CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS IN THE NORTH ISLAND.

33

A.—No. 17.

No. 72. Copy of a Telegram from Mr. Hales to Lt.-Col. Reader. Wanganui, 23rd May, 1870. Is it the intention of the Government that I shall exercise any supervision over the road works in the Upper Wanganui District now in process of construction tinder the direction of Mr. Field 1 W. H. Hales.

No. 73. Copy of a Telegram from Lt.-Col. Reader to W. Buller, Esq., R.M. Wellington, 2Gth May, ]870. Hon. W. Gisborne wishes you to report as to whether it would be advisable that Mr. Hales should ■exercise any supervision over the road works in Upper Wanganui, now in charge of Mr. Field 1 H. E. Reader.

No. 74. Copy of a Telegram from Mr. Buller, R.M., to Lt.-Col. Reader. Wanganui, 27th May, 1870. I think it would be advisable to get Mr. Hales to make a general inspection of the Taupo line after Mr. Field has completed his work, and before his accounts are passed at the Treasury. W." Buller, R.M.

No. 75. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Cooper to Mr. Buller, R.M. Colonial Defence Office, Sir,— Wellington, 30th May, 1870. By direction of the Hon. the Premier, I have to intimate to you that your suggestion of Mr. Hales making a general inspection of the Taupo line of road after Mr. Field has completed setting it out, before his accounts are passed at the Treasury, has been approved of, and to request that you will. give the necessary instructions to that effect. I have, &c, G. S. Cooper, W. Buller, Esq., R.M., Wanganui. Acting Under Secretary.

No. 76, Copy of a Letter from Mr. Booth, 8.M., to Hon. D. M'Lean. Sir, — Wanganui, 2nd June, 1870. I have the honor to report my return from Mr. Field's road, to which place I proceeded from "Wanganui on the 25th ult. With the exception of one bad gorge (Kuripari), near the Upokongaro stream, the road through which can be " eased," there do not appear to be any difficulties in the way of making a dray road by the present route. I estimate the length of road at present cut to be from fourteen to sixteen miles, and Mr. Field's surveyed line to be about six miles further on. Mr. Field and I pushed on through the country on Saturday last, 28th, and came near the dividing ridge between the Mangawhero and Wangaehu rivers. After ascending the ridge by an easy gradient, the distance, according to Mr. Field's statement, is very trifling, but that the Wangaelm will have to be crossed. Some natives, however, who were with us say this can be avoided by taking the road higher up the Mangawhero Valley to where the KaratiaIkurangi road comes out. Our present difficulty on the road is the Mangawhero River, which has to be forded three times. It is liable to heavy floods. Whilst I was at Mr. Field's camp the river rose ten feet in one day, and on our return we were detained three days before we were able to cross. This would be obviated by having a canoe at each ford. The two more inland fords could be kept by one man. I have made arrangements with the natives to finish the road by contract. Some of them, howevei", are anxious to wait until the rains are over, it being impossible to take out provisions when the river is flooded. A native named Koinene, owner of the land through which the road is at present being cut, has agreed to go up with Mr. Field on his return, and to assist him in finding the easiest way to the plains, he (Komene) being well acquainted with the country. He is also to work at clearing the busk for the road, for which services I have promised him 7s. 6d. a day, the same as was given by Mr. Buller to Aperahama, of Turakina. Komene's son, a young man, is to accompany his father, to be employed by Mr. Field in widening his lines, and to have 3s. a day. I have, &c, The Hon. the Defence Minister, Wellington. James Booth, R.M.

No. 77. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Field to the Hon. W. Gisborne. Sir, — Wanganui, 2nd June, 1870. By direction of Mr. Buller, E.M., I have tlie honor to submit to you the following detailed report on the subject of the pack-horse road from Wanganui to Taupo, via Mangawhero :— The work was commenced on 17th January, under directions from Mr. Buller, my instructions being to cut the line throughout of a width of 8 feet, and to perform such earthwork as might be necessary to mako 9