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ARMED CONSTABULARY FORCE.

5

G.—No. 5.

1871, the whole work, with the exception of a few unimportant fittings, has been finished. The 14,000 bricks were burned, a pug-mill erected, and an additional 9,000 bricks made and burned, and a tramway to transfer bricks from kiln to redoubt formed. The brick wall runs up to its full height, 16 feet 2 inches. The upper 8 feet 2 inches was only one brick instead of brick and a half, and the interior wood work fitted up. The interior of the fort is a quadrangular building, with a court yard ten feet square in the centre. It contains one guard room, one cell, two small rooms, and one large one, the whole capable of comfortably housing a garrison of fifteen men. It is thoroughly lined, and well lighted, ventilated by windows looking into the court-yard. There is a fire-place in the large room and a well of good water in the yard, which is worked with a hand pump. Since Ist June, 1871, ten men have been quartered in the redoubt. Although a whole year has been more or less occupied in completing this work, many interruptions have occurred to delay its progress. In July and August, 1870, eight men were withdrawn and sent to Raglan to build a redoubt, and in September the AVaipa river was so flooded as materially to interfere with the brickmaking, then on hand, and in December and January last the work was almost entirely suspended. Civil Duties. As it is the duty of every member of the force to be on the alert for the prevention of crime, as laid down in the Regulations for the guidance of the Armed Constabulary, I did not think it necessary to issue any further instructions. Steady and intelligent constables have been specially appointed at each station, both for the prevention of crime and detection of criminals ; and I may add few, if any, cases of crime remain undetected, and no criminals are known to be at large. The Resident Magistrate's Court at Hamilton, Alexandra, Cambridge, and Ngaruawahia is attended by a member of the force, who acts as clerk, issues summonses, &c. Census. —ln accordance with instructions contained in the Commissioner's letter, 14th December, 1870, members of the Armed Constabulary were employed in taking census in this district. Those so employed received 2s. 6d. per diem, with money allowance for mounted men's horses and allowance for horse hire when foot constables were employed. The cost of the whole of this did not exceed fifty pounds, exclusive of constabulary pay. The work was performed to the entire satisfaction of the Census Enumerator. Public and Useful Works. The Armed Constabulary, to the number, on an average, of from eighty to ninety men of all ranks, have been employed on the roads from March, 1871. The following portions of lines of roads have been completed:—Between Ohaupo and Alexandra, 4 chains and 45 links. This consisted of a cutting four chains in length, reducing slope 1 foot in 6'3 to 1 foot in 8'65, and excavating 444'8 cubic yards, repairing 45 links of road and approach to bridge; also, 2 chains 45 links. This consisted of cutting 2 chains long, reducing slope from 1 foot in 7'5 to 1 foot in 9'58, and excavating 127'1 cubic yards of earth, repairing 45 links of road and approach to bridge; 94 chains of road were formed through small scrub and fern; also, 36 chains through bad swamp, requiring road to be raised 2 feet 6 inches to 3 feet by facines, &c. Between Hamilton and Ohaupo—B2 chains of road were formed through low swampy country, requiring fascines and side drains, 13 chains on high dry soil, and 23 chains cleared, one chain wide, of fern scrub, Ac, &c. Between Rangiawhia and Cambridge—36 chains. This consisted, for the greater part, in forming a road through the Mona Tua Tua Swamp, requiring to be corduroyed with large logs, fascined, and deep side drains. In consequence of the enormous amount of rainfall this work has been for the present abandoned, but will be pushed on with as soon as the season is sufficiently advanced to admit of it. Between Hamilton and Ngaruawahia—l44 chains. This consisted in forming road through generally high and dry soil, not requiring regular drains; two chains of the above had to be fascined, also, 60 chains cleared of scrub, fern, &c. Between Alexandra and Paterangi—so chains of road through high dry ground, 4 chains a side cutting, with an average depth of 2 feet 6 inches. Between Whata Whata and Ngaruawahia—493o chains. This consisted of forming road through ti-tree scrub and filling in two large swampy holes, containing 334.5 cubic yards of earth ; and a cutting 231 leet in length; breadth, 26 feet; mean depth, 2 feet 9 inches, containing 61113 yards; also, 970 chains road cleared of scrub, &c. Bridges —None. Culverts —Between Ohaupo and Alexandra, two log culverts, 12 inches x 9 inches, 20 feet long. Between Hamilton and Ohaupo —-1 box culvert, 2-inch Rimu planking, 18 inches x 18 inches, 18 feet in length. Between Rangiawahia and Cambridge—2 log culverts, 2 feet x 2 feet 6 inches; 1 chain in length. Between Hamilton and Cambridge—s box culverts, 2-inch Rimu planking, 18 inches x 9 inches, 20 feet long each. Between Ngaruawahia and Whata Whata—2 box culverts, 18 inches x 18 inches, 2-inch planking, 36 feet each in length. Stables, Buildings, Sfc. —The stables at head quarters have been put into repair. A new stable has been erected at Cambridge, capable of accommodating seven horses, with forage room attached; also, a small stable at Kihi Kihi. At Hamilton, a new verandah 90 feet by 7 feet, flooring and bricks, has been put to the Hospital, also to the Government Buildings, used as offices. One hut for married sergeant, 20 feet by 14 feet, has been built; also, one hut, containing three rooms, for Sergeant-Major, library, and reading-room. Fencing, and laying down in grass. —Thirteen acres at Hamilton Government Reserve have been fenced and ditched, planted with quicks, and laid down in grass. At Kihi Kihi, ten acres Government Reserve, ploughed, fenced and ditched, and to be laid down in grass in the spring. At Cambridge, 2

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