A.—No. 17,

38

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE

No. 82. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Cooper to Mr. Stewart. Colonial Defence Office, Sir,— Wellington, 16th February, 1870. In reference to the instructions you have received from the Honorable the Premier for the construction of roads at Manawatu, I am instructed to inform you that advances to meet the expenditure "will be made to you through the paymaster here, of such sums as you may require during the progress of the work. If the work is done under contract, the contracts are in the first instance to be submitted through this office for approval. If under daily wages, you will be good enough to report (for approval) tlie arrangements (if any) you have entered into. 1 have, &c, G. S. Cooper, J. T. Stewart, Esq., Manawatu. Acting Under Secretary.

No. 83. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Stewart to Mr. Cooper. .Foxton, Manawatu, Sir,— 24th February, 1870. I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 16th instant, and in reply to state that I shall, if possible, furnish you with the amount required for the Manawatu roads at the end of the present month, with particulars thereof, by the next mail. I have, &c, The Acting Under Secretary for Defence, Wellington. John T. Stewart.

No. 84. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Stewart to Mr. Cooper, Foxton, Manawatu, Sir,— 28th February, 1870. In reply to your letter of the 16th February, I have now to apply for the sum of £181 to be advanced to me in order to pay for road works at Manawatu up to end of February. In explanation, I may state that it was arranged by Mr. Fox that the works should be gone on with in a similar manner to those formerly done under my charge by the Provincial Government. The work is let out under written agreement by Mr. Burr, the overseer, to the Natives for a certain number of chains, at a rate approved of by me and similar to what was formerly paid, and not called for by tender. You will observe by the accompanying list the small amount of some of these contracts. To refer each of these to Wellington for approval would be almost impracticable, as the Natives would probably be away before a reply was returned, The few men employed at day wages are getting timber for culverts in the bush, fixing it, and on sundry works which it would be difficult to give out by contract. A portion of the work in the more open country near Foxton I am now getting ready, and propose in a few days calling for tenders for small contracts from either Europeans or Maoris, as authorised by Mr. Fox to do in this part of the road line, and to accept the lowest. Should you wish it, I shall before accepting any tenders refer them to you, but any delay now is very important and would affect prices given, as only a short time of dry weather may be expected at this season. I have, &c, Tlie Acting Under Secretary for Defence, Wellington. John T. Stewart.

No. 85. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Stewart to Mr. Cooper. Sir, — Manawatu, 24th March, 1870. I have to inform, you that I have accepted the following contracts for works upon the Maiiawatu roads—branch, Oroua bush to Foxton—they being the lowest tenders received, and within the estimated amount, viz., Contract No. 1, Thos U. Cook ... ... ... £103 8 6 Contract No. 2, Thos. U. Cook ... ... ... 01 1 0 Contract No. 3, Eangimarehau, Epiha, and other natives ... 55 0 0 £219 9 G These contracts extend over 2-f miles. Full particulars of the same will be furnished as the works proceed. I have, etc., Tlie Acting Under Secretary for Defence, Wellington. John T. Stewart.

No. 86. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Cooper to Mr. Stewart. Colonial Defence Office, Sib,— Wellington, 6tli April, 1870. By direction of tlie Hon. Mr. Gisborne, I do myself the honor to acknowledge the receipt of