H.—ls

18

Table No. 6. EETUEN of Eemovals from the Eorce during the Tear ending 30th April, 1879.

No. 3. Lieut.-Colonel Lyon to the Hon. the Commissioner, New Zealand Constahulary. Sir, — Armed Constabulary Head Quarters, Cambridge, 27th June, 1879. In accordance with Circular Memorandum No. 181, of 24th April, 1876, I have the honor to forward,for your information, the following reports of duties performed by the Armed Constabulary in the Waikato and other districcs for the past year, and it gives me great pleasure to again testify to the attention to duty and general good conduct of the force under my command. WAIKATO DISTEICT. Military Duties. Average Strength of Officers and Men. —Three officers, 9 non-commissioned officers, and G2 constables. Parades and Drill*. —Divine service and heavy-marching-order parades once a week. Light infantry and company drill when sufficient men available. Mails and Despatches. — A daily mail was carried by mounted orderlies, up to the 31st December, 1878, between Ohaupo and Kihikihi, when the postal authorities took over the duty. Orderlies are on the road daily between Alexandra and Ohaupo with mails. Escorts and Guards. —Orderlies have been in attendance on Ministers during their visits to .Vaikato. Target Ranges. —The ranges at Cambridge and Alexandra have been kept in good repair. Issuer and Storekeeper. —Sergeant-Major Heany is issuer and storekeeper at head-quarters, and is also in charge of a considerable quantity of Public Works' stores. Erection of Redoubts and Stockades. —No new redoubts or stockades have been erected during the year. Citil Duties. Ten non-commissioned officers and constables were employed, during the month of March, in collecting the agricultural statistics of the Electoral Districts of Waikato and Waipa. Assistance is rendered to local police when necessary. Public and Useful Works. —Work was resumed on the Taupo and Cambridge Eoad in October, the detachment being divided into two parties, the main body proceeding to the Waipa, while a smaller party was stationed at Eergusson's Gully. The work at this point was of a heavy description and consisted in building a bridge across the Waipa Stream, and forming approaches thereto ; and, I am glad to say, the way in which it has been completed reflects the greatest credit on the party. The bridge contains 3GO lineal feet of 12 xl 2 piling, and 11,500 feet of timber in the superstructure; the

Districts. __. a .o "-_- 1 J <__ I OD 4> tl: (- I 111 R ri _. 1 R ■ i B R Remarks, assigning chief Causes for Resignations, Discharges, and Dismissals. Otago 10 Resignations. —1 appointed Bailiff to Resident Magistrate's Court, Lawrence ; 1 to join the Railway Department, 1 to be a Clerk in Savings Bank at Dunedin, 1 to go into business as a blacksmith, 1 owing to ill-health (compensated), 1 to improve his position in life, 3 being discontented in the Force. Discharges. —-1 for lunacy, 1 owing to ill-health (compensated), 1 for inefficiency, 1 for drunkenness. Dismissals. —9 for drunkenness, 1 for insubordinate conduct. Canterbury 20 Resignations.—The wish to improve their position in life. Discharges.—Unfitness for the Force. Dismissals. — Drunkenness. Westland ... 2 for drunkenness and misconduct. 2 Grey 1 To pass through the Insolvency Court. Nelson 2 1 3 Resignations.—1 to go into business, 1 was recommended to resign (ill-health). Discharges. —1 unfit for further service through injury received (compensated). Dismissals. —3 for drunkenness and neglect of duty. Marlborough Discharge. —For lunaey.Dismissal. —For drunkenness. 1 1 Totals 38 8 | 23 4 T. K. Weldon, Superintendent of Constabulary, In charge, South Island Division.