EMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND. (LETTERS FROM THE AGENT-GENERAL.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1874 Session I, D-03

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1874. NEW ZEALAND.

EMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND. (LETTERS FROM THE AGENT-GENERAL.)

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by command of His Excellency.

SCHEDULE OF CORRESPONDENCE.

No. Date. Subject. Pag( 1873. ill ;25 July 29 July 30 Emigration to Hawke's Bay Full explanation of dismissal of Messrs. Birch, Seaton, and Farnall, including correspondence relative to Mr. G. V. Stewart's proposed settlement in Auckland ... Explanation of arrangement with New Zealand Shipping Company for Shaw, Savill, and Co. to carry August emigrants Welsh emigration not being neglected Acknowledging satisfactory reports on " Michael Angelo," " Woodlark," " Lutterworth, and "Euterpe" Every prospect of increase in female emigration Emigration to Timaru. Every endeavour will be mado to send vessels, but difficult to divert them from Lyttelton Prussian Government averse to emigration. Forwarding proposal from Mr. G. V. Stewart to advertize for 50 young men to proceed under his care to New Zealand, at a premium of 150 guineas Telegram. Guarantee in contract with New Zealand Shipping Company of 150 adults at full rate, will entail serious loss on account of short shipments Departmental arrangements, and cost of maintaining staff ... ... • German emigration contracts with Knorr and Co. and Winge and Co., transferred respectively to Mr. Behrens and Mr. Gunnerstadt " Wild Duck." Mr. Ottywell's memorandum on report of Immigration Commissioners Memorandum of agreement with New Zealand Shipping Company respecting dispute as to whether contract of 26th June superseded former arrangements Mr. G. Y. Stewart proceeds to Auckland to obtain information as to its capabilities and resources Emigration to Hawke's Bay. Will use every endeavour to make up number applied for... Littlo prospect of inducing emigration from Belgium "Bebington." Remarks on report of Immigration Commissioners "Jubilee." Mr. Ottywell's memorandum on report of Immigration Commissioners Brogden and Sons' emigration contract. Matters in dispute have been finally arranged ... Mr. Barclay's report for quarter ending 30th September, 1873 ... Telegram. Free passages in force —co-operation of Agricultural Unions secured—peripatetic agents not required, &c, &c. ... "Halcione." Acknowledging report of Immigration Commissioners, &c. " Christian McAusland." Acknowledging memorandum No. 104 Arrangements for foreign nominated emigrants Mr. Carter's report of arrangements witli Mr. C. Holloway Reply to No. 35-72, re Irish emigration ... Report by Mr. Mason on operations of Dublin Agency Emigration to Bluff. Yessel arranged for Acknowledging No. 200-73, re dismissal of Messrs. Birch, Seaton, and Farnall Has conferred with Mr. A. Duncan, Canterbury Emigration Agent, and will give him every assistance... Local Agent who refused passages to certain nominated persons asked for explanation ... " Allahabad " and " Peter Denny." Acknowledging reports of Immigration Commissioners Duties of Local Agents with regard to nominated persons " Berar." Acknowledging report of Immigration Commissioners Mr. G. Y. Stewart sailed per " Mongol." Copy of letter of introduction to Superintendent of Auckland ... Mr. S. Cochrane appointed Emigration Agent in Belfast Report on steps taken to promote German emigration. Mr. Kirchner appointed Chief Emigration Agent, and contracts made for 7,000 adults Mr. C. Holloway sailed per " Mongol " in charge of body of emigrants from Oxford 1 1 ;32 July 31 7 a ;o7 112 September 23 September 23 !17 i20 September 23 September 23 9 9 >2S ill September 24 September 24 9 9 10 September 2G 11 11 )4ri 565 October 1 October 3 ;72 !73 October 3 October 3 13 13 13 ■01 October 28 10 16 16 17 18 20 20 •02 •11 '14 •19 '29 •31 October 28 October 28 October 29 October 30 October 30 October 31 November 6 •4S •51 •52 •57 MM S02 (21 327 >29 November 12 November 12 November 13 November 14 November 25 November 26 November 28 December 12 December 12 21 21 21 22 22 23 24 25 25 146 (49 161 158 (72 December 19 December 19 December 19 December 19 December 26 20 26 2G 26 27 174 S76 December 26 December 26 27 27 (80 December 26 1874. 28 28 (92 January 13 Remarks in reply to letter No. 239, on general subject of emigration." Instructions to Local Agents," and Emigration Regulations and Forms enclosed Emigration to Hawke's Bay. Will endeavour to send a vessel every two months Acknowledging receipt of " Immigrants Land Act" and instructions thereupon Acknowledging letter No. 228, re dismissal of Messrs. Birch, Seaton, and Farnall Emigration to Hawke's Bay. No effort shall bo wanting to fulfil requirements 29 86 30 86 3G 64 (97 KK9 108 January 13 January 13 January 20 January 20

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SCHEDULE OF CORRESPONDENCE— continued. No. Date. Subject. Page 919 921 922 1874. January 20 January 20 January 20 Acknowledging receipt of "Immigrants Land Act" and instructions thereupon Respecting larger accommodation for emigrants on board ship ... Acknowledging receipt of Free Nominated Immigration Regulations. Certificates of health and character are required from all nominated persons " St. Leonards." Acknowledging report of Immigration Commissioners Emigration to Hawke's Bay. No effort shall be wanting to complete requirements "Douglas." Acknowledging report of Immigration Commissioners, &c. " E. P. Bouverie." Acknowledging report of Immigration Commissioners, &c. " Punjaub." Acknowledging reports. Will endeavour to send Scandinavians direct from Hamburg Agricultural Labourers' Union. Mr. Clayden may be induced to visit Colony Acknowledging receipt of No. 231, respecting Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co.'s offer for conveyance of emigrants ... " Dover Castle " and " Otago." Acknowledging reports of Immigration Commissioners "Celestial Queen." Acknowledging report of Immigration Commissioners ... Some of the emigrants by " Scimitar " for Otago have to be forwarded to other Provinces "Punjaub." Acknowledging report of Immigration Commissioners Arrangements made with Mr. Leggett Mr. Barclay's report to 31st December, 1873 Cannot obtain list of depositors in Post Office Savings Bank Alterations in emigration forms Emigration to Taranaki. The three Shipping Companies refuse to allow their vessels to call at New Plymouth ... Emigration to Bluff. The three Shipping Companies refuse to provide more than two ships for next six months... " Merope." Acknowledging reports upon " Hydaspes." Acknowledging reports upon Acknowledging receipt of information respecting nomination by calling "Adamant." Acknowledging reports upon "Douglas." Acknowledging reports upon ... ... ... .... Telegram. Combination amongst shipping firms to demand £16 per adult ... " Zealandia." Acknowledging reports upon " Jessie Readman." Acknowledging reports upon ... Difficult to fill Auckland ships. Endeavouring to obtain dep6t in London ... " Cardigan Castle." Acknowledging reports upon ,.. " Lady Jocelyn." Acknowledging reports upon Shipping firms object to moiety of passage money being paid in Colony Reply to No. 291, expressing disappointment that he had not written respecting important matters in telegram of 11th October Recommending an increase in rate of passage money be made to " Atrato " in event of satisfactory voyage Knows nothing of claim made by Mr. Seaton in Colony " Helen Denny." Acknowledging reports upon " Hindostan." Acknowledging reports upon Emigration depot. Has arranged with Mr. Hill for establishment of depot at Blackwall Transfer of contract with P. Henderson and Co. Does not think it should be done Explanation as to his chartering "Atrato" Messrs. Brogden have not paid interest upon tlieir promissory notes Emigration to Nelson and Marlborough. Will endeavour to carry out instructions British Ladies' Female Emigrant Society apply for subscription... Information respecting Plymouth depot ... Mr. Ottywell's explanation respecting uncourteous letter addressed to Mr. G. Y. Stewart Remarks upon Irish agencies and Irish emigration ... Emigration order can easily be completed, but very difficult to obtain vessels required ... Loses no opportunity of enlisting co-operation of Agricultural Labourers' Unions Telegram. Arranged with shipping firms for passage money at £14 10s. till end of year. Bs. [Brogden and Sons] paid interest. Proceeds to Hamburgh to arrange for shipment of Scandinavians Telegram. Dates of completion of emigration orders for respective Provinces '36 37 926 908 929 930 931 January 20 January 20 January 20 January 20 January 20 37 37 38 38 38 935 934 January 20 January 21 39 39 935 972 974 994 997 1001 1007 1010 1011 January 21 January 23 January 23 February 9 February 10 February 11 February 11 February 19 February 19 40 40 40 40 41 41 41 42 43 43 1013 February 19 43 43 44 44 44 44 45 45 45 45 46 46 46 1015 1016 1017 1018 1019 1026 1027 1034 1035 1036 1040 1048 February 19 February 19 February 19 February 19 February 19 February 20 February 20 February 20 February 20 February 20 February 20 February 20 February 20 46 1051 February 20 47 48 48 48 49 49 50 50 51 51 52 52 53 54 54 1069 1083 1083 1114 1198 1145 1147 1157 1185 1186 1188 1192 1202 1203 March 10 March 11 March 19 April 4 April 4 April 16 April 16 April 17 April 17 April 17 April 17 April 17 April 17 April 17 May 4 June 2 55 55

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1873. NEW ZEALAND.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency. No. 1. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (No. 514.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 29th July, 1873. Beferring to the Hon. Mr. O'Eorke's Memoranda No. 89, of May sth, and No. 99, of May 10th, I beg to state that I shall do my utmost to give effect to the wishes of His Honor the Superintendent of Hawke's Bay. On receiving the instructions of the Government to lay on three ships direct for Napier, intervals of one month, I took immediate steps to carry out the order, but found more difficulty in doing so than I had anticipated. In fact, as I have already informed the Government, the first of the three proposed ships laid on for Hawke's Bay had to be withdrawn in consequence of only seventy emigrants offering themselves for that Province. Under these circumstances I adopted the only alternative open to me, namely, that of forwarding the emigrants to Wellington, to be transhipped thence to Napier. I am glad to be able to report, however, that the " Hovding " will be despatched from Scandinavia about the first week of August with a full complement of emigrants; and I hope to be able to despatch another ship from the port of London about October next, with a large number of single women, specially selected by Miss Herbert, who will undertake the personal charge of them during the passage out. I may mention that in the Government contract with the New Zealand Shipping and Freight Company, there is an agreement to pay £2 a head more for emigrants shipped to Napier than to the other ports ; and it is a question whether it would not prove cheaper in the end to send emigrants intended for Hawke's Bay to Wellington, and to tranship them there, as the cost of passage by local steamers would not, I understand, exceed 255. per head. At the same time, I fully recognize the desirability of sending emigrants, as a rule, direct to their destination. With regard to the proposed shipment of vine-growers, I beg to report that I have found considerably more difficulty in obtaining them than I had anticipated. I have no doubt, however, that with the assistance and co-operation of an influential friend at Darmstadt, I shall succeed in getting the required number in the course of the next few months. With respect to Mr. Ormond's suggestion that a limit should be put on the number to be sent, I may state that I do not propose to forward more than about twenty families of this class, as I consider that this will be sufficient to give the experiment a fair trial. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 2. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (No. 525.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 30th July, 1873. I have the honor to refer again to the subject of the appointment of Messrs. Seaton, Birch, and Farnall as emigration agents, with the view of reporting to the Government the steps I have considered it my duty to adopt with regard to them. I have already complained of the manner in which these appointments were made, without my having been communicated with or consulted on the subject, and I have more than once, in my correspondence with the Government, expressed my conviction that the appointments were wholly unnecessary, and that no adequate results would follow. I—D. 3.

EMIGBATION TO NEW ZEALAND. (LETTERS FROM THE AGENT-GENERAL).

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I was determined, however, that there should be nothing on my part to hinder or prevent the success of the operations of these agents; and, as already explained in my letter of 18th March (No. 151), I agreed to pay them the maximum amount they claimed on account of salary and travelling expenses, namely, £350 per annum salary, and £350 travelling allowance, it being clearly understood that the latter should be held to cover not only travelling but all other expenses. Having found myself how entirely these agents had failed to carry out the work for which they were sent home, I was not surprised to learn, from the Hon. Mr. O'Eorke's Memorandum of 15th February (No. 34), that in the opinion of the Government " the services rendered by those gentlemen appear altogether disproportionate to the expense incurred in their pay and travelling allowances." And on receiving authority to use my own discretion as to whether the services of these agents should be retained, I at once decided on dispensing with them on the first opportunity. Mr. Seaton having addressed to me a letter on the 28th April, in which he requested me either to put him in possession of certain information which he considered necessary to enable him to carry out his work, or else to terminate his engagement, I at once adopted the latter alternative, and wrote to him on 30th April (copy herewith, Enclosure 1), stating that I should dispense with his services from and after the 31st May, requesting him in the meantime to devote himself exclusively to the duty of procuring the emigrants applied for by Mr. Burns for Otago. I agreed to defray the cost of Mr. Seaton's return passage to New Zealand, and he will therefore be entitled to receive that from the Government on his arrival in New Zealand. After receiving the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke's Memorandum of 14th April, I at once wrote to Mr. Birch the letter of which I forward a copy (Enclosure 2). On receiving Mr. Birch's report of his operations, I considered it my duty to dispense with his services likewise, the more so as Mr. Birch had himself, in a previous note, intimated his intention to resign, by asking me what notice I should require. In the case of Mr. Farnall, however, who was engaged in promoting a special settlement at Auckland, I adopted a different course. After explaining to him the views of the Government with regard to the rate of his pay and allowances, I stated that the Government had cast upon me the responsibility of deciding whether his services should be retained or not, and I requested him to inform mc fully as to the steps he had taken in the matter of the proposed settlement, the progress his negotiations had made, and the prospect they afforded of ultimate success. On receiving his reply, I came at once to the conclusion that it was undesirable to retain his services any longer. I accordingly addressed him a letter to that effect (copy herewith, Enclosure 3). Mr. Farnall then wrote to me, saying, " I presume that your letter has only reference to my paid services, and that there will be no objection on your part to take any emigrants of whom I may approve." I informed him, in reply, that as his services had been dispensed with, it would not be proper for him to approve emigrants, or to act in any other way as an emigration agent, but that there could be no objection to his doing anything he might think fit in his private capacity, with the view of promoting the cause of emigration. Mr. Farnall replied, July 9th, that he considered the " implied assumption" of a right on my part "to dictate his course of action as a private individual as most unwarrantable;" and shortly after this he inserted in The Times a letter announcing that the first ship with passengers going out in connection with the Auckland settlement scheme " will leave England towards the end of October of this year," and specifying the terms on which intending emigrants will be admitted to take part in the movement. On the 3rd instant, I received a letter from Farnall covering a claim for " moneys advanced and to be advanced," on account of the Government (copy herewith, Enclosure 4) ; and on the Bth he wrote again, demanding a cheque for the amount of his claim, and requesting to be informed whether the cost of his return passage to New Zealand would be allowed. I beg to forward, for the information of the Government, a copy of the letter which I thereupon addressed to him (Enclosure 5). To this letter Mr. Farnall replied in person, by calling at my office. He stated that I had authorized him to allow the usual capitation money to his clerks on all emigrants obtained by them—a statement which met with my unqualified denial. I, of course, intimated to him that I should be compelled to call upon him to refund the sums paid under this head to clerks in his employ. I further requested him to furnish me with the names of the promoters of the Auckland settlement with whom he had been in communication, and to hand over to me all his correspondence on the subject. He declined to do this, and I then addressed him officially to the same effect. (Copy herewith, Enclosure 6.) To this letter I have not yet received any reply. I have felt it my duty to decline to pay Mr. Farnall the balance of his salary, or to entertain his claim for expenses and for a return passage to the Colony, till he shall have complied with these requirements, and I feel assured that the Government will approve this course. As reported in my letter of July 11th, I lost no time in placing myself in communication with Mr. Stewart, who is the real promoter of the proposed settlement. I beg now to forward, for the information of the Government, copy of a letter (Enclosure 7) received from that gentleman, in which he states that he hopes to induce a large body of emigrants to accompany him to New Zealand. If anything can be done in the way of forming a special settlement, I am persuaded that it will be accomplished quite as readily without Mr. Farnall's help as with it. Indeed I consider

