FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE AGENT-GENERAL, LONDON. II.-LETTERS FROM THE AGENT-GENERAL.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1872 Session I, D-01c

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FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE AGENT-GENERAL, LONDON. II.-LETIERS FROM THE AGENT-GENERAL.

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BY COMMAND OF HIS EXCELLENCY. WELLINGTON. 1872.

SCHEDULE OF CORRESPONDENCE.

No. Hate. Subject. 345 27 June, 1872 346 27 June, 1872 ... Forwarding reports by the Rev. P. Barclay, and Messrs. Birch and Seaton, of their emigration operations in Scotland. ... Forwarding a report by Mr. Morrison, on his emigration tour in the Western Highlands.

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No. 1. Dr. Feathebston to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. (No. 345.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S. W"., Sic,— 27th June, 1872. I have the honor to transmit to you copies of reports by the Rev. P. Barclay and Messrs. Birch and Seaton, of their operations in connection with emigration from Scotland. I have, &c, I. E. Feathebston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, New Zealand. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 1. Mr. T. Biech to Dr. Feathebston. S IEj Aberdeen, 17th June, 1872. Mr. Morrison writes me that you wish me to give in to you some report of my proceedings. Had the questions which you wish me to state my opinion upon been put categorically, the result might be more satisfactory. As it is, I apprehend your desire is to obtain my experience of how the scheme of emigration under the present system works. It would be impossible to definitely state how the scheme may ultimately work, but, from my three months' experience, I wish the organization had been more complete, so far as the rural districts in Scotland are concerned. I have visited Berwickshire, Roxburghshire, and Galloway, in the south portions of Ross-shire, and Easter Ross in the north ; have delivered addresses, and, must say, been well supported by the clergy and the Press. I have also recommended to the Agent-General, for his ratification, the appointment of suitable local agents in various places I have visited ; but notwithstanding the apparent desire on the part of many to emigrate to New Zealand, the attraction in the shape of free grants of land and free passages offered by the Canadian Government, is a most serious drawback to the success of the scheme; and although the terms offered by the Government of New Zealand are most liberal, yet in many cases, where there are large families, the paying even of the small sum of one pound per adult is a serious consideration, and an obstacle, with the necessary outfit for the voyage in view. I would therefore recommend that all emigrants who may be eligible, should be placed on the same footing here as single women. I have also to state that, during my peregrinations in Ross-shire, I visited the town of Cromarty, where most of the population are fishermen, who are very industrious, but very poor. I had interviews with several of them, who are only too anxious to emigrate, but their calling is of such a character that, were they to be, say, located on Stewart's Island, houses to shelter them and boats to ply their trade with would bo necessary. Now, as these arrangements would require a considerable outlay of money, I did not consider myself justified, without some further information or authority, to induce those families to emigrate at present. The whole subject is worth the attention of Government, as the same rule will doubtless apply to the inhabitants of the Shetland Islands, but as I mean visiting those Islands this week, I will be more able soon to report on their social position. I would respectfully draw the attention of the AgentGeneral to the present unsatisfactory condition in which I am placed for want of a central office, where letters may be addressed to me in Scotland. Letters from numerous correspondents are circulated all over the country, much to my own chagrin and to the serious disappointment of many. I would recommend, under these circumstances, that central offices be allotted to each gentleman whom the Government may appoint as agent: for example, one in Inverness, to embrace that shire, Ross-shire, and Easter Ross, with occasional visits by the agents to Sutherlandshire, and so on throughout Scotland ; indeed the same rule would apply to all other parts. (I have already touched in a former letter oii these matters, but without any cognizance being taken of my remarks.) I should further remark that when an application form is filled in by an intending emigrant, discretionary power should be given to the agent on the spot, instead of sending the form to London, causing much delay and often disappointment ; for who is more competent to judge of the qualifications of the person or persons applying for an. assisted passage than he who doubtless makes all necessary inquiry as to the habits, health, and character of the applicants? I would most strenuously recommend that all agents have this power granted them. I already notified to you that the Border farm-servants are engaged in the first week of March, by the year, and as I did not arrive in Britain until the 9th of last month, my mission there was not so successful as it would otherwise have been. I have sowed the seed, however, wherever I have been, and I have great hopes that we may reap an abundant harvest of people of the right stamp. I would suggest that an agent should visit Berwick and Roxburghshire during the months of December on to March, and that his head office should be in Kelso. I believe that much good would result from this course: it would give the agricultural labourers time to think over the liberal offers made to them by the New Zealand Government. If there is any other matter you wish information upon within my knowledge, I will supply it. In conclusion, it is to be hoped that ere long the question of remuneration will be satisfactorily settled, as at present, whatever may be thought by the Agent-General, the labourer is worthy of his hire. I have, &c., The Agent-General for New Zealand. Thomas Biech.

