13

H.—l4.

One man is employed as farrier, one as saddler, and one as armourer. These men do all the work of the district required by their respective trades, such as keeping the whole of the horses regularly shod, repairing riding and pack saddles and harness, and keeping the arms in proper repair. The armourer visits the stations periodically, to inspect and repair arms. Two men are continually employed sawing at Opepe; the timber for repairs to buildings there, and at Tapuaeharuru and Runanaga, is furnished from that station. Tarawera Station cut their own timber as required. A man is also almost constantly employed in making felling and pick-axe handles, and occasionally dray shafts. The Government whale boats (two) at Tapuaeharuru, manned by members of the force, are occasionally despatched on various duties across the Lake. A boat manned by seven men went eight times to Tokano during the past year. One of the boats has also been lent to a Native crew several times, but on all occasions either the whole or part of the Armed Constabulary crew have been sent in order to insure its safety. Large vegetable gardens are cultivated yearly at each post, for the use of officers and men of the force only. I have, &c, The Commissioner, D. Scannell, Inspector A.C., Armed Constabulary Force, Wellington. Commanding Taupo District.

Enclosure 7. Inspector Roberts to the Commissioner, Armed Constabulary Force. Sir, — District Office, Tauranga, 3rd June, 1873. In compliance with your instructions conveyed in Circular No. 122 of the 21st April, 1873, I have the honor to report on the different subjects therein mentioned, regarding the civil and military duties, also public and useful works, performed by the Armed Constabulary Force in the Tauranga District, from Ist June, 1872 to 31st May, 1873. Military Duties. Average Strength of Officers and Men. —Four officers and 56 men. Names of Stations Occupied. —Tauranga, Maketu, Matata, Whakatane, Kaiteriria, Te Teko, and Opotiki. Nature of Parades and Drills. —Divine service parade and heavy marching order parade once a week. Company and light infantry drill as often as a sufficient number could be spared from other duties. The force in the district was put through a course of musketry instruction, the result being a decided improvement upon last year's course. Carrying Mails and Despatches. —Once a week the public mail is conveyed by mounted orderlies of the force to and from Opotiki and the intermediate stations. Despatches, &c, are forwarded in the same way. Escorts and Guards. —Mounted Sergeant Russell acted as guide to the Honorable Mr. Casey through the Lake District and on to Napier. A mounted constable was told off to attend upon Mr. Anthony Trollope through the same district and on to AVaikato. AVhen required, regular guards are mounted at the minor stations. At Tauranga, Whakatane, and Opotiki, a regular guard is mounted, into whose charge all stores and other public property are placed. Several prisoners committed for trial from the district were escorted to Auckland. Making and Improving Target Banges. —At Tauranga, beyond the Cemetery Point, a new rifle range measuring 600 yards has been formed. Owing to the range being on the beach it was necessary to erect a large butt 45 feet long by 9 feet high in rear of the target, to act as a substitute for a background. Earthen platforms 9 feet by 6 feet high had also to be raised at three of the ranges, on account of the inequality of the ground. Issuers and Storekeepers. —Members of the force are employed as issuers and storekeepers at each of the following stations :—Tauranga, Kaiteriria, Te Teko, and Opotiki. Erection of Bedoubts and Stockades. —-Part of the Monmouth Redoubt, namely, 300 feet, has been pulled down and rebuilt, containing 900 cubic yards of earth ; 100 dray loads of ti-tree required in rebuilding if, were cut and carted a distance of more than a mile. To complete the ditch and slope the cliff, 300 cubic yards of earth had to be shifted; 20 cartloads of sand and shells have been laid within the redoubt. It is now completed, and will in all probability last for many years. At Opotiki, 60 feet of the redoubt, enclosing the church, at present occupied by the Armed Constabulary, had to be rebuilt. A. blockhouse is now in the course of erection at the same station for the Armed Constabulary. Civil Duties. Steps taken for the Prevention of Crime. —At Tauranga a second-class sergeant, and at Opotiki a foot constable, have been exclusively employed on police duty. Attending Civil Courts. —Men are detailed to attend all sittings in the Resident Magistrate's Courts. At Tauranga a constable has been detailed to act as clerk to the Civil Commissioner. At Opotiki, First-class Sergeant Mason acts as clerk to the Resident Magistrate. Statistics. —The agricultural statistics for the district were collected by members of the force. Public and Useful Works. Nature and Extent of Boad Works. —At Tauranga, on the Kati Kati road, an embankment 10 chains long by 10 feet wide on the top, containing 2,000 cubic yards of earth, has been formed across