A.—No. 17

56

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE

is flanked for nearly the whole distance by the Urewera Mountains, rendering it unsafe in the event of hostilities with that tribe. 2. The second line is from the same starting point as the last, following up the Tarawera branch, the same shallows have to be passed. After crossing these, the river divides into several branches, for the most part deep but narrow and tortuous, until the Umuhika is reached, where it becomes a broad deep stream as far as Te Ahiinanga ; here the road leads up for about six miles on the level banks of the river, when it crosses at a place rough with boulders and the current rapid. After crossing this the road follows along hills and leading ridges to Te Tapahoro. From this point, by canoe to Te Ariki and Rotomahana, thence along the eastern side of the Paeroa Range to Waiotapu and Taupo. I have only mentioned this line because lam aware that it has already boen suggested. Not only is the frequent change from water to land transport objectionable, but it sometimes happens that a canoe cannot venture on the Tarawera Lake for days together. The only native village it passes through is Te Tapahoro, and that is nearly deserted. I consider both these lines impracticable, and shall not revert to them again. 3. The third line is from the Maketu. This also is a bar river, but not so open to objection as Te Awa ote atua ; the force of the sea is greatly broken by the Okurei point. The road runs from Maketu to Te Rotoiti and Rotorua, crossing the Rotoiti at Te Taheke, where there is but little current; the distance across about 284 yards. There is a point a little lower down (half a mile) where a bridge could be conveniently thrown across, the distance between the banks being about sixty feet. The road has been partially made, and could without much difficulty be completed, at comparatively little cost, as far as Te Whakarewarewa, near Ohinemutu. From this point the road could diverge either to the eastern side of Paeora Range, already described, or to the road described in No. 4. From Ohinemutu, skirting the Rotokakahi Lake to Ratoreka, crossing the Waikato at Orakeikorako, and so on to Oruanui. From Ratoreka to Orakeikorako the line is cut up with deep narrow swamps and one considerable hill; but the thief objection is the crossing at Orakeikorako ; the banks of the river are steep, the river broad and rapid, some skill being required even in swimming horses across. Between Orakeikorako and Oruanui there is some rather rough country to pass ; the road skirts along a forest nearly the whole distance, which in case of hostilities would form splendid cover for ambuscades. But this could be all avoided by taking the east side of the Paeroa range following the east side of the Waikato to Tapuaeharuru, or at least the jioint opposite. 4. The fourth line is direct from Tauranga through Oropi and the dividing forest between Tauranga and Rotorua, following along the west bank of the Lake to Ohinemutu ; from thence to the Waikato River, crossing a little above Te-Niho-o-te-kiore, at which point there are natural facilities for the construction of a bridge ; then along the Tatua to Tapuaeharuru. This line, as I have stated in a former communication on this subject, must be the great trunk line to Taupo, possessing, as it does, the advantage ■of starting from the only good port on the East Coast. If Tauranga is made the starting-point for all these roads, this line will be about twenty miles shorter than the others, and presents no great engineering difficulties, so I am informed by both natives and Europeans who have passed over it. I think that this has already been made the subject of correspondence between the natives and the Provincial Government. It appears to me that the one question involved is a political one, as to whether it would be advisable to carry this road through at the present juncture, inasmuch as a good deal of the forest land is owned by the Ngatirangiwewehi (Kereopa's) hapu of rebels. Mita Hikairo, of the Native Lands Court, is one of the principal claimants, and could afford valuable information, and suggest, perhaps, the best course to pursue to obtain a settlement with the natives of his tribe. For temporary purposes, even if the funds cannot be legitimately provided out of the grant made by the House of Representatives, I would strongly recommend the finishing of the Maketu and Rotoiti road sufficiently to allow of a dray passing through. It could be completed at a cost of from four to five hundred pounds. Since writing the above, I have seen a letter (with sketch attached) from Poihipi Tukairangi, a tracing of which I have taken the liberty of procuring. You will see that he has suggested the road through the forest to Tauranga. I have, &c, Hy. T. Clarke, The Under Secretary Native Department, Wellington. Civil Commissioner.

No. 120. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. D. M'Lean to Mr. Civil Commissioner Clakke. Sir ( Auckland, 19th November, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your report on the different lines of road from the Bay of Plenty to Taupo, and to thank you for the valuable information which it contains. I have, &c, H. T. Clarke, Esq., Donald M'Lean. Civil Commissioner, Auckland.

No. 121. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. D. M'Lean to Lieut.-Colonel St. John. Sir, — Auckland, 17th November, 18G9. I have the honor to request that you will be so good as to proceed at once to "VVhakatane for