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EURTHER CORRESPONDENCE

Enclosure 2 in No. 1. Mr. J. Seaton to Dr. Feathebston. Sic— Strath Canon, 3rd June, 1872. I have the honor to report the means adopted and the places visited by me to promote emigration since arrival in England. Immediately after receiving your instructions regarding the terms on which parties were to be assisted, and the locality to which I was to confine my efforts, I proceeded to visit the chief centres of population in the Counties of Ayr, Lanark, Perth, and Fife ; having posters and handbills circulated with the object of drawing attention to and giving information regarding New Zealand as a field for emigration. I also invited all who felt interested in the subject to meet me at places stated. Many availed themselves of the invitation, and evinced considerable interest, asking for the form of application, which I supplied in considerable numbers, but, from the peculiar manner in which I have been engaged lately, am not aware whether they have been forwarded and approved of or not. There are many almost insuperable obstacles in the way of extended emigration from Scotland just now. In the first place, trade of every kind is brisk ; a great demand exists for labour of every kind, with high wages and a reduction in the hours of work. On the other hand, America is bidding high for emigrants, offering from 100 to 200 acres of land to each adult, and in some cases giving an advance of ten dollars per head to assist them to reach their destination. That, with her comparatively short distance, make it the favourite field. I have endeavoured to show the advantages New Zealand possesses in climate over America, being free from fever and ague, and not subjected to protracted frosts, which prevents out-door work from being prosecuted much over seven months in the year. That has had considerable weight with the thinking portion of the community, and may yet yield good fruit in the farming and manufacturing districts, where my efforts have been principally directed. But latterly, as you are aware, I have been among the islands on the West Coast of Scotland, a field, I think, admirably adapted to our purpose. These labourers are abundant, with very few of the comforts of life. A more stalwart, healthy, sober race of people it has never been my lot to see ; but their poverty is a great bar to their removal, and I am afraid, unless some modification of the terms at present in force are arrived at, few will be able to avail themselves of the advantages held out to them. When in the Lewis I addressed public meetings, and although labouring under the disadvantage of having to be interpreted for, great interest was manifested, and questions put to me,showing intelligence and desire for correct information. I invited, as usual, all who might wish further information to meet me on the following day, which many availed themselves of, several showing a strong desire to go out but could not raise the money. I had placards posted on the street corners of Stornoway, stating I had been twenty-four years resident in New Zealand, and would be glad to confer with any one on New Zealand matters. That led many to call upon me, and had I not had to accompany the passengers sailing by the " Ballarat," to London, I believe many more would have improved the opportunity. Some days previous to leaving the Island I went to a fishing village called Bible. The men there seemed very despondent; they had caught very few fish this season, and saw nothing before them but misery and suffering. I am satisfied, if I could have offered them a passage without any prepayment, nine-tenths of the village would have accepted the terms. They were very anxious I would visit them by the end of the fishing season, about the middle of September, as, if they could manage to raise the money, they were determined to go with me. That indeed was the refrain whenever I went on the Island. They seem to be steeped to the lips in poverty. From the experience gained during the last two months I am convinced, unless some modification of existing terms can be arrived at, there will be a great deal of up-hill work and but little result. If an alteration could be made, allowing suitable parties, after approval, to go without any prepayment even if an increase should be made in the passage money (however undesirable that may be), many would avail themselves of the terms that cannot do so now. Although one pound (£1) per adult may seem a small sum, when the family consists of seven or eight, as they frequently do, the amount required for outfit and passage is something considerable to them, asl have seen when parties applied and I have made the calculation. Hoping you will excuse the liberty I have taken in making the above suggestion, I have, &c, James Seaton.

