H.—l4

6

together, far more esprit de corps would exist than at present, joining, as many of them now do, from necessity, and simply to recruit their finances, and leaving, or at liberty to leave, just as they become efficient. Much stress is laid, by persons imperfectly acquainted with the force, on the absolute necessity for more marching out and regular bush work. However desirable this may be, it must be borne in mind that with so small a force in garrison it would be imprudent still further to weaken it by detaching parties for that purpose. Constant exercise has an almost equally salutary effect, as far as physique is concerned ; and in this, and no doubt in all other districts, there are many experienced bushmen. In conclusion, I have the honor to state that the general conduct of the force in this district has been exceedingly good; and both officers, non-commissioned officers, and men zealous and diligent in the performance of their several duties. I have, &c, The Commissioner, Arthur Tuke, Armed Constabulary Force, Wellington. Inspector A.C. Force, Taranaki.

Enclosure 3. Inspector Turner to the Commissioner, Armed Constabulary Force. Sic, — Armed Constabulary District Office, Patea, 11th June, 1873. In compliance with the instructions contained in Circular No. 47,1 have tho honor to forward my report on tho duties performed by the Armed Constabulary Force in this district from Ist June, 1872, to 31st May, 1873 :— Military Duties. Average Strength of Officers and Men in District. —One inspector, 3 sub-inspectors, 1 assistantsurgeon, and 75 non-commissioned officers and constables. Nature of Parades and Drills. — Divine service and marching order parades once a week, periodical drills, mounted and foot. Patrolling and Scouting. —Mounted constables occasionally perform patrol duties throughout the district, and almost constant communication exists between the several stations. Carrying Mails and Despatches. —Mounted orderlies from Waihi attend regularly twice a week at Hawera for conveyance of mail; they also have frequently carried despatches to and from AVaihi and Patea, and to other stations. Cobb and Co.'s coach carries a bi-weekly mail from AVanganui as far as Hawera in this district. Escorts, Guards, Sfc. —Mounted orderlies have been in attendance on Ministers and heads of Departments during their visit to tho district. Foot constables, employed as police, have escorted civil prisoners to Patea or New Plymouth for trial from various parts of the district, and on one occasion a constable escorted a prisoner from Wanganui to Auckland. A twenty-four hours' guard of 1 non-commissioned officer and 3 constables is posted daily at AVaihi; at Hawera, Manutahi, Wairoa, and Waitotara a flying sentry is always on duty. Making and Improving Target Banges. —At Patea and Waihi occasional improvements, such ,as clearing, &c, have been made to the target range and butts. Three new iron targets have been supplied to the force at Waihi Station. Telegraph Linemen. —One mounted constable is kept in readiness to act as lineman when his services are required. Issuers, Storekeepers, Sfc. —One foot constable has been employed as assistant in Government Store, Patea, throughout the year. Erection of Bedoubts and Stockades. —No new work of this nature has been performed. The stockade at AVaihi, and redoubts at other stations, have undergone occasional repairs. Civil Duties. Steps taken for the Prevention of Crime. —One constable has been employed on police duty in the townships of Carlyle and Hawera. At the other stations, except Wanganui, members of the force are always available for police duty. The cases of crime in the district throughout the year numbered 23 arrests. Civil cases, 92, heard by Bench. Two mounted constables were employed in November, 1872, at AVanganui, in searching for evidence in the case of the burning of the Kai-iwi Bridge by the Natives. Attending Civil Courts.— At the monthly sittings of the Resident Magistrate's Court, Carlyle, members of the force have always been in attendance. A non-commissioned officer is employed as clerk to the Court. On 13th January, 1873, Matthew Carey, of Patea, was committed for trial at the Supreme Court, New Plymouth, for larceny. Sergeant McKay, who apprehended him, and Foot Constable Buckley as police witness, attended the Court; the latter conveyed the prisoner to goal, and awaited trial for two months. Taking Census.— Mounted Sergeant King was employed taking agricultural statistics from Patea to Wanganui, and Mounted Constable Black, from Patea to Waingongoro. Public and Useful Works. Nature and Extent of Boad Works. —A new road has been formed from Waihi in the direction of Hawera, of about 12 chains, depth of cutting 5 feet, average width 21 feet. A road has been formed within the Waihi Camp, about 6| chains. Building Bridges and Culverts. —A bridge over the Waihi Stream, on the new road, has been built of matai, —length, 29 feet; span, 15 feet. Also three culverts on the same road, 25 feet long.