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that his connection with the undertaking was positively mischievous, for he was issuing regulations of a kind that I could not give my approval to, and promising free passages to capitalists when such a course was never contemplated by the Government. I felt that he was seriously compromising both myself and the Government, and I therefore felt no hesitation in putting an end at once to his official relations with my department. The Government will observe by the printed draft circular forwarded herewith (Enclosure 8), that Mr. Farnall had so completely failed in getting up the scheme in the North of Ireland (which it was never intended should comprise more than from twenty to fifty families), that he asked me to authorize him to issue an entirely new set of Emigration Regulations, to be signed by himself as Emigration Commissioner, and to be circulated throughout the United Kingdom. If, as I have every reason to believe, the accounts _sent in by Mr. Walker and Mr. Andrews (Mr. Farnall's clerks) show the total number of emigrants secured through Mr. Farnall's agency, it will be seen that the result of Mr. Farnall's services, during the period that he has been receiving remuneration at the rate of £700 a year, is, in all, seventy-three emigrants. With reference to the remuneration which I have from time to time allowed to Messrs. Birch, Seaton, and Farnall, you will remember that I stated in my despatches that the remuneration of 18s. and 255. per diem would be wholly inadequate, if they discharged the duties allotted to them; and I have no hesitation now in saying, that if they had really acted as peripatetic agents, being constantly on the move, giving lectures and diffusing information in other ways, visiting, supervising, and stimulating the local sub-agents, that the travelling allowance of £350 per annum would not have done more than meet their travelling and other necessary expenses. But the travelling allowance was no sooner granted to them than they, with the exception of Mr. Birch, virtually ceased to travel at all. Mr. Seaton took a small office in Glasgow, and Mr. Farnall in Belfast, where they remained constantly, pocketing during the whole time the said travelling allowance of £350 per annum. Mr. Birch, I am glad to say, did for several months visit the north of Scotland and the Shetland Islands, where I believe he did good service in promoting emigration. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

Enclosure 1 in No. 2. The Agent-General to Mr. J. Seaton. Sir,— 30th April, 1873. I have the honor to remind you that, on the recommendation of the Superintendent of Otago " that there should be a perambulating Home Agency, consisting of one or more persons from New Zealand thoroughly acquainted with the agricultural and pastoral pursuits of the Colony, and qualified to give reliable information," you were appointed by the Government, and I was instructed to determine the scale of your remuneration for such services as you might be required to perform. It will be in your recollection that both you and Mr. Birch constantly represented to me that you had been promised a salary of £350 each, with travelling allowances for the whole year at the rate of £1 per diem; and that, upon this representation, I ultimately agreed to carry out the engagement which you alleged had been entered into before you came home. Since that arrangement was made, however, it appears that you have altogether given up travelling, and have subsided into a local agent in the city of Glasgow, drawing, nevertheless, the full travelling allowance of £1 per diem. In your various reports you confess that no fruits are visible as the result of your labours; and, as you will learn by the extract from the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke's Memorandum of February 15th (No. 34), already forwarded to you, the Minister of Lands and Immigration complains that the services rendered by you appear to him altogether disproportionate to the expenditure incurred in your pay and travelling allowance. I so fully concur in the opinions expressed, both by yourself and by the Government, that I readily accede to the request conveyed in your letter of 28th instant, to relieve you altogether of your present duties, and I propose, therefore, that your services shall be dispensed with on and after the 31st May. I have to request that during the ensuing month you will devote yourself exclusively to the duty of procuring the emigrants applied for by Mr. Burns of Otago. You will be entitled to an allowance to cover the cost of your return passage to New Zealand, in terms of previous correspondence. Before concluding, I may add that while these peripatetic agents have been employed in Scotland, in addition to 80 local sub-agents, I find that during the past year, ending March 31, 1873, the number of emigrants despatched from Scotland amounts to only 546; and there can be no doubt that fully nine-tenths of these have been obtained through the exertions of the local agents. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, James Seaton, Esq., 28, St. Enoch Square, Glasgow. Agent-General.

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Enclosure 2 in No. 2. The Agent-General to Mr. Birch. Sir,— 16th June, 1873. I have the honor to forward herewith, for your information, extract from a Memorandum received by the last mail from the Colony. I need hardly say that the terms of this Memorandum place it entirely out of my power to pay you more than 18s. per diem from the Ist of the present month. Indeed it is by no means impossible that the Government may call upon yon to refund the amount which has been paid to you in excess of what, according to the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke's Memorandum, it was the intention of the Government you should receive. In the meantime, as the Government have cast upon me the responsibility of saying whether your services shall be retained or not, I have to request that you will without delay report to me how you are at present engaged, and what success is attending your efforts to secure emigrants for the Colony. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, J. Birch, Esq. Agent-General.

Enclosure 3 in No. 2. The Agent-General to Mr. H. W. Farnall. Sir,— 28th June, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 18th instant, and in reply to intimate that, after recent advices from the New Zealand Government, I do not feel myself any longer justified in continuing your services as an Emigration Agent. You will be entitled to the cost of your return passage to New Zealand. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, H. W. Farnall, Esq., 2^, Corporation Street, Belfast. Agent-General.

Enclosure 4 in No. 2. Mr. H. W. Farnall to the Agent-General. New Zealand Emigration Office, Sir, — 2\, Corporation Street, Belfast, 3rd July, 1873. I beg herewith to hand you an account of moneys advanced and to be advanced by me during months of June and July, on account of New Zealand emigration. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. Henry W. Farnall.

The Agent-General for New Zealand Dr. to H. W. Farnall, Expenses incurred and due during month of June, 1873, on account of New Zealand Emigration. £ s. d. une 19.—Advanced John McGlatchy and family, June 25th, 1873, passengers by " Celestial Queen " .. .. .. .. ..12 William Harvey, posting 300 bills .. .. .. 0 12 Poor rate, 6s.; water tax, lis. 9d.; gas, 9s. 3d. .. .. .. 17 W. H. Smith and Son, advertising agents wanted in North of Ireland.. 3 1 Do., railway advertising, 100 advertisements, April to June • .. £11 5 0 100 advertisements, May 1 to June 31 .. 7 10 0 Changing 100 bills at 4s. .. ..113 4 G 0 () l 20 8 C. Buckle, railway advertising on Ulster line .. .. .. 2 13 James Moore, office stationery .. .. .. .. ..28 Postage stamps, 19s. 5d.; telegram to Agent-General, Is. .. 10 Office rent, £4; cleaning office, 3s. .. .. .. ..43 4 G 8 5 0 £36 16 To be advanced to Eliza B. Walsh, passage to Plymouth, July 14 .. 10 To be paid Nicholas Walsh, maintenance money till departure of " Adamant" from Plymouth, 30s.; also advance in aid of passage to Plymouth, July 14, 30s. .. .. .. ..30 G 0 0 lfi

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Enclosure 5 in No. 2. The Agent-General to Mr. H. W. Farnall. Sir,— 25th July, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 10th instant, requesting to be informed whether it is my intention to hand over to you the amount which you allege to be due to you for salary and expenses during the month of June, so as to enable you to close your account with this office. I beg to refer you to my letter of 16th June, in which I stated that the terms of the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke's Memorandum of 14th of April (copy of which I forwarded to you), placed it out of my power to allow you more than 18s. per diem, as originally fixed, from the Ist June. It is quite clear, from the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke's Memorandum, that in agreeing to pay you £700 a year for your services as Emigration Agent, I incurred an expenditure which the Government had never anticipated; and after the warning that " Salaries of £700 per annum will not be passed," I had no alternative but to revert to the original terms from the date of the last payment. Mr. Birch, who was engaged on the same terms as yourself, was paid according to the reduced scale for his services subsequent to the Ist June, and under no circumstances can I consent to pay you any more. As to your complaint that you cannot get your accounts with this department brought to a close, I can only say that no hindrance of any kind either has been or will be offered to you. There are several points, however, which appear to call for explanation before I can certify to your accounts, or entertain your application for the cost of a return passage to New Zealand. In the first place, I shall be glad to receive from you an explanation of an account sent in by Mr. J. "Walker, who is, I am informed, a clerk in your office, for £14 commission on thirtyfour emigrants forwarded to New Zealand between the 25th February and 14th July. If it is true that the claimant is or was, at the time in question, a clerk in your office, I can scarcely believe that you could have been aware of any such claim without at once prohibiting it. The account fortunately has not been passed, and certainly will not be paid, unless some satisfactory evidence is forthcoming. My attention has likewise been called to an account of a similar kind for £16, presented by Mr. Thomas Andrews in November last, certified to by Mr. Morrison in my absence, and paid without my knowledge of the alleged circumstances of the case. I shall feel obliged by your informing me whether, at the time in question, Mr. Andrews was employed in your office, and (if so) whether yon were cognizant of his making a claim on the Government for commission. With regard to your claim for rent and cleaning, poor rates, water rates, gas, and other expenses in connection with your office in Belfast, I beg to remind you that the allowance of £350 per annum paid to you up to the 31st May, must be held to cover all expenses of whatever kind, and that no additional claim can be allowed. I shall be glad, however, to receive from you a statement of such incidental expenses as you may have incurred between the Ist of June, and the date on which your engagement terminated, in order that payment thereof may be authorized. I am quite as anxious as you appear to be to get your accounts with this office closed, and I trust, therefore, that there will be no delay in complying with the above request. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, H. W. Farnall, Esq., 24, Corporation Street, Belfast. Agent-General.

Enclosure 6 in No. 2. The Agent-General to Mr. H. W. Farnall. Sir,— 30th July, 1873. As your official connection with the Government has come to an end, I have the honor to request that you will hand over to this office all records in your possession, and especially your correspondence with various parties on the subject of the projected special settlement at Auckland. I shall feel obliged by your giving me the names and addresses of the promoters of the scheme, with any other information that you may consider it desirable to offer. I shall be glad to receive from you also a nominal list of all emigrants forwarded to the Colony through your office, since your arrival in this country. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, Henry W. Farnall, Esq., 24, Corporation Street, Belfast. Agent-General.

Enclosure 7 in No. 2. Mr. G. V. Stewart to the Agent-General. Landed Estates Agency, and Fire and Life Assurance Offices, Sir, — Lisbeg, Ballygawley, 25th July, 1873. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your communication, dated 10th instant, which reached me during my absence from home.

