A.—No. 17

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE

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No. 102. [circular memorandum.] Auckland, 29th October, 1869. Officers and non-commissioned officers of Constabulary will understand that it will be a part of their duty in regard to information to send to the Defence Minister from time to time (or as may be specially ordered) reports descriptive of the topographical character of the country that they may be stationed in, with the facilities of communication by roads or rivers from their station as a centre ; bearing in mind that the peace of a district cannot be permanently insured until facilities shall exist to penetrate its fastnesses. Assuming Taupo Lake to be the centre from which lines of military road will have to diverge, officers will, as the circumstances of their ordinary duty may admit, examine the paths leading from their respective stations towards that place, with a view of ascertaining what improvement may be made in their direction. Native tracks, as a rule, follow the best lines of country, but are generally capable of being improved in detail. Inasmuch as bridges are rarely thought of by the natives, considerable detours are often made to avoid a stream that might be crossed with the exercise of a moderate amount of mechanical ingenuity. Swamps, too, are wound round which might be made passable by a small amount of work in draining. As soon as any officer or non-commissioned officer in charge of a detachment or station is in possession of authentic information on these subjects, he will furnish to the Defence Minister a sketch with explanatory notes descriptive of the present paths leading in that direction, and the improvements that he would suggest. Officers and non-commissioned officers will in this have an opportunity of evincing their ability in a very important branch of their duty. A sketch map of the district of which their station is the centre should also be prepared, and a copy sent to the Govennnent, the original being kept at the station for general use : this should be drawn to scale say four miles to an inch, the north point being towards the top of the plan. The map should embody as much information as is practicable without crowding; and to make the amount of information more ample, descriptive notes on separate sheets of paper should be attached to it under the various heads of— 1. Roads, description of existing 2. ~ „ proposed 3. Rivers ~ navigation 4. ~ suggestions for pontooning or bridging 5. Forests, description of 6. Mountain passes, description of 7. Native settlements and cultivations, with name of hapu and estimate of population 8. Native fortifications 9. Extent of feed for horses or bullocks 10. The extent of bush-clearing necessary to let light and air in to keep a road dry In observing a line of country, particular attention is to be given to the existence of any parallel tracks ; these may be more available for transit at certain times of the year; they are of the greatest importance in advance and retreat. Notes should be made as to how far a path continues available for carts or packhorses. As to where banks should be broken down to improve approach to a ford. As to how steep places or a round may be avoided or improved by a divergence. As to how a road may be straightened by hardening a swamp or bridging a stream. As to where a pontoon ferry should be arranged. As to how landing-places could be improved. As to what positions pas and villages are commanded from, and whence they obtain their supplies and water. As to the depth of rivers, and the extent to which they may be made navigable ; with the point to which the influence of the flood and ebb of tide extends. As to the military features, the manner in which a road is commanded, the position of cross roads, the extent and character of gorges and defiles, with the length of time required to go from place to place, whether As a messenger or scout. As in heavy marching order. With packhorses. With carts, ike. As cavalry. Position of safe and convenient halting-places. Donald M'Lean. A copy of the above sent to His Honor J. D. Ormond, the Hon. Colonial Secretary, Lieut.-Col. Harington, Major Stapp, Major Noake, Mr. Commissioner Branigan.

No. 103. Copy of a Letter from His Honor J. D. Ormostd to the Hon. W. Gisboene. Sir^.— Napier, 15th November, 1869. I have the honor to enclose copy of a telegram from Mr. Bold, reporting upon the road between Tapuaeharuru and Runanga, and the cost of opening the same for dray communication. I am glad to find that the amount I estimated is not far exceeded, and trust to be able during the visit I am about to make to the Taupo District to start the work. I shall prefer closing with the natives for a lump sum of