Enclosure 3 in No. 1. The Rev. P. Babclat to Dr. Feathebston. Report of Emigration Work during the last Six Months. In December, 1871, I went up, by request, to London, and conferred with the Agent-General on emigration matters. The Agent-General said he had been instructed to ask my services for Scotland, and asked if I would undertake definite work for him there. I said such work was out of my line of things, but that, being much interested in New Zealand, and being so courteously asked, I would engage in it, at least for a time. Then, and when during the following month the Agent-General came to Edinburgh, the terms were arranged. Thereafter I began to write a tract, at his suggestion, suitable for emigrants. But within a few weeks (about 20th January) I went by invitation to Duncraig, the West Coast residence of Alexander Matheson, Esq., of Ardross, M.P. for Ross-shire. There 1 remained two days, and addressed a very large meeting of his people at the village of Plockton. The interest in emigration there had been excited by the fact that, in. June, 1871, a considerable number of persons had left for New Zealand at the instigation of Mr. Morrison and myself, and by the kind assistance of Mr. Matheson. Some of these had written homo charming accounts of the climate, soil, &c, of Now Zealand, and had spoken of the high rate of wages, which, in some instances, to these poor West Coast Islanders, seemed quite fabulous. The consequence of all this is, that about seventy or eighty go this year from that neighbourhood, chiefly to Hawke's Bay Province, by the " Ballarat;" and Mr. F. McDonell, the local agent, who has been

