Inspector A.C. Estimate of Expendituee for the Teae 1874. £ s. d. £ a. d. 1 Inspector, at per annum ... ... ... ... 400 0 0 1 Sergeant-Major, at 10s. per diem... ... ... ... 182 10 0 1 Sergeant, Ist class, at Bs. per diem ... ... ... 146 0 0 2 Sergeants, 2nd class, at 7s. per diem ... ... ... 255 10 0 2 Detectives, at 10s. per diem ... ... ... ... 365 0 0 26 Constables, at 6s. per diem ... ... ... ... 2,847 0 0 Special constables in out-districts ... ... ... 200 0 0 Rents of police stations ... ... ... ... 74 0 0 Rations for Lock-up, Auckland, and out-stations ... ... 70 0 0 Conveyance of prisoners from out-stations ... ... ... 80 0 0 Carried forward £ 3—H. 14.

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£ s. d. £ s. d. Brought forward Travelling expenses of constables ... ... ... 300 0 0 Gas, firewood, and stationery ... ... ... ... 70 0 0 Bewards ... ... ... ... ■•• 25 0 0 Bepairs of stations ... ... ... ... -• ■ 100 0 0 Allowance to constables for destruction of clothing ... ... 50 0 0 Dog collars ... ... ... ... ... 15 0 0 Forage for horse at Papakura ... ... ... ... 40 0 0 5,220 0 0 Thames Siib-District: — 1 Sub-Inspector, at per annum ... ... ... ... 250 0 0 1 Sergeant, Ist class, at Bs. per diem ... ... ... 146 0 0 1 Detective, at 10s. per diem ... ... ... ... 182 10 0 10 Constables, at 6s. per diem ... ... ... ... 1,095 0 0 Firewood and light for Guard-room and Lock-up ... ... 60 0 0 Eations for prisoners in Lock-up ... ... ... ... 15 0 0 Conveyance of pi-isoners to Auckland ... ... , ... 60 0 0 Travelling and incidental expenses ... ... ... 60 0 0 1 Inspector Weights and Measures ... ...• ... 127 15 0 1,996 5 0 Thames Gaol: — 1 Gaoler at Bs. per diem ... ... ... ... 146 0 0 Firewood for cooking and light ... ... ... ... 25 0 0 Eations for prisoners... ... ... ... - • • 80 0 0 Contingencies , ... ... ... ... ••• 20 0 0 271 0 0 Total ... ... £7,487 5 0

Table No. 1. RETURN showing the MONTHLY STRENGTH of the ARMED CONSTABULARY FORCE from 1st JULY, 1872, to 30th JANUARY, 1873.

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tcers, Na i-comi Offic nissii >ned Hon ;rs. res. Year. Months. o £ a, y o i 8 « tn q I-H Go s . .a *s ta o - & = ca e ° o E o ii g-d c"3 I—I i tn 02 u o g '& m o h a™ 02 a o ca to s 02 is d o .1 & m a. " = "S 02 to E o 1 - •& - - -^ tn u o s oa 1 ca tc E oa 02 .f-g 02 "^ *r to _o r« i fh s 5 a r< aa. n '-' w a ta M I «H o 'd •a O tc a e E Q s E o H "3 ■u O H m E B o O o o s ca i 1872. July... 9 16 5 7 2 7 40 46 : 591 724 7 81 17 21 126 August 0 16 5 7 2 7 40 45 I 601 733 7 83 17 19 126 11 September 10 16 5 6 2 7 40 42 589 718 7 87 17 19 130 October 10 14 5 2 4 2 7 40 40 j 586 711 7 90 18 19 134 11 November 9 14 5 2 4 2 8 37 39 582 703 7 77 20 19 123 11 December 9 14 5 2 4 2 8 37 41 571 694 7 77 20 19 123 1873. January 9 14 5 2 4 2 8 37 41 569 692 7 78 20 18 123 a. February 9 15 7 2 4 2 7 36 41 563 687 7 80 20 24 131 it March 9 15 7 2 4 2 7 36 40 557 680 7 80 20 24 131 it April 9 15 7 2 4 2 7 35 40 553 675 7 80 20 24 131 aa May... 9 15 7 2 4 2 8 33 41 553 675 7 83 28 25 143 it June 9 15 7 2 4 2 8 33 40 583 704 100 30 25 162 This Ei sturn incli ides tho Ai lokl id Pi alice.

