BETWEEN SHOETLAND AND TAURANGA

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E.—No. 6

No. 10. Mr. Dixon to Mr. C. Lemon. Sic, — Grahamstown, 29th November, 1870. I beg to call your attention to the acknowledgment by the Government (dated 30th July, 1870) of my tender for the erection of the telegraph line between Tauranga and Shortland; also, my reply, dated 10th August, 1870, with which was submiited a copy of my plan of the intended work. I am now induced, after waiting over three months for instructions to commence the work, to request that you will kindly put me in possession of full particulars regarding it, as promised in your communication of July 30th, 1870, seeing that I might then take advantage of the summer season, as well as the present state of impecuniosity of tho Natives. I would respectfully suggest that any further delay in authorizing me to proceed with the work may, in the future, involve Native difficulties, which at the present time can be easily obviated. In the event of your not having received the plan of my proposed route which I previously forwarded, I beg to submit for your information another copy of the plan alluded to. I have, Ac, E. V. Dixon, C. Lemon, Esq., General Manager, Telegraph Department. Contractor.

No. 11. Mr. Dixon to the Hon. D. McLean. Sir,— Auckland, 18th February, 1871. With reference to the erection of the telegraph which I undertook some time ago, I beg to inform you that I have on several occasions applied to Mr. C. Lemon, General Manager of Electric Telegraphs, AVellington, and have not as yet received any reply. As the uncertain nature of the affair materially interferes with my business, I would take it as a great favour if you would decide and let me know at your earliest convenience whether I am to commence operations or not. I am, Ac, D. McLean, Esq., Native Minister. E. V. Dixon.

No. 12. Mr. Lewis to Mr. Dixon. Sir, — Alexandra, 27th February, 1871. Referring to your letter of the 18th instant, respecting the construction of the telegraph line between the Thames and Tauranga, I have the honor, by direction of the Native Minister, to inform you that, in the present unsettled state of the Natives in that district, it is not considered advisable to procoed with the work in question. I have, Ac, E. W. Dixon, Esq., Auckland. T. AY. Lewis.

No. 13. Mr. Dixon to the Hon. D. McLean. Sir, — Grahamstown, 9th March, 1871. In reply to yours of 27th February, 1871, which I have received, I wish to state that I have been speaking to Tukikino and Turapipi about the matter, and they will help us all they can with the line. I have, Ac, Pro E. R. Dixon, The Hon. D. McLean, Defence Minister. G. B. All_:n.

No. 14. Mr. C. Lemon to Mr. Blake. (Telegram.) Wellington, 9th July, 1870. WnEN you have leisure I should like you to examine upon the possibility of continuing the line to Auckland; this is only as regards spanning the two openings into Tauranga Harbour. I am told by Mr. Heale that on this side of Tauranga Harbour the land is very high, and on the north head of northern opening the land is also high. My reason for asking you to do this is to be satisfied as to whether we can take the line that way, as the one round the Harbour to Kati Kati would be a tremendous job; looking at map, there appear to be so many long inlets running up into the mainland. C. Lemon, G.M.

No. 15. Mr. Blake to Mr. C. Lemon. (Telegram.) 9th July, 1870. Mr. Heale correct as to description. I think it the best plan so far as I could see at Tauranga, and there would be no Native opposition ou the Island. I have plan on large scale, which I will send you. It would probably require two sets of piles driven, one at each entrance on Sandy Spit, that runs out into shallow water. Spans would not be more than six or seven hundred yards. I will go in boat to examine when next at Tauranga. W. Blake. 2