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The terms mentioned in your letter, on which the New Zealand Government will be prepared to assist me in organizing a party of special settlers for New Zealand, were communicated to me by Mr. Farnall in early part of last May, and I have no doubt but that, both from my own position in the country, and also from my official connection with the Orange Institution, I shall be able to induce a large number of emigrants to accompany and follow me and my father to Auckland. It may be in your recollection that I wrote to you in the early part of this year, asking you what encouragement I would receive from the New Zealand Government to emigrate, but you did not at that time appear to think that the New Zealand Government would entertain my proposal. Mr. H. W. Farnall forwarded me copy of a telegram he received from New Zealand, and, some weeks later, letters from the Superintendent of the Province of Auckland, confirming the telegram, copies of which he also forwarded to me, which in every respect concur with your present communication. I enclose you one of my circulars I had printed, but the movement is at present delayed, and my own departure postponed till next spring, in consequence of the disagreement with Mr. W. H. Farnall, as such matters shake confidence; and from what I know of Mr. Farnall, I consider him to be the most energetic and active representative for your Government in this country, and feel confident his exertions will be crowned with success. I have, &c, Geo. Vesey Stewart. Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 7 in No. 2. {Mr. Stewart's Circular.) Dear Sir and Brother, — Lisbeg, Ballygawley, 6th May, 1873. I should feel very much obliged to you to be kind enough to draw the attention of any members of your lodge, or Protestant neighbours, who may have any idea of emigrating, to the many advantages now offered by New Zealand as a field for that purpose. The Government of that country have, through a personal friend, who is officially connected with the New Zealand Government, been in communication with me, with a view of forming a special settlement in the best and most fertile part of the Province of Auckland. It is therefore proposed to send a special vessel early in the month of September, from London to the port of Belfast, for the special convenience of farmers desirous of joining this settlement. The number of families required will be about forty, and of this number nearly one-half have promised to go; they will be accompanied by Brothers Rev. Thomas Adderley of Ballygawley, Dr. Macmaster of Carrickmore, Mr. Woods of Emyvale, William Anketell, J.P., Anketell Grove, myself, and others on whom the brethren may trust implicit confidence. Out of many advantages offered, I will briefly state those that occur to my mind : — 1. Each member of the proposed settlement will be entitled to a grant of 40 acres free to himself, to his wife, and to every member of his family, not exceeding 300 acres to each family. 2. The ordinary rates for passages will be considerably reduced, so as to enable each member to have as much available capital as possible to start him and his family in a new country. 3. The climate of Auckland is the finest and most healthy in the world, and which is confirmed beyond all doubt by the published mortality tables of the different countries. 4. Persons emigrating to America or Canada have to contend with excessive heat in summer, and excessive cold in winter, which is most trying to English constitutions, or to any persons not acclimatized to the country. 5. The severe cold of Canada and America, covering the land four months each year with a heavy coat of frost and ice, compels the farmer in these countries to provide during the summer food to support his stock in winter, whereas in Auckland you have no winter; therefore winter keep is not required for the stock in consequence. 6. The average heat of Auckland is, in summer, one degree hotter than England, and nine degrees less cold in winter. 7. The proposed settlement will be placed on the high road between Auckland and Wellington, the two capital towns of the Island, and through which a line of railway is at present in course of formation, which is expected to be completed within five years, and which will alone enhance the value of the holdings tenfold within that time. 8. The feeling of distance from the mother country will be removed by a large party of neighbours and acquaintances going out in a body as proposed. 9. A person with capital can invest his money there at 10 to 12 per cent., with as great security as money in this country at from 4 to 5 per cent. 10. The prices for bread, tea, coffee, and sugar are cheaper than in this country; beef and mutton range from 2d. to 4d. per lb. 11. The rate of wages for farm labourers is ss. to 6s. per day; single men or women, £30 to £45 per annum and food; so that in the event of large families going out, some members could work for wages, and assist their parents at the commencement on their own farms. 12. And, in conclusion, I would honestly advise our Protestant friends and brethren to embrace the proposed offered advantages; to avail themselves of the present high prices paid for

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tenant-right of the farms in this country, which are too high to continue, and which must fall if we have a repetition of the past two bad seasons. Let them go to a country combining a most magnificent climate with a fertile soil, where they will be relieved from payment of rents, county cess, and poor rates; every man being his own landlord, living in plenty and comfort, " under his own vine and his own fig tree, no man daring to make him afraid." I shall feel much pleasure in replying to any further inquiries, and to forward gratis, on application, a short pamphlet on New Zealand published by the Rev. P. Barclay, formerly a Presbyterian minister in that country. The month of September was selected so as to suit the arrival of the colonists in New Zealand, and give the intending emigrants an opportunity of disposing of their crops by auction, which could be sold on credit, and the promissory notes for which could be converted into cash by the auctioneer. Trusting you will kindly excuse me for thus bringing this matter before you, and which I do with an honest and a sincere conviction that I am consulting the true interests of my Protestant and Orange fellow-countrymen, Believe me, &c., George Vesey Stewart, G.T., County Tyrone. P.S.—I understand that assisted emigration to New Zealand will close next year, so that when such is closed, passages that can now be had for £5 will not be obtainable under £18. Of course all steerage passengers are supplied gratuitously with liberal diet during the voyage.

Enclosure 8 in No. 2. {Mr. Farnall's Circular.) New Zealand Emigration Commissioner's Office, Sir, — 24, Corporation Street, Belfast. I beg to call your attention to the Special Settlement about to be formed in the Province of Auckland, New Zealand, and to the special advantages offered to any intending emigrants who may be possessed of sufficient means to avail themselves of the terms offered. The New Zealand Government have undertaken to set apart a block of first-class agricultural land in the Province of Auckland, for the formation of this settlement, and they are prepared to give assisted passages to New Zealand, and a free grant of land in said settlement, to any eligible applicant, subject only to the following conditions, viz. :— 1. That each applicant for an assisted passage and a free grant of land shall pay the full amount of his assisted passage money, at the rates mentioned below, in cash, before sailing. 2. That each applicant for a free grant of land shall satisfy the Agent-General for New Zealand, or some one appointed by him, that he is possessed of sufficient means to occupy to advantage any land that may be allotted to him. Subject to these conditions, "40 acres will be allowed for each person of twelve years of age and upwards, and 20 acres for each member of a family under twelve years of age, provided that not more than 300 acres is held by the different members of any one family living together." A Crown title may be obtained, — (1.) By the occupier proving that he has continuously occupied for three years, and has cultivated one-fifth of his holding, and on payment of the costs of the Crown title or conveyance. (2.) Or at any time prior to the expiration of three years, by the occupier proving that the whole of the land applied for is fenced and cultivated and a dwelling-house is erected thereon, and by paying the costs as before mentioned. Rates of Steerage Passages. 1. Married couples and families, £5 per adult. Every person above the age of twelve years will be reckoned as an adult. Two children twelve years of age and under in each family will be allowed passages for £2 10s. each; in excess of that number full passage money, viz. £7, will be charged. Infants under one year are taken free of charge. 2. Girls of twelve years of age and upwards in each family, and infants, will be taken free of charge. 3. Single men.—As respects single men, the sum to be paid will be £8 for each adult. I am, &c, New Zealand Emigration Commissioner.

No. 3. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (No. 532.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 31st July, 1873. I have the honor to forward herewith, for the information of the Government, copy of correspondence which I have had with Mr. C. W. Turner, the manager of the New Zealand

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Shipping Company (Limited), from which it will be seen that an arrangement has been come to with Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co. to provide passages to the Colony for the August emigrants. I was induced to make my application of 4th instant for two reasons, —namely, Ist. Because Mr. Turner was not in a position to give me the names of the ships for August in time to enable me to issue the contract tickets to emigrants; and 2nd. With a view of relieving the Government from a very heavy charge for short shipments, Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co. having consented to forego their claim for all short shipments in July, and to accept 100 emigrants for each of the three August ships. I need hardly explain that the latter condition was an important one, inasmuch as August is a very slack month. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

Enclosure 1 in No. 3. Mr. C. W. Turner to the Agent-General. The New Zealand Shipping Company, Limited, Dear Sir, — India House, Alderman's Walk, London, E.C, Bth July, 1873. Referring to your letter to Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co. of 4th instant, desiring them to see me with a view to this Company vacating its claim to provide passages for your August emigrants, and thereby releasing the Government from a heavy claim for short numbers of passengers for July under your contract with Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co.; to my letter to you of 4th instant, advising that Mr. Savill declined to accept my proposal; and to our interview of this morning on same subject, when it was decided that this Company should take up the August service, —I have now to state that Mr. Temple and Mr. Savill called on me this afternoon, when an arrangement was made which was subsequently assented to by you. I now write so that the terms thereof may he placed on record, and advised to the Colony. That, with a view to save the heavy claims for short numbers for July, this Company will consent to your accepting Shaw, Savill, and Co.'s offer for August unconditionally, so far as Auckland and Wellington are concerned, and to Otago, provided you only give 100 adults to their vessel for that port to be appointed to sail on 27th August, the object of this limitation being that the Company's ship, to be despatched for Otago on 10th September, shall have a good number of emigrants. In consequence of this arrangement, the Company's contract for the conveyance of emigrants will now commence with the sailing of the first ship in September. I shall feel obliged by your confirming this letter, and advising the same to the Colony. I am, &c., I. E. Featherston, Esq., C. W. Turner. Agent-General for the Colony of New Zealand.

Enclosure 2 in No. 3. The Agent-General to Mr. C. W. Turner. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 10th July 1873. I have the honor to ackowledge receipt of your letter of Bth instant, and to state that I readily concur in the arrangement you have entered into with Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co. with regard to the ships for August, and at the same time to thank you for having acted in this matter so entirely in the interests of the New Zealand Government. I have, &c, C. W. Turner, Esq., New Zealand Shipping Co., I. E. Featherston, India House, Alderman's Walk, E.C. Agent-General.

No. 4. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (No. 607.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 23rd September, 1873. Referring to the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke's Memorandum of 18th June, No. 125, 1873, on the subject of promoting emigration from Wales, I beg to refer you to Mr. Carter's various reports of his visits to that portion of the United Kingdom, and to the fact that I have largely advertised in the Welsh newspapers, in proof that Wales has not been neglected. I may add that the number of local agents has lately been increased. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

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No. 5. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (No. 612.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 23rd September, 1873. Referring to the Memoranda noted in the margin,* I beg to express my satisfaction at finding that the arrangements in the case of the immigrant ships " Michael Angelo," " Woodlark," " Lutterworth," and " Euterpe," have so entirely met with the approval of the local Immigration Commissioners in New Zealand. It is also very gratifying to me to learn from Mr. Colin Allan's report of 16th May (forwarded by the Hon. Mr. Richardson), that the Scandinavian emigrants sent to Otago have proved so valuable a body of settlers. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 6. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (No. 617.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 23rd September, 1873. Referring to the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke's Memorandum of 4th June, No. 117, 1873, informing me that " there exists in the Colony a continually increasing demand, especially for single women and day labourers," I am glad to be able to state that there is every prospect of a considerable increase in the number of female emigrants. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 7. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (No. 620.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 23rd September, 1873. Referring again to the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke's Memorandum of 22nd April last, No. 79, 1873,1 have the honor to inform you that one vessel has been laid on for Timaru, and that every endeavour will be made on my part to comply with the resolution passed by the Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works. I may add, however, that it is very difficult to divert vessels from the Port of Lyttelton. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 8. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (No. 628.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 24th September, 1873. I have the honor to forward herewith, for the information of the Government, copy of correspondence with the Secretary of State for the Colonies, from which it will be seen that every difficulty is thrown in the way of emigration by the Prussian Government. I trust, nevertheless, to be able to obtain the required number of German emigrants for New Zealand. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

Enclosure 1 in No. 8. The Hon. R. G. W. Herbert to the Agent-General. Sir, — Downing Street, 27th August, 1873. I am directed by the Earl of Kimberley to acquaint you that Her Majesty's Charged'Affaircs at Berlin has been informed by the Prussian Government that, in view of the inclination to emigrate spreading largely in some provinces, excited and nourished principally by foreign agents, it proposes to expel-from the country all emigration agents, sub-agents, and other recruiters who are not of German nationality, and that from this measure it would not be possible to except emigration agents sent from the British Colonies. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. Robert G. W. Herbert. * No. 80, 81, 123, 134. 2—D. 3.

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Enclosure 2 in No. 8. The Agent-General to the Hon. R. G. W. Herbert. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, 3rd September, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 27th ultimo, acquainting me that Her Majesty's Charge-d'Affaires at Berlin has been informed by the Prussian Government that, in view of the inclination to emigrate spreading largely in some of the provinces, it proposes to expel from the country all emigration agents, sub-agents, and other recruiters, who are not of German nationality, and from this measure it would not be possible to except emigration agents sent from the British Colonies. In reply, I beg to state for Lord Kimberley's information that all the emigration agents employed by me in that country are Germans, and have taken out the customary license necessary for their protection. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. R. G. W. Herbert, Colonial Office, Agent-General for New Zealand.

No. 9. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (No. 641.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 24th September, 1873. Referring to the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke's Memorandum of June 24th, covering copy of further correspondence with His Honor the Superintendent of Auckland with reference to Mr. Farnall's proposed special settlement, I need only state that I have already addressed the Government very fully on the subject. The enclosed copy of letter received from Mr. Vesey Stewart on the 16th instant, in which he proposes that he should receive a premium of 150 guineas per head on " 50 eligible young men " to proceed to the Colony, and to remain there under his charge for a period of two years at a fixed rate, will show the Government that Mr. Stewart is not prepared to carry out the original proposal. But, as I have already stated in my previous correspondence, I shall lose no opportunity that may present itself of giving effect to His Honor the Superintendent's wishes in this matter. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

. Enclosure in No. 9. Mr. G. V. Stewart to the Agent-General. Sir, — Landed Estates Agency, Lisbeg, Ballygawley, 16th September, 1873. As you were good enough to write to me on a former occasion stating you would render me all assistance in your power relative to proposed special settlement in Auckland, I wish to lay before you a scheme that has suggested itself to me, and should be glad to have your advice and assistance in the matter. Ido not intend to leave this country for Auckland till May. I have some property to sell, and other arrangements to make, which preclude starting sooner. It has therefore occurred to me, that if I inserted some advertisements in Standard and Times newspapers, directed to parents and guardians, that I might receive applications from perhaps 50 eligible young men as to position and character to accompany me, of course, on payment of a premium, which I would place at 150 guineas; and I would take charge of these young men with my own sons, for say two years and a fixed rate when they should be able to start in life on their own account. I would wish, however, at the expiration of two years to be able to hold out some inducement to these young men, such as a guarantee of say one hundred acres of land free to each. I honestly believe it would be a good thing for the Colony, as, for the sake of my own children, I would not allow any person to join us unless those whose character would bear the most strict and searching investigation, and we may conclude that they will go out to the Colony to settle, and induce relations hereafter to follow. Then the pecuniary terms I would place upon them would command a selection from those possessed, or likely to be possessed, of capital. If, therefore, the Government at Auckland would sanction a grant of 100 acres to each at expiration of two years after landing, I would at once insert my advertisement, and take the liberty of making reference to you in reply to any applications. I have not the pleasure of your personal acquaintance, but can refer you, if required, to several members of Parliament. Could I also domicile my letters on the subject from your office, as I should have to go to London, to save time, to meet inquiries and see applicants, and would like to meet persons at your office, which would not only save expense, but be more convenient for reference and information that might be asked. I would take up my own quarters at the Junior Carlton Club.