19

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Table No. 2. RETURN of MEN ENROLLED for the ARMED CONSTABULARY FORCE, from 1st JULY, 1872, to 30th JUNE, 1873.

Table No. 3. RETURN showing the NUMBER of OFFICERS, NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS, and CONSTABLES struck off the Strength of the ARMED CONSTABULARY FORCE, from 1st JULY, 1872, to 30th JUNE, 1873.

Table No. 5RETURN showing the SUMS granted from the REWARD FUND to Members of the ARMED CONSTABULARY for zeal in the performance of their duties from 1st JULY, 1872, to 30th June, 1873.

Year. Months. Number of Men Enrolled. 1872 11 11 11 1873 July... August September October November December January February March April May... June 10 9 6 12 3 7 9 4 11 3 47 17 a a aa aa it Total 138

Cause if becoming Non-effei :tive. Discharged at own request, or on completion of Service. Medically unfit. Dismissed for Misconduct. Deserted. Deceased. Total. 98 50 158 (For Table No. 4, si :e next page.)

Hank and Name. District. Date. Service. By whom recommended. Amount. 1872. £ a. d. Constables Haden, Christopher Jos. Bay of Plenty 1st Nov. For zeaj, &c, in procuring the conviction of Peter Grant, for cattle stealing. Do. do. Inspector Thomson 3 0 0 Detective Constable N. C. Officer! of the Fori 1st Class | Sergeant ) Constable Kell, David i and Constables :e. OrbeD, G-eorge Graham Collins, Charles Do. Te Wairoa Do. Do. 1873. 21st Jan. 27th Feb. For service on expeditions in pursuit of Te Kooti. For exertion used in the arrest of one Alexander Campbell. For energy and perseverance displayed in the arrest of "William Moffatt, convicted at Criminal Sittings, Auckland, for horse-stealing. Do. Inspector Cumming Sub-Inspector Ferris Inspector Thomson 3 0 0 68 8 0 3 0 0 Waikato 31st Jan. 3 0 0 Detective | Constable ) Kell, David Do. Do. 5 0 0 Do. Do. do. 85 8 0

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Table No. 4. RETURN showing the STRENGTH and DISTRIBUTION of the ARMED CONSTABULARY FORCE, also the STATIONS occupied by these, on 30th JUNE, 1873.

20

ib-Ini spectors. Sergi :ants. b M n g ■ i-i R Stations. a 'e -H b7 5 c o g. 5 r■ii -1 d -M DQ ao -£ 5 o at - r-i o c fa A fa M ■n O g cap J. I 00 00 <3 1st ;las3. 2nd ;lass. - a --• a X a Serg Ma : ;ts.jor. 1st class. 2nd :lass. Constables. J3 *** o O tc c o c tr. - id s a 3 o o o O O o ft 6 -4-i P o o ft T3 I to —^ o o o rH q o Ii 4i O o PR H3 ca B 3 o % o o Cambridge Alexandra Auckland Hamilton Harapipi Hoki an ga Kihi Kilii Ngaruawahia ... Orakau Pukekura * Raglan Rotorangi * Te Awamutu ... 1 2 1 1 1 1 4 1 1 2 7 4 39 17 57 24 1 13 4 1 18 3 11 31 1 33 1 i i 11 4 1 10 3 10 28 1 28 1 ■■ c < ... 1 i i" i "i l l T i 1 i 3 1 5 i 1 2 9 l 8 16 153 198 1 ri f 9New Plymouth Pukearuhe * ... Wai-iti Urenui Okato 1 i 1 1 i l 2 4 5 2 3 6 33 14 38 5 2 4 ... i 1 — — 1 l I l 2 2 14 39 63 r Pa ! SI Opepe Napier Runanga Tapueharuru ... Tarawera 1 1 i l 2 1 1 1 1 l l l 2 2 3 i 7 1 2 2 30 1 17 13 20 2 46 2 24 18 27 i M ta ■"I C H 1 4 1 1 2 7 5 12 81 2 117 Ormond Gisborne l 1 1 i 1 5 1 16 5 l 26 7 1 1 1 i 1 6 21 l 33 3 r H | Te Kapu Te Wairoa Te Ariki Onepoto Waru Waru ... l 1 1 1 1 i' i 1 1 1 1 4 1 1 1 13 1 3 16 6 21 3 4 20 9 i 1 2 1 2 1 3 7 39 57 r i B 3 *"! p>< o Tauranga Maketu Matata Te Teko Whakatane Opotiki... l ... l i l 2 '♦* 1 1 3 2 1 16 1 5 16 27 2 1 1 7 20 i' i' l i "i l — — 4 2 1 2 l 1 8 38 58 ... Patea Waihi Hawera Manutahi Wairoa * Waitotara * ... Wanganui Survey Party * i— l 2 i 1 1 1 1 1 3 2 1 9 28 3 3 3 3 17 36 4 4 3 3 1 6 a m < P H «S < S3 £ L 1 i i i "5 ... ... 1 1 1 2 l l 2 1 4 6 54 74 DepSt 1 1 3 5 45 59 1 l ... I I Auckland 1 6 1 35 45 ... ... ... ••• ••• * Vm Stationi

