CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS IN THE NORTH ISLAND.

53

A.—No. 17.

BAY OF PLENTY. No. 113. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Commissioner Clarke to Mr. Cooper. Civil Commissioner's Office, Sm > — Tauranga, 4th October, 1869. I have the honor to acquaint you that the Ngaiterangi (Tauranga) natives are very anxious to be employed in forming roads through this district, and, as it appears to me to be a favorable indication of the disposition of these people, I have no hesitation in strongly recommending their wish to the favorable consideration of the Hon. the Defence Minister. There are two roads which, for defensive reasons, ought to be commenced, if possible, this season. One of these will be direct to Taupo through the Piotorua District, and must be eventually the sreat trunk road. _ The other is greatly needed to connect this town with the out-settlements of Otumoetai and Te Wairoa. I would, therefore, suggest that the sum of five hundred pounds may be set apart for the above objects. I have, &c, The Under Secretary Native Department, Wellington. H. T. Clarke

No. 114. Copy of a Letter from His Honor J. D. Okmond to the Hon. D. M'Lean. Bm,— Napier, 11th November, 1869. The mam line of road referred to by Mr. Clarke, viz., the road from Tauranga to Taupo via Rotorua is, in my o])inion, a work of great importance. I have in former letters addressed to the Hon. the Defence Minister also referred to the political desirability of employing the Ngaiterangi upon roadworks, having heard through Poihipi of their readiness to be so employed. I am of opinion that a competent officer should be sent to inspect and report upon the three different lines that are spoken of from the Bay of Plenty to Taupo. These lines are 1. Tauranga to Taupo. 2. Maketu to Taupo. 3. Matata to Taupo. _ I have made considerable enquiry respecting these lines of road, and I incline to think that the choice lies between the Tauranga and Maketu roads ; and if the difficulties are anything near equal, then I should say that the road to Tauranga should be preferred as connecting Taupo with a good harbor on the East Coast. The amount proposed by Mr. Clarke, viz., £500, appears to me quite inadequate to effect anything like what is required, I should strongly recommend that during the present summer one of the lines to the Bay of Plenty should be pushed on. The road from either Maketu or Tauranga would pass through the Arawa country, and it is unnecessary to point out the advantage of having the communication to the interior through a friendly district. In respect to the roads named by Mr. Clarke to connect Tauranga with the out-settlements of Te Wail-da and Otumoetai, I am unable to give any opinion, but would suggest that the road vote should as far as possible be applied to opening main trunk lines of road through the country. I have, &c, The Hon. the Defence Minister, Auckland. J. d. Okmond.

No. 115. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. D. 11' Lean to His Honor J. D. Ormond. Sir >— Auckland, 18th November, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th instant, enclosing a copy of your letter to the Colonial Secretary of the same date. I concur in the proposal of paying a lump sum to the natives for all descriptions of road-work. The only question is, whether, of the three lines of road from the Bay of Plenty to Taupo, that by way of Bangitaiki is the best to adopt as a main permanent line. Ido not consider it is. At the same time, if it can be rendered passable for drays for the sum named, and is essential for transport service, you can use your own discretion in employing Poihipi's tribe in carrying out the -work. I object to Mr. Bold's proposal of giving the work at per chain or cubic yard when employing native labour, as it would lead to greater expense than is necessary in measuring and checking, and would not be easily understood by the natives. I will furnish you with several reports I have called for, which will give you some idea of the respective merits of the three lines of road leading from the Bay of Plenty to Taupo. 1 have, &c, His Honor J. D. Ormond, Napier. Donald M'Lean.

ho. 116. Copy of a Letter from Lieutenant Way to the Hon. D. M'Leak. Sie '~~ Auckland, sth October, 1869. _ 1 have the honour to inform you, for your information, the distances of the different roads, running from the East and West Coasts to Lake Taupo. The road leading from Makotu to Taupo