A.—No. 17.

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE

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Enclosure 4 in No. 38. Sib, — Wanganui, 7th April, 1870. In reply to your communication of yesterday's date, I beg to inform you that the first ratescollected by the Waitotara Road Board will, I think, be expended in making the portion of the line starting from the Town Belt and through what is at present known as the Swamp Road, as numerous settlers have not at present any formed road to their homesteads. At the next meeting of the Board I shall lay your letters before the Wardens. At present I can only express my own desire that the Board should lend every assistance in their power in opening up with little delay a line of road that will be a boon to the settlers in the immediate neighborhood, and afford facilities to the public for general traffic. I have, &c, Edward Lewis, Chairman of Board of Wardens Major Noake, Commanding Militia District of Wanganui. Waitotara Road Board.

No. 39. Copy of Telegram from Mr. Cooper to Major Noake, Patea, Wellington, sth April, 1870. Wanted a statement of what lines of road are in progress ; length made on each ; expenditure to date in xound numbers, if not exact. Telegraph reply. G. S. Cooper.

No. 40. Copy of Telegram from Major Noake to Under-Secretary Defence, Wellington. Wanganui, sth April, 1870. Refekred to Captain Morrison's report, forwarded with my letter of the 17th ultimo, for the progress of the roads. The pay sheets will show what troop labour has been employed. All vouchers for expenditure for road have been sent on to Defence Office, charged to the road fund. The blockhouse expenditure will be covered by £700 or £800. I could give more information, but all my papers are in Patea. All that is required can be obtained in the office in Wellington. Will telegraph to Patea in the meantime. The Wairoa Rifles at work at Okehu and Kai-Iwi, Veterans at Wereroa, A. C. at Patea, and Militia at Tongahoe, between Hawera and Manutahi. M. Noake, Major.

No. 41. Copy of a Letter from Major Noake to Under-Secketaky Defence. Sir, — Patea, 12th April, 1870. I have the honor to report, for the information of the Government, that I have received tenders for the construction of bridges over the Kai-Iwi and Okehu streams, as follows :— Goodall £39210 0 To bo erected in 2 months. Marshalls £584 0 0 „ % „ M'Neil £520 0 0 „ 2| „ Coleman and North £525 o ° ~3 Bell and Robertson £550 0 0 3 Mr. Goodall is the lowest tender, and the time for erection the least, consequently I accepted it. Since then Captain Morrison has informed me that the piles for the bridge as described in the specifications will be too weak, and insists they must be stronger; consequently the contractor makes an extra charge of £44, as the timber will have to be brought from the Sound. However, with this addition, the 3>ridges will cost £436 10s, being very much cheaper than any of the other tenders. I have, &c., The Under Secretary Defence. M. Noake, Major.

No. 42. Copy of a Letter from Lt.-001. Reader to Major ISToake. Colonial Defence Office, Wellington, Sib,— 22nd April, 1870. I am directed to inform you that Mr. Hales, the engineer of the Wanganui Bridge, Las been requested to undertake the supervision of the bridges over the Kai-Iwi and Okehu streams, and other works in that neighbourhood, to whom any contracts in that district should be sent, and he will submit them, with his remarks, for the approval of the Government. With reference to the bridges in question, it will be necessary that the plans and sections, with a copy of the specification, be at once sent to Mr. Hales, with a request that he will remark upon them and submit them to this office for the approval of the Government, in order that the work may be proceeded with forthwith. I have, &c, H. E. Readek, Major ISToake, Commanding Militia District, Patea, For the Acting Under Secretary.