OF A ROAD BETWEEN WANGANUI AND TAUPO.

D.—No, Ift

21

We proceeded on horseback to a point near the Huripari Gorge, at which place Mr. Field and 1 left our horses, and went to explore a part of the Upokongaro Valley, which had been reported to me as almost level country, and therefore a better line than the Huripari one. I found the valley level, as had been represented, but intersected from side to side by the deep gorge, with precipitous banks, through which Upokongaro runs. The gorge crosses the level flat about twelve times iv two or three miles : the only alternatives, therefore, would be either to bridge the gorge at each crossing, or to follow the windings of the stream, which would necessitate making heavy earthworks at each turn of the stream. Either of these alternatives would necessitate a greater outlay of money than the Huripari Road, which, for a horse track, is perhaps the most economical that could be found. Joined our party in the evening at Pukohu, after a hard day's work. Weut on to Mangawhero, where we slept. loth. —Left Mangawhero at daylight. Rode to Wetaweta, the end of the made portion of Field's road. Made up our several "pikaus," and sent back the horses to Wanganui by one of the men. Continued to follow Mr. Field's cut line the whole of the ]sth and 10th. 17th. —Detained in camp on account of heavy rain. 18th. —Ascended dividing ridge between Mangawhero and Wangaehu Rivers. 19th.-—Reached end of Field's cut line at 9 a.m. Continued along dividing ridge. Cut our way with billhooks. Country very much broken. 20th. —Winiata, who has a good knowledge of the leading features of the country, went on at daylight to explore. On his return we left the dividing ridge, and went in the direction of Pihana, a ford used by Natives on the Wangaehu River, which place we reached, after a most fatiguing walk, at 12 a.m. on the 21st. Found the ford impassable for horse traffic, the current being neck deep and extremely rapid ; and, as there was no freshet in it, it is not likely to be fordable at any time. The only other ford known to Winiata is the one in the plain by which the road from Ranana enters from the bush. It would have taken us another day and a half to have reached the point at which Ranana Road comes out, had we gone the bush. We reached Rangiwhaea (Winiata's residence), at Murimotu, on the evening of the 21st. 22nd.—AV^ent at daylight to catch horses, and rode to the entrance of the bush. Returned to Wanganui by Ranana track. Reached Ranana on the evening of the 23rd. In forwarding this report I have the honor to make the following observations : — 1. Mr. Field says he never intended that the line he has marked out and partly cut should be used as a permanent road, so that the question as to whether or not it is possible to make a permanent cart road or railway remains yet to be answered, and before such an answer can be given it will be necessary, according to Mr. Field's own coufession, to make an entirely new and more careful survey, and that the present line would be useful mainly as showing the general lay of the country. Therefore, keeping the object of the Government in view—" That lines of road through now country are to be laid off with the view of eventually converting them into permanent lines," —the road in question is a failure. 2. Ido not consider Mr. Field has dealt fairly by the Government. He made certain representations to the Hon. the Premier with respect to the road, which induced Mr. Fox to put the work into his hands, and at his own estimate of cost. The question as to whether his professional fees were included or not in that estimate is a matter of little moment, as the cost of making a bridle track by the route we have just travelled would, without professional fees, cost more than three times the amount estimated for. 3. Mr. Field had never actually explored the country through which he proposed to take the road, further than to a certain hill not far from the Mangawhero River, from which he saw a grass plain, but which, on after inspection, proved to be many miles from Murimotu, and on this (right) side of the Wangaehu River. His visit in my company to Murimotu, last week, was the first visit he has made to the plains. He could not, therefore, possibly know the nature of the country beyond the point which he reached, much less to estimate the cost of making a road through that country. 4. Keeping in mind the ultimate object —a permanent road —there are three several parts of the country which are very broken — spurs and gullies running from leading ridges at right angles to the road line. These obstacles might possibly be overcome by more careful survey and skilful engineering; but the question remains to be asked as to whether an easier and more direct, and therefore more inexpensive, line cannot be found? The Native owners of the country say there is a much more direct and most easy line to be found on the left bank of the Wangaehu River. Winiata and the Mangawhero Natives have long spoken of tho latter route as being the most likely to form the best permanent line. Under these circumstances, therefore, I would recommend that no further expense be incurred on account of Mr. Field's road, until other parts of the country have been explored and reported on by persons competent to give an opinion thereon. I have, &c, James Booth, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington. Resident Magistrate.

No. 24. Mr. Cooper to Mr. Booth. Sin,— Public Works Office, Wellington, 7th January, 1871. I have the honor, by instruction of Mr. Gisborne, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th ultimo, and in reply to inform you that the Government concur in your recommendation, that no further expense be incurred on Mr. Field's line of road to Taupo, until other parts of the country have been explored with a view to finding a more available line. I have, &c, G. S. Cooper, James Booth, Esq., Wanganui. Under Secretary. 6