Achandunie 10 Sept. 1870 My dear Sir, Ardross handed to me your letter of the 6th. inst. relative to emigration to New Zealand. From my knowledge of the Lochalsh people, having had them working for upwards of twenty years at the reclaiming of land in all its branches, planting, roadmaking and buildings, I consider there is not a better field in all the Highlands of Scotland from which to select immigrants. They have the advantage or a fair education, are good workmen, steady, honest and obedient. I think the best way to induce them to emigrate is to appoint an agent to live among them for a few weeks to lecture to and converse with them, and distribute printed circulars of the duties which would be required of them, and what they might expect in return, that emigration be open to single men and women as well as to whole families. The women I know from experience can be depended upon to make good domestic servants, it would also suggest that marriage would be encouraged on their leaving. The present population of Lochalsh is too numerous for the amount of labour there now, as the improvement s are about being completed, and by getting the best of them to leave, there would be more chance of assistance to friends at home and encouragement to others to follow. By working in this way have no doubt from 300 to 500 could be got to emigrate from Lochalsh by next May. If a proper start could only be made, by and bye they would be going on their own account. If the offers be confined to selected whole families, I question if many will avail themselves of it. My experience of Highlanders is that if they pass the age of 28 or 30 years it is not easy to induce taem to leave the country, but all the able bodied youth from 20 to 28 years can to be got to leave with fair inducement on which they can depend. I cannot express how glad I am to think that there is a prospect of aid being given to emigrants. At the last Census the population of Lochalsh was about 2600, of these 1000 could be wanted, and there is an increase, I remain, My dear Sir, Yours most respectlfully, William MacKenzie. H.M. Matheson, Esq., London.