7

H.—l4

Building Houses, Stables, Sfc. —The buildings at the various stations have been kept in repair: the barrack-room at Patea has been ceiled and partitioned ; at Waitotara, a comfortable whare has been erected for the accommodation of the three men at that station; at AVaihi, a library-room has been erected by Armed Constabulary labour 43 x 14, and a room 14 xl 2 partitioned off. Part of the material for this building had been sawn by Armed Constabulary at AVaihi; the whares at that station have required re-thatching and other repairs. Fencing Paddocks and laying down in Grass —At Patea, the Government paddock of 14 acres has required constant repairs to the fence of posts and rails erected in 1869, and a large portion of it has been put up entirely of new material. At Hawera, a 5-acre paddock enclosing the blockhouse is being fenced in. At Waihi, 19 chains of post and two rails with ditch and bank fence have been put up on southwest side of Government paddocks, 7 chains of which are post and rails only, the material used is split by the Armed Constabulary in the bush near AVaihi, and is of matai timber. The paddock fence at Patea has been renovated by material supplied from Waihi. A paddock at Waihi, 6J acres, was cross ploughed and harrowed and sown in oats. The crop was saved for hay. This paddock is now sown with grass seed. A 4J-aere paddock was also sown with oats, of which the crop was destroyed by wet after being cut. A paddock of 7 acres at Waihi has been sown with grass after fern was burnt off. A small paddock at Patea has been ploughed, harrowed, and sown with grass, after having been levelled as much as possible with the view of improving it as a parade ground. Erecting and Bepairing Telegraph Lines.' —One mounted constable has been employed almost exclusively by the Telegraph Department throughout the year. Bemarks. —Several duties not comprised under the various headings already mentioned have been performed by members of the Armed Constabulary Force in this district. The Infantry portion went through a course of musketry instruction at AVaihi, under Sergeant-Major (since Sub-Inspector) Hackett. One non-commissioned officer is employed as Armed Constabulary district clerk, and one non-commissioned officer as Militia clerk and drill instructor. Two mounted sergeants are drill instructors to the Volunteer Cavalry in tho district. One foot constable has been employed since March last as clerk to Captain Wray, Acting Confiscated Lands Commissioner, Government Storekeeper &c. Five foot constables were detailed for duty on Government Survey parties in tho district in March last. One foot constable (half-caste) acts,as Maori interpreter at Patea, when required. This district furnished a Cavalry representative at the Government Prize Firing in Nelson this year, who came within two points of the championship ; it also secured three out of the fifteen prizes given annually by the General Government to the Armed Constabulary Force throughout the Island. This year has seen the return of the Natives of the Pakakohe Hapu, with their chief Tauroa, from Dunedin Gaol, to their old settlements in this district, at Mokoia, Manutahi, Otoia, Hukatere and Oika. The number of Natives now living in and travelling through the district is considerably increased since last year, but as yet no serious complaints have been made against any of them by the settlers or others. With regard to the state of the district, its prospects, &c, they are improving gradually. Several new settlers have occupied their lands, and the increase of cultivation and iv the numbers of stock is very marked. The sale of Government land in the AVhenuakura Block, of 5,000 acres, on 10th April last, which realized over £12,000, proves the estimation in which land in this district is held, and also the security against war felt by those who were purchasers. Another sale of 10,000 acres takes place this month, which promises to be equally successful. Many of the members of the Armed Constabulary Force under my command have expressed a desire to purchase land on deferred payments by deductions from their pay, which I have reported to you, and which seems worthy of consideration by the Government. In conclusion, I would remark that the appearance and conduct of the men in this district has, with few exceptions (since dismissed) been most satisfactory. I have, &c, H. V. Turner, Major, The Commissioner, Inspector A.C. Force, Commanding Wanganui Armed Constabulary Force, AVellington. and Patea District.

Enclosure 4. Inspector Pitt to the Commissioner, Armed Constabulary Force. Sir,— Ormond, 31st May, 1873. In compliance with Circular Memorandum No. 122, dated Wellington, 21st April. 1873, I have the honor to forward the following report of the duties performed by the Armed Constabulary in this district for the year ending 31st May, 1873 : — Military Duties. Average Strength of Officers and Men. —One inspector, 1 sub-inspector, 1 sergeant-major, 2 sergeants, 6 mounted constables, 20 foot constables. Nature of Parades and Drills. —Divine service parade at 11 a.m. every Sunday; parade in marching order every Saturday (weather permitting) ; aud drill with arms and accoutrements in squad, company, and skirmishing drill and rifle exercise. On the Bth July, 1872, a parade was held at Gisborne, for the purpose of presenting the New Zealand Cross for valour to George Hill, formerly a constable in the Armed Constabulary. The parade consisted of all the Militia, Volunteers, and Con-