G.—No. 5,

14

ANNUAL EEEOET ON THE

of accommodating 100 men, the timber for which has been cut, sawn and dressed, the shingles split, and the whole of the labor performed by the force. Sheds for horses, with stable have been built, also mess-whares, cook-houses, magazine and guard-room. At Patea, stables were completed in June, 1870, officer's quarters repaired, stock-yard put up, and an iron hut lined and floored for men's quarters, as the whares had become uninhabitable. 4. Fencing Paddocks and laying down in Grass —A paddock has been fenced with posts and rails on the north side of stockade, Waihi, and another on the south side. No land has been laid down in grass at present, but a supply of hay for winter forage was obtained during the summer months at Patea and AVaihi, the paddock at Patea has been cleared of fern, thistles, Ac., and the fences repaired on several occasions. 5. Erecting and repairing Telegraph lines. —Mounted constable P. Fortescue has been employed repairing telegraph lines nineteen days during the twelve months. 6. Building Sea Walls. —Nil. Remarks. The patrols at Waihi have been discontinued by command of the Hon. the Defence Minister. Should this return be deemed meagre in information, I can furnish extracts from daily occurrence book. I have, Ac, M. Noake, Major, Inspector A. C. The Commissioner Armed Constabulary Force, AVellington. Commanding District.

Enclosure 7. Inspector Tuke to the Commissioner Armed Constabulary. District Office, Armed Constabulary, Sir,— Taranaki, Ist July, 1871. In compliance with instructions contained in Circular, No. 47, of the sth June, I have the honor to forward a detail of the nature of the Military and Civil duties performed by the force in this district during the past year. Military Duties. 1. The average strength in this district since Ist July, 1870, has been eighty-five, all ranks. 2. The force at Wai-Iti and New Plymouth, has been paraded for inspection and drill daily, weather permitting, frequently in heavy marching order. 3. No active operations in the field have taken place, but the men are frequently marched out for skirmishing, and field exercise. 4. No regular patrol is required at present, but the whole of the mounted men are now thoroughly acquainted with the country, and would be of especial service if required, either as patrol, guides, or scouts. 5. Orderlies are sent between New Plymouth and Wai-Iti twice a week, carrying mails, Ac, and between New Plymouth and Okato, once a week, and frequently on special service. 6. Escorts for prisoners, ammunition, and stores, have been furnished by the mouuted men during the year. A guard of six men and one non-commissioned officer, and a picket of two men, have been furnished daily, by the force at Wai-Iti —the picket placed on a commanding point, overlooking the road to the AVhite Cliffs. A night guard of four men is furnished by the force at New Plymouth, for the protection of the magazine, and other Government property. 7. A new range for rifle practice, about 767 yards long, by about 20 feet wide, has been cleared and levelled at AVai-Iti, and tho range at the Henui, near New Plymouth, considerably improved, and an earthwork built in rear of the target, by the Armed Constabulary. 8. No men are at present required as Linesmen in this district. 9. Rations being supplied by private contract, the contractor is allowed the assistance of one constable as " Issuer," but this man is required to do his guards and drills. 10. No new field works have been erected during the past yoar; but the present redoubt at AVai-Iti has been repaired, new bastions built, &c, and the stockade at Marsland Hill put into order. Civil Duties. 1. Scarcely any serious crime being reported iu this district, the assistance of the Armed Constabulary, though at all times available, has been seldom required for its prevention. The services of the mounted men have been frequently made use of to serve summonses at a distance ; several cases of theft have been traced, and the offenders brought to justice, an escaped prisoner re-captured, tho illicit sale of spirits at Urenui put a stop to, and the offender punished by the exertions of members of the force. A party of the force was also sent to guard the wreck of the Airedale, and lent valuable assistance in landing and protecting the portion of the wreck and cargo recovered. A party was also sent to the AVaitara during the races, to see that no disturbances took place, as usual, and were of service in preserving order. 2. The services of the Armed Constabulary have not been requested at the Civil Court in New Plymouth during the year, but were at all times available, if required. 3. The services of the force have not been roquired at Lands Courts during the year. 4. Two non-commissioned officers, and six constables were employed in distributing and collecting the Census, under the general superintendence of the Inspector. PtißLic and Useful Works. The following Public and Useful Works have been performed by the force in this district during the year:— 1. 110 chains road cleared, levelled, and formed between the Urenui and Mimi rivers, 2'J feet wide ; -fascines laid over 15 chains of the same, and from 12 to 18 inches of sand wheeled over all. 34 chains,