©.—No. 1

10

PAPERS RELATIVE TO CONSTRUCTION OF

slopes of about 1 in 11. I long had hopes that, by keeping further to the westward, nearer to Poutihi, a better crossing might be found, but extensive explorations and careful inquiries have now convinced me that this is not the case. I now find that there are several small lakes near Poutihi, and I am led to the conclusion that the Mangorewa either rises in these or receives a large portion of its waters from them, and that the precipitous ravine eroded by it, extends from the vicinity of the Poutihi all the way to Kaituna. This being the case, if the shortest road from Tauranga to Botorua is the object sought, it is, I think, unlikely that any better line can be found in the forest portion of it than that which has already been most carefully and laboriously surveyed by Mr. Turner ; and the only question remaining is, whether to persevere in completing the road to the forest by Oropi, on which so much has been done, or rather to adopt that by Maenene, which even now, would not cost more to make than to complete the other, and would be a better road. lam inclined, however, to think that it will be better on the whole to make no change in the line surveyed, since the time which would be lost in commencing the other, and the many inconveniences of departing from plans already so far carried out, would probably counterbalance the advantages of a change. But the large consideration of the whole question which my investigations during the past six months have forced upon me, has led me to conclude that the direct line by Eotorua is not the best one for a main thoroughfare of the Island, nor even for access to Taupo. I find from careful inquiry, and especially from information given me by Captain G. Mair, that by crossing the forest from Te Kiki considerably to the west of Poutihi, to the vicinity of Tapapa, the valley of the Mangorewa and nearly all (if not all) of the ravines may be avoided. The part crossing by this line is less than half as long as the one surveyed, and from Tapapa an easy line up the Patetere Valley, over excellent open land, leads into the Taupo Plains, south of Horo Horo, and so would reach Lake Taupo by a route very little, if any, longer than the other, and avoiding its chief difficulties ; while a branch from Tapapa, about twentyfive miles, would connect Tauranga with Cambridge, and a natural road, requiring scarcely anything but clearing timber, leads through excellent land to Eotorua. The lines which I have laid off on the accompan3'ing map would establish excellent communication between all the settlements; they would open up some of the most available lands in the North Island, which arc at present quite worthless and almost wholly unknown; they would bring Tauranga within an easy day's ride from Cambridge, through very good land the whole way ; and from Tauranga to Taupo would be only eighty miles, —one-half the distance through superior lands for farm settlements, and the remainder through a good pastoral district, very superior to the eastern plains of Taupo. I cannot but think, therefore, that this by Tapapa should be regarded as the permanent line of road, and that every opportunity should be seized for forwarding its survey and construction ; and, if temporary Native difficulties should interpose to prevent its completion and impose the necessity of adopting the other line, that that should only be looked on as an useful road for opening up available •country and for communication with Eotorua, but not as one of the arterial communications of the Colony. I have, Ac, Theo. H. Heale, Inspector of Surveys in charge of Taupo Eoad. The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington.

No. 12. His Honor J. D. Oemond to the Hon. Mr. Gisboene. (Telegram.) Napier, 9th January, 1871. In reply to your telegram of this day (No. 195), the roads in progress under my charge north •of Taupo extend from Tapuaeharuru to Te Ngae, distance about fifty miles. The following portions are contracted for and in progress, nearly finished:-—Tapuaeharuru to Tuparahaki, 12 miles, Native contract, dray road 16 feet wide, £500; Tuparahaki to Niho oto Kiore, 8 miles, Native contract, dray road 18 feet wide, £650 ; Ngapuketurua to Hemo, near Eotorua, 6 miles, Native contract, let to Manihera and Tuhourangi, dray road 18 feet wide, £300. The remaining portions are likely to be contracted for and carried out on Mr. Bold's return to Taupo, very shortly. Niho o te Kiore to Ngapuketurua, near Horo Horo, 20 miles, dray road, will be let to Tuhourangi, ready to undertake it; estimated cost £1,250. From Hemo to join road from Te Ngae, 4 miles, will be let to Ngatwhakane ; estimate £120. Branch roads—Tuparahaki to Kaiteriria, via Orakeikorako, 43 miles, bridle track 8 feet wide, portion offered Ngatitahu, not yet accepted ; difficulty with Ngatitahu. Estimated cost £500. The above are all works contemplated in my charge north of Taupo. Other works as approved going on this side Taupo. Eeports on all works in course of preparation by Mr. Bold, and go by an early opportunity. His duties in field have prevented him preparing earlier. I have arranged to give him assistance at trifling cost. Hon. W. Gisborne, Wellington. Oemond.

No. 13. The Hon. Mr. Gisboene to His Honor J. D. Oemond. (Telegram.) Wellington, 10th January, 1871. Look at Heale's map of Taupo and Bay of Plenty. He proposes to take line from Tauranga to Tapapa through narrow part of bush, instead of by Botorua from Tapapa to Niho o te Kiore, by west side of Horo Horo Bange. Is this practicable, considering Native difficulties ? Please state, briefly, the advantages of the two lines mentioned in your last telegram to me, —by Ngapuketurua via Niho o te Kiore, and by Kaiteriria via Orakeikorako. Whereabouts is Ngapuketurua on Heale's map ? His Honor J. D. Ormond, Napier. W. Gisboene.