A.—No. 17,

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE

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Establishing a town on this reserve would, in my opinion, be a great and permanent benefit to the Province, to the old settlers, as well as to the discharged soldiers (now settlers), who are anxious to remain in the settlement if it is possible for them to do so with safety to life and property. The greatest number of us obtained our discharge before we were aware that self-protection was to be the rule in New Zealand. lam sure had we known before hand that the troops were to be removed from this country we should never have thought of remaining here in an unprotected state, not knowingthe day that some of us and our children may be tomahawked (as my brother was some years ago), or at 2east all we possess burned and destroyed. Since the Imperial Government have withdrawn the troops, as a remedy to some extent I would recommend that a township be formed by the authorities, by falling a few acres of bush on the reserve, and erecting a blockhouse on it without delay, and select at least twenty-eight men, discharged soldiers, "belonging to the three districts, one sergeant and three corporals appointed from the twenty-eight men chosen, to be employed in opening up the roads in the 12th, 13th, and 20th Road Districts, when not employed for defence purposes. What I have proposed, if carried out, would lead to good results. 1. The blockhouse would be a safe place to run to in case of alarm. 2. Men out of employment could reside in the blockhouse, and work on their own land. 3. A store could be established, where men employed back in the bush could obtain requisite necessaries without losing time going into town for them, and perhaps spend their hard earings otherwise > besides it would induce them to remain in the district together. I am fully persuaded if a town be established, as was promised by Mr. C. Brown, when Superintendent of the Province, your Honor and I, if alive, will hear and see that before the end of two years from this date of between 120 and 160 men being settled on their land, and industriously employed clearing and cultivating the soil. All that is wanted is a little help and encouragement. On reference to the Treasury Books you will see that in 12 and 20 Road Districts we have rated ourselves very heavy,. so we might get roads to our land. Hoping yoiir Honor will do your best (as I know you have our interest and that of the Province at heart) with the General Government to have it carried out. Being well acquainted with nearly all thedischarged soldiers in the Province, I know their view of the matter pretty well. They are ready and willing to protect the settlement from rebel natives. I venture to state if roads had been made four years ago, by this time we should have had many prosperous farmers in our district. Hoping you will excuse the liberty I have taken in writing to you on the subject, I have, &c, James Hill, To His Honor the Superintendent Taranaki. A Discharged Soldier.

No 29. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. Mr. Gisborxe to His Honor the Superintexdent of Taranaki. Sir,— Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 18th February, 1870. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Honor's letter of the 7th instant,requesting the assistance of the Government in making the first portion of the road which, when completed, will lead from New Plymouth, at the back of Mount Egmont, to the Waimate and Wangamii Road. The Government regard the work to which you refer as part of the great inland roads towards the formation of which the General Assembly apj>ropriated the sum of £30,000, and will authorise the expenditure of five hundred pounds (£500) out of that vote under the direction of the Provincial Government (subject, of course, to the approval of the General Government), for the purpose. The desire of the Government is that this sum should be expended so as to open as much inland country as possible by a traversable though unfinished dray-road, and not to confine it to the construction of a short and expensive road within the close vicinity of the town. I have to I'equest your Honor to be good enough to forward to me your projjosal for this purpose. I will address your Honor in a separate letter as to the dejiartmental arrangements for the exjiendituro of this money. No time should be lost in the commencement and prosecution of this work, which should be done by contract or piece-work. I have, &c., His Honor the Superintendent, Taranaki. W. Gisborne.

No. 30. Copy of si Letter from Mr. Civil Commissioner Parkis to tlie Hon. D. M'Lean". Sib,— New Plymouth, 2nd March. 1870. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th February, in reference to two reports of Mr. P. Smith's on the subject of additional work on the line of road between Umuroa and Waingongoro, and authorising a further expenditure thereon as recommended by that gentleman,, and calling for a farther report from him, a copy of which I have the honor to forward herewith. I have, etc., E. Parris, The Hon. the Defence Minister, Auckland. Civil Commissioner.