G.—No. 14.

4

ANNUAL REPORT ON THE

I would conclude by observing that at no period since the formation of the Armed Constabulary have the physique and character of the men been of a higher standard than at the present time, and I think that the Force would compare favourably with other similar bodies of men. I have, &c, W. Moule, Lieut.-Colonel, The Hon. the Defence Minister, &c, &c. Commissioner A.C. Force.

Enclosure 1 in No. 1. Lieut.-Colonel Lton to the Commissioner, Armed Constabulary Eorce. Sic, — Head Quarters, Hamilton, 11th June, 1872. In compliance with instructions contained in Circular No. 89, of sth April, 1872, I have the honor to report on the different subjects mentioned in Circular No. 47, of sth of June, 187.1 :— Militaet Duties. Average Strength of Officers and Men.- —8 officers, 19 non-commissioned officers, and 140 constables. Names of Stations Occupied. —Hamilton, Alexandra, Harapipi, Auckland, Cambridge, Kihikihi Orakau, Ngaruawahia, Te Awamutu, Raglan. There are also about 80 men employed road making throughout the district. Nature of Parades and Drills. —Divine service parades, and heavy marching order parades on Saturdays. The force in this district underwent a course of musketry instruction, but owing to the limited number of men at each station in consequence of so many men being employed road-making, and the number of stations at which they are distributed, but little time could, be spared for any other kind of drill. Operations in the Field. —The force in this district has not been engaged in any field operations during the past year. Mails and Despatches. —Despatches have been carried by mounted orderlies of the force from head-quarters to out stations, and vice, versa. Mail services are performed by contractors. Targets. —The targets at Alexandra were shifted to a new range, the old range being too near the main road. Storekeepers. —A sergeant of the force was engaged as storekeeper until Ist October, when all stores were put in charge of the District Sub-storekeeper, by whom they are issued to the Armed Constabulary. Erection of Medouhts. —The old redoubt at Alexandra, has been levelled, and a new one is in course of erection. Ciyiii Duties. ' Steps taken for the Prevention of Crime. —A member of the force at each station is detailed for police duty, and attends the sittings of the Resident Magistrate's Court. Talcing Census. —Six members of the force have been employed in the collection of agricultural statistics. Public and Useful Wokks. The number of men on an average of 75 have been employed on the roads. The following are the different sections on which they have been working: — No. 1 Section.—Main road between Ngaruawahia and Whata-Whata, 434 chains have been formed since 30th June last; 4862 cubic yards of earth have been shifted, and 4467 bundles of fascines made and conveyed by water, a distance of two miles. About six chains of this work, through heavy swamp, had to be staked on both sides, and raised by fascines. The cause of such a quantity of earth having to be removed was in consequence of some very large holes on the line of road which had to be filled in—a cutting at the swamp, as well as several minor ones. No. 2 Section —Main road between Hamilton and Ohaupo —98 chains have been completed through a low country ; 500 cubic yards of earth have been removed. No. 3 Section—Main road between Alexandra and Ohaupo —261 chains have been completed; 2,970 yards of earth removed in forming approaches to the bridge across the Maungatoruaxreek No. 4 Section —Main road between Tamahere and Cambridge —23250 chains completed. No. 5 Section—Township of Hamilton West, on Ohaupo road —375 chains completed and gravelled ; 62 cubic yards of earth removed. No. 6 Section—Main road between Hamilton and Whata-Whata—l2 chains formed, and approaches to a bridge made across a low wet swamp ; 1000 fascines used ; 789 cubic yards of earth removed. No. 7 Section —Main road, Hamilton East to Tamahere —88 chains repaired and gravelled ; 389 cubic yards of earth removed. No. 8 Section —Main road between Hamilton and Ngaruawahia —42 chains formed and gravelled ; 369 cubic yards of earth removed from a cutting on same road. No. 9 Section —Main road between Alexandra and Whata-Whata —284 chains have been made ; 5,428 cubic yards of earth removed for approaches to bridge over the Mangahaware creek. No. 10 Section —Main road through the Moana Tua-Tua Swamp—4sso chains have been formed through this swamp from Rangioawhia to Cambridge ; 111 chains of drains four feet six inches deep have been cut, and 710 fascines made and put in. No. 11 Section—Main road through the Moana Tua-Tua swamp from Cambridge to Rangioawhia — 36i chains of road completed; 650 fascines made and used. The work through this swamp is very heavy and difficult, it having been formerly a matai forest. No. 12 Section —Main road between Alexandra and Harapipi —14 chains of road completed ; 300 cubic yards of earth removed from cutting.