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46

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE

you speak of before Assmbly meets, and afterwards I hope we may have a larger sum at disposal. In the meantime go on as you propose. I do not know what Mr. M'Lean is doing with roads to the north of you. He lias a party or two at work between Waingongoro and Opunake in Taranaki Province, but the work is light. It is entirely Native labour, under Hone Pihama (friendly), Hukanui and Ngahui (ex rebels). I have about 100 Volunteers and Constabulary at work between Waingongoro and Wanganui, chiefly easing the approaches to the three or four small livers which have to be crossed. Their military pay will be charged to the £30,000 vote while they work. I have also started a party on the Manawatu to Napier road, to make passable a piece of some two miles long, and ease a few other spots, which will cost £1,500 to £2,000. This is all I intend to do (except one or two bridges, costing £300 or £400 a-piece) till the Assembly meets. I agiee with Mr. Carrington, the Superintendent of Taranaki, who says, " The greater part of the roads need not be macadamized; the cuttings, embankments, and bridges are all that are necessary to make this land an abode of peace." This is particularly applicable to the country between Wanganui and Taranaki, by the open land. lam very anxious to see the road from Manawatu to Napier completed. It is the only point where east and west coasts can be united, and the road runs on this side through a magnificent country, of which 100,000 acres are surveyed, ready for sale, and free from disputes with Natives. I found the work done by the Provincial Government of Wellington much further advanced than I expected. It would be a splendid thing for your Province and this, and of great consequence in a national point of view—■ •::■ i; -x- •:;• -:;■ * William Fox.

No. 107. Copy of a Letter from His Honor J. D. Okmond to the Hon. W. GISBOBNE. Sir, — Napier, 3rd February, 1870. I have the honor to enclose a report of Mr. Bold's on the road-works that have been executed under his supervision, and a tracing of the road from Tarawera to the Taupo Plains, showing the proposed alteration in that part of the line. I should add that the telegraph will be taken by this route, which is some miles shorter. The remainder of the line is shown I believe, as Mr. Bold states, on the telegraph map which I forwarded to Mr. Lemon, and which you can refer to if necessary. J should state for your information that little has been done upon this line, from there being no labour available for the purpose, the Taupo Natives having been almost constantly engaged in the operations against Te Kooti, and the Constabulary stationed in posts along the line having been occupied in escorting the convoys of provisions. The only work that has been done so far has been executed by a small party of Europeans, who have been employed in improving and keeping passable the line for pack animals. A great deal has, however, been done by them, and Mr. Bold has shown considerable skill in directing the works. The line, when the proposed deviations between Haroto and Te Purupuru, and Tarawera and Taupo Plains are completed, will be a really good pack road, but a great deal will require to be done before it can be opened for drays. The instructions I have given to Mr. Bold are, to open the new road from Te Haroto to Te Purupuru, making the same a good bridle road at first. This will involve some three miles bush cutting, and will avoid the worst part of the present road. This piece of work will, I think, be undertaken by the Natives belonging to the late Paora Hapi's hapu, and will be done by contract. These Natives are at present on a visit to the Hawkes Bay Natives, but are about to return, and I hope the work will then be arranged for, when I will report further upon the matter. The new line between Tarawera and the Taupo Plains is being opened by a party of about 20 Europeans. I have been unable to get Native labour as yet, for the reasons already explained, and no Constabulary have been available. I propose, however, to employ both natives and Constabulary on this portion of the road whenever lam able to obtain their services. The line is now only being made passable, and I have pushed it on in order that the extension of telegraph may not be delayed. It will, however, when sufficiently opened for dragging the telegraph poles, <fee, over it, be passable for jiack horses, and will avoid the worst part of the present road between Tarawera and Runanga. Generally, I may state that I projiose to employ such labour as can be procured in improving the bridle road between Te Haroto and Taupo plains, and to avail as much as possible of the services of the Constabulary. In the neighbourhood of Tarawera there is a good deal that requires to be done,- and which I will report upon when in a position to have the work carried on. With respect to the road on this side of Te Haroto, I enclose a report of Mr. Ross, lately the Provincial Surveyor, whom I employed to survey that part of the line. I .should state that supplies are at present delivered by the contractors at Titiokura saddle. The road between Pohue and Titiokura is passable, but requires improvement; and between Titiokura and the Mohaka River, and thence to Te Haroto a dray road can be constructed at no very great cost; Mr. Boss estimates it at £2,500. but Mr. Bold considers much of the work proposed by Mr. Ross to be unnecessary, and I agree in thinking £2,000 would open the road for drays as far as Te Haroto. This would make a material difference to any future operations that may be necessary in the Taupo country. I think I have explained generally what I propose to do upon the Taupo line, and have only to add that Poihipi is proceeding with his contract, and that it will not be long before the dray road between .Kimanga and Tapuaeharuru is open. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. J. D. Ormond.