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Eemaeks. I have the honor to report favourably of the force under my command for the past year. Since the 31st May, 1873, twelve time-expired men, and men at their own request, have left the force ; one only has been dismissed for misconduct; and, I regret to add, one very promising young man was accidentally killed at the sawpits. More than two-thirds of the men in this district have re-enlisted for the longer term of service ; but owing to the high rate of wages and demand for labour now existing in this province, I have only been able to send a very limited number of recruits to Depot for enrolment if approved by the Commissioner. The district has been undisturbed throughout the year, and though reports have reached me of occasional disputes with the Natives, they generally proved to be exaggerated, and, though requiring the presence of the Civil Commissioner to adjust, no more than must be occasionally expected when out-settlers come into immediate contact with a half-civilized, half-subjugated race, in common with their European neighbours keenly sensitive of what they happen to consider injustice, and daily becoming more alive to the value of their much-coveted territory. North of our frontier post at Pukearuhe, the Natives at Mokau and that neighbourhood seem anxious to cultivate more friendly relations, and have lately expressed a desire to trade. In conclusion, I have the honor respectful^ to state that the very limited number of men under my command available for a working party greatly retards such work as road-making, bridge-building, &c.; and I trust that, taking this into consideration, the amount of work performed during the past year may prove satisfactory. I have, &c, Abthue Tuke, The Commissioner, Armed Constabulary, Wellington. Inspector A.C., Taranaki.

Enclosure 3. Inspector Tttenee to the Commissioner, Armed Constabulary Force. Sra, — Armed Constabulary District Office, Patea, 6th June, 1874. In compliance with instructions contained in Circular Memorandum No. 145, and dated Wellington, 30th March, 1874, I have the honor to forward my report of the duties performed by the Armed Constabulary Force in the Wanganui and Patea district from Ist June, 1873, to 31st May, 1874 :— Militaet Duties. Average Strength of Officers and Men in District. —One inspector, 2 sub-inspectors, 1 assistantsurgeon, and 63 non-commissioned officers and constables. Nature of Parades and Drills. —Divine service parades have been held once a week, and marching order parades usually every Wednesday. In addition to the annual course of musketry instruction, the force has occasionally been exercised in light infantry and company drill. Patrolling and Scouting. —Occasionally mounted constables patrol that portion of the district lying around Waihi, but little or no duty of this nature has been performed in and around Patea. Communication, however, constantly exists between the various Armed Constabulary stations. Carrying Mails and Despatches. —Waihi furnishes an orderly for the conveyance of out-going mails twice a week. The constable stationed at Hawera is employed on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday in carrying the mail to Waihi. Cobb and Co.'s coach carries a bi-weekly mail from Wanganui to Hawera in this district. Mounted Escorts, Guards, Sfc. —Two non - commissioned officers and 1 constable were in attendance as mounted orderlies on His Excellency the Governor during his visit to Wanganui. Civil prisoners committed at Patea for trial at Supreme Court, Taranaki, have been escorted to New Plymouth by foot constables, and prisoners have been escorted to Patea from the outlying districts. A guard of 1 non-commissioned officer and 3 constables is posted daily at Waihi; and at the outstations, Hawera, Manutahi, Wairoa, and Waitotara, the duties of the constables partake more of the nature of police supervision than guards, but one constable constantly remains in barracks. Making and Improving Target Banges. —At Waihi, a new target range has been made, in close proximity to the old one, but in a far better position. The range, although on private land, is constantly kept cleared. Telegraph Lineman. —One mounted constable has, up to the 25th April, been constantly in readiness to act as lineman when required. Issuers and Storekeepers. —One foot constable has been employed as an assistant in the Government Store, Patea, throughout the year. Erection of Sedoubts and Stockades. —The palisade and block-houses at Waihi have been constantly kept in repair. The guard-room has been weather-boarded, 450 feet sawn timber being used for that purpose. In places the palisade has been strengthened, 170 feet sawn matai being used for stays. A substantial magazine, 9 feet X 8 feet, covered in with zinc, has been built at Waihi, to replace the old one, which was condemned, being damp. Civil Duties. Steps taken for Prevention of Crime. —One constable has been constantly employed on police duty, in the township of Carlyle, up to the Ist April, when it was considered necessary to add Sergeant Whelan to the strength of that department. At Hawera, Manutahi, Wairoa, and Waitotara, a constable is daily detailed for police duty. The cases of crime in the district throughout the year numbered 30 arrests ; civil cases heard by Bench, 58. A non-commissioned officer has been employed as clerk to the Bench at Carlyle. An inquest was held in the Court-house, Carlyle, to inquire into