CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS IN THE NORTH ISLAND.

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levels, and the soil is very rich, with for the most part a dry subsoil and plenty of gravel. Northward of the Putaringa the valley opens again, and forms a succession of fine flats, some of them many hundreds of acres in extent, on which the soil is of the richest possible description. A grey-headed native who accompanied Mr. Booth told us that when a boy he was one of the party who took the first pig into that part of the country. At that time, he said, the flats and adjacent hills were covered with fern, but of this there is now scarcely a trace remaining, the vegetation consisting of koromiko, which is now dying out, and giving place to scrubby bush, among which trees of larger kinds are springing tip. The subsoil of these flats is dry, and there is gravel in the bases of all the hills. At the bottoms of the ridges the vegetation consists mostly of koromiko, but in ascending this gradually changes to scrubby bush, and this again on the high flats and dividing ridge, to tawa and manuka bush. On the Wangaehu side the scrubby bush descends apparently to a somewhat lower . level, and changes abruptly to the grass and rushes which cover the plains. I hope very shortly to be able to report the completion of the leading line. I have, (fee, H. C. Field, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Engineer in charge of the Mangawhero-Taupo Road.

No. 78. Copy of a Telegram from Mr. Woon to Mr. Cooper. Wanganui, 3rd June, IS7O. Mr. Booth is at Putiki. He and Mr. Field arrived yesterday from the extreme end of Taupo Road, having been detained three days by the floods. He is engaged in paying road party. Mr. Field is drawing up a report about the road. Haimona Hiroti highly approves of the course taken by the road. Natives here most anxious the same should be completed, as it will open up much fine country which they wish. to lease. Richard W. Wooir,

MANAWATU. No. 79. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. the Premier to Mr. Burr. Foxton, Manawatu, Sir, — 28th January. 1870. It being the intention of the Government to complete the portion of road between Ngawhakaraua and Oroua Bridge on the same plan as the bush road already constructed to Palmerston, I wish you to undertake the work under the general superintendence of Mr. Stewart, C.E. He will lay off the work for you, and direct what is to be done, and you will submit your pay-lists to him for certification; the work, as far as possible, to be constructed by Maori labour, which you will organise and control, paying monthly on requisition and pay-list forwarded to the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. You will attend personally during the work, and give your whole time to it. You will receive pay at the rate of twelve .shillings and sixpence per diem ; to find and keep your own horse at your own expense; your engagement to commence from the 17th inst. Mr. A. Burr. William Fox, Premier.

No. 80. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Burr to the Hon. W. Fox. Foxton, Manawatu, SIR,— 2nd February, 1870. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th ult., enclosing instructions to commence the Foxton and Oroua road, subject to conditions and the approval of Mr. J. T. Stewart, C.E., I have explored the line for the road with Mr. Stewart, and find it very good. According to your instructions I have commenced the Ngawhakaraua road. I have, &c, Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Amos Burr.

No. 81. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Stewart to the Hon. W. Fox. .Sir, — Manawatu, sth February, 1870. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your instructions of the 28th ultimo, in regard to road between Foxton and Oroua. As soon as I have laid out the line, I shall, as you request, furnish you with a statement of the character and extent of the work. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. John T. Stewart. 10