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most useful in going through the people and explaining matters, writes that in his opinion a very great muster will go during the ensuing year, i.e., after letters are received from those going now. From that I went to Sir John Stuart's (the Vice-Chancellor), at Court Hill, Loch Carron. The old man was much interested in the scheme. At his village I had a very large meeting, to whom I spoke as usual for one hour and a half or so. Here I appointed Mr. Macrae, Postmaster, as agent. I should mention that I had provided myself with Messrs. W. and A. K. Johnston's guinea map of New Zealand, which was duly hung up in churches, school-halls, &c, wherever I went. I consider this a great help, especially among such populations as those to whom I went. The following day I addressed a large school in the same village, at Sir John's request, and thence went to Strome Ferry, to join the Skye steamer. At Portree the steamer arrived about 8 p.m. I saw Mr. Macdonald, the bank manager there. He is also agent for the chief proprietors in Skye, and I had formerly been given to understand that he was the only person who would be suitable as an agent in this largo Island. The steamer for Stornoway left soon after midnight, and arrived there next morning. On Sunday I had two services in a very large church, and called attention to New Zealand by a short address on church work. On Monday I had a meeting of about 800 in Stornoway, and during the week had five other meetings, with one exception (where there had been a blunder in intimating it), all very largely attended. This was the more noteworthy because, except in Stornoway, I had always to speak through an interpreter. Drs. Miller and Macrae, the medical men in Stornoway, were appointed agents, upon strong recommendation. The Island is very large, perhaps 600 square miles; but as a very great proportion of it is irreclaimable peat moss, as a great part of it is unfitted for anything save deer-forests and inferior sheep-walks, and as the climate is most uncertain, its population of 24,000 is too great. Sir James Matheson, who is sole proprietor, would gladly help any emigration scheme, but he must act very cautiously, as, if the people, who are very unwilling to leave their misty island, thought he wished them to go, they would be still more set against emigration. The Highland clearances, often cruelly carried out about forty or fifty years ago, have not been forgotten, and have rendered the people very suspicious of all emigration schemes. Thence I came by mail steamer to Ullapool, where I could only take advantage of a church service on the evening of a week-day to address some people. In winter the coach to Garve being only three times a week, and Ullapool not being a likely place, I thought it needless to wait, though it seemed advisable to ask Mr. James Munro, sub-factor to Sir James Matheson, to act as agent. Thence to Garve, 32 miles, by coach. Here, in the train, I met Sir John Stuart, from whom I learned that Sir Kenneth McKenzie was not at home (Conan House, near Dingwall). I had intended to consult him about emigration from Gairloch, his West Coast property, so I went on to Inverness, where I met him; also Mr. Matheson, M.P., and a Mr. Fraser, of Kilmuir, in Skye. Since then I have had a letter from Sir Kenneth, in reply to one from me asking more definitely on what terms he would assist some of his people to emigrate. His reply I sent to the London office. I acknowledged his letter, and asked him to make known those terms to Dr. Robertson, agent in Gairloch. After a good deal of correspondence, and conferring with Mr. Sinclair, factor on Invermoriston, and a lecture at Nairn, fifteen miles east of Inverness, I returned to Edinburgh about the 15th February. There I resumed writing my New Zealand pamphlet, which, from having to attend to correspondence at the same time, and from an earnest desire to make it truthful and impartial, took me much longer to write than I expected it would have done. Five thousand copies were printed, and a second 5,000 have just been printed. As soon as it was through the press, I left for Aberdeenshire, about 10th April. There I had meetings at Cruden, Ellon, Mongubritter, and Aberclurder (in Banffshire), Turriff, and New Deer; all very well attended. At Ellon, Aberclurder, Turriff, and New Deer, I appointed agents, and supplied them with bills, &c. I also made arrangements for the sale of my pamphlet in every place I went to. It was published by Menzies, in Edinburgh, who supplies many booksellers, great and small, also railway and book-stalls through the country. On the 30th I had to run up to Edinburgh, as a venerable and much-loved relative died suddenly on the 27th. I left again, on the 11th May, for Inverness, to meet Mr. Morrison, from London, where also I met Mr. Seaton, from Otago. Being desirous to see Mr. Matheson, M.P., specially in regard to his desire that I should reside in Inverness and not in Edinburgh, I waited there till Friday. On "Wednesday, however, I had a capital meeting at Ferintosh, in the Black Isle, near Dingwall; a small meeting at Invergordon ; then on Friday a small meeting at Auldearn, near Nairn, where an uncle of mine had been clergyman for many years. Thence to Old Deer, in Aberdeenshire, nearly 100 miles, on Saturday. On Sunday, I had two services in two separate churches, and on Monday a meeting which was very good, in spite of heavy rain. On Tuesday I drove ten miles to St. Fergus, on the coast north of Peterhead, where I had a meeting. Thence through Strichen, where I did some work but had no meeting, to Aberdour House to rest. Here I remained with my brother two days, going on Saturday sixty or seventy miles to Banchory, on Deeside. There I had service on Sunday, and held a meeting on Monday. On Tuesday I went by train and gig to Farland, where I had a very small meeting. At all these places I appointed local agents. On Thursday I came to Aberdeen, where I had a long conversation with Mr. Cook, the agent, and also inquired at various advertising agencies how we could give greater publicity to our scheme. On Friday I went to Auchterless, my native parish, near Tarriff, and had a capital meeting, a good many ploughmen being present, a class whom it is difficult to get to come to meetings of any kind. However, first to last, I have had a good many present at these meetings. On Sunday I had service at Tarriff, and on Monday a meeting at King Edward to the north. I. came again to Edinburgh on Thursday, 6th June, and have since been writing up correspondence. I have also received the translation of my New Zealand pamphlet into Gaelic, and have put it into the hands of Maclachlan and Stewart, who do nearly all the Gaelic printing here. There will be 1,000 printed at first, and the types will stand for a month or six weeks. It will be given away by the agents in Gaelic districts, and I shall advise them to give with discretion. It has been translated by F. Macdonell, at

