CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE

A.—No. 17,

12

No. 22. Copy of a Letter from The Hon. D. M'Lean to Mr. Civil Commissioner Parris. Sir,— Auckland, 16th November, 1869. Provided there is no difficulty in the way, I have the honor to request that you will be good enough to call for tenders for erecting a bridge across the Stony Eiver, the lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. Having issued this contract, you will relieve yourself of all details connected with road making, and hand them over to Mr. Percy Smith, who will in future be responsible for the proper conduct of same. I have, (fee, R. Pan-is, Esq., New Plymouth. Donald M'Lean.

No. 23. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. D. M'Lean to Major Stapp. Sir,— Auckland, 23rd November, 1869. I have the honor to request that you will be good enough to furnish me, at an early date, with a return of the number of men of the Armed Constabulary employed on road works in your district, the extent and description of roads they have made, and the localities where such works are being carried out. I have, &c, Major C. Stapp, New Plymouth. Donald M'Lean.

No. 24. Copy of a Letter from Major Stapp to the Hon. D. M'Lean. Sir,—- Taranaki Militia Office, Few Plymouth, 30th November, 1869. In reply to your letter, dated the 23rd instant, I have the honor to forward the enclosed report Inspector Tuke, Commanding A.C., and to state that I inspected the works last week, and am perfectly •satisfied with what has been done and the work they are engaged on at present. I have, &c., C. Stapp, Brevet Major Commanding District. The Hon. the Defence Minister, Auckland.

Enclosure in No. 24. Inspector Tuke to Major Stapp, Commanding District Taranaki. Sir, — Taranaki, 2Gth November, 18G9. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 25th instant, requesting me to inform you on what work the Armed Constabulary were employed, and how long they had been so employed, and also as to what number of men I had engaged in road making. In reply I have the honor to inform you that a detachment of 20 men and non-commissioned officers have have been employed in road making for nearly two months, and are now stationed on the south side of the Mimi River, making good the approaches to the Ford. The road from Wa,i-iti to Mind has been put into a state of repair, and several heavy cuttings made. The hills on the north and south banks of the Mimi, formerly all but impassable, are now thoroughly practicable, and great satisfaction is expressed by draymen and others at the improvements effected already. Should the negotiation commenced in the Waikato by the Hon. the Defence Minister, tend to remove all doubt as to the action likely to be taken by the Mokau tribe (Ngatimaniapoto) I shall be able at once to increase the working party, simply requiring a further supply of tools. I have, ifcc, Major Stapp, Commanding District, Taranaki. Arthur Tuke.

No. 25. Copy of ii Letter from the Hon. D. M'Lean to Major Stapp. gi R; Auckland, Ist December, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 511, of the 30th November, 18G9, enclosing Inspector Take's report upon the manner in which the men of the Armed Constabulary under his command have been employed upon the making and improvement of roads in your district. It is satisfactory to find that the work in question is progressing so favoiirably, and I should be glad to have it conveyed to Inspector Tuke that his endeavours in that direction meet with my approval. I have further to request you to be good enough to inform that officer that he may increase the road party to, say, thirty-five or forty men, and that whatever tools he may require will bo supplied him upon requisition. I have, &c, Major Stapp, Commanding Taranaki District. Donald M'Lean.

No. 2G. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Civil Commissioner Parris to the Hon. D. M'Lean. g IEj New Plymouth, sth January, 1870. I have the honor to inform yon that Mr. Percy Smith was in at Christmas, and an advance of