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I need not add that, should you be visiting this part of the world, I should be glad to see you here, and extend to you genuine Irish hospitality. Yours, &c, I. E. Featherston, Esq., Geo. Vesey Stewart. Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, London, S.W.

No. 10. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (Telegram.) London, 26th September, 1873. Re Shipping Company.—Guaranteeing full passage at rate £14 10s. per adult for 150 each ship, whether shipped or not, and further guaranteeing moiety passage money for short shipments of all in excess of 150 of whose probable shipment ten days' notice has been given, will entail serious loss. Six vessels have been despatched, averaging each 182 adults : in two, these have been short-shipped 87, for whom Government liable to pay full passage. To Reynolds, Wellington. Featherston.

No. 11. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (No. 644.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— Ist October, 1873. Referring to the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke's Memoranda Nos. 119 and 136 respectively, on the subject of my departmental arrangements and the cost of maintaining my staff, I have the honor to submit the following observations :— The continuance of Mr. Morrison's services was a provisional arrangement, made under circumstances which I reported to the Government at the time, and the Hon. Mr. Gisborne, in his letter of the 18th January, 1872 (No. 4), expressed his approval of the arrangement in very explicit terms. With regard to the special agents sent home by the Government, Messrs. Seaton, Birch, and Farnall, I can add nothing to what I have already stated, except that I regret they were ever appointed. It is now out of my power to call upon these gentlemen for further explanations, inasmuch as two of them have left the country, and the third (Mr. Farnall) having left the service, has already declined to give me any information relating to his office. With reference to the Hon. Mr. Reeves' Memorandum of 6th June, 1872, asking me " to determine whether it is for the public benefit that the services of these agents should be retained for a longer period than say one year," and authorizing me, "in the event of my decision being adverse to their continuance," to terminate the engagement, I would draw your attention to the fact that Messrs. Birch and Seaton only reported themselves here towards the end of March, 1872, and that their services were dispensed with in June, 1873. Mr. Farnall reported himself in May, and (although the Government suggested his being retained to complete the Auckland Special Settlement scheme) his services- were dispensed with in July last. It will be seen, therefore, that the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke is scarcely correct in stating that the payment of £460, made by me in November, was " back pay for a year and a half previously," for at that time these agents had not been more than nine months in the service. I may add that, as these agents had been specially sent home, I felt that it would be neither just to them nor to the Government to dispense with their services without giving them a fair trial, and I accordingly allowed them ample time to give proof of the value of their work. With regard to the rate of remuneration paid to these agents, I would venture to point out that I did not raise the actual salary above £350 per annum. The sum of £700 was made up by adding fixed allowance of £350 a year (being somewhat less than 20s. per diem) to cover all travelling expenses, of whatever kind. I do not hesitate to say that if these agents had acted up to my instructions, to be constantly on the move, the allowance of £1 per day would have been barely sufficient to meet the most ordinary travelling expenses, to say nothing of those incidental claims that are constantly arising. It having been determined that the agents were to be paid their expenses, I submit that I made a good arrangement for the Government in fixing a commuted allowance; and having done so, it seemed to me more economical to apply the rule retrospectively than to allow the agents to send in claims for expenses incurred during the period of their engagement. This will account for the sum of £460, which, as the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke supposes, was a distribution of "back pay." I was assured over and over again by the agents themselves, that they were considerably out of pocket, their travelling expenses having far exceeded the allowance first made to them. To show that the claim for expenses incurred would have far exceeded the allowance of 20s. per diem, I think it will be sufficient to refer to Mr. Farnall's disallowed account, a copy of which was forwarded to the Government under cover of my letter of July 30th (No. 525). There is another point in which the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke appears to have put an entirely wrong construction on my remarks.

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I did not say, nor can it be inferred from my letter, that Mr. Buller's salary of £400 a year as Acting Secretary formed part of the expenditure for which I declined to be held responsible or that this was one of " the appointments which were, in my judgment, wholly unnecessary;" on the contrary, in the very letter under notice, I referred to the fact that Mr. Buller's engagement had terminated at the end of the year, although he had obtained from the Government an extension of his leave, and I submitted the necessity of my having a private and confidential secretary at the same salary (£4OO a year), this being one of the offices enumerated in Schedule C to that letter. It is perfectly well known that I was consulted on the subject of Mr. Buller's mission to England, and that I agreed to utilize his services in a secretarial capacity whilst here. It is equally well known that Mr. Buller's main object in coming to England was to superintend the publication of his work on the " Birds of New Zealand," and that, to assist him in this undertaking, the Government gave him leave of absence on exceptionally liberal terms. At the same time, the amount of remuneration to be paid to Mr. Buller was fixed at £400 per annum, in addition to his half-pay of £200 per annum. In my despatch of 11th July, No. 499, I reported fully the nature of the general and special services rendered by Mr. Buller, and stated that, considering him fully entitled to the sum named by the Hon. Mr. Gisborne, I had paid him accordingly. With reference to the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke's statement, that I "have retained Mr. Buller in my office since 31st December last, in defiance of the positive instructions of the Government not to employ him," I beg to offer the following observations. In compliance with the terms of the Hon. Mr. Gisborne's letter of sth July (No. 65, 1872), Mr. Buller ceased to draw salary as secretary on the 31st December last. On the 18th February, in pursuance of the instructions I had received, I paid him the sum of £200, but not till I found that the vote had passed the Assembly. On the Ist March, Mr. Buller, at my request, and under circumstances fully set forth in my letter of 16th May (No. 310, 1873), rejoined my staff as secretary, and postponed his arrangements for returning to the Colony. On the receipt of the Hon. Mr. Vogel's telegram (22nd April), in reply to mine of 28th March, Mr. Buller felt that he had no alternative but to tender his resignation, and from that time to the present he has continued to discharge the duties of secretary, and to draw the salary. In compliance with the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke's request, I have the honor to forward (by book post) twelve copies of the Rev. Peter Barclay's' " Notes on New Zealand," prepared under my immediate direction, and very carefully revised. This pamphlet has been very widely circulated, and has, I believe, done much good to the cause of emigration, by disseminating reliable information, and stimulating an interest in the Colony among the classes from which our emigrants are chiefly drawn. It was printed at the expense of the Government, and is published nominally at 2d. a copy, but a large supply has been issued to the various local agents for gratuitous distribution, and many applications are made for it at this office, It has been translated into Gaelic, for circulation in the West Highlands; also into German, for distribution among visitors to the New Zealand Court at the Vienna Exhibition. The want of some such publication had become very pressing, as I was receiving, almost daily, letters from intending emigrants, asking for information about the Colony on a variety of subjects, which it was quite impossible to communicate in writing. I am glad that my selection of Mr. E. A. Smith as Despatching Officer has so entirely met with approval. I note that the general scheme of officers' salaries, proposed in Schedule C, is approved, and it is gratifying to me to learn that the Government desire me to exercise the utmost discretionary power in the arrangements generally of my department, and that the arduous and responsible character of my duties is fully recognized. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

lhe sum of £3,700 which, as I contended, was expenditure incurred by ithout any reference to myself, was made up in the following manner: — Mr. Friberg, 18s. per diem with passage money £120, estimated at Mr. Barclay, £250 salary, with travelling allowance, 20s. per diem, estimated at Mr. Birch Mr. Seaton Mr. Farnall Mr. Auld Mr. Mason the Governmen £400 400 700 700 700 400 400 £3,700

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No. 12. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (No. 665.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 3rd October, 1873. In reply to the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke's Memorandum of sth May (No. 90, 1873), requesting me to inform the Government whether the German contracts for immigrants are still in force, and whether the number of immigrants arranged for are likely to be introduced within the time specified in the contracts, I have to state, — 1. That during my recent visit to Hamburgh, I agreed with Messrs. Louis Knorr and Co. for a transfer of their contract to Mr. Augustus Behrens, a merchant of high respectability, and with Messrs. Winge and Co. for a transfer of theirs to Mr. Gunnerstadt, who had indeed been, throughout, the real agent in the whole business. 2. That, considering the difficulties that are thrown in the way of emigration by the Government of the German Empire, it is quite impossible at present to say whether Mr. Behrens will have it in his power to carry out successfully the undertaking he has accepted. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 13. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (No. 672.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 3rd October, 1873. Referring to the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke's Memorandum of 4th June (No. 116, 1873), I have now the honor to forward herewith an explanatory memorandum from Mr. Ottywell on the report of the Immigration Commissioners upon the ship " Wild Duck." I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 13. Memorandum on Immigration Officers' Report upon Immigrant Ships. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria-street, Westminster, S.W., 3rd October, 1873. As the Immigration Commissioners at Wellington, in their report upon the ship " Wild Duck," reflect upon the manner in which the duties of the Despatching Officer, in the case of that vessel, have been discharged, I think it right to explain my position, during the last two years, in relation to that office. The first vessel despatched in 1872 under Messrs. Shaw and Savill's £13 contract, the " Schiehallion," conveyed emigrants engaged by Messrs. Brogden and approved by Mr. Carter. A few days before the passengers embarked, -Mr. Carter suggested that I should superintend the fitting out of the vessel. The matter was referred to the Agent-General, and as no Shipping or Despatching Officer had been appointed, and I had been in the habit of doing similar work for the Canterbury Government, I was directed to act in the manner suggested. It was subsequently arranged that Messrs. Shaw and Savill should fit up the vessels, and that I should afterwards inspect the arrangements, and should be at liberty to require any alterations which I might deem it advisable to make. These duties were additional and subordinate to the duties which devolved upon me in the selection and engagement of emigrants for all the Provinces, and in the conduct of the daily correspondence with applicants for passages. As the arrangement was probably intended to be a temporary one, no remuneration was attached to the office. It frequently happened that I had to superintend or inspect the fittings of two or three vessels on the same day, returning to the office to complete my ordinary work, which was, in consequence, seldom finished before eight or nine in the evening. It will therefore be obvious that I could not undertake to attend the inspection of the vessels in dry dock, or the survey of provisions by the Government Emigration Officers; and in point of fact I never had time to attend the former, and I was seldom able to attend the latter of those inspections. I proceed to notice some of the principal remarks in the reports upon the " Wild Duck." 1. It is stated that " the ship herself was manifestly unfit for the conveyance of emigrants," &c. When my duties commenced on board, the vessel had been surveyed and passed, under " The Passenger Act, 1855," and was already at her loading berth. The survey by the Board of Trade, which is conducted by practical shipwrights, is infinitely more rigorous than any which I could possibly institute, and extends to an examination of the vessel's timbers, &c. 2. I have no recollection of being present at the inspection of provisions, and believe I was unable to attend on that occasion. Copies of the reports were furnished to Messrs. Shaw and Savill, in order to elicit from them an explanation as to the alleged deficiency and inferior

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quality of the stores. Those gentlemen content themselves with a general denial of the defaults alleged against them, remarking that the statement that " the ship was fitted and provisioned with that regard to strict economy, and carelessness for the health and comfort of the passengers, which distinguishes Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and C 0.," is simply a falsehood. 3. The medical inspection, as in the case of other emigrant ships, was two-fold, namely,— The applicants, prior to their acceptance, produced certificates, signed by qualified surgeons, to the effect that they were free from any bodily or mental defect or deformity likely to impair their usefulness, and from all infectious or contagious disease; and secondly, the whole of the emigrants were inspected at Gravesend by the Government Medical Officer in conjunction with the surgeon-superintendent. It would have been competent for Dr. Diver to object to any person who was suffering from any complaint dangerous to others, or likely to be aggravated by the voyage. He does not, however, appear to have taken exception to any of the persons who passed before him. 4. With reference to the between-deck fittings, it was found to be impossible to use the main hatch as a gangway for the married couples, as the long boat was stowed immediately over the hatch. It was therefore necessary to divide the between-deck longitudinally, and to place the married couples on one side and the single women on the other; the after-hatch being also divided between them. This arrangement would give an appearance of closeness and crowding, which, it will be seen, was unavoidable. The hospitals were placed in the best positions which could be found for that purpose. It should be borne in mind that, under the contract with Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co., the space for hospitals is included in the fifteen feet allowed for each passenger. The consequence of providing large and roomy hospitals would have been very seriously to contract the space in which the emigrants are berthed and messed. Dr. Diver states that the hospital should, in his opinion, be "under the poop, with skylight to open when necessary." It is obvious that, in most instances, it would be impossible to adopt that course, as the single women are berthed in the after part of the vessel, and it would be manifestly improper to place in their compartment the general hospital for women and children. Dr. Diver also objects to the ventilation of the hospital by means of scuttles, and the Immigration Officers appear to endorse the objection; and I notice that, in his report upon the " Michael Angelo " at Dunedin, Mr. O'Donnoghue complains that the women's hospital, which was lighted and ventilated by a portion of a large skylight, was " damp, badly ventilated, and dark." I trust I may be pardoned for remarking that a suspicion that the Immigration Commissioners are occasionally mistaken in their criticisms upon the fittings of emigrant vessels, is strengthened by the extraordinary difference of opinion between different members of the Immigration Commission at Dunedin, which was shown to exist in reference to the general arrangements on board the vessel last named. Messrs. Allen and Thomson express their satisfaction with the general arrangements and condition of the vessel, and state that " the whole of the passengers expressed themselves as fully satisfied with their treatment on board;" while Mr. O'Donnoghue describes the principal compartment as " damp and comfortless," and utterly condemns the hospital arrangements. 5. The store-room was built in the married people's compartment. This is the place usually assigned to it in other vessels, in which the arrangement has completely answered its purpose. It would no doubt have been easy for Dr. Diver to have prevented crowding at the hospital door, by giving directions that the emigrants were to come to the store-room for their provisions in small parties instead of en masse. Similarly, Dr. Diver might have modified other arrangements to which he objected, e.g., he complains that five berths were built in the hospital; he might have given instructions for the removal of two of the berths, if they were not required for sick persons, and they could easily have been rebuilt in case of need. 6. The bedding for the emigrants was supplied under a contract with Messrs. Shaw and Savill, and I could only see that the necessary articles were furnished to each emigrant. This arrangement is now at an end. The outfits are obtained direct from the manufacturers, the bedding being superior in quality to that previously supplied. 7. The Immigration Officer states that " the space in the cooking galley was totally insufficient." It is true there was but one stove. I directed the attention of the Government Officer to the circumstance. He, however, remarked that as the stove was an exceedingly good one, and the number of passengers small, it was unnecessary to provide a second range. The cook was also a very experienced and efficient person, having sailed with Captain Baillie for many years. 8. The Immigration Officer states that the medicine chest was not procured from Apothecaries' Hall, " as has been frequently impressed upon the Agent-General, and which he states in his letter of the March, No. 150, will be the case." The contract made with Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co., under which they were at liberty to procure the medicine chests from any proper druggist, had not expired when the " Wild Duck " was despatched, and the chest for that vessel was not therefore procured from Apothecaries' Hall. A clause requiring that this course should be adopted was, however, introduced into the first charter-party entered into after the expiration of Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co.'s agreement, and this stipulation has since been continued. The medicine chest was placed on board the " Wild Duck" before the vessel left the dock, and as forty-eight hours elapsed between that time and the ship's final departure, there was ample time for Dr. Diver to make a thorough inspection of its contents.