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Plackton, one of the best Gaelic scholars in the Highlands. He says it has been very tough work, because it touches on so many subjects, and that he would have had less trouble with a volume of sermons four times as large. I shall consult Maclachlan and Stuart as to his remuneration for this work. I think of remaining in Edinburgh for a few weeks, or doing what I can in the way of correspondence. Aberdeenshire will need a great deal more work, which I hope to overtake partly before harvest. Results are not by any means corresponding to the labour employed. But my expectations were not great, specially in regard to Aberdeenshire. I went there by request, however, and in the hope that something; might be begun, if not much accomplished. On the West Coast the people are intensely clannish, and, as a rule, fond of their church; consequently, any plain statement about special settlements, where they can live near one another and do work for themselves and others, is good. If the Scotch churches were alive to their duty, and would contrive to send a worthy minister to such a settlement, a great many would go. They are, moreover, most lamentably poor people in the Lowlands of Scotland, and in many parts of England have not the remotest conception of the state of the Highlands and Islands. They are hardly able to meet any terms laid down, and few of the people could have gone but for the timely help of Mr. Matheson. Then, New Zealand is so far away, and hitherto so entirely unknown to them, whereas America is only ten days by steam, and I suppose three weeks by sailing ship, across the Atlantic, to which in time past their friends have been going by hundreds, and Highland people generally by thousands. Hence the great difficulty is to make a beginning, especially as American emigration schemes, which are largely advertised, are long past the beginning. The same things are true about Aberdeenshire, except that relating to the poverty of the people: there they are, on the whole, pretty well off. Recently, however, there has been constant agitation about increase of wages, and many meetings have been held. The People's Journal, which is very largely read, has been full of letters, intimations of meetings, &c. At many of these, emigration has been proposed, but the cry is always, " Westward, Ho ! America !" They seem to have little knowledge or conception of any other country, and without much or any inquiry they go "ram-stam" at it. "It is near, and their friends are there." Then, a few large farmers have gone there from the country. These have written home such good accounts, that many are ready to follow. To this they are also induced by flaming advertisements on railway stations, gate-posts, &c., setting forth wonderful advantages, free grants of land, &c. Then the Allan Line, the Anchor Line, &c, are all busy. Michie, our agent for Turriff, is also agent for the Anchor Line. He sent seven to America by it in one week lately. He says there is no use his trying to alter their plan, for their minds are made up ere they come to him, and when they come, simply want a passage order. I can think of nothing to suggest further than a continuation of such means as I have been using hitherto, unfortunately with so little result. There must be a very decided advantage in more frequent advertising and posting bills. A good deal of this could be done for, say, £20, in the principal railway stations and elsewhere. I think of writing a letter in the People's Journal: perhaps it might be better to send the publishers my pamphlet on New Zealand, and ask them to reprint part of it —the whole of it bit by bit —instead of the sensational narratives wherewith they often regale their readers. It is well known the Scotch people are cautious, and do not readily take in a new thing. Once in, it is all right; but knowing my countrymen, I did not expect success all at once. They will take time, and it is quite alien to their ideas and ways to expect them to come and give in their names on the very evening on which they hear a lecture on New Zealand, a country of which many of them never heard before in their lives. We can only hope that by and by some may go, and when these write home of the good soil, climate, &c., of the facilities for getting land, of wages for making roads and railways, not a few may follow. They forget that in going to America they are only half-way when they are across the Atlantic; that they are still 1,500 or 2,000 miles from Minnesota, Nebraska, lowa, &c, which are looked to as homes by so many. Further, they never think of the dreary three, four, or even five months of winter in many parts of Canada and the Northern States. Of course I tell them that there is virtually little or no winter over the greater part of New Zealand ; yet to America they go. Mr. Cook, in Aberdeen, seems to expect little or no emigration to any other quarter for some time to come. 4, India Street, 11th June, 1872. ' P. Baeclat. P.S.—lt is strange how poor even the well-dressed girls in Edinburgh are. Two or three very nice girls would have gone by the " Ballarat," but they could not raise the £2 necessary' —£1 to take them by sea to London, and £1 for ship money; I have no doubt I could have got a great many more but for the same hindrance. I remember I had to advance about £3 to each of eight out of my eleven " May " girls last year, or thereby. Some were disappointed that I could not send them this year as I had sent those last year. I would gladly advertise and let applicants come to my house, and help them in any way I could, but lam so very much out of Edinburgh that this would never do. As a rule, these domestic servants and others do not understand, and will take little trouble to understand, forms and schedules ; they need kindly help in every way. P. B. P.S.—lt is matter of regret that the " Ballarat" does not take out more emigrants to Hawke's Bay, but wiser men than I (Mr. Matheson himself) expected that many more would have gone from LochAlsh. " P. B. I. E. Featherston, Esq., Agent-General for New Zealand.

