ROADS IN THE NORTH ISLAND

11

D.—No. l

No. 14. His Honor J. D. Oemond to the Hon. Mr. Gisboene. (Telegram.) Napier, 11th January, 1871. In reply yours just received, No. 249, I know about Heale's proposal, and believe he is right professionally. Eoute via Tapapa heads gorges and streams which are difficult on Tauranga-Taupo road. Line from Tauranga to Tapapa, and thence north to Alexandra and valley Thames, and south by Niho o te Kiore, is certain to be eventually the main line, and would run through splendid country most of the way. At present any road work there is out of the question. Niho ote Kiore is the very •extreme point to which we can push works yet, and that gives daily trouble, but will, I hope, be carried through. My opinion is, present works should improve, where necessary, the dray road from Eotorua to Maketu. A line from Eotorua to Tauranga should be opened, but not an expensive one ; a good bridle track would be sufficient, and the road to Tapapa looked to as the eventual road. With regard to the two lines named in my telegram to you of yesterday, the dray road from Taupo to Bay of Plenty is by Tuparahaki, Niho o te Kiore (bridge here over Waikato 30 feet span), Ngapuketurua (this place near Horo Horo), and between there and Huparangi (see Heale's map), thence by Hemo to Botorua and Te Ngae. This is the dray road, and I believe a thoroughly good line. It is on it thatall the work is now going on. The road by Orakeikorako to Botorua, only fit for a bridle track, was authorized more to give employment to Ngatitahu and remove difficulties on Niho o te Kiore line than anything else. It is not begun, and perhaps not likely to be. It was authorized purely to meet Native jealousies. Hon. W. Gisborne, Wellington. Oemond.

No. 15. The Hon. Mr. McLean to the Hon. Mr. Gisborne. (Telegram.) Tauranga, 18th January, 1871. The road you refer to by way of Tapapa is quite impracticable on account of the Natives. The line may be a good one from the Waikato to Taupo, but it is difficult to say when it could be commenced. The road from Oropi through the forest would cost in cutting about £200 a mile by using Native labour. The distance to cut through forest is about nine miles. Blackett is out to-day looking after road works with Turner. 1 hope matters will be started here in a satisfactory manner. Hon. W. Gisborne, Wellington. Donald McLean.

No. 16. The Hon. Mr. McLean to the Hon. Mr. Gisborne. (Telegram.) Tauranga, 19th January, 1871. I find after careful inquiry, in concert with Blackett, that the line proposed by Heale is quite impracticable on account of Native difficulty, and that, to get any work done this season, we must continue the line through forest from Oropi to Eotorua. Testerday I gave distance through forest at nine miles, and £200 a mile for cutting a dray road. I ought to have stated seventeen miles, not nine, at the same rate per mile, £200, besides three miles of open country at £150 a mile. Heale's line goes through Hauhau territory. King would oppose road on the present line. Arawas will take contracts as it is through their land, and Clarke is arranging with them to carry out this object. Blackett will leave necessary instructions. Hon. W. Gisborne, Wellington. Donald McLean.

No. 17. The Hon. Mr. Gisboene to the Hon. Mr. McLean. (Telegram.) Wellington, 19th January, 1871. I want to put you clearly in possession of my views as to Tauranga Eoad. The cost of road from Tauranga to Eotorua by Oropi will probably be £5,000 or £6,000, There is already a dray road by Maketu. It may turn out next year that the Tapapa proposed line is the right one, and that it can then be made without Native difficulties. Under these circumstances, would it not be better to be content this year with the Maketu Eoad, until we can definitely decide which is the best line ? Please take this and other circumstances of which I may perhaps not be aware, but which you know, into your careful consideration, and let me know the result. Hon. D. McLean, Tauranga. W. Gisborne.

No. 18. The Hon. Mr. McLean to the Hon. Mr. Gisboene. (Telegram.) Maketu, 20th January, 1871. As regards the Tauranga Eoad, I think the proposed line quite as good as Heale's. He approved of the Oropi line as opening up a fine tract of country. It is of great political importance, also, to employ the Arawa in opening it up, as it is through their territory. They are anxious to work, and as they get large sums now from the Government for fighting, these should be utilised for road making. Hon. W. Gisborne, Wellington. Donald McLean.