CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS IN THE NORTH ISLAND.

19

A.—No. 17.

streams, on the understanding proposed to the Chairman by Captain Morrison, I am directed to inform you that the General Government cannot make a road or build bridges south of the Kai-Iwi, and to be" that you will notify to the Road Board the determination of the Government to that effect. Should the Road Board still refuse to do anything, you will be good enough to let me know, in order that the Provincial Government may be at once communicated with. Captain Morrison's report does not say if, in the construction of the Patea Road, he has required the aid of an engineer If it be necessary, he should be furnished with such assistance ; for it appears desirable that one or more general principles should be observed in the work that he is superintending:— 1. I'hat no work should be commenced without a plan and section (however slight in character) showing cuttings, fillings-up, check-drains, and the necessary culverts to lead the rainfall to the lowest level. 2. That a check-drain, a foot or eighteen inches wide, should be made in the ground three or four feet above the road, to prevent the rainfall degrading the face of cuttings or flooding the road, connecting it with the culverts demanded by the nature of the ground. In most cases this should be done before the surface ground of the intended road is broken. 3. The crown of the road intended to be metalled should be laid very high at its first formation, and rendered solid by traffic, or by a heavy timber roller, easily made upon the spot, so as to throw otF the rainfall on each side, otherwise the common allowance of a depth of metal of nine inches would be swallowed up on the heavy winter rains and ordinary traffic occurring. 4. The fundamental principle of all road-making —to make the road as dry as possible—should always be kept in view; therefore, any obstruction to the action of the sun and wind should be removed, and no water other than what falls in the shape of rain should be allowed to find its way npon the surface of the road. I have, &c, G. S. Cooper, Major Noake, Commanding Militia and Volunteers, Patea. Acting Under Secretary.

No. 38. Copy of a Letter from Major Noake to Under Secretary Defence. Sir,— Patea, Kith April, 1870. I have the honor to enclose copies of correspondence with the Chairman of the Waitotara Road Board, by which it will be perceived that little assistance is to be expected from them. M. Noake, Major.

Enclosure 1 in No. 38. Sir, — Wanganui, 4th April, 1870. I have instructions to inform you that the General Government will not undertake the construction of the road south of the Kai-Iwi stream. I have now, therefore, the honor to request to be iuformed if the Road Board, of which you aro Chairman, intend to construct the road south of the Kai-Iwi, in order that the communication may be opened between your district and Waitotara. I have, <kc, E. Lewis, Esq., M. Noake, Chairman Road Board, Kai-Iwi. Major Commanding Patea District.

Enclosure 2 in No. 38. Sir, — Wanganui, Gth April, 1870. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your favor of 4th inst., and in reply be" to inform you that the Board of Wardens of the Waitotara Road District have had a line from the town of Wanganui to the Kai-Iwi stream surveyed for the construction of a road, and are anxious to complete the work as soon as possible. At the same time Ido not think there is much prospect of the whole of the line being finished very rapidly for want of funds. I have, <fee, Edward Lewis, Major Noake, Commanding Militia District, Wanganui. Chairman Waitotara Road Board.

Enclosure 3 in No. 38. SIR,- _ . Wanganui, 6th April, 1870. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this day's date, in which you inform me that a road lias been surveyed from Hie town to Kai-Iwi stream, but that you do not think there is a prospect of the line being completed very rapidly for the want of sufficient funds. Would it not be advisable at once to connect the road at the Kai-Iwi with the bridges now beinff erected by the General Government, so that the traffic of the public be not delayed on the completion ol these bridges ? I imagine that if your road is begun at Kai-Iwi instead of Wanganui, there will then be no delay 01--inconvenience to the public as soon as the G-eneral Government road is opened ' You will oblige me by returning an early answer on this subject. I have, <fee, The Chairman of the Waitotara Road Board. j,| Noake M- '