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No. 2. Dr. Feathebston to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. (No. 346.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sic,— 27th June, 1872. I have much pleasure in forwarding a very interesting report, by Mr. Morrison, of the trip he made at my request to the Western Highlands, with the view of obtaining the co-operation of the landowners in promoting emigration, an object in which he succeeded. I have, &c, I. E. Feathebston, The Hon. W. Gisborne, Wellington, New Zealand. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 2. Mr. Moeeison to Dr. Feathebston. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria-street, Westminster, S.W., Sib,— 31st May, 1872. Having undertaken, at your request, to proceed to the Western Highlands to complete certain emigration matters, I beg leave to submit to you a report of my proceedings. Whilst acting for the Government, I granted assisted passages to a few families from Ross-shire. Being informed that they had written most favourably concerning the Colony to their friends at home, so much so, that several were desirous to follow them, I proceeded direct to Loch Alsh, to grant them passages, and to make suitable arrangements for their embarkation. At the same time, it was expected that by personal interviews with the landed proprietors, it would be the means of securing their influence and co-operation. In general lam glad to say that this anticipation has been realized. At Loch Alsh upwards of fifty individuals applied for passages: satisfying myself of their eligibility, I had no hesitation in granting their applications. In the district of Loch Carron I found the people less disposed to emigrate. Some who applied, and on whose behalf strong representations were made, were, in my opinion, physically disqualified ; others failed in getting the assistance they expected, and were unable to provide the money contribution required by the regulations. While there I instituted inquiries to discover the individuals referred to in the list furnished to His Honor the Superintendent of Otago, by Mr. Finlay Murchisou, of Riverton. Fortunately I succeeded, and you will observe, from the annexed schedule, that passages are provided for several; also, that this had been done prior to the receipt of the list. I likewise visited Portree, in the Isle of Skye ; Stornoway, in the Island of Lewis; Ullapool, Garve, Dingwall, Inverness, Nairn, Perth, and other parts, at which places I communicated with the local agents, and did everything in my power to further the object of my journey. Finding it impossible in a limited time to visit the scattered districts in the Islands of Skye and Lewis, and gathering, as the result of my observations, that emigrants of a suitable class were to be got from those parts, I arranged, subject to your approval, that this should be done by one of the Government Emigration Officers. As you approved of this suggestion, and were good enough to appoint Mr. Seaton to undertake this duty, I proceeded to Inverness to await the arrival of that gentleman. On his meeting me, I took the opportunity to explain to him the duties he had to perform, and the nature of your instructions, after which he immediately proceeded to Stornoway. While at Inverness I concluded an arrangement with the Highland Bailway Company to convey the emigrants by rail from Strome Ferry and intermediate stations to Dundee, and thence by steamer to London, for the sum of 20s. each. This low charge, which is much less than half the ordinary rate, was obtained through the influence of Mr. Matheson, M.P., the Chairman of the Company. Regarding it advisable that the emigrants should not be landed at London, but, if practicable, that they should be transferred from the steamer to 'the ship off Gravesend, I proceeded to Dundee to arrange this. I also provided that the emigrants should be supplied with provisions during the voyage, and as the West Highland train generally arrives many hours before the sailing of the steamer, I likewise stipulated that they should be allowed to embark immediately upon their arrival at Dundee. My object in dealing thus minutely with these details was to dispel the dread entertained of the difficulties and discomforts of the journey. It gave universal satisfaction when it became known that a person connected with the Government would be sent to take charge of them ; it shows, as they expressed it, " that the Government really intend taking care of us." Although able-bodied and intelligent, from their limited knowledge of English and their total inexperience in travelling, they have not confidence in themselves. For the future, when circumstances admit of it, a similar policy should be adopted. It would also be advisable to make it generally known, for such like facilities tend to gain the confidence of the people, and will thereby increase the stream of emigration from those parts. In conclusion, I have to state that the experience gained by my visit is, that the labouring population is at present unusually well employed, and that it is quite indifferent about emigration. This is applicable to most of the districts I visited; the Islands of Skye and Lewis, and on the main land about Loch Broom and Gairloch may be excepted. The large land grants offered to emigrants by the United States and Canada attract a considerable number. The strong desire to be possessed of land; the shortness of the passage as compared with the length of voyage to New Zealand ; the preference given to steamers over sailing vessels ; and the large allowances paid to American agents for each emigrant, tell with great force against the service to New Zealand. Another feature is the extreme poverty of the people. In general they are unable, without help, to provide the money payments required by the regulations, but notwithstanding, instances came under my notice in which aid was declined as soon as it became known that it was to be granted by the proprietor.

