9

H.—l6

A foot constable was employed as clerk to Judge Rogan (Native Lands Court) from June, 1875, to February, 1876, when he returned to his duty. Another constable conversant with the Maori language has since been transferred from Te Wairoa in the same capacity. Since my last report the following casualties have taken place in the Force in this district: —l sergeant died; 1 sergeant and 3 constables discharged at their own request; transferred to other districts, 1 sergeant: total 6. Transferred from depot, 1 sergeant and 10 constables; from other districts, 1 sergeant, 1 constable ; enrolled here, 1 constable: total, 14. I have, &a., W. G. Gudgeon, Sub-Inspector, Commanding P.B. District. The Commissioner, Armed Constabulary Force, Wellington.

Enclosure 7 in No. 1. Inspector Tuke, Taranaki District, to the Commissioner, Armed Constabulary Force. Armed Constabulary District Office, New Plymouth, Sir,— 25th May, 1876. I have the honor to forward annual report of the various duties performed by the Armed Constabulary under my command in this district. Military Duties. Average Strength. —The average strength, since Ist July, 1875, has been 69, all ranks. Parades and Drills. —The usual parades, drills, and musketry instruction have taken place throughout the year. Conveying Mails and Despatches.- —The regular system of communication between head-quarters and the various out-posts or stations has continued in force. Escorts, Guards, fyc —Escorts and guards have been furnished whenever required. Target Ranges. —The target range has been kept clear of fern, and in proper repair. Telegraph Duty. —A party of men at Okato still continue to carry telegrams twice daily, meeting the Natives employed on that duty from Opunake. Issuers and Storekeepers. —Members of the Force are detailed for this duty. Redoubts, fyc. —Existing redoubts and earth works have been kept in repair. Civil Duties. Steps taken for the Prevention of Crime. —Every assistance required has been rendered to the civil authorities for the prevention of crime. Agricultural Returns. —The agricultural returns of the province were principally collected by men ofthe Force. Public and Useful Works. Nature and Extent of Road Works. —At Pukearuhe, about 60 chains of the main North Road have been formed. The remainder of the road between Pukearuhe and Wai-iti, has been kept in repair. At Mimi, the main North Road has been formed half a chain in width a distance of 49 chains, in addition to completing the side-cutting mentioned in my last report, removing 165 cubic yards of earth. The road to the bridge from the North is now available for carts. The main road at Urenui for a distance of 30 chains has been rounded up, ditches cleared, and road gravelled, occupying the whole party a month, some very dangerous holes being filled up. The main road on both sides of the ford at Mimi River rounded up, ditches dug, &c, a distance of 11 chains; the Ouairo Hill repaired; making a total of about 100 chains of road completed. A horse track through Native land on the north side of the Mimi Bridge has been cut through fern and scrub a distance of 127 chains, 18 chains, being a side-cutting 4 feet in width, the whole ofthe distance requiring levelling with the spade. At Kaipakiri, 10 chains of road through bush to saw pits have been made, and roads in vicinity repaired. Building Bridges, Culverts, S(c. —The Mimi Bridge is now completed so far as to be available for cart traffic, the hand-rails, &c, and painting not being completed. It contains about 39,000 feet of timber, consisting entirely of rimu. The driving of the piles has proved a work of much greater difficulty than was expected, the river bottom being very soft, the three centre tiers of five piles each being driven 30 feet into the river bed before getting to a solid bottom, necessitating splicing tbe piles, and causing delay while procuring extra timber. The winch used to hoist the monkey being a hand one, and the piles driving about i inch to \ inch to a blow for such a length of timber, rendered it very tedious work. Bridge at Waiau. —The bridge over the Waiau Stream, 26 feet in length, has been repaired and re-floored, new hand-rails fixed, &c. Sawing and Splitting Timber. —At Kaipakiri, 9,304 feet of rimu have been cut since the date of my last report —namely, for Mimi Bridge, 4,387 feet, and for camp at Pukearuhe, 4,917 feet. 19,000 shingles have been split, consisting of red and white pine. Timber has also been split to repair culvert on Tikorangi Boad. Buildings, Sfc. —At Pukearuhe, a guard-room, 12 by 14 feet, has been built and painted; the library, stables, and men's mess whare kept in repair and thatched. A portion of the quarters of the sub-inspector in charge has been weather-boarded, painted, and the roof shingled. The hospital has been lined and painted. At New Plymouth, the building used as a district office and store has been new shingled and repaired. 2—H. 16.