7

H.—lo

59 last year. This is chiefly attributable to the change in the behaviour of the Native race. The grass seed season has hitherto been looked forward to as a time when horse-stealing, housebreaking, and petty larcenies of all sorts might be expected, aud such was the case during the first season I commanded this district; but on the last occasion I was surprised to find that, although there were many hundreds of Natives in this district from the Ngatiporou, Opotiki, and Wairoa tribes, scarcely any complaints were received, and only two or three cases brought before the Resident Magistrate. Attending Native Land Court. —On the 21st October the Native Land Court was opened in Gisborne by Judge Eogan, and closed proceedings on the 27th of the same month. The Court was again opened on the 17th of February, aud sat until the 17th of April continuously, during which time the Natives behaved quietly, and manifested the greatest respect towards the Court, very unlike a former occasion. One sergeant and two constables from Ormond attended the Court throughout the sittings. On the 17th of May the Court opened at Waipiro, and closed on the 23rd. The same quiet behaviour characterized the Ngatiporou Court as had done those at Gisborne. Two constables from Te Awanui Station attended the Court at the request of Judge Eogan. Public and Useful Woeks. Extent and Nature of Roadworks. —Four chains of roadway, from main line to the camp, at Ormond, have been formed and metalled 12 feet wide. Building Houses, Stables, Sfc. —Since writing my last report, the officers' quarters at Ormond, 28 feet by 22 feet, have been finished, and the mess-room floored; and about 5,000 feet of timber sawn. Fencing Paddocks and Laying Boiun in Grass. —A temporary paddock was fenced in early in the summer, and about 12 chains of post and three-rail fence erected. On receiving notice that suburban sections 12 and 11, on the Muhunga block, had been set apart for the use of the Armed Constabulary Force, lat once fenced them in with 40 chains of posts and rails. The material was split in the Government bush. The camp reserve, Ormond, has also been fenced with 12 chains of posts and rails, and the Police reserve at Gisborne with 10 chains. The material for the latter place was split at Ormond, and carted into town by the Government horses. Eight acres of grass have been mown for hay, and about 9 tons saved with great difficulty. Very little hay was saved in this district, in consequence of heavy rain in the month of December. Eemaeks. The conduct of the Force has been very satisfactory. During the year 10 foot constables have been transferred from the Depot and stationed at Te Awanui, in the Ngatiporou country, distant 100 miles from head-quarters. They are at present living in the Court-house, by permission of Mr. Campbell, E.M. A carpenter has however been sent from the Ormond detachment, and only awaits the arrival of timber from Auckland to commence the erection of a station—viz., men's quarters, 30 feet by 10 feet; sergeants' quarters, 20 feet by 10 feet; cook-house, 10 feet by 10 feet. I have again to report that the gaol or lock-up accommodation is inadequate to meet the requirements of this rapidly increasing district. There is probably no place in the North Island increasing in wealth and population in the same ratio as Poverty Bay, and the present disposition of Ngatiporou and Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki to pass their lands through the Court cannot fail to cause a rapid increase of population. A large number of violent deaths has taken place in the district during the last six months, as follow: —Burnt to death, 3; drowned, 2; killed by a cart, 1; crushed by fall of timber, 1 ; found dead, 1. I have, &c, W. G. Gudgeon, Sub-Inspector, The Commissioner A.C., Wellington. Commanding Poverty Bay District.

Enclosure 5 in No. 1. Sub-Inspector Gascoigne, Taupo District, to the Commissionee, Armed Constabulary Force. Armed Constabulary Office, Taupo District, Opepe, Sic,— 31st May, 1875. In compliance with instructions contained in Circular No. 161, dated Wellington, 23rd March, 1875, I have the honor to forward for your information the following report of the duties performed by the Armed Constabulary Force in this district, from Ist June, 1874, to the 31st May, 1875. Militaet Duties. 1. Average Strength of Officers and Men. —The average strength of the Force in this district during the past twelve months has been —One inspector, 3 sub-inspectors, 1 assistant-surgeon, 1 sergeant-major, 5 first-class and 5 second-class sergeants, 11 mounted and 72 foot constables. The inspector, above enumerated, left this district in the early part of April last, to assume temporary charge of the Waikato District. 2. Nature of Brills and Parades. —Drills have been held regularly throughout the district, as follow, viz.: —lnspection parade and drill in marching order once a week; side-arms parade for inspection and Divine service on Sundays; and weekly inspection of mounted men's saddlery and horse accoutrements by officers iv charge of posts ; fortnightly inspection in marching order by the officer in charge of district. In addition to these weekly drills the detachments have been instructed and practised (on all occasions that the exigencies of the public business would permit) by their immediate officers in company, squad, and skirmishing drill, manual, firing, and bayonet exercise. The