A.—No. 17.

10

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE

say between streams, to different leading men of the natives to be employed, at a round sum, without reference, save for private consideration, to the price at per foot or per chain. For the information of the Hon. the Defence Minister, I may state that the average rate of "J'l tenders for culverts (not counting bridges) in the Waikato road-making was .£5 3s each culvert; and that the average rate of 168 tenders accepted for cutting and filling was 7d a cubic yard. Mr. Percy Smith's estimates are £5 for culverts and 9d for cuttings. The rate of 2s a chain appears low for clearing, assuming that there is a considerable quantity of bush and scrub, as Mr. Percy Smith states to be the case. The average of 2-) tenders for ditching gives 12s 6d per chain for ditto ; Mr. Percy Smith's estimate is 7s a chain. Save, therefore, in the cutting and filling, 9d to 7d, Mr. Smith's estimates appear moderate. It is right, however, in considering the subject to bear in mind that the natives run no risk, as European contractors do, in tendering for such works. Their tools will, I presume, be found them, and they will not have to lose time, as the Militiamen did, in going backwards and forwards to the work,, :is in such cases they generally encamp on the spot. Charles Heaphy.

No. 14. Copy of a Letter from the Honorable D. M'Lean to Mr. Civil Commissioner Paeris. Sir, — Auckland, 30th November, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 262, of the 29th October, 1869, enclosing Mr. Surveyor Percy Smith's report on the proposed line of road from Waingongoro to Hangatahua, and his estimate of its cost. I have to request you to be good enough to inform Mr. Smith that a sum of fifteen hundred pounds will be paid into the Bank of New Zealand, New Plymouth, towards defraying the expense of this work, and that he will be enabled to draw upon it from time to time as he may require, upon presentation of the necessary vouchers and requisitions to you. I have, &c, R. Parris, Esq., Civil Commissioner, Donald M'Lean. New Plymouth.

No. 15. Copy of a Letter from Hon. D. M'Lean to His Honor the Superintendent of Taranaki. Slß,— Auckland, October 12th, 1809. I have the honor to enclose herewith for your consideration copy of a letter I have sent to Mr. O. Carrington relative to the proposed survey of the best line of road from Waingongoro to Stony River. With a view of securing a greater accuracy of the work, and as low a scale of expenditure as possible, I have thought that a general supervision at the hands of the Provincial Surveyor might be permitted by your Honor. I have, therefore, to request you to be good enough to allow Mr. O. Carrington to gives Mr. Percy Smith that assistance and advice in the selection of the most suitable line, for an inexpensive and passable route for dray traffic, which his long experience cannot fail to prove useful in attaining the object in view. T have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent Taranaki. Donald M'Lean.

Enclosure in No. 15. Sir, — Auckland, October 11th, 1869. I have the honor to enclose for your information a copy of instructions I have forwarded to Mr. Percy Smith"' relative to the survey of the best line of road from Waingongoro to Stony River. By this mail I write to His Honor the Superintendent of Taranaki, furnishing him with particulars of the proposed work, and requesting that you may be allowed to assist and advise Mr. Smith in the selection of the most suitable line for the purpose indicated, viz., a passable and inexpensive route for dray traffic. I have, &C, 0. Carrington, Esq., Taranaki. Donald M'Leax.

No. IG. Copy of a Letter from His Honor the Superintendent of Taranaki to Hon. D. M'Lean. Superintendent's Office, New Plymouth, Taranaki, Hiu,— 19th October, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th inst., together with the copy of the letter addressed to Mr. O. Carrington in reference to the proposed road-making from Waingongoro to Stony River, and in reply beg to assure you that I will do all in my power to carry out the desirable work you have so promptly and kindly sanctioned. I have, &c, Feed. Carkington, The Hon. the Defence Minister, Auckland. Superintendent. * Vide No. C.