E.—No. 6.

6

PAPERS RELATING TO EXTENSION OE TELEGRAPH

No. 16. Mr. Blake to Mr. C. Lemon. (Telegram.) 9th August, 1870. lam going to-day to examine Tauranga Harbour for crossing wire. I expect to get ten acres of land at the Ngae from the Mission Agent—an office will have to be built, but no sawyers will be got before poles are finished cutting. Everything will go on here satisfactorily if weather will only be fine. Walter Blake.

No. 17. Mr. Blake to Mr. C. Lemon. Sir,— Maketu, 12th August, 1870. I have the honor to inform you that I have made an examination of Tauranga Harbour crossing for proposed line to Kati Kati. The Tauranga entrance could be spanned, but it would necessitate a tower or high pole on each side; one on the hill could easily be erected, but the one on the sandbank would require a large expenditure to make it safe—the position of the latter would be on a loose sandy spit covered about 3or 4 feet deep at low water. There is also a very strong current ruuning here, and in rough weather, with wind from the north, a very heavy surf breaks along the spit. I therefore examined the harbour further towards Kati Kati, and on inspection decided that it would be preferable to cross line where marked on accompanying tracing at the island Motuhoa; by so doing the township of Te Puna will be passed. No large vessels can pass beyond Te Puna, also a little higher up, a mud or sand bank runs right across the harbour, caused by the tides meeting. So this route leaves it optional either to cross the island, or run it across on the sandbank. It would also save making a long loop-line into Tauranga, as shown on tracing. Tho distance also would be lessened because poles for crossing at the Tauranga entrance would start from where Taupo line leaves the beach. The accompanying tracing will show that the line to reach Kati Kati, without crossing harbour at all, would be very difficult, both to erect, and also to look after when finished. I have sketched a line on tracing, but have not examined the country sufficiently to say that it is the most feasible; but, with slight deviation where necessary I see no obstacles to prevent it being made a good line. The Tauranga Pilot or Harbour Master, considers if line crosses at Motuhoa no high poles will be necessary, as only open boats go up through that portion of the harbour. The entrance at Kati Kati will probably require a high pole or tower on eastern side, but any expenditure for such pole will be saved by the distance being shortened. I have, Ac, AValter Blake, General Manager, Telegraphs, Wellington. Inspector.

No. 18. Mr. Siieatii to Mr. C. Lemon. Sic, — New Zealand Telegraph, Auckland, 16th August, 1870. Mr. Dixon has been twice to my office to gather information as to the construction of tho line between the Thames and Tauranga. I referred him to you in AVellington for specifications and the necessary instructions, as I have received no authorities on the subject. I have, Ac, Alfred Sheath, C. Lemon, Esq. District Inspector.

No. 19. Mr. Dixon to the Hon. D. McLean. Sir, — Grahamstown, 19th June, 1871. I regret to have again to call your attention to the injury that is being done, both to my brothers and myself, through being deterred by your authority in proceeding with the telegraph line between Tauranga and the Thames. We would be satisfied if the Government would deign to give us a reply, in the shape of a substantial reason, why we are so abruptly stopped in our preliminaries for the work, and Mr. McKenzie (another contractor) was allowed to proceed with a portion of the line which the Government had stipulated with us to complete. In conclusion, I cannot but call your attention to the fact that the conduct of the Government towards us in this matter has had the tendency to shake the confidence which the Natives in this part of the country have always had in us, and this latter is likely to prove extremely detrimental to us in all our future dealings with the Native tribes. Trusting that you will see the propriety of replying to this communication as soon as possible, I have, Ac, E. V. Dixon, Contractor, The Hon. D. McLean, Defence Minister. Grahamstown, Thames Gold Fields.