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9. As the Immigration Officer remarks, it is desirable to appoint the surgeon of an emigrant ship ten days or a fortnight before the vessel sails. This course is frequently adopted, but in many instances it is impossible, until a day or two before the vessel's departure, to engage suitable surgeons. This was the case with a large vessel despatched about a week ago; and we are at present without surgeons for the Hawke's Bay ship of 14th, and the Auckland vessel of 15th October. 10. It is doubtless desirable that some person representing the Agent-General should be in constant attendance on board the vessels, to superintend the whole of the arrangements; to " talk matters over" with the captain and surgeon; and to see to the proper stowage of the cargo. As the Agent-General has now engaged a suitable officer, whose whole time is spent on board the vessels, and whose attention is not distracted by office duties, this necessity is amply provided for. Albert O. Ottywell. P.S.—The vessels which were not inspected by me are the following, viz.:—"Celseno," "England," "St. Leonard's," Hydaspes," "Bebington," " Queen Bee," "May Queen," "Lady Jocelyn," " Glenlora," the vessels from Clyde and from foreign ports, and all London ships since March, 1873. A. O. O. Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No.- 13. The Passengers' Line of Packets for New Zealand, &c, Offices, Dear Sir, — 34, Leadenhall Street, E.C, London, 30th September, 1873. We have duly perused the copy of Memorandum No. 116,1873, respecting the emigrants per " Wild Duck," which you have handed us. The whole of the animadversions therein made, seem to us to be directed against your officers and those of the Imperial Government here, who are, we feel sure, well able to defend themselves. The only point touching us is the statement that the ship was " fitted and provisioned with that regard for strict economy, and carelessness for the health and comfort of the passengers, which distinguishes Shaw, Savill, and Co." This observation is simply a falsehood. As regards the ship herself, she passed all the surveys here required by the law, and the hospitals were placed as directed by the Government Officers. We are, &c, I. E. Featherston, Esq., Agent-General for New Zealand. Shaw, Savill, and Co.

No. 14. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (No. 673.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 3rd October, 1873. I have the honor to forward herewith, for the information of the Government, copy of a Memorandum executed this day by myself and Mr. Turner, Managing Director of the New Zealand Shipping Company. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 14. Memorandum. In April last the Agent-General agreed with Mr. Turner for the conveyance of emigrants to Canterbury, in May, June, July, August, at £16 10s. per statute adult, with a minimum guarantee of 200 adults, less 5 per cent. In pursuance of such agreement the " Punjaub " sailed on 2nd June, with 264 statute adults ; "Adamant" on the 17th July, with 1294 adults; the " Cardigan Castle " on 23rd August, with 206 adults. On or about 13th June the AgentGeneral received cablegram " Government and New Zealand Shipping Company have entered into agreement, to take effect upon your receipt of this," &c. It is contended on the part of the Agent-General that the new contract superseded the arrangement with Mr. Turner in respect of the two ships "Adamant" and "Cardigan Castle," which sailed after receipt of cablegram, on 13th June, advising new contract. On the other hand, Mr. Turner contends that all existing contracts, including his, were to be carried out before the new contract could come into operation, and were specially provided against on the contract itself; also that the Government, when making the contract, had advices from the Agent-General, by cablegram, that he had made arrangements with Mr. Turner at £16 10s. Agreed, that the question of rate for passage money per " Adamant" and " Cardigan Castle " shall be referred to the Colony for adjustment and payment there. If the Agent-General's con-

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tention be correct, then the rate will be £14 10s. per adult, plus 125., the cost of extra dietary scale. If Mr. Turner's, then the accounts will stand as stated, and the balance over £14 10s. paid in the Colony. The claim for short shipments per " Adamant" will be determined in same manner, and will be either for the difference between 1294 and 150 (guaranteed under new contract at £14 10s.), or as claimed, for half, at £8 ss. per adult. I. E. Featherston, C W. Turner.

No. 15. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (No. 701.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 28th October, 1873. Referring to the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke's Memorandum of sth July (No. 144,1873), I have the honor to inform you that I have already been in communication with the representatives of various co-operative associations in this country. I have now to report that Mr. Vesey Stewart, who originated the special settlement movement about which Mr. Farnall was in communication with the Superintendent of Auckland, and who represents a large body of Orangemen, has accepted my offer of 200 guineas to cover the cost of a return passage to and from the Colony, and the expenses incident thereto. Mr. Stewart is sanguine of his ability to induce a considerable number of families possessing capital to emigrate to Auckland, and with that view is desirous of obtaining the fullest information as to the resources and capabilities of the Province. I believe it is his intention to proceed to New Zealand by the P. and O. mail steamer next month. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 16. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (No. 702.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 28th October, 1873. Referring to the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke's Memorandum of Ist August (No. 157, 1873), forwarding copy of report from the Immigration Officer at Napier, calling attention to the scarcity of labour in that Province, I have the honor to state that the " Hovding," with 206 immigrants, and the " Queen of the North," with 1774 adults, have recently sailed for the Port of Napier, and that another vessel is laid on for November. I shall use every endeavour in my power to make up the full number applied for by His Honor Mr. Ormond. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 17. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (No. 711.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 28th October, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke's Memorandum of 27th June (No. 141, 1873), on the subject of emigration from Belgium. In reply, I beg to state, for the information of the Government, that some time since I despatched an agent to Belgium and to the Duchy of Luxembourg, for the purpose of promoting emigration to New Zealand. He was quite unsuccessful, however, and reported that although it might be possible to obtain a few emigrants at Luxembourg, it would be difficult or hopeless to do much in Belgium, where, as the Consul-General admits, the inhabitants are living under a most paternal rule, are much attached to their native land, and are very unwilling to leave it. It will be seen, therefore, that I cannot hold out to the Government much hope of being able to supply emigrants from those countries. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

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No. 18. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (No. 714.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 29th October, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke's Memorandum of 28th July (No. 153, 1873), calling my attention to the fact that no notice has been taken of the questions raised in the Immigration Commissioners' report on the ship " Bebington," and the report of a Commission appointed by His Excellency the Governor, to inquire into the circumstances attending the death of sixteen children on the passage, but acknowledging receipt, under cover of my letter of 12th April (No. 238), of Captain Forster's report on that vessel. I did not think it necessary to make any special comment on that report, because nothing that I could have said on the subject would have added to the value of the testimony of such an authority. I did, however, remark in my letter forwarding the report that you would perceive therefrom that all the arrangements on board that vessel, as regarded internal fittings, ventilation, hospitals, water-closets, inspection of emigrants, &c., had been approved by the Inspecting Officers of Her Majesty's Emigration Commissioners, and were in accordance with all the requirements of the Passengers Act. As I have already out, the report of the Immigration Commissioners in New Zealand, so far as the emigrants themselves were concerned, was very satisfactory. They reported, " We have much pleasure in announcing that no serious cases of sickness among the adults occurred during the voyage. The immigrants appeared in good health and spirits; the provisions were generally of good quality, and had been served out with regularity; the distilling apparatus was in excellent order, and no complaints were made of the quantity of water supplied being insufficient." The Commissioners further state that "The surgeon-superintendent records the death of sixteen infants from diarrhoea and exhaustion. He attributes this mortality to the fact that these children were all weakly and ill-nourished when they came on board. To confirm this he points out the fact that the children born during the voyage (eight) are all living and in good health. The medical comforts were exhausted three weeks before the arrival of the vessel in port, from which it would appear that the scale provided for in the contract is not sufficient where there are so many women and children; and we would suggest that a more liberal allowance of such articles as preserved milk, sago, corn-flour, and rice should be supplied for the use of the young children." And the Commissioners conclude by " recommending the payment of all gratuities, and expressing their admiration of the tact and patience displayed by the captain and surgeon in the discharge of their duties." It will, therefore, be seen that, so far as the Commissioners' report is concerned, there is scarcely anything calling for explanation on my part. The medical comforts have proved quite sufficient in other ships, and I have no doubt would have been equally so in the case of the " Bebington " had they been properly served out to the emigrants, and not tampered with during the voyage. With regard to the evidence taken before the Commission, I may state that, after a careful reperusal of it, I cannot see that it calls for any explanation or comment from me. It must be at once apparent to the Government that I cannot exercise any control over the officers after the ship has quitted the port of embarkation. All that I can do is to exercise the utmost care in my power in the selection of surgeon and matron; and in the present case, as appears from the local Immigration Commissioners' report, the selection was a fortunate one in every respect. The issue of medical comforts must of necessity be left to the discretion of the surgeon-superintendent, and must be in a great measure regulated by circumstances. It is, I think, sufficiently evident, from the report of the Special Commission, that the medical comforts on board the "Bebington" were reduced by peculation on the part of some one on board, although the evidence failed to bring the offence home to those on whom suspicion rested. Charles Howe, who acted as purser during the greater part of the voyage, states in his evidence that he could only account for the shortness of milk by saying that it was stolen by the people who were helping him. He proceeds " These men were passengers. I knew that a man named Brennan sold some. I have heard the passengers say that any of them could buy milk from Brennan. I have heard Hunt say so. I told the Captain, at the time, that these people who came down to help me were not trustworthy." Another witness, Henry Hardy, deposes " To the best of my belief the medical comforts in many cases issued for the use of the children, were eaten by the parents themselves, who, I have heard say, did not want children in the country they were going to." Another witness, James Dickens, gives similar evidence, and states, " I think in several cases the parents showed great indifference to their children's comfort and health, and also were apparently but little affected by the loss of their children." With reference to the suggestion contained in the Commissioner's report, that an emigrant steward should be specially appointed, I beg to point out that I could not do this without transferring to myself a responsibility which at present very properly belongs to the owners. If I took into my own hands the appointment of petty officers, the owners would in a measure cease to be accountable to the Government for the proper performance of their contract. 3-D. 3.

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I may add that the scale of medicines and medical comforts has been somewhat altered, and will, I think, be found amply sufficient in ordinary cases. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 19. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (No. 719.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 30th October, 1873. Referring to the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke's Memorandum of Bth July (No. 146, 1873), forwarding copies of reports of Immigration Commissioners upon the ship " Jubilee," I have now the honor to transmit, for the information of the Government, memorandum on the subject by Mr. Ottywell. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 19. Memorandum on Immigration Commissioners' Report on Ship "Jubilee." The Commissioners, reporting upon this vessel, remark as follows, viz.:— " The ship was in every way suited for the requirements of the small number of people on board, each compartment being roomy and well ventilated. We noticed a great improvement in the hatches, &c. The immigrants, on being questioned, stated they had no complaint to make." They also state that " The immigrants by this vessel appear to be of a very desirable class, and we should only be too happy to find a continuance of the same kind of people," &c. The general results of the voyage appear, therefore, to have been of a very satisfactory character. The Commissioners, however, find fault with some of the arrangements on board the vessel. I notice the objections in the order in which they appear in the report. 1. " Kate E—, a single woman, was confined during the passage." There was nothing in the medical or other certificates furnished by this person to lead to the belief that she was in a pregnant condition, and her state was not discovered either by Dr. Humphreys or Dr. Purdon during their inspection of the passengers. The poor girl appears to have died after giving birth to her child. 2. " One of the married women was subject to violent fits, apparently of an epileptic character." The name of the woman is not stated, and lam unable, therefore, to refer to the medical certificate which was furnished in support of her application. I may, however, state that the woman would not have been approved for an assisted passage if her state of health had been known when her case was under consideration. She does not appear to have had any attack of her malady between the date of her embarkation and the final sailing of the vessel a few days later. 3. The surgeon is accused of " gross impropriety in taking two of the single girls to the country and keeping them there all night;" and a desire is expressed that the Government should "punish him by making some deduction from the remuneration promised him," &c. The surgeon was invited "to put in writing any remarks he may wish to make in palliation of his conduct;" and he explains that " previous to the arrival of the ship I had promised marriage to Emma Groves, and thinking to do so quietly, took her and Mary Jane Oakford to the Railway Hotel, Lower Hutt (the latter being taken so that no one should afterwards have anything to say against my wife's character). N. Valentine and all his household can answer to my conduct and hers during our stay there previous to our marriage, and afterwards. I solemnly declare," &c. The Commissioners to whom this explanation was referred by the Hon. the Minister of Immigration, admit that as Dr. Purdon married the immigrant Emma Groves, his behaviour appears " in a more favourable light, and therefore they cannot object to his being paid the usual gratuity." They also remark that he " appears to have fulfilled his duties satisfactorily. His books and journal were well kept, and the passengers declared themselves satisfied with the attention they had received from him." As, notwithstanding these admissions, the Hon. the Minister remarks that " the surgeon seems to have been taken at random, a few hours before the emigrants embarked," &c, I append a copy of a testimonial signed by a physician to whom Dr. Purdon has been known for many years, and in which he is referred to in terms of high commendation. It is true that a suitable surgeon could not be found until the day prior to that on which the emigrants embarked; but I considered that we were fortunate in securing the services of Dr. Purdon, and the papers under reply do not tend to show that an injudicious selection was made. The Hon. Mr. O'Rorke instances the " appointment of Mr. Montague Welby to the ' Edwin Fox' as proving that very little care seems to be taken in the selection of the surgeon." Mr. Welby, who produced a number of excellent testimonials, was,

