THE NATIVE CONTINGENT AT KAl-TERIRIA.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume II, Issue 113, 1 October 1873, Page 3

THE NATIVE CONTINGENT AT KAITERIRIA.

The following recently published report forwarded by Captain Gilbert Mair to the Acting Undersecretary will be read with interest by many of our readers : «<gj r> —l have the honour to acknowledge the receiptof your letter (No. 88 In, 28th April, 1873), .and beg to forward the following imperfect report of the amount of road work, &c., performed by the Native Contingent under my command during the years 1871-3 From its formation in March, 1870, to the end of of 1872, the Native Contingent was constantly employed on expeditions after Te Kooti and scouting the Kaingaroa and Urewera country. Since that period it has been occupied, except when on expedition —Ist. In widening ana improving bridle tracks to Taupo, Nioho o te Kiore, Paeroa, Te Teko, Fort Galatea, Eotorua, A.c. 2nd. In making road between this post and Tarawera, excavating rock and fixing culverts on main road between Nihoo te Kiore and Taupo, and excavating rock and making approaches to Ateamuri Bridge. Attached is a rough recapitulation of work performed and approximate estimate of its value. From the irregular manner in which the work has been done, and the absence of proper measurements, I find it impossible to give the amounts performed during each financial year. The total amount of work will appear very little indeed when contrasted with that performed by Captain Preece’s Contingent, but 1 would here explain that I had the greatest difficulty possible with the N gatiwakaue, Ngatltu, Tnhourangi, and other natives, they being extremely jealous of any road being made through unless they were employed by Government. ‘the schedule shows the estimated value of work done from March, 1870 to 1878, as being £928. The officers commanding the Native Contingent stationed in the Bay of Plenty may be congratulated upon the successful results of their labours, as shown in the last report. In all directions, over 65 miles of rough country, have not only bridle paths, bur good roads been formed by Major Mair’s men, an account of which appears in another portion of our paper. The o works to the district is very great. We shall take an early opportunity of referring to ap ai Prvece’s men and their works at Te loko.