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As before stated, many landlords are willing to co-operate most liberally, even to the extent of foregoing to those desirous of emigrating, all arrears of rent, releasing them from all engagements for houses or land, and in some instances offering grants of money to provide outfits. The ruling power in these parts appears to be commanded by the clergy of the Free Church of Scotland. Large numbers would leave if the movement were headed by a popular clergyman. Repeatedly my attention was called to this, and I have no doubt of its correctness ; but knowing that it was a matter you could not encourage, I merely refer to it now as one of the incidents of my journey. I have, &c., John Moeeison. I. E. Featherston, Esq., Agent-General for New Zealand.

List of Peesons to be sent out to the Province of Otago, and particulars concerning them. Mary Murchison and family, 7jt adults, Kishorn.* Passages are provided for all in " Hydaspes." Martha Murchison and family, 5| adults, Ardnorff.* Passages are provided for all in "Hydaspes." Angus Macdonnell and family, Loch Carron. This individual is reported to be dead. Information could not be ascertained about children. Donald Campbell and family, Isle of Skye. Said to reside about nine miles from Portree ; was written to, but no answer received. John Mcßae and sisters, Loch Alsh. Decline to go on account of father being bedridden. John Mcßae and sisters, Ardnorff. Will not go. Donald Mcßae and family, Ardnorff.* Passages provided for them in " Hydaspes." John McKerlech and family. Could not be seen. Jane McKerlech. Won't leave her father. Grace McKay and Catherine McKay. In service in England. John Finlayson and family, Ardnorff. Would not decide to go. Donald Finlayson and family, Loch Alsh. Will never go ; family in various parts. Mr. Seaton is furnished with above particulars, and instructed to communicate with those who have not replied to the communications sent to them. * For these families passages were provided before receipt of the list.