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Table No. 6. STATEMENT of ARMED CONSTABULARY REWARD FUND, from 1st JULY, 1872, to 30th June, 1873.

Table No. 7. RETURN showing result of PRIZE FIRING of the ARMED CONSTABULARY FORCE for the Year 1873.

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Payments into Fund. Amount. Payments out of Fund. Amount. Balance in hand on 30th June, 1872 Amount of Fines recovered during the year ending 30th June, 1873. £ s. d. 2,511 11 9 Amount of Rewards paid as per Table No. 5 Amount paid for timber, &c, required for the purpose of erecting and fitting up Gymnasiums and Libraries, also for freight on books from England Amount paid to Members of the Force as compensation for uniform destroyed at Fires. Amount paid Messrs. Southern and Co., for Books for A.C. Libraries Balance credit on 30th June, 1873 £ b. d. 114 2 6 85 8 0 414 12 0 21 9 6 808 10 3 1,295 14 6 2,625 14 3 2,625 14 3

Snidee C. ibine. Amount. ■g i Hx> £ 2 .2 3 'oints at Remaeks. Rank and Name. District. 250 300 . yds. yds. 13 15 17 14 16 15 17 12 3 o fH if i fc"S 150 yds. Cup. 1000 1027 1002 1684 Sergt.-Major C. D. Bennett Mounted Constable E. Carter ,, A. Bryson B. Reed Poverty Bay Tauranga ... Te Wairoa 19 16 15 17 47 47 46 46 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 10 5 3 2 Badges ... £15 Value of Cup 10 Prizes ... 125 aa 20 £150 Snides R: [IXE. 400 yds. 500 yds. 600 yds. 11 1739 1st Class Sergeant J. W. Mason 2nd „ E. C. Meredith ... 17 17 1st 10 52 1191 1030 1002 1676 409 947 226 Foot-Constable George Keys „ „ T.Lloyd „ „ John Chase Sub-Inspector H. C. Morrison Foot-Constable W. Chalkin T.Peevor ... J. G. Blake „ „ J. A. Wilkes 1st Class Sergeant H. W. Dundas ... Tauranga ... Wanganui and Patea Taupo Wanganui and Patea Taupo Waikato ... Taupo Te Wairoa Waikato ... Taupo Wanganui and Patea Taranaki ... 19 14 17 17 18 9 15 17 17 17 16 16 16 14 IS 16 16 16 14 11 14 11 11 15 14 10 8 8 48 47 44 44 44 42 41 41 41 41 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 8th 10th 10 10 10 9 9 8 8 7 7 6 1 outer. 3 outers. 2 outers. 3 outers. 242 1262 300 1367 1695 Foot-Constable Patrick Guirk „ „ Nixon Scott „ „ JohnHiggins „ „ Benjamin Gateley ... „ „ A. McConnell aa 16 15 15 19 12 12 19 IS 15 12 18 14 6 10 10 8 13 12 41 40 •10 39 US 88 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th ! 16th 6 5 4 3 2 1 3 outers. 4 outers. aj Poverty Bay Waikato ... 105 I 125 10 I Distrii No. 13 certify that the above Scores are sts, and that the distribution of Pr .0, of the 21st November, 1872. taken correctly rizes is made in a y froi accor m the R rdance wi W. G. i Returns of th Armed i Officers Commandinj Constabulary Circula Stack, Ca] Coi itain I.M., amanding Depot. rellington, 22nd March, 1873. 4—H. 14.

