A.—No. 17.

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE

52

is a question which can only be solved on completion of the trial lines recommended. The valley iswooded, and presents apparently a succession of rocky precipitous bluffs. A dray road can be made with little difficulty to Oruakaka, one and a half miles past Tarawera; and while this is in course of formation, the trial lines mentioned could be examined and reported upon, and an accurate estimate returned of the outlay required. In the meantime the present bridle track will continue to answer the immediate requirements of general traffic. The cost of extending dray communication from Titiokura to Oruakaka (a distance of 21 miles) will most likely amount to ,£7,000. This sum, liowever, by the employment of Constabulary labour for a few miles on either side of the posts at Te Haroto and Tarawera, might bo reduced to £5,000. Road, Runanga to Tapuaeharuru.—The cuttings and earthwork necessary for opening dray communication for the first four miles of this a'oad have been performed by the detachment of the Armed Constabulary stationed at Runanga. From Orongateahu to Tapuaeharuru, the northern extremity of Lake Taupo, the road has been opened for drays by native contract labour. The total length of dray road open on this section is about 32 miles ; and all the transport service is now performed by the drays (four in number) brought through from Napier. The drays have proved of great service in the transport of telegraph material during the erection of the wire across the plain. Contracts have been entered into for the supply of timber for two bridges on this section—one a bridle bridge across the Waijiunga, near Runanga, of 35 feet span, and the second a dray bridge of 40 feet span, across the Rangitaiki. The. superstructures designed are trussed beams of matai, with iron tension rods—the beams resting on totara sleepers. In the survey of the road across the Plains, the old track has generally been followed to the foot of Tauhara; here it has been shortened and rendered much easier, by taking a leading spur to Waipahihi. The heaviest earthwork has been performed at Upepe, and the cuttings there are very well executed. DEFENCE WORKS. Besides the road formation and improvements performed during the past year, I may mention the erection at Te Haroto of a blockhouse capable of holding forty to fifty men. The blockhouse consists of two floors, the upper of which is twenty-four feet square, so as to perfectly flank the lower story. Underneath the lower story is a cellar, from which a covered way, slabbed and roofed, conducts to a ■well containing a constant supply of water. The position is uncommanded and unapproachable. Several important tracks radiate from this place, one of them to Waikare-moana by way of Putere. The erection of the blockhouse was much retarded on account of unfavourable weather, scarcity of labour, and tardiness in delivery of timber. Some small additions have been recently made by the detachment of Armed Constabulary at present in occupation. Tarawera has been rendered defensible by the erection of a palisading and parapet, enclosing an area of about 10,000 square feet, and the whole of which is flanked by two block-houses, with bullet-proof ceilings. Each block-house is 16 feet square, and is built in the American fashion, of squared timber, 10 inches thick. One of them has been shingled by the detachment of Constabulary stationed here. A large store for the commissariat, and minor buildings for accommodation of telegraph, have been erected inside the redoubt. The Constabulary have also erected a substantial building for officers' quarters and orderly room. The time and labour expended upon the works at Tarawera are fully warranted, on account of its importance as the chief intermediate depot; also as the station for telegraph maintenance. The position is midway between Te Haroto and Runanga, in the Waipunga Valley. It is entirely surrounded by partially wooded hills, and the whole length of road between Te Haroto and Runanga may be considered the south-western frontier of the Urewera country. Tracks, said to lead into this country from Tarawera, were recently explored by one of my assistants, but no trace of their having been travelled for years was discernible. Substantial stockades and buildings have been erected at Runanga, Pahautea, Opepe, and Tapuaeharuru by the several detachments of Constabulary stationed at each place. At Runanga and Tapuaeharuru buildings for the accommodation of the the telegraph have been erected, which will prove of great utility for the purposes of maintenance. At Pahautea a well has been sunk 46 feet deep through pumice drift, and terminating in compact lock; the shaft is slabbed tlmnighout. Pahautea is situated about half-way between Runanga and Opepe; and to enable bullocks and horses to work across the plains in dry weather this well was absolutely required. Its completion has proved of infinite service, as the place was before entirely devoid of water supply. An excellent well has likewise been sunk by the Constabulary stationed at Opepe, at which place, also, water was much needed. Across the Waikato a self-acting ferry is about to be established, the materials for which are now on the ground. The various works described have been mainly performed (unless when otherwise specially stated) by the party under my directions, during periods when from alarms or other causes they were unable to proceed with telegraph or road constructions. I have, &c, His Honor J. I). Ormond, Ed. H. Bold, General Government Agent, Napier. Telegraph Surveyor.