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1890. NEW ZEALAND.

PUBLIC PETITIONS M TO Z COMMITTEE. REPORTS ON THE PETITIONS OF J. D. McKENZIE AND OTHERS AND F. MACKENZIE AND OTHERS ON PROPOSED ALTERATIONS IN THE BOUNDARIES OF WHANGAREI COUNTY, WITH LETTERS AND MEMORANDA FROM THE INSPECTOR OF MINES AND DISTRICT ENGINEER.

Brought up 19th August, 1890, and ordered to be printed.

No. 145. —Petition of J. D. McKenzib and Others. The petitioners, miners, leaseholders, and shareholders, interested in the Puhipuhi Goldfields District, pray that the boundaries of the Whangarei County may be so altered as to include the whole of the Puhipuhi Block within the said county. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 19th August, 1890. T. Thompson.

No. 178. —Petition of P. Mackenzie and Others. The petitioners, members of the Bay of Islands County Council and settlers in the Bay of Islands County, pray that no alteration may be made in the boundaries of the said county. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 19th August, 1890. T. Thompson.

Mr. G. Wilson, Inspector of Mines, to the Undek-Secbetaby, Mines Department. Sib,— Warden's Office, Whangarei, 20th July, 1890. I have to inform you that I visited Puhipuhi last week for the purpose of obtaining information respecting the matters mentioned in your telegram of the 10th instant, and now furnish the following report, with sketch-map showing the different points mentioned :— Seduction Flants. —The Puhipuphi Prospectors' Company intend to erect their works on the Tangiapakura Creek, at the southern end of their special claim ; and the Caledonian Company intend to erect a mill on the Wairiki Stream, to the southward of the present claims in that district. Approximate Distance from Main Road. —The Prospectors' site is about nine miles from the main road by the Air-line Eoad, and about seven miles and a half from Grey's by the Waiotu Valley Eoad. The Caledonian site is about six miles from the main road by the Air-line Boad, and about thirteen miles by the Waiotu Valley Eoad. Waiotu Valley Boad. —This road is being surveyed by Mr. Galbraith, Government Surveyor, from the main road at Grey's (a distance of twenty-one miles and a half from Whangarei) to the Township of Puhipuhi, on the table-land. The line of road will cross the Waipukakaho and Waiotu. Eivers, both of which are subject to high floods, and will require good bridges. It is then continued along the foot of the ranges on the east side of the valley, following the deviations of the spurs and gullies, crossing the Tangiapakura Creek, and then up the alternate sides of the spur between Tangiapakura and Waiotu to the southward of the Pinnacle, and thence along the range to the Township of Puhipuhi, on the table-land. The greater portion of the formation of the road will be side-cutting; and I estimate that it would cost £1,100 from Grey's to the Prospectors'machinesite ; the road to be from 12ft. to 14ft. in width. If the road is continued to the township it would cost about £300 in addition. Total, £1,400. Air-line Boad. —This road has been laid off by Mr. D. C. Wilson, Whangarei County Engineer. The bush is cleared for about Bft. in width, and narrow side-cuttings made for about two miles on a narrow spur from the Wairiki to the higher table-land. The whole of the traffic from the main road to the township and mines is over this route. The road is for the first two miles through Native land, and rises for about 500 ft. Very little side-cutting is necessary, as the ascent to the table-land is of an easy grade. The land is then nearly fiat until within a short distance of the Wairiki Eiver, when a short side-cutting must be made. A bridge is also required over the Wairiki. The timber from the Native-land boundary to the Wairiki has been burnt about two or three years ago, and very little clearing will be required. The road will be continued from the Wairiki up the ■ Kai Kione Eange, to the upper table-land and on to the township. I estimate the cost of construct-