H.—l4

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stabuiary in the district. The annual course of musketry was commenced on the 22nd October, and finished 21st November. Every man in the district was put through the course. Conveying Mails and Despatches. —A mounted orderly is stationed at Gisborne, to convey the mails to Ormond on the arrival of each steamer. On 13th June one constable was sent to Te Wairoa with despatches ; 3rd October, one to Waiapu, orderly to Captain Porter; and on 19th March one to Te Wairoa, orderly to Colonel Gorton. Guards. —One man is detailed daily as night watchman. Making and Improving Target Banges. —The range has been considerably improved. New butts have been built. Issuers and Storekeepers. —Since Ist January a man of the Armed Constabulary has been employed as storekeeper and Militia clerk. Erection of Bedouhts and Stockades. —The redoubt at Ormond has been almost entirely rebuilt, the angles re-stockaded; and a well 38 feet was dug and slabbed, but in consequence of striking quicksands it was found impossible to get water. Two tanks, each containing 400 gallons, have been supplied, and spouting will be placed round the barracks. A fire-proof magazine has been built. Civil Duties. During the year there were 105 arrests made, 94 convictions, 10 committals to gaol, and 2 to the Supreme court. One constable is employed as clerk to the Native Department. On the 18th July, 1 sub-inspector, 1 sergeant, and 2 constables attended the Supreme Court at Napier. During the month of March, 3 men were employed in collecting agricultural statistics. Two men were employed three months surveying the Patutahi Block. Sub-Inspector Richardson is employed under the Public Works Act in supervising the various roads made under the direction of the Road Engineer. Public and Useful Works. Extent and Nature of Boad Works. —Thirty-five chains of road have been made during the year. 16 chains 43 links of an outlet drain were also cut. The roads already formed about the redoubt at Ormond have been kept in proper repair. Building Bridges Culverts, Sfc. —One culvert containing 2,250 feet of hewn timber was placed on the Ormond Road. Buildings, Houses, Sfc. —At Ormond, one barrack room, 40 feet X 18 feet, and one 20 feet X 12 feet, have been built, the timber sawn by the Armed Constabulary being about 9,000 feet, with 15,000 shingles. A second stable has been built for the use of the cart-horses. During the summer the men were employed in haymaking (but through the excessive wet only 5 tons were ricked), grass-seed cutting (132 bushels being collected), and in cutting and threshing oats (131 bushels being stored). The Armed Constabulary paddock at Ormond has been ploughed, harrowed, and laid down in grass. Remarks. The general conduct of the force during the year has been very good. During the summer, inclement weather retarded to a great extent all out-door employment. During the year, the population of the district has very considerably increased ; large runs have been taken up many miles inland ; the Natives are peaceably inclined and industrious, and at present everything'promises prosperity to the district. In conclusion, I may state that a company has been formed for working the oil-wells near Maungatu, a distance of about twenty-five miles from Gisborne ; should it be successful, it will give employment to some hundreds of men. I have, &c, The Commissioner, C. Dean Pitt, Inspector A.C., Armed Constabulary Force, Wellington. Commanding Poverty Bay District.

Enclosure 5. Inspector Cumming to the Commissioner, Armed Constabulary Force. Sic, — Armed Constabulary District Office, Te Kapu, Ist June, 1873. In compliance with Circular Memorandum No. 122, of 21st April, 1873, I have the honor to forward the following report of the duties performed by the force in this district from the Ist June, 1872, to the 31st May, 1873. Military Duties. Average Strength of Officers and Men in the District. —One inspector, 2 sub-inspectors, ,1 surgeon (attached from Militia), 7 non-commissioned officers, and 49 men. Nature of Parades and Drills. —Divine service parades on Sundays, and heavy marching order parades on Saturdays, have always been held at the various stations by the officer commanding the district, or by the officer or non-commissioned officer in charge of each post. Squad and skirmishing drills have been held weekly when the weather permitted; the mounted men have been drilled on horseback whenever a sufficient number could be got together at head-quarters. On account of there being so few men at each station, company drill has not been much attended to. The annual course of musketry was finished on the 20th March, 1873. Operations in the Field. —As Te Kooti was driven out of the district iv May, 1872, no opportunity has presented itself of doing anything under this head. Patrolling and Scouting.- —On the 4th October last, 1 sergeant and 9 constables proceeded to Clyde township to abate a Native disturbance which took place on the occasion of the Wairoa Natives