H.—lo

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40 feet x 15 feet, affording sleeping accommodation for eighty men—the poles used in building the raupo huts and the mess-room had to be carried by the men from the bush, two miles distant, there being no dray road; a five-stalled stable, of galvanized iron ; carpenter's shop and a smithy attached to stable; boat shed, 30 feet by 15, of raupo, for Government boat; school-room, 20 feet xl 2 feet; and a Government store, 30 feet x 14 feet ; the signal station has been overhauled, and new rigging set up, and the Government boat thoroughly painted; a large addition was made to the telegraph office, lined, papered, painted, and a chimney built to it. At Okato a large stable has been built, and some whares are now in course of erection. At Rukearuhe the officers' quarters have been taken down and rebuilt at a safe distance from the cliff. The reading and mess-rooms have been re-thached. At Urenui a shed for stabling horses has been erected. Fencing, &"c. —At Waihi 20 chains wire fencing have been put up round the oat paddock, 60 chains of new fencing have been erected, a gate has been made and placed to stable paddock, a large dam has been thrown across the Waihi stream giving a depth of 7 feet of water, now used for bathing, 22 acres of oats have been cut and harvested for forage ; the yield was very good. At Opunaki a large amount of posts and rails were split, and the paddock near the redoubt thoroughly fenced. At Pukearuhe 3-^ acres of land were sown with oats, which were cut and stacked for this winter's use. At New Plymouth, Okato, Urenui, and Pukearuhe Stations, the fences have been repaired and kept in good order. Soldiers' Graves. —-At Waihi the cemetery has been put in proper order —the graves being cleared of fern and weeds; each grave has been marked with a numbered peg, and the greater part of the fence re-erected. Remarks. The Waingongoro redoubt, which was built and occupied by a sergeant and 20 constables at the commencement of the native disturbance, was, on the advance of the force to the Waimate Plains, abandoned by order of the Hon. the Native Minister. The following camps have been occupied and afterwards abandoned as the force advanced : — Kaipipi, Otakeho, Oeo, Oakura, Bayley's Farm, and Werekino. On taking up these positions a large amount of labour was expended in clearing away the flax, toitoi, and scrub, erecting earthworks, digging rifle pits, and putting the several camps in a state of defence. At Oeo and Oakura cookhouses were built for the men. The Normanby redoubt, erected by the settlers of that town, has been occupied by a sergeant and 20 men. A large amount of labor has been absorbed in discharging steamers at Opunake. The cargo has been principally Government stores for the Armed Constabulary, Telegraph, and Public Works Departments, but the ration contractor has had several cargoes landed. Casualties. —Two constables have died during the year —Constable Wallis, from fever, at Opunake, and Constable Foley, of Pukearuhe, from the effects of a horse accident. Two constables deserted and are still at large. The general conduct of the force under my command has been very good, crimes of a serious nature being almost unknown. Great praise and credit is due to that portion of the force forming the road parties, for the general industry and ability displayed in the formation of the Waimate Road. The general health has been good; a few cases of fever, however, occurring during the summer. In conclusion, I would respectfully call your attention to the high state of discipline and efficiency in drill and the duties of a soldier to which the men in this district have been brought through the exertions of the officers in charge of the different companies, great care having been taken by them in the proper training and instruction of the recruits on joining. I have, &c, J. M. Roberts, Lieut.-Col., The Commissioner of Commanding Taranaki Provincial District. Armed Constabulary, Wellington. •