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The drain for the first 43 chains was cut 7 feet wide and 3J feet deep, and the last 38 chains the size of the drain was reduced to a width of 4 feet and depth of I|. This latter portion of the work was heavily timbered. I have &c, William C. Lton, Inspector A.C., The Commissioner, Lieut.-Colonel, Commanding Waikato District. Armed Constabulary Force, Wellington.

Enclosure 2. Inspector Tuke to the Comhissioneb, Armed Constabulary Force. Sib, Armed Constabulary District Office, Taranaki, 31st May, 1874. I have the honor, in compliance with your Circular Memorandum of the 30th March, 1874, and in terms of Circular No. 47, of the sth June, 1871, to forward a report of the various duties performed by the Armed Constabulary Force in this district during the past year. Militaby Duties. Average Strength. —The average strength of the force in this district during the past year has been 62, all ranks. Parades and Drills. —The usual inspection, Divine service, marching order, and ordinary parades have been held throughout the year, and no opportunity has been lost to increase the efficiency of the force in skirmishing and company drill. Patrols, Scouts, Sfc. —I have not found it necessary to establish any additional patrols or employ any scouting parties during the year. The non-commissioned officers and men on detachment or in command of posts have orders to make themselves thoroughly acquainted with the country in their respective neighbourhoods, and be able to act, if required, as guides or scouts. Conveyance of Mails, Sfc. —No alteration has taken place in the system of communication with out-stations, as it is found to answer well. Escorts, Guards, Sfc. —Escorts for the conveyance of ammunition or other Government property have been detailed, and the ordinary guards at such outposts as considered advisable have been maintained during the year. Target Ranges. —The ranges at New Plymouth and Pukearuhe have been improved and kept in good order during the season. Telegraph Linemen. —No linemen are detailed from the force in this district. Issuers, Storekeepers, Sfc. —As hitherto, a member of the force acts in this capacity. Erection of Bedoubts and Stockades. —All redoubts and stockades occupied by the force have been kept in good order, and repaired when necessary. The Okato Stockade is at present undergoing repairs. Civil Duties. Prevention of Crime. —The assistance of the force in aid of the civil power has been requested in very few instances during the year, such as elections, races, &c, &c. The mounted men are occasionally employed in serving summonses, &c, in out-districts. Taking Census, Sfc. —The agricultural statistics of the province have been collected by members of the force. The census papers were also issued and collected by members of the force in April last, under the directions of the Enumerator. Public and Useful Woeks. Nature and Extent of Hoad Works. —No new roads for general use have been constructed by the force under my command, having no men available for this purpose since June last. The roads generally in the vicinity of the camps have been kept in good order. Building Bridges and Culverts. —Two pair of sawyers have been employed up to April last, since which time only one pair have been available. While so employed, they have cut (including a small quantity of puriri for repairs to TJrenui Bridge) about 30,000 feet of timber for the Mimi Bridge ; dug 12 sawpits, some of extra length ; split 100 posts for fencing at Urenui Paddock ; cut and fitted a new derrick ; cut out gates for new paddock at Pukeraruhe, and other useful work. The working party has also cut 78 chains of road, available for drays, &c, through standing bush to the different saw-pits, and erected substantial whares for their own use. A side-cutting, forming part of the northern approach to Mimi Bridge, has also been commenced. Here 1,330 cubic yards of earth, rock, and sandstone have been removed, and tracks cut through the fern on either side of the river. A party is at present at work repairing the TJrenui Bridge, some piles of which had sunk during the last few weeks. These men have been working under the direction of the Engineer-in-Chief, West Coast, who has supplied them with a heavier monkey than was available when the piles were first driven. They are now embedded in the solid clay to the depth of 26 feet, and scarcely likely to again give way. Building Souses, Stables, Sfc. —At Pukearuhe several new whares have been erected, a large stone chimney built for the men's cook-house, a substantial drawbridge made, and numerous other necessary works completed. The redoubt has been kept in repair, glacis sloped, sown, and camp generally kept in good order. Fencing Paddocks and Laying Down in Orass. —Twenty-three acres have been cleared and grubbed by the force, and ploughed by contract; around this a substantial 6-sod ditch and bank fence 43 chains in length has been erected, and is still being continued to the cliffs. At New Plymouth the old guard-room has been repaired and re-shingled; the detached room used as a carpenter's shop has also been re-shingled, the approaches and paths re-gravelled, more trees planted, and. all Government property, both at Marsland Hill and at Mount Elliot, kept in a serviceable state and in good condition.