CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS IN THE NORTH ISLAND.

A.—No. 17.

63

The last party of workmen were Ngatirangiwewehi, under one of their chiefs (Ereatara). Most of these men surrendered a few months ago, and when laying out the line of road eight years ago opposed the survey through the Kaharoa Forest. A cart or dray can now go the whole distance from Maketu to Te Taheke (Kotoiti), a distance of twenty-two miles, with groat ease. Ten miles of the road are made over as rough and broken a country as any in this part of New Zealand. The one great drawback to makimg a really substantial work of it is the great want of stone. In its whole extent there is not a stone the size of a goose egg. This will necessitate a certain annual outlay to keep the road in repair—say £100 per annum. There have been about 200 natives employed on this road for two months, including women and boys, and the average amount received by each individual will be about 60s. The actual value of the work estimating the cost by the cubic contents of the excavations at 6d. per yard, would be about .£1,200. The sum they actually get is £000. On the 11 th I proceeded to Ohinemutu, where I arranged a meeting with the Puhirua natives for Monday, the 13th. The Ohinemutu natives, who have always thought themselves more or less threatened to be attacked by their neighbours, now believe that we are on the eve of a general peace. They have lately been visited by a messenger from Matutaera, making overtures for a friendly meeting. This has been responded to, and a deputation of young chiefs—Te Warihi, Taukata, and Herewini Amohau—have gone over to Waikato. They had not returned when I left. Wiremu Te Wheoro states that they reached Tokangamutu the day he came away. Te Atua-herangi and a number of the " Paranta" (Ngathaukawa) have come over from Patetere, and have taken up their abode at Ohinemutu. In a previous report I mentioned the circumstance of fcheir having asked to be allowed to return, and I gave them a sort of "pass" in English and Maori to shield them from molestation by any of our expeditionary forces. On the morning of the 13th I left for Te Awahou (Puhirua), where I found the Ngatirangiwewehi assembled. Many of them had just given in their submission. One of these, in the course of his speech, said, " I thought you were a small thing in my hand, and that I could crush you, but I have found out that I was mistaken. I have had enough of it (hua iro aliau), and we now submit." The people of this hapu were many of them at Te Banga ; two-thirds of them, including Kaingararu, fell there, and it has been the hope of avenging their deaths that has kept them out so long. Their discomfiture at Tapapa, and the subsequent death of their great man (Hakaraia), has compelled them to submit, but not until two-thirds of those who went into rebellion have been slain. After the usual complimentary speeches, I introduced the principal question which I had come to discuss with them, viz., the subject of the direct road from Tauranga through the Mangorewa Forest. Te Ketimana said that he was one of the principal owners of the forest land, and was quite willing that the road should be made, but that it must be bought right out by the Government. This, I said, was something quite new, and a demand I had never heard of before ; that the owners of the land on either side of the road would be the people who would derive most benefit from it; that the road was not intended exclusively for Europeans, but for both races, and much more to the same effect. lie admitted that what I said was correct, but that they had carefully considered the subject, and had decided to get payment for the road. I told Retimana that it could not be done, and that they were foolish to hesitate about the matter, inasmuch as if they delayed the opening of this road the Government might divert the line, an event -which they (the natives) would surely regret. Ketimana said, "I cannot give my consent now; let me consider the subject, and when I have made up my mind I will let you know." From what I could see and hear, I knew this would not be the termination of the conference, and therefore did not prers the matter further, but left them to introduce the subject again. They grew impatient at my apparent indifference, and demanded what I intended to pay for the making of the road. I told them that I could not proceed further in the matter, as the first thing to be decided upon was -whether they would allow the road to be made without payment for the right of taking it over their land. They, however, urged the matter in such a manner that I could see the first demand was practically abandoned. I told them that they should get from £100 to £130 per mile, according to the nature of the work required, for a road at least sixteen feet wide through the forest. I would here observe that I estimated the work at the lowest rate possible, for I knew that a much higher demand would be made. This, as I .anticipated, was a matter of warm debate. They said that it was worth at least £200 per mile (and cheap at that), and that we must give more. I would not yield, and we came to a standstill again. I was taunted with being a " tangata pakeha rawa," and they begged time to consider. I next introduced the subject of the survey of the road from the Eotorua side, and expressed a desire that it should be done as quickly as possible. I consider this the "thin end of the wedge," and, if carried, the rest would follow as a matter of course. I left them to discuss the subject. When I returned to the " whare runanga" they had made up their minds to go on with the survey, and after another hour's haggling settled the terms upon which the work should be done. When this was completed, I reverted to the cost of making the road, and told them that they should, subject to the approval of the Government, get £150 per mile, taking one mile with the other. I told them at the same time that it was such a great concession on my part that I did not wish them to begin the woik until I had communicated with the GovernmentThey received my intimation with great satisfaction, and requested me to acquaint Mita Hikairo, Wi Mai hi, and other absentees, who were interested in the lands, of what had passed. Our conference did not bieak up till late at night. I have requested Captain Turner to push the survey through the forest from the Kotorua side a quickly as possible, and Mr. Gundry to push on his work from where he left off. 17