BETWEEN SHORTLAND AND TAURANGA.

11

E.—No. 6.

get a height of about 40 feet above the water in the sag of the wire, if tho distance across was so great as Captain Heale represented. That was tho only opinion I expressed on the matter. I fancy Mr. Sheath's last paragraph is intended to convey that I saw Captain Heale quite supported Mr. Sheath's views. If so, I can fully corroborate Mr. Sheath, for Captain Heale seemed to be strongly in favour of the route round the harbour. Mr. Sheath cannot mean that I quite supported his views, for beyond my remark about tho span I said absolutely nothing that could be construed into an opinion favourable to the line decided upon. I read Blake's report very carefully. He says, in effect, that he could not positively declare the route he suggested was the best possible, but he believed a good safe line might be made on it, and that it would probably be found necessary to erect a tower on the eastern side of tho Kati Kati entrance. The report does not exhaust the question, and I had determined that if the Hon. Mr. McLean asked my opinion, I would beg to be allowed to examine both routes, and report before the work proceeded. As I was not consulted, but merely informed of the decision arrived at, I had nothing to do but use my best efforts to push forward with the work. I repeat that there is no foundation for a belief that I quite supported the view that Mr. Blake's suggestions were impracticable. I have formed no positive opinion on the matter, nor should I think of doing so until I had thoroughly examined both routes. W. H. Floyd, Electrician. »111...11.l I -11W11...... I I I

No. 36. Mr. W. 11. Floyd to Mr. C. Lemon. (Telegram.) Ga, Ist May, 1871. McKenzie here. Hopes to complete contract 10th June, but finds country worse than he anticipated. He had 100 poles stacked here. I passed 90 and rejected 10. Those passed are very bad. I leave in morning, and propose to camp out till exploration finished. Have arranged that 25 of the poles shall be 25 feet long. Following is copy of specification. W. H. Floyd, Electrician.

No. 37. Mr. Floyd to Mr. C. Lemon. (Telegram.) Tauranga, 13th May, 1871. Have been through to Kati Kati, and see my way to make a strong, good line throughout. Will report further in morning, after seeing men who are pegging up to my flags. Maoris threaten to stop work. Mr. Clarke advises me to go on until Natives stop me, and then come away and let Government settle with them. He believes we shall get through. W. H. Floyd, Electrician.

No. 38. Mr. C. Lemon to the Hon. D. McLean. AVellington, 15th May, 1871. The Hon. Mr. Sewell has requested me to inform you that Mr. Floyd reports that Natives threaten to stop the work on Kati Kati Lino. Mr. Floyd has been advised by Mr. Commissioner Clarke to go on, and when they stop him to come away and let Government settle the matter. Mr. Floyd is progressing favourably. McKenzie commenced erecting poles to-day. C. Lemon, Hon. D. McLean, Napier. General Manager.

No. 39. Mr. Floyd to Mr. C. Lemon. (Telegram.) Tauranga, 26th May, 1871. On AVednesday afternoon, as I was riding over my line from Kati Kati towards Tauranga, I found that three of my flags had been removed, near the Rereatu Kahia River. I replaced two of them, and was on my way to put up a third, when I was stopped by Maoris at the Rereahu Kahia Settlement, and told by them that I was doing wrong, and that any flags I put for the telegraph would be pulled down. I asked who had pulled my other flags down, and was told that they had been removed by Enoka' daughter, who had been instructed to do so by Pratene, a chief living near. I asked tho Maoris if they would pull down the flags I was then putting up ; and, on their answering that they would, I told them I was just going to put up one, and asked them to pull it down while I was present that I might see they meant what they said. They declined to do this, and I placed my flags. Then, I made all haste to Tauranga. I have told Mr. Clarke, who says he thinks nothing of this opposition ; the part he thought a stoppage might occur at had been passed. He will write to those men at Rereahu Kahia, and he recommends me to proceed with my work. 1 shall be at Rereahu Kahia while the pegging is being done there, so that no difficulty may occur through any blundering of my men. My interpreting on the occasion, under report, was done by my guide, a man named Peter Grant. I carefully avoided entering into any discussion with the Natives, being of opinion that, if negotiations were necessary, they were better left in the hands of the Native Department. W. H. Floyd, Electrician.