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22

RETURN showing the NUMBER of PERSONS brought before the POLICE COURTS in the AUCKLAND CONSTABULARY DISTRICT by the ARMED CONSTABULARY, from the 1st of JANUARY to the 31ST of DECEMBER, 1872.

By authority: Gjoboe Didsbitby, GoTernment Printer, Wellington. —lB73.

IPrice Is.]

Arrests. •a« Number Convicted. Number Discharged. Summons. I II T3 !& DO ReMABKS. Remabks. Nature of Offence. r ■ 1 Nature of Offence. I Ji to I K. F. M. »• 6 ._ Drunkenness Drunk and Disorderly ... Breach of Municipal Police Act ... Breach of Rural Police Act Threatening Language ... Vagrancy Assaults, common Assaults on Police Assaults, indictable Larceny, summarily dealt with Larceny by committal Forgery and Uttering Embezzlement ... Obtaining Money by False Pretences Malicious Injury to Property Incendiarism ... ... ... Sending Threatening Letter Horse Stealing ... Perjury Conspiracy Neglected Children Master and Apprentice ... Destitute Persons Relief Ordinance Breach of Customs Regulations Lunacy Arson Attempting Suicide Breach of Arms Act Fraudulent Bankruptcy ... Illegally Pawning Receiving Stolen Property Shooting with intent to Murder ... Carnally knowing a girl under twelve years Beastiality Breach of the Peace Disobeying Summons Breach of Merchant Shipping Act Mining without right ... ... Breach of Gaoler and Prisoners Act 1,550 229 17 1 25 253 78 43 6 182 19 5 8 14 64 1 1 5 2 8 25 4 3 6 41 5 5 1 1 3 3 2 1,319 201 13 1 20 155 14, 43 6 169 15 5 8 9 60 1 1 5 1 8 8 4 3 6 34 5 5 1 1 2 3 2 231 28 4 1,293 195 11 1 11 129 57 42 4 119 13 3 3 5 49 1 1 3 214 27 3 26 6 2 17 1 1 1,507 222 14 1 15 216 57 42 4 129 15 3 3 10 53 1 1 3 43 7 3 1,091 persons arrested. 196 persons arrested. Breach of Municipal Police Act „ Rural „ „ Impounding Act „ Dog Nuisance Act ... „ Licensing Act „ Slaughterhouse Act ... „ Vagrant Act „ Stamp Duties Act ... ,, Quarantine Regulations „ City By-Laws j, Malicious Injury to Property Act „ Protection of Animals Act 230 9 141 87 66 4 52 3 212 7 138 78 45 4 27 3 18 2 3 9 21 5 98 4 '"4 87 9 26 17 1 2 50 2 2 4 4 11 1 11 4 10 37 21 1 2 53 4 2 4 4 11 "25 13 4 10 2 '"a 2 3 200 185 3 15 5 4 5 4 One of these (Collett) absconded. 16 4 12 Larceny Obtaining Money by False Pretences Forcible Entry Drunkenness Assault Sureties of the Peace Sale of Bread Act Destitute Persons Libel Embezzlement Highways Act Mining Companies Act Juries Act ... Perjury Harbour Regulations Merchant Seaman's Act *4 7 3 4 3 * For one of these a Warrant was issued on 1st November, 1872, but the man has not been seen since. 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 Six were committed for trial, and admitted to bail, but failed to appear when called. 1 7 10 97 60 G 7 1 1 3 1 1 1 4 2 9 57 37 G 4 1 7 1 40 23 17 7 2 3 6 27 1 3 17 24 3 6 31 1 3 '"» "i 7 4 2 1 1 "7 4 2 1 1 "2 1 For one of these a Warrant is issued. Absconded (Collett). " 2 1 "l Absconded (Collett). "l 2 2 1 "\ 3 2 1 1 1 1 "1 1 '"4 2 1 1 16 74 1 2 1 1 16 74 1 2 1 12 57 1 "l 4 17 1 12 57 1 1 4 "17 '2 "2 2,706 2,284 I 422 381 I 211 41 2,447 I I 252 __„__ Totals 2,066 1,021 832 188 Note. —This Beturn does not include Peraons arrested in the Waikato and laurauj ;a Armed Constabular Di;rii