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in 1863, appointed as surgeon-superintendent on board a vessel conveying a large number of emigrants, and under engagement to the Government of New Zealand. As showing the estimation in which he was held while resident in New Zealand, I may remark that he was nominated as a Justice of the Peace, the original letter (exhibited at this office) bearing the signatures of Sir George Grey and the Hon. Mr. Fox. 4. " The owner of the vessel was not satisfied with the fittings, &c, provided by Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co., and ordered extras to be supplied at his own expense," &c. I was not aware that the owner had placed anything on board which he was not required, in his charter, to provide; but I remember that he supplied an exceedingly small stove for the use of the emigrants; that I commented unfavourably upon it; that Captain Scott, Messrs. Shaw and Savill's representative, rejected it; and that a larger stove was afterwards sent down to the vessel. 5. " The medicine chest was not supplied by the Apothecaries' Company." As explained in an earlier memorandum, the contractors were not, under their contract, required to purchase their medicines from the Apothecaries' Company. It is, however, very desirable that this course should be adopted, and the present and previous contracts provide accordingly. 6. " The captain states that the greater portion of the biscuit shipped for the emigrants was bad," &c. I had no opportunity of witnessing the inspection of provisions in this vessel, as my office duties prevented my attendance at the time fixed for that purpose. I have not concealed my opinion that it would be a wise course to put on board, for the use of the emigrants, white cabin biscuit similar to that which was supplied for many years to the Canterbury ships under the Provincial arrangements, and which invariably gave satisfaction. This description of bread is of course much more expensive than the brown biscuit which is now supplied, but it is believed to be more suitable and nutritious for women and children. 7. "The bedding material was of a veryinferiorquality," &c. As explained in mymemorandum upon the reports relative to the " Wild Duck," the bedding was supplied through Messrs. Shaw and Savill under a contract made early in 1872, and as no samples were furnished to me, I had no power to reject it on account of its inferior quality. In point of fact, the inferiority of the material of which it was composed would not probably be manifest until it had been a short time in use. The bedding and utensils are now supplied by Messrs. Silver and Co., under a contract with the Agent-General, and the work is done in a much more satisfactory manner. 8. " The selection of the matron does not appear to have been judicious." The surgeon remarks on this point, " The matron has acted very well, but an older person would be preferable," &c. The person selected—a young woman aged 24 —was appointed on board. She produced an excellent letter from a minister of religion of whose church she was a member, and appeared to be in all respects the most suitable person for the office. Some dissatisfaction with her appointment was manifested, at Gravesend, among the other women in the compartment, one of the chief complainants being a woman whose levity of conduct had attracted much attention on board. The matter was referred to Captain Forster, who investigated and dismissed the complaint. The matron's unpopularity at the commencement of the voyage appeared to arise from an excess of zeal, as she had issued written rules with reference to the daily reading of the Scriptures, &c. I advised her to relax her rules somewhat in this respect, in order that offence might not be given. 9. "No proper provision is made for the maintenance of the emigrants in London while they are waiting for the vessel to go to sea." The " Jubilee" was not ready at the date appointed, and the emigrants who were not accommodated on board were paid at the usual rate of Is. 6d. per adult per day. The contract with Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co. did not provide for any penalty which could be enforced in the (frequent) event of the ship not being ready for the reception of passengers on the day fixed for their embarkation. When that contract lapsed, and a fresh form of agreement was in preparation, I suggested that a penalty clause should be inserted. This suggestion was adopted, and was found to work well. The provision has not, however, been included in the contract made in the Colony. In the event of the ship not being ready on the day fixed for that purpose, the only consequence to the contractors is the cost of maintaining the emigrants at, say, 2s. per adult per day. But as, during the working hours of one day, they may receive cargo yielding from £150 to £200 freight, they are not likely to be kept to their contract by the fear of any pecuniary loss. In making these observations, I do not wish to imply that there is any disposition on the part of the contractors to take more time than they are entitled to employ in the reception of cargo; on the contrary, I believe the disposition is quite the other way. But it is, notwithstanding, desirable that the Government should have in their own hands the means of enforcing the most important conditions of the emigration contract. October 29th, 1873. Albert O. Ottywell. Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 19. 23, Stephen's Green, North, 7th March, 1873. Mr. Purdon was a pupil of mine at the Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland, where he pursued his professional education. He has become fully qualified, and has been since engaged in practice. Mr. Purdon was a diligent attender in his hospital and collegiate studies, and from his qualifications, his experience, and age, I believe he would suitably discharge the important duties of medical attendant in the office he now seeks in charge of emigrants to New Zealand. J. Morgan, M.D.

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No. 20. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (No. 729.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 30th October, 1873. I have the honor to inform you that, at an interview with the Messrs. Brogden yesterday, I finally arranged all matters of dispute between them and the Government. The Messrs. Brogden read letters which they had received by last mail from their Agent in Wellington, informing them that the Emigration contract had been endorsed upon their Public Works contracts. After considerable discussion, they handed over to me the promissory notes, amounting to £1,060, for the passage money due for emigrants despatched per " Durham" and " Lutterworth," and which ought to have been given up to me fifteen days after the sailing of those vessels. They have also paid me the interest on the promissory notes at 6 per cent, up to date, namely, £945 12s. They have, moreover, paid me the amount of the Government claim for bedding, namely, £192 10s. I on the other hand have paid them £1,894 3s. 10s., the balance of commission, at 10 per cent., on Contract Memo. 53, 25th November, 1871, and also £12,500, their commission at 5 per cent, on £250,000, and I have agreed, subject to the approval of the Government, not to require them to forward any more emigrants to the Colony under the terms of their contract. The enclosed schedule* will show more specifically the amounts of the promissory notes, with the dates at which they are redeemable, and also the dates on which the interest accrues. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 21. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (No. 734.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 31st October, 1873. I have the honor to send herewith copy of report by the Rev. P. Barclay, with reference to his emigration operations for the quarter ending 30th September, 1873. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 21. Report, Quarter, Ist July to 30th September, 1873. On Ist July I found myself at Lerwick. On 2nd, I crossed to Bressay Island and arranged for a meeting. During the same week I went to Weisdale and on to Walls, twenty-two miles west, where I took duty on Sunday, and held a meeting. On Tuesday, Bth, I went from Lerwick to Baltasound, and where I remained a week. There I held a defence meeting, in order to contradict sundry reports about New Zealand and myself. I have spoken of this, and about Shetland generally, in some " notes " already sent in to the London office. I came to Lerwick on 16th, and on Thursday held my meeting at Bressay. I left Lerwick on Monday, 21st, and arrived at Edinburgh on 23rd July. I spent the last days of July in arranging New Zealand and family matters, after my long absence of nine weeks, in correspondence, &c. On 30th July I left for Poolewe, in North-west Rosshire, partly for change for my family and partly to "prospect" for New Zealand. There I remained fully four weeks, making one journey to Portice, in Skye, and also to Rasay Island. For all this, however, I count only six days, and 30s. expenses, though certainly I would not have travelled so far (280 miles) for change, save for the interests of New Zealand. With a proper agent, knowing Gaelic, working on that coast, I should look for much success during 1874, after what has been done. As I hope to be in London in the beginning of November, I can speak of this at that time. September.—l arrived in Edinburgh on 6th September, and remained till Friday, 12th. The time was spent in various works—seeing one or two expected emigrants, and in correspondence, which also occupied me largely at Poolewe. On 13th arrived at Lerwick. On Tuesday I went to Baltasound, Unst. The little steamer takes a whole day, although the distance, in a straight line, is only fifty miles. There I remained a week, arranging with emigrants who had given in their names before. lam convinced that a considerable number will go next year. The arrangements must be made in spring, and though a few may go then, a greater number will go in autumn. This is owing to tenure of land, fishing engagements, term days, &c. One or two who had promised on my last visit to go, drew back. I came again to Lerwick on 24th (Wednesday), with seventeen emigrants, transferring them * It has not been thought necessary to print this Schedule.

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to the Granton steamer on Thursday; making various arrangements for them, getting name of ship painted on boxes, &c. The distances are very great (from London), and postal and other communication slow and infrequent; hence much time is needed for making arrangements, and the people are slow in their movements, not knowing the value of time, and they will not hurry themselves. On my way to Lerwick in the steamer, I saw Houston and Store, whom I recommended as agents in Yell. They said nothing had been done. In these circumstances I thought it unwise to spend time and money. Besides I could not well leave my Unst people. In Lerwick I found one or two had drawn back—also one (her wages being advanced from £6 to £8 or £9 per year) in Bressay, whither I went one day; and that two or three had gone to Otago, two at least, after giving in names for Wellington. On Saturday I went to Dunrossness and remained till Wednesday. I took duty on Sunday, and hence had a large meeting on Monday, in spite of a stormy night. The people seemed much interested, and many crowded up to me afterwards, asking questions. They told me that not many coukl go before this time next year, as in Unst. They all know of the Otago terms, as a considerable number have gone on these terms; and among them Laurence M— and his family, who were declined by London office when I sent in their names : —Causes, delicacy of wife and number of children. In the circumstances I could not urge London terms—l could only advise that as many as possible should go to Otago via Glasgow, applying to Mr. Lawrence, local agent. I came up from Dunrossness so far on Wednesday, having a common small cart of the country, and on Thursday got to Lerwick (2nd October) in a strange little vehicle, cheaper considerably than my hire coming down. I consider that my work has been instrumental in getting some for the London office. 2nd. In directly and indirectly helping to fill the Glasgow Otago ships. 3rd. In making New Zealand much better known, and leading people to think less of going to America. 4th. In preparing for a larger emigration in 1874. This will be helped by sundry changes in management of properties, especially on Quendal, in Dunrossness. Lerwick, 7th October, 1873. P. Barclay.

No. 22. The Agent-General to the Hon. J. Vogel. (Telegram.) London, 6th November, 1873. Sailed, October, "Salisbury," Wellington, 250 souls. "Queen North," Napier, 216. "Lauderdale," Auckland, 123. "Dunfillan," Otago, 160. "Isles South," Canterbury, 320. Ship sails Napier 19th. Free passages. Promissory notes abandoned except for outfit expenses port embarkation. Co-operation of Agricultural Unions other Associations secured. Don't require peripatetic agents sent home. Previous receipt telegram had arranged send emigrants Francisco steamer "Mongol" 15th December. To Vogel, Wellington, New Zealand. Featherston.

No. 23. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 748.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 12th November, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your ietter No. 174, 1873, dated 19th August, enclosing copy of the final report of the Immigration Commissioners upon the ship " Halcione," with other papers referred to. I note the remarks of the Commissioners on the subject of the medical inspection to which the emigrants are subjected prior to embarkation. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 24. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 751.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 12th November, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Memorandum No. 104, dated 2nd August, 1873, in which you allude to Mr. Carter's explanation of the class of emigrants sent out by the Messrs. Brogden in the " Christian McAusland." With regard to the charge made by the matron against Mr. Concannon, it is unfortunate that Miss Forbes did not make an official report to the Government upon the matter referred to.

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The Government will, however, see that I would not ignore statements of a character so serious, and made by an officer appointed by me. To further elucidate and show the care taken in selecting the emigrants under Messrs. Brogden's contract, I have forwarded by this mail, Mr. Carter's report made in January last, and which appears not to have reached the Government. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 25. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 752.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 13th November, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke's letter No. 171, dated 12th August, inquiring what means are provided to enable nominated persons residing in foreign countries, to reach the port of departure. In reply, I beg to state that hitherto the emigrants from Norway and Denmark have in all cases paid the expenses of their journey to London. Under the authority which has been given to me in this respect by the Government, I am of course prepared to advance the cost of the ship outfit and journey to London, in the case of nominated emigrants who are unable to defray these charges, taking the promissory notes of the persons to whom such advances are made. In the case of Scandinavian or German emigrants nominated for passages, I would suggest that the nominees should be recommended to place themselves in communication with the Agents of this office at one or other of the following places, viz.: — In Christiania —Messrs. Gunnestad and Co., Skippergaden, 27. In Copenhagen—Messrs. Horneman and Petersen, Nyhaven, 13. In Hamburg—Mr. August Behrens. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 26. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 757.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 14th November, 1873. I have the honor to enclose Mr. Carter's report on a meeting he attended in Oxfordshire, and certain arrangements made with Mr. C. Holloway to proceed to New Zealand. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 26. Mr. Carter to the Agent-General. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, 13th November, 1873. I have the honor to report to you that, in consequence of Mr. Charles Holloway, President and Delegate of the Oxford National Labourers' Union, having applied to you to permit me to attend and lecture at a meeting of agricultural labourers to be held at a small village near Shipton, in Oxfordshire, and called " Milton-under-Whychwood," I, by your desire, attended the meeting in question. The meeting was held on the 4th instant, in a very large tent pitched in a field near the village. Mr. Holloway occupied the chair, and the audience, consisting of agricultural people (a few accompanied by their wives and grown-up children), assembled from villages far and near, to the number of between five and six hundred persons. The proceedings occupied nearly three hours, and were of the most orderly and cheering kind; and I am glad to be able to say, from what I saw here and elsewhere, that the prospects of obtaining emigrants are of a much more encouraging kind than I have known them at any time during the last two years. This is mainly owing to the flattering accounts sent to England by emigrants sent out through this office; and also by those I selected in this part of the country on account of John Brogden and Sons, particularly from those who were despatched to Hawke's Bay. After the meeting had closed, I received £17 for outfit for seventeen adults, who proceed to Hawke's Bay on the 19th instant. I also received, in conjunction with Mr. Holloway, applications from about eight heads of families, representing nearly thirty adults. In course of conversation with Mr. Holloway, I found him inclined to proceed to New Zealand in charge of two or three hundred emigrants to be selected by himself and Mr. Henry Taylor, the General Secretary of the Union. I reported this matter to you for your considera-

