H.—l6

4

Building Bridges and Culverts. —One culvert at Wairoa bas been taken up and re-bedded, and seven large culverts have been made on the Tauranga and Taupo line of road, and three bridges repaired, that is, rotten planks replaced by sound ones, and approaches improved. Building Souses, Stables, Sfc. —At Tauranga, three new stalls have been added to the stable, 18 ft. by 18 ft., the old stalls repaired, and a loft built for forage. A new store, erected in the Government paddock, 30 ft. by 18 ft., and the old building, formerly used for that purpose, has been lined, re-sbingled, and converted into a hospital, a room also being partitioned off for a surgery. The Armed Constabulary mess-room has also been repaired, re-shingled, re-blocked, and a new roof put on the kitchen. The lock-up has been repaired, with new doors and ceilings to cells, as well as a loft for holding prison clothing, bedding, &c, and the chimney pulled down and rebuilt. A lightning conductor has also been placed on the magazine. Temporary whares have also been built at the various road camps, for the use of the men employed at that work, where material for so doing could be obtained. Fencing Paddocks and Laying down in Grass. —The fence round the Government paddock has been kept in good repair, and a double line of wire has been stretched round it, for the purpose of keeping out sheep. The cemetery fence and ground have also been kept in repair. Building Sea Wall. —Owing to the action of the sea on the cemetery wall, a part, 64 ft. long 5 ft. by 3 ft. 6 in., had to be repaired, and a splayed wall, 420 ft. long and 8 ft. by 2 ft. 6 in., erected at its base. The wall has also been extended with cut stone and pointed with cement for 116 ft. in length, and 5 ft. by 3 ft. 6 in. Remarks. I haye pleasure in certifying to the general excellent conduct of the Force, and to the willing and cheerful manner in which all ranks have carried out their instructions. A very great change has taken place in the district since my last report. Mr. G. V. Stewart's special settlers have made great progress in cultivating the land allotted to them, and in erecting substantial weather-board houses, which is having a most beneficial effect in encouraging settlement throughout the district. The Natives in the district are also quiet and well behaved. I have, &c, J. M. Roberts, Inspector A.C. Commanding Tauranga District. The Commissioner, A.C. Force, Wellington.

Enclosure 4 in No. 1. Inspector Scannell, Taupo District, to the Commissioner, Armed Constabulary Force. Sir,— District Office, Taupo, 31st May, 1876. In compliance with instructions contained in Circular No. 181, of the 25th ultimo, I have the honor to forward, for your information, the following report of the duties performed by the Armed Constabulary Force in the Taupo District, from the Ist June, 1875, to the 31st May, 1876 :— Military Duties. Average Strength of Officers and Men. —The average strength of the Force in this district during the past 12 months, has been 1 inspector, 4 sub-inspectors, 1 assistant surgeon, and 79 non-commis-sioned officers and men. Nature of Parades and Drills. —Drills have been held regularly throughout the district as follows, viz. : —lnspection parade and drill in marching order once a week; inspection and Divine service parade, with side arms, every Sunday ; and weekly inspection of mounted men's saddles and horse accoutrements by officers in charge of posts ; general inspection by officer commanding the district, every alternate fortnight, in heavy marching order. The skirmishing has been conducted, according to instructions laid down in Circular No. 157, dated Wellington, 16th October, 1874, through rough country, such as bush, fern, scrub, and over uneven, broken ground. The annual course of musketry instruction was commenced on the Bth November, and completed on 30th December, 1875, at Opepe, under the supervision of the officer commanding the district. Conveying Mails and Despatches. —There is a subsidy for the conveyance of public mails, of which there are exchange mails between Napier and Tauranga twice a week; therefore no men of the Armed Constabulary Force have been required for this service; but a mounted orderly leaves Opepe daily for Taupo Station, the nearest telegraph station (distance 11 miles), and returns same evening, whose duty it is to convey to and fro any telegrams or despatches that may arise. Communications are forwarded to the several posts per mail, but iv the intervals by the mounted men of the Force. Escorts, Guards, fyc. —No necessity for escorts during past year. On account of most of the men being employed on road works, the guards have been discontinued ; a night-watchman only is put on in case of fire or other unusual occurrence. Making and Improving Target Ranges. —At each station a complete target range and butts have been kept in thorough repair by men of the Force. Telegraph Linesmen. —Mounted constable Andrew Craig continues acting in this capacity. The constable performing this duty is exempt from Armed Constabulary duties, except under extraordinary circumstances, and when no other Armed Constabulary man can be obtained. He attends parades and roll-calls, when not otherwise required by the Telegraph Department. Issuers and Storekeepers. —Foot constable D. Blyth acts as sub-storekeeper for the Defence and Public Works Departments. Erection of Redoubts and Stockades. —The existing ones have been kept in a thorough state of repair for defence purposes, and one side of Opepe redoubt has been re-built, having been destroyed when the Government store was burnt. The station at Bunanga has been abandoned by order of the Hon. the Native Minister, on the 3rd March, 1876, and all property belonging to Government taken into store.