CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS IN THE NORTH ISLAND.

A.—No. 17.

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two hundred and twenty pounds was paid to the Opunake and Oeo Natives, on account of work on the road, which has been opened as far as the tribal boundary of Taranaki and Ngatiruanui at Omutxirangi or Kawau, from whence the Ngaruahine Natives, under Manaia and Reihana, are prepared to take up the work and carry it to Waingongoro. I have, <fee, R. Parris, The Hon. the Defence Minister, Auckland. Civil Commissioner.

No. 27. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Commissioner Pariiis to the Hon. D. M'Lean. Sir, — New Plymouth, 31st January, 1870. I have the honor to report for the information of His Excellency's Government, that hist week I went through the Taranaki district, having received a letter from Mr. P. Smith, informing me that some of William King's people were opposing the road work between Unuiroa and Opunake, and that he wished mo to visit them. Ruakere (son of the Warea chief Aperahama te Reke), and Te Rako Reretanangawanga (William Kingto Rangitake's grandson) having come in from Pariaka on the 22nd inst., and on hearing that I was going to the district the following Monday, the 24th inst., they stopped at my house two nights to accompany me us far as Ikaroa. We stopped at Taihua, a village of the Ngamahanga's near Warea, on Monday night, where about fifty of that tribe assembled to meet me, to lay before me some questions about the occupation of the land between Stony River and Waiweranui, which was returned to the tribe, and about which they had been quarrelling, the party which came in with Motu last year having cut down some karakas at the old pa of notoriety, called Matanuinui, at which the old chiefs Iharaira, Pohutu, Paora and their party, who came in in 1864, had taken offence, and had threatened that but for their having put themselves under the " Ture" of the " Kawanatanga" they would have driven Motu and his party off the block of land. Motu and his party taunted them with having surrendered all the lands to the Government when they came in in 1864, and that in consequence thereof there were no " poupaengas" (landmarks) now. This was a correct view of the question, but having been used as a taunt, was not palatable to the old chiefs, who would sanction a subdivision of the whole block. We had a warm discussion great part of the night, which subsided favorably by their promising to cease quarrelling, and to cultivate the lands peaceably. Tuesday morning I left Taihua, accompanied by Ruakere and Rako so far as Ikaroa, where we met a party of Pariaka natives, with whom I had a conversation about road-work and things in general; and then went on to Umuroa, where I stopped for the night, and the following morning (Wednesday) went on South, accompanied by William King, to visit the working parties, who, I am happy to be able to report, are progressing favorably and satisfactorily. Thursday morning we returned to Umuroa, where Heremaia, the young man who has been opposing the road-work, met me, with whom I had a long discussion relating to flax and road-work. I advised him to discontinue his opposition, as it was useless for him to oppose his own relatives, who were determined to finish their contracts, and afterwards turn their attention to flax-work. By the end of this week the line will be opened the full extent of the contracts from Umuroa to Waingongoro, and the heaviest cuttings at the deepest rivers—Waiaua, Taungatara, Punehu, and Ouri— are nearly finished. 1 have, &c, R. Parris, The Hon. the Defence Minister, Auckland. Civil Commissioner.

No. 28. Copy of a Letter from His Honor the Superintendent of Taranaki to the Hon. Mr. Gisborne. Sir, — Wellington, 7th February, 1870. Referring to the conversation which I had this morning with the Hon. the Premier and yourself respecting the making of the first portion of the road so urgently required to command the forest district inland of the Town of New Plymouth and Waitara, which road will be the beginning of the line that must at no distant date be made at the back of Mount Egmont, to join the Waimate and Wanganui Road, I have now the honor to solicit your consideration and kindness in aiding the carrying out of this* most needful and important work, and I trust that you will be pleased to authorise the expenditure of such an amount on this road as will ensure the object in view. I have, &c, Fred. A. Carrington, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent of Taranaki. P.S.—I beg to enclose a letter on this subject from Sergeant James Hill, a discharged soldier settled in Taranaki, which, in my opinion, is worthy of the consideration of the Government. F. A. C.

Enclosure in No. 28. Sir, — New Plymouth, 31st January, 1870. Your Honor will remember a remark I made to you about two months ago in presence of Mr. Bosworth about a portion of bush land (Government Reserve) in No. 20 Road District. It is situated about eight miles inland from the Devon line on the Egmont Road, and extends from the Waiwakaiho to the Mangoraka River, containing, I believe, about 170 acres, being suitable for it township. By giving each discharged soldier a town allotment of half an acre, it would connect the three districts into one. 4