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tion; and as you had previously had an interview with Mr. Taylor, and succeeded in inducing him to act as sole agent for this office, the way was prepared for Mr. Holloway's acceptance of the following arrangement contained in the letter you gave me instructions to write to Mr. Holloway:— " 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., " Dear Sir,— "6th November, 1873. " I have spoken to the Agent-General about your going out to New Zealand with a body of emigrants, to be selected by you and Mr. Taylor. He consents to your departure on the following conditions : — " 1. The number of agricultural labourers with their families must not be less than 200, or as many more as you can procure in strict accordance with the new regulations of this office. " 2. The Agent-General would pay your passage out and home, and allow subsistence money for your family at the rate of 255. per week during the period occupied by your voyage out, your two months' stay in New Zealand, and the ordinary time required for you to return home in; he would also, during your stay of two months in New Zealand, allow you a sum at the rate of £1 per diem for travelling expenses. " The steamer ' Mongol,' 2,252 tons register and 400-horse power nominal, leaves Plymouth on the 15th of next month. If you could procure the requisite number of good and steady agricultural labourers, you might go in this fine steamship. " I shall be glad to know, at your earliest convenience, if these terms are acceptable to you. " I am, &c., " C. R. Carter, " Mr. Holloway. " (for Agent-General)." On receipt of this letter, Mr. Holloway wrote to say he would come up to see you on the 9th. On that day he had an interview with you, and agreed to the terms offered to him by you. It was also agreed that special advertisements and handbills should be issued. The position that Mr. Holloway occupies amongst the agricultural labourers appears to me but second to that of Mr. Arch, who is now on a mission in Canada. Nearly two years ago I endeavoured to interest Mr. Arch in emigration to New Zealand during the time he was attending a great meeting of labourers at Leamington. I failed to do so, but he was at that time inimical to emigration movements amongst the agricultural class. The announcement of the comparative failure of his mission to Canada, I trust, may yet enlist his sympathies in favour of New Zealand. Mr. Holloway (notwithstanding the shortness of the time) appears sanguine of procuring the required number for the steamer " Mongol," and I venture to think that his journey to the Colony, and his return home to England, will exercise a very beneficial influence on the future prospects of rural emigration conducted through this office. I have, &c, The Agent-General. C. R. Carter.

No. 27. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 804.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 25th November, 1873. Referring to the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke's Memorandum of 23rd August (No. 182), I have the honor to state that although I did not reply specifically to the Hon. Mr. Waterhouse's Memorandum of sth December, 1872 (No. 35), I was under the impression that the various communications which I had addressed to the Government, relative to Mr. Farnall and his operations at Belfast, contained all the information that was required. As, however, it is the desire of the Government that a direct answer should be made to the Memorandum under notice, I have much pleasure in giving a recapitulation of the facts, and a statement of the action taken. The Hon. Mr. Waterhouse states his opinion that the feeble attempt made, under the management of Mr. Farnall, to open up a supply of immigration from Ireland, is eminently unsatisfactory. It is hardly necessary for me to say that I fully concur in this opinion. From the very first I had no very sanguine hope of Mr. Farnall's success; and although, in obedience to the wishes of the Government, I gave him every assistance in my power, I soon came to the couclusion that his mission was a failure, and as soon as I found myself in a position to do so, I brought it to a termination. I ventured on several occasions, both by letter and by telegram, to intimate to the Government that I considered the appointment of Messrs. Birch, Seaton, and Farnall worse than useless ; and immediately on receiving the authority of the Government to use my own discretion in the matter, I gave these gentlemen notice that I should dispense with their services. My letter of 30th July (No. 525) contained a full report of the steps which I considered it my duty to adopt. Mr. Farnall was at that time in charge of a scheme for organizing a special settlement at Auckland. Having first satisfied myself that no progress whatever had been made in the desired

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direction, and that there was as little prospect of Mr. Farnall's succeeding with this project as with ordinary emigration, I felt it my duty to dispense with his services, and to place my elf in communication with those who are the real promoters of the movement. The correspondence which ensued between Mr. FarnaU and myself, has already been forwarded to the Government, and fully reported on. I have also kept the Government informed of the steps since adopted, in conjunction with Mr. Vesey Stewart, for giving effect to the wishes of the Superintendent of Auckland in respect to the proposed special settlement. My various reports on the general subject of emigration will have informed the Government that there is every prospect, in spite of the numerous difficulties that have to be encountered, of my being able to obtain the required number of emigrants of the various classes, and I do not anticipate any failure in obtaining a fair proportion of Irish. With regard to the Hon. Mr. Waterhouse's suggestion, that if unable, by my own officers or agents, to obtain the requisite supply, I should put myself in communication with Her Majesty's Emigration Commissioners, with a view of ascertaining on what terms they will undertake to forward emigrants from Ireland. I beg to observe that the Commission referred to has broken up its emigration staff, and that their operations are being rapidly wound up. I was of course under the impression that the Government were aware of this, or I should at once have replied to that effect, on receiving the Hon. Mr. Waterhouse's Memorandum of sth December, 1872. The duty of examining emigrant ships, under the provisions of the Passengers Act, has been transferred from the Commissioners to the Board of Trade by the Act 35 and 36 Vict., cap. 73. The Commissioners have still the management of Coolie emigration from the East to the West Indies, but they have, for the last three years at least, declined to undertake operations of a general character. In their thirty-third general report to the Secretary of State (30th April, 1873), they state that " this is the last report we shall have to make on emigration from this country." I understand that the Commissioners superintended the selection of domestic servants for New South Wales, up to the time that Sir Charles Cowper undertook the duty; but this was on a very small scale, and was understood to be an arrangement of a purely provincial character. It is perfectly well known that they have on three occasions declined to undertake emigration business on behalf of the Colonial Governments. I may add that immediately on my arrival in this country I placed myself in communication with Her Majesty's Emigration Comsioners, who assured me of their cordial co-operation and support. I have on several occasions had recourse to them for counsel and advice, more especially with regard to the reports of the local Immigration Commissioners in New Zealand. They have always given me the benefit of their opinions and experience, and have not hesitated to condemn, as utterly impracticable, many of the recommendations of your local Commissioners. I shall continue, of course, to take advantage of the friendly co-operation of these gentlemen in future cases of doubt and difficulty, but for the reasons that I have given, I cannot look to them for any active assistance in obtaining emigrants. I obtained from them, some time since, a list of their best local agents throughout the United Kingdom, most of whom I have taken into my employ. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. J. Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 28. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 802.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 26th November, 1873. In compliance with instructions, I have obtained from Mr. Mason a report on his operations as emigration agent, a copy of which I have now the honor to forward for the information of the Government. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 28. Mr. Mason to the Agent-General. Agency of the New Zealand Government, 22, Eden Quay, Sir,— Dublin, 21st November, 1873. I have the honor to report, in terms of your letter of 15th instant, for the information of the Government of New Zealand, the proceedings of this office in connection with emigration since the commencement of the year. 2. In addition to a large number of personal applications, there have been answered by post to this date 284 letters asking for information. These have been received from nearly all the counties throughout Ireland, and from Irish in the mining districts of the North of England. In

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the first quarter there were 64; in the second, 62; in the third, 107; and in the seven weeks of the present, 51. Total, 284. 3. It might be desirable to give the result, in emigration, of this correspondence, but I have not the means of doing so. In advertising, reference is made also to your office, and papers sent out by me may be returned to you, and the emigrants proceed without the fact coming to my knowledge. This is, I presume, immaterial, as you have the means of knowing how many go from this country and how many you pay for to local agents. 4. I know that 60 have been sent for the following ships : —ln May, for Auckland, 10 per "Berar;" in June, for Wellington, 7 per "The Douglas;" in July, for Wellington, 1 per "E. P. Bouverie;" for Canterbury, 4 per "Adamant" and 2 per "Merope;" in August, for Canterbury, 14 per " Cardigan Castle;" in September, for Auckland, 7 per " Hindostan;" in September, for Canterbury, 1 per "Star of India;" in October, for Auckland, 4 per "Lauderdale;" in October, for Canterbury, 7 per " Isles of South;" in November, for Auckland, 3 per " Queen of the Age:" total, 60. 5. In addition, there are engaged—For Otago, 1 per " Carnatic;" for Canterbury, 8 per " Dilharree" and 1 per s.s. " Mongol:"—total, 10; and about 25 applications under consideration. 6. There is every indication that the emigration will be largely increased next year. Since the commencement of the present month, when free passages were offered, the inquiries have increased, and the favourable reports sent home by emigrants will cause others to join them. The desire to proceed to America has diminished, and a good many are returning home again. Applicants who come here give as a reason for preferring New Zealand, that the Irish are not now so well treated as formerly in the United States. 7. At present, in this country, the labouring classes can hardly get the .small amount now necessary to enable them to proceed. Many come here with insufficient, and some without any, means, asking to be taken, and offering to repay in the Colony what may be advanced to them, as in the case of the Davis family, who applied early in July, and whose application, I expect, will be renewed next month. It is a matter, I think, worthy of consideration, whether, where so much is done, it is not advisable to add what little remains, especially in the case of large families such as I mentioned. I have had to refuse several female domestic servants for these reasons. They say they have a fair state of clothes, but find it impossible to do more than keep that up with the wages they receive. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Patrick Mason.

No. 29. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 821.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 28th November, 1873. Referring to the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke's Memorandum No. 187, of 30th August last, on the subject of despatching a vessel with emigrants to Invercargill, I have now the honor to inform you that I have arranged to send a ship from London on or about the 28th December. I am unable at present to state how many emigrants will be sent by this vessel, but every effort will be made to collect a large number. I have carefully perused the copy letter from Mr. Cuthbertson, which accompanied the Memorandum under reply. I have, &., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 30. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 827.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 12th December, 1873. In acknowledging the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke's Memorandum of 29th September last (No. 200, 1873), reminding me that, immediately on receipt of my telegram to the effect that Messrs. Birch, Farnall, and Seaton, were " costly and useless," I was informed that the power of dispensing with their services rested with myself, I presume it is not necessary for me to add anything to the very full communication which I have already addressed to the Government on this subject. I have endeavoured to show that at the earliest moment I felt myself in a position to use my own discretion, I dispensed with the services of those agents, and put a stop to an expenditure which was producing little or no return. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G. Agent-General. 4.—D. 3.

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No. 31. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 829.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 12th December, 1873. Referring to your letter of 28th August (No. 10.2), and to the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke's Memorandum of 30th August (No. 186), I have the honor to inform you that Mr. Andrew Duncan put himself into communication with me immediately on his arrival, and that we discussed together very fully the proposed steps for obtaining a special supply of emigrants for Canterbury. It appears to me that in sending home Mr. Duncan, the Provincial Government of Canterbury has made a very wise selection, and I have no doubt that his efforts will be attended with a considerable amount of success. I need scarcely add that I shall always afford Mr. Duncan every assistance and facility in my power towards giving effect to the wishes of the Canterbury Government. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 32. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 845.)' 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 19th December, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Immigration Memorandum No. 196, of 22nd September, enclosing copy of a letter from the Immigration Officer at Greymouth, in which it is stated that certain persons nominated through his office were refused passages by the local agent at Galway, Mr. James J. Fynn. A copy of the complaint referred to shall be forwarded to Mr. Fynn, and that person will be called upon to furnish a full report of his action in this matter. If Mr. Fynn's explanation should be unsatisfactory, his name will be removed from the list of agents, and he will be forbidden to act in any way in connection with New Zealand Government emigration. A communication shall also be addressed to the nominees who remain in Ireland, inviting them to renew their application for passages. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 33. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 849.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 19th December, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Immigration Memorandum No. 191, 1873, of 16th September, enclosing copies of reports by the Immigration Commissioners at Dunedin, on the "Allahabad" and "Peter Denny," which vessels arrived on the Ist and 3rd September respectively. lam very glad to learn that the Commissioners report so favourably on both these vessels. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 34. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 851.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 19th December, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Immigration Memorandum No. 204, 1873, of 29th September, requesting me to forward a copy of the instructions to local emigration agents, relative to emigrants nominated in the Colony. I enclose herewith acopy of the generalinstructions* to local agents. I beg, however, to remark that all nominated emigrants receive the requisite notices and papers direct from this office, and the intervention of local agents is rendered unnecessary. The latter are not, therefore, specially instructed to transact the business of nominated applicants, although in practice they frequently act in that manner. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General. * See Enclosure 2 in No. 40.

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No. 35. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 853.) 7. Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 19th December, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Immigration Memorandum No. 192, 1873, of 17th September, enclosing copy of the report of the Immigration Commissioners at Auckland, upon the ship " Berar." lam glad to observe that the Immigration Commissioners were completely satisfied with the fittings and condition of the ship, the quality of the provisions, and all the other arrangements of the vessel. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 36. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 872.) 7, Westminster Chambers. Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir, — 26th December, 1873. Referring to my letter of 28th October, No. 701, I have the honor to inform you that Mr. Vesey Stewart proceeded to the Colony by the steamer " Mongol," which sailed from Plymouth on Tuesday last. Before his departure, I paid over to him the sum of £105 to defray the cost of his passage to the Colony; aud by this mail I have requested the Colonial Treasurer to provide a similar amount for his return passage, when Mr. Stewart is in a position to demand it. I beg to forward herewith copy of a letter which I have addressed to the Superintendent of Auckland, from which you will observe that not a single family had actually pledged itself to join the movement, and that Mr. Farnall had in reality accomplished nothing towards giving effect to the proposed scheme of a special settlement. I trust that Mr. Stewart's visit to the Colony will be attended with good results, and I beg to commend him to your favourable consideration. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 36. The Agent-General to His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 24th December, 1873. I have much pleasure in introducing to you Mr. Vesey Stewart, the bearer of this, who is proceeding to Auckland for the purpose of informing himself as to the capabilities of this Province for the location of a special settlement. Mr. Stewart was the originator of the movement about which Mr. Farnall was at one time in correspondence with Mr. Gillies, the late Superintendent. Ou discovering that little or no progress was being made with the scheme, and that not a single family had actually pledged itself to join it, I adopted the course suggested by Mr. Gillies, and offered to defray the cost of Mr. Stewart's passage to and from the Colony. Knowing the interest taken by the Provincial Government of Auckland in the success of the scheme, I feci I cannot do better than commend Mr. Stewart to your good offices. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. Agent-General.

