CAPTAIN RUSSELL'S REPORT. [From the Government Gazette June,27.] Military Road Office, Pahuatanui, 9th May, 1848.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 305, 1 July 1848, Page 4

CAPTAIN RUSSELL'S REPORT. [From the Governmen t Gazette Ju ne,27.] Military Road Office, Pahuatanui, 9th May, 1848.

Sir, — With reference to your letter of 1-7 tb April, calling for a quarterly report on subjects connected with the department under my superintendence, I have the honor to acquaint you, that having referred it to the several superintendents of parties, their reports appear to me to convey so much more information than his Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor would derive from a more general statement by myself, that I beg to submit them for his consideration, and proceed to reply to those queries which seem to require my own explanation. As regards " the extent of road which has been raised by the addition of soil." This is the mot>t expensive operation in road making; and as I have been able to obtain easy grades without having recourse to it, neither embankment of any consequence, nor deep cutting through hills, exist on the thirty miles of road over which my operations extend. The work done by all the parties lias been .chiefly side cutting of clay and soft rock. . The general character of the drainage' has been a side drain next the hill side, of a foot in width, with cross drains of two feet width .between the sleepers, at distances varying from ..twenty to one hundred yards,' and even .more where the soil permits the water to pass into the hill without collecting, as is often the case upon the hill sides. Upon the number and character of the -bridges I propose to report fully at the end of the present quarter, when I shall be able to furnish details of dimensions, material, cost, &c, which will enable bis Excellency to contrast the contract system with that adopted on the military line. -• With respect to how the natives work, I should say as well as the Europeans who have come under my notice in this colony, and best where they are superintended with firmness, kindness, and a cheerful countenance. ; i When first employed, they much preferred, falling and clearing timber to any other kind of work; but now that they are* familiar with

all kinds of, tools, I . am „not .aware , of their having a predilection for, any .work in particular. < It would be, difficult, to say. what taols\they take to most readily.: , their, aptitude ,is ..great, and, a little instruction; is, sufficient with^any. They are , easily kept in subordination ; much more, so than Europeans. With respect to food cff ;, a .superior quality to, that .which they- formerly, used, ithe use „of flour is becoming daily more general, and. is bought freely where it can be readily obtained, and, on fair terms ; but I regret to say, this is not often ; for. the .extortion and cupidity .of many of the Europeans who supply them is so, great,- that false weight and bad articles are - too , often reserved for the natives, .and have even been attempted to ,be imposed upon the military, in this district. The use of animal food is also becoming more general ; but they are wonderfully temperate in eating as well as drinking, and, work hard upon dry bread, biscuit, or even potatoes. I can,, however, no longer say that not a case of intoxication has ever, been observed amongst my workmen, as [more, than, one of ;Mr. Mancell's party have lately been discharged for getting drunk at Barramatta Point, ,as I have already brought under his Excellency's notice. As regards .change in, dress, it , universally follows employment on the ioads,,*o that it is a rare thing to see a workman without European clothing. I have never employed European and native workmen together — the European laborer is inclined to assume a superiority over the native, which in point of intellect, is frequently on the other side, wherefore I have endeavoured to place such Europeans only in contact with the natives, as were really superior to them in knowledge (at least of the work upon which they are employed,) and those men who are called overseers, and paid at a higher rate, are not permitted to work more than is necessary to instruct the natives over whom they are placed in authority. A very kindly feeling appears generally to exist between the natives and their " corporals" (as they call them from the first overseers having been corporals,) of which I had lately an instance, where one of them having so far forgotten himself, as to strike a boy of his class, was immediately suspended by the superintendent of the party and reported to me, when the chief man of the class came three miles to request that the overseer might not be discharged, for that the boy had really deserved the blow which he received, and though I acceded to the request, yet, as I removed the overseer to another class, from the impression that the circumstance would weaken his authority over his own, many of the natives of his class left the employment in consequence. The desire for employment is evidently extending, for I have at present natives from every pa up to Manawatu, and a hundred are now expected from Wanganui. I have no alteration to propose in the mode of employing them — the present system appears to me to work well — not a man is employed who is not under constant supervision. I am well pleased with and greatly indebted to the gentlemen who conduct the -several parties, and who speak well of their overseers and laborers, they in their turn appear cheerful and contented, and the amount of work done often exceeds my expectation. The natives, moreover, being well acquainted and apparently satisfied with the system under which they work, I should be unwilling to introduce any alteration not absolutely necessary. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, W. Hamilton Russell, Captain, 58th Regt., Superintendent of Military Roads. The Honorable the Colonial Secretary, &c, &c, &c.