CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS IN THE NORTH ISLAND.

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A No. 17.

say five hundred pounds for the work between the Rangitaiki and Tapuaeharuru, and the piece near Runanga can be done as suggested by Mr. Bold by the Constabulary. The saving that will be effected by the opening of this road in supplying any posts we may have on Taujto Lake will in a few months cover the whole outlay. I have, ike, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. J. D. Ormond.

Enclosure in No. 103. Copy of a Telegram from Mr. Bold to His Honor J. D. Orjiond. Sir, — Runanga, 13th November, 18G9. In accordance with your instructions, I accompanied Mr. Locke to Tapuaeharuru, for the purpose of estimating the cost of opening dray communications from here to that place. On a flying trip it is difficult to arrive at other than a very approximate estimate, but from the notes I made I think communication could be opened between Rangitaiki and Tapuaeharuru for £500. The principal work required is side and scrub cutting between Opepe and the lake. The portion from Runanga to the Rangataiki would cost about £100, and could be done by Constabulary at this post, if available. Mr. Locke expressed his desire to conclude a bargain for a lump sum. My estimate is not sufficiently accurate to make such an arrangement, and I recommend that it would be better to let the work at per chain or cubic yard for earthwork, and per chain for scrub-clearing. The route should also be marked out, and a person left with the natives who could carry out my directions. Poihipi cannot collect his men together for at least ten days, they being at Tokano and elsewhere. Road tools should also be sent up—shovels, spades, picks, billhooks, and a few axes. I have enough cable left at Mohaka to put a canoe across the Waikato on the self-acting principal ; a travelling block would ba all that is required, Mr. Locke having induced Poihipi to give a canoe. We left matters thus. That road should be marked off first, and the natives would then take the work. lam about starting through the bush from Tarawera to Maruanui. E. H. Bold.

No. 104. Copy of a Telegram from the Hon. W. Fox to His Honor J. D. Okmond. Wellington, 22nd January, 1870. Can you give me a rough estimate of the extent to which your road operations are likely to dip into the £30,000 vote. I want to know in order to limit West Coast operations on that fund. William Fox.

No. 105. Cojjv of a Telegram from His Honor J. D. Okmond to the Hon. W. Fox. Napier, 23rd January, 1870. Received yours referring to road expenditure. I have given this subject a good deal of attention, and thought of it as the question of the day and the solution of the native difficulty. My reply consequently must be at some length to explain what I have arrived at, and I only refer to those districts of which I have obtained a knowledge and not to the West Coast, of which I know little. First. Re road Expenditure in this District.—l estimate about £800 has been spent under Mr. Bold in improving Taupo line for transport purposes. Poihipi's contract is £450 more. This is all I have engaged for. But Mr. Locke is now at Taupo endeavouring to secure native labour to work at the road between Runanga and here, or rather Titiokura, and it will take £8,000 to open the same for dray traffic. In reference to this work, I should mention that it will be necessary to employ the Taupo natives on. roads, or otherwise to provide for them, as they have no cultivations at all and can live in no other way. If £10,000, including past expenditure, is estimated at what may be required between here and Tapuaeharuru, it will, I think, open the road for drays. I would call attention at the same time to the importance of availing of present opening to extend road from Tapuaeharuru to Cambridge ; this can be done probably at a nominal cost. From what I can gather £4,000 would open that road for drays and provide dray punts at the Waikato crossings. Then the road to Tauranga from Tapuaeharuru is very important, and will require £5,000 to £6,000 to do any good. Viewing, as I do, roads as the policy of the country, I dwell on the importance of the main roads I have mentioned. The bridle track in course of construction from Wanganui is most valuable in a military point of view, and I hope will be opened, but the difficulties after reaching the open country are great if dray road with Taupo was intended. With a little attention, I am satisfied contracts could be made with the resident Natives of those districts for roads to Cambridge and Tauranga from Tujmaehururu and connected with the road to here. I think them of the greatest importance. The road to Cambridge I connect with the telegraph. The wire should run to Tapuaeharuru in less than three months from now, and I can see no difficulty in extending to Cambridge. I have directed Mr. Locke to collect information as to the road, timber, &c, and to talk with the natives on the subject as something determined on. I will report as soon as I hear result. lam very earnest in wishing to extend telegraph and road to Cambridge, and have for some time past kept the question before the natives, so that they are used to it. Of course that is out of my district, but the question is so important I have not hesitated to assist in it so far as I can. Ormond.

No. 106. Extract from a Telegram from the Hon. W. Fox to His Honor J. D. Ormond. Wellington, 24th January, 1870. I quite agree with your views on the road question. You will, however, scarcely expend the amount