H.—lo

12

Eemaeks. The officer commanding district and sub-storekeeper attended at Clyde, Mohaka, and Mahia, in February, 1875, to collect militia arms and accoutrements. Those were subsequently packed to head-quarters by Armed Constabulary. The co-operative store, established at Onepoto last year, has turned out a great success. By its means the men receive their rations fully 30 per cent, cheaper than when under contract. At the same time, the canteen is fully under the supervision of the officer in charge of the post. At the other stations the messing is very well conducted, and charges reasonable. In my last annual report I drew attention to the position of the station at Marumaru as being inadequate for the requirements of that part of the district, and again suggest that it would be of far greater advantage to the district generally if placed farther on the inland road to Poverty Bay. I would also beg to draw your attention to the dangerous ford on the Waikare-Taheke Eiver, and recommend that it be made secure by bridging, or in such other way as the engineer may suggest. No accident has occurred hitherto, but communication has frequently been interrupted for a few days together. In conclusion, I would beg to state that the conduct of the men under my command has been uniformly good, and that the officers, non-commissioned officers, and constables have been both diligent and painstaking in the discharge of their respective duties. I have, <fee, W. A. Eichaedson, Inspector A.C., Commanding Wairoa District. The Commissioner, Armed Constabulary Porce, Wellington.

Enclosure 7 in No. 1. Inspector Tuke, Taranaki District, to the Commissioner, Armed Constabulary. Sic, — District Office, Taranaki, Ist June, 1875. I have the honor, in compliance with instructions contained in Circular Memorandum No. 161, of 23rd March last, and in terms of Circular No. 47, of the sth June, 1871, to forward a report upon the various duties performed by the Armed Constabulary Force in the district under my command during the past year. Military Duties. 1. Average Strength. —The average strength of the Force in this district for the past year has been 71, all ranks. 2. Parade and Drill. —The usual parades and drills have taken place throughout the year. The Force has also been instructed in tho new skirmishing drill, and been put through the annual course of musketry. 3. Escorts, Guards, Sfc. —Escorts and guards, wherever required, have been furnished by the Force. 4. Target Range. —A new 600-yard range, capable of extension, has been cleared at Pukearuhe, and the necessary butts, platform, &c, erected. 5. Issuers and Storekeepers. —Two members of the Force are placed under the direction of the substorekeeper for these duties. Civil Duties. 1. Taking the Census. —The agricultural returns of the province were partly collected by members of the Force. Public and Useful Woeks. Works. —1. A deep side-cutting, forming part of the approach to tho Mimi Bridge, has been commenced, and about 3,385 cubic yards of sandstone, clay, and hard blue rock removed. An embankment, containing about 705 cubic yards of earth, has been formed, the earth requiring to be wheeled some distance. About 12,000 feet of rimu, in addition to 25,000 feet timber, already cut for the Mimi Bridge, and for building purposes at Pukearuhe, have been cut; 5,000 shingles split for general purposes, 132 posts split for fencing at Pukearuhe, new saw-pits dug, and many chains of road made practicable for the carriage of heavy timber out of the bush. The redoubt at Pukearuhe has been almost entirely rebuilt, and two new bastions erected. 2. Bridges. —The bridge at the Mimi, the construction of which was long interrupted by unavoidable delay in the transport of timber from Kaipikari, and the want of efficient carpenters, has been recommenced, and several tiers of piles driven. To all appearance this bridge will be finished long before the road on the Native side of the river is ready for traffic. The bridge at Papatiki has been put in thorough repair, and the approaches remade; some small culverts have also been made on tho track between Wai-iti and Pakearuhe. 3. Houses, Stables, cfc. —A barrack room, 60 x 17, has been built inside the redoubt at Pukearuhe. The old hospital at Wai-iti has been removed to Pukearuhe, rebuilt, lined, and generally improved. An orderly-room, with store attached, 30 x 12 ; a cook-house, 12 x 12 ; and canteen, 16 x 14, all substantially built and shingled, have also been erected. All the above buildings have been thoroughlypainted. The district offices at New Plymouth have been improved and painted. The barrack-rooms,