No. 37. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 874.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 26th December, 1873. I have the honor to inform you that I have appointed Mr. Samuel Cochrane, late of Auckland, Emigration Agent in Belfast and the adjoining districts, at the same rate of remuneration as Mr. Mason, of Dublin, receives. I may state that this appointment meets with the entire approval of Mr. James Williamson and Mr. T. Russell, who believe that Mr. Coehrane's thorough knowledge of the capabilities of the Province of Auckland, will secure for it a fair share of the large emigration at present being directed to the Colony. I have, &c, ■ I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

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No. 38. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 876.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 26th December, 1873. I have the honor to report the further steps I have taken to promote emigration from Germany and other countries on the Continent. You are aware that during the last few years a very considerable stream of emigration from Germany has been flowing to Queensland. The agent of the Queensland Government, Mr. Kirchner, informs me that during the last four years he has despatched from Hamburg 4,000 adults, who have turned out very valuable settlers, though the climate is scarcely suited to them. Early in the present year the AgentGeneral entered into a fresh contract with Messrs. L. Knorr and Co. for 3,000, which the Government instructed him to determine provided the contractors would consent to cancel it. Mr. Kirchner also some time since intimated his intention to resign his appointment, and expressed his readiness to enter into the service of the New Zealand Government. You have already been informed that Messrs. L. Knorr and Co. intimated to me that they were unable to carry out their agreement with me, owing to the opposition of the Imperial Government of Germany, and that Mr. Sloman, who had guaranteed its execution, also declined to carry it out on the same plea. If you will look at the conditions of my memorandum of agreement, you will, I think, come to the conclusion that I could not have taken legal proceedings to enforce it with any prospect of success. Mr. August Behrens, with whom I entered (as already reported) into a new agreement, does not hold an emigration license, and it has every day become more apparent that he would not be able to procure any considerable number of emigrants. Under these circumstances, I determined to secure the services of Mr. Kirchner, who holds a license, is a German by birth, and was for many years resident in New South Wales and Queensland. After some correspondence I met him by appointment, on the 7th instant, at Geneva, and found him quite ready to enter into an agreement to procure, during the next two years, a number of emigrants, equal to 4,000 statute adults, for an agency fee of £1 per adult, — this agency fee to cover salaries or fees of sub-agents, travelling allowances, the cost of printing and advertising, &c.; but he stipulated that he should be allowed to charter Mr. Sloman's ships in case he should be unable to engage the requisite tonnage elsewhere. He had already ascertained that Mr. Sloman would place most of his vessels, hitherto employed in emigration to Queensland, at his disposal. Being naturally unwilling to enter into further relations with Mr. Sloman, I desired him to inform Mr. Sloman that I could only agree to this condition on his undertaking to complete Messrs. L. Knorr and Co.'s contract. To this communication I have within the last few days received a reply from Mr. Sloman, expressing his readiness to do so, stating that the non-require-ment of promissory notes from the emigrants had removed one of the objections of the German Government, and the chief difficulties in the way of fulfilling Messrs. Knorr's contract. Finding that the Queensland Government is still anxious to be released from their recent contract, I have informed Mr. Daintree that I am prepared to take it over if he and Mr. Sloman can come to terms; and in the event of their doing so, I have agreed to meet him and Mr. Kirchner, in the course of a few days, to settle the details of the proposed arrangement, at Bournemouth, where Mr. Daintree is at present residing on account of his health. Should I succeed in completing all these arrangements, the total number of emigrants contracted for will be, in round numbers, some 7,000 adults, to be sent out during the next two years, viz., 1,500 under my agreement with Messrs. L. Knorr and Co., 1,500 under the Queensland contract, and 4,000 under my arrangement with Mr. Kirchner. During my few days' stay at Geneva, I made arrangements for the appointment of several local agents in Piedmont and SAvitzerland, all to be under Mr. Kirchner. Mr. Kirchner has already in his employment a large staff of sub-agents in Germany, but he proposes largely to increase the staff in the Southern States, where there does not exist the same opposition to emigration as in the States constituting the new German Empire. I trust I may be able to report by the February, if not by the January, mail, that these negotiations have been brought to a successful issue. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 39. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 880.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 26th December, 1873. Referring again to the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke's Memorandum of sth July (No. 144,1873), authorizing me to provide passages to and from the Colony to the representatives of Agricultural

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Associations and others, and to my letter of 14th November (No. 707), informing you of the terms upon which I had agreed to send Mr. C. Holloway, the delegate of the Oxford National Labourers' Union, to New Zealand, I have now the honor to report that Mr. Holloway took his departure for the Colony on Tuesday last, per steamer " Mongol," in charge of a considerable body of agricultural labourers from Oxford and the neighbouring counties of Warwick and Gloucestershire. Mr. Holloway has for many years followed, himself, the occupation of an agricultural labourer. He appears to enjoy in a very large degree the confidence of the agricultural classes, and was elected Chairman and Delegate of the Labourers' Union —an office in which he exhibited so much intelligence and energy, that shortly before his departure he was re-elected for a further period of twelve months. The terms on which Mr. Holloway proceeds to New Zealand are fully set forth in the enclosure to my letter of 14th November (No. 707). But I should here mention that I have made one alteration, by extending the period of his residence in the Colony from two months to four, provided it should be necessary to the furtherance or success of his plans. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 40. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 892.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir, — 13th January, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your Despatch of the 25th October (No. 239), on the general subject of Emigration. Allow me to express, in reply, my gratification at the friendly tone in which it is couched, and to assure you that I join most heartily in the hope you entertain that our relations will be of a cordial character. It will always be my endeavour to give immediate effect to your instructions. At the same time I shall be glad to avail myself of the permission yon have given me to express my own opinions freely whenever your instructions may appear to me open to objection. I am glad to have so full and explicit a statement of your views, with which, in the main, I entirely concur. There are several points, however, to which I desire particularly to allude. 1. In the first place, it appears to me that whatever number of local agents I may employ, it is utterly impracticable to insist on a personal inspection of every emigrant, scattered, as they necessarily are, over very wide areas. The checks imposed have hitherto, I think, proved quite sufficient to prevent a careless or indifferent selection; for, as lam glad to learn from the reports of the local Immigration Commissioners, those already sent have on the whole proved well adapted to the requirements of the Colony. Of course the emigrants, if in depot, arc carefully inspected, and a further and more minute examination takes place as soon as they are on board the ship. Great care is taken in every case to ascertain the genuineness of the certificates given to applicants by medical men and employers. 2. With respect to nominated emigrants, I admit that I have hitherto been reluctant to place any obstacle in the way of sending out parties who have been nominated by their friends in the Colony, although in some cases they were not persons whom, under ordinary circumstances, I should have passed. In accordance with your request, I beg to forward herewith, for your inspection, an indiscriminate batch of certificates and correspondence relating to a number of emigrants. 3. So far as my experience goes it is entirely in favour of local agents, whose remuneration is made to depend on the number of eligible emigrants they procure, and the continuance of whose agency is also contingent upon the selections being of the class specified in the regulations. Hitherto I have found no difficulty in controlling the operations of these agents. I must say that the instances in which local agents-have practised any wilful deception on me have been exceedingly rare; nor are the efforts of the local agents so entirely unproductive as the Government appears to suppose. The enclosed schedule (marked A) shows approximately the numbers obtained by a few of the more active of them during a period of six months; and it must be borne in mind that a very large number of intending emigrants, after putting themselves in communication with the local agents, and obtaining the necessary information, communicate afterwards direct with this office. The names of these emigrants do not appear in the returns of the agents, and of course they do not receive any capitation allowance upon these. 4. As I have already pointed out, the experiment of sending home paid agents has not been attended with the results anticipated by the Government; and I certainly cannot speak favourably of the agency established in Dublin. On the other hand, Mr. Andrew Duncan, who (under his agreement with the Provincial Government of Canterbury) is to be paid'by a capitation allowance on the number of emigrants actually obtained, has already been very successful in his operations. The employment of paid agents is rendered less necessary by my having secured the services of the representatives of all the principal Agricultural Unions in this country.

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5. The number of local agents appointed may appear to the Government extremely large, but, as a matter of experience, it is found that labourers who want to emigrate will not go far to look for an agent, and while in a state of uncertainty, are secured by some other competing body and lost to us. In fact it is almost necessary to have an agent, as it were, at every door, —or at any rate in every country village. The local agents are not however appointed at random, or without reference to their qualifications. In every case, before making the appointment, references are demanded, and the appointment depends on my obtaining satisfactory replies thereto. Immediately on the appointment of an agent, he receives printed instructions for his guidance and assistance, in the form of the enclosure marked " B." On the application of an intending emigrant, who is prima facie eligible, the agent issues to him the prospectus and printed form of application marked "C" If it should appear to the local agent, on the return of the form duly filled up, that the applicant is eligible, he issues to him the form of certificate marked "D." This is cither brought or forwarded by post to this office, and on my being satisfied of the genuineness of the signatures, &c, the form of approval (marked E) is filled up and handed to the applicant. It will be seen, therefore, that although in these cases the transaction lies chiefly between the applicant and the local agent, the ultimate decision is really in my own hands. If on receiving the form of application " D," it should be found that any deception has been practised, or that the applicant is in some way disqualified, he is further informed by letter that he is not deemed eligible, and that his application has been rejected. And even after an applicant has been passed at this office, he may be finally rejected on the ground of false representations or general unfitness. Clause VIII. of the printed regulations, you will observe, provides that— " If any false statement or false signature shall be found in the form of application or the certificates, or if the applicant shall fail to embark at the time and place required; or if, upon appearing at the place of embarkation, any emigrant shall be found to have any infectious disorder or any bodily or mental defect, contrary to the statement in the application, such emigrant will not be allowed to embark, and will forfeit any deposit which may have been made on account of his passage money or outfit cost." 6. I may remark that although Mr. Carter and the Rev. Mr. Barclay are the only emigration agents who have been for any time resident in the Colony, yet many colonists of standing have given very interesting lectures; for example, Messrs. Ecclcs, McAdams, Comiskey, Tinne, and others. All this has had the effect of disseminating useful information relating to the Colony and its resources. 7. I most thoroughly agree with you that there should be depots for the reception and maintenance of the emigrants in anticipation of the ships by which they are to be forwarded to the Colony. But it is a matter of some difficulty, and hitherto I have been unable to obtain either a suitable building or a site for one in London. I had the promise of an excellent site at Tilbury, opposite Gravesend; but when I came to make arrangements with the Railway Company, they found out that the lease of the ground was about to expire. This matter shall, however, have my most earnest attention. Although the arrangements at the depot at Plymouth are really as perfect as they can be, yet emigrants, unless they actually reside in the Southern Counties, object to the long railway journey, notwithstanding that they thereby avoid the Channel. 8. You will already have been advised by cablegram that ships have been laid on from Queenstown and Belfast, and I shall continue to despatch ships from those ports occasionally if emigrants can be procured. The objections raised by shipowners is that they cannot get cargo from these ports. From Glasgow, ships will henceforth proceed, not as hitherto to Otago alone, but to other ports in the Colony. Messrs. Patrick Henderson and Co. have a fleet of eight fine ships now building expressly for the New Zealand trade. 9. I am gratified to learn that you are having a pamphlet prepared, and that you intend to edit it yourself. Although Mr. Barclay's pamphlet has been of great service, both in the United Kingdom and on the Continent, yet, having regard to the rapid progress of the Colony, it is very desirable that I should be in a position to disseminate the very latest information. On receiving your pamphlet, I shall lose no time in having it translated into both German and Norse, and I am quite sure that it will be a valuable aid to me in the way of procuring emigrants. 10. I entirely concur in your suggestion as to placing on board each ship a quantity of spare stores in the shape of medical comforts, and shall adopt this course in all cases where there is a considerable number of children to be provided for. Much, however, depends on the judgment of the surgeon-superintendent in not making a lavish use of them. For it must be borne in mind that the supplies are put on board for a voyage of 150 days, whereas the average voyage is about 90 days. Therefore the supply ought, as a rule, to be amply sufficient. 11. With reference to the permission you give me to offer certain assurances to emigrants, Ido not think it is a power that will require to be frequently exercised. At any rate, I feel that it will have to be used with extreme caution. 12. With regard to the limitation as to the number of children in a family, you will observe that in the printed regulations I have stated that " the Government will not give free passages to more than three children between one and twelve years of age, in each family; but parents who have more than three children may make their application; and the Agent-General will determine in each case whether the passage applied for can be granted." Of course the limita-

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tion as to the three children docs not apply when there are grown-up sons and daughters. In such cases it will no doubt have been remarked that the parents have been sometimes considerably over the regulation age. This has of course been done in order to secure to the Colony the eligible sons and daughters. 13. There is much truth in what you urge as to skilled artisans, and in the caution coupled therewith not to send out artisans who can perform only one britnch of their handicraft. Your instructions will be borne in mind and acted up to as far as possible. But still it is exceedingly difficult sometimes to exclude the class to which you refer; and I observe from the reports of the Immigration Commissioners that there is now a demand in the Colony for hands in almost every branch of trade or industry. 14. With respect to Scandinavian emigration, I may report that I hope to be able to despatch each year two or three ships direct from Christiania, and to ship the rest of the foreign emigrants by German ships from Hamburg. I fully recognize the importance of sending the British and foreign emigrants out in separate ships, and I trust that the arrangements I have now made will obviate the necessity of their being again associated as heretofore. 15. I shall be very glad to receive from you the promised code phrases, so as to reduce the cost of telegraphing to the Colony. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

Enclosure 1 in No. 40. Approximate Return of Emigrants obtained in Six Months. Ist July to 31st December, 1873. D. Garrick, Jersey, 70; D'Arcy, Sinnamon, Portadown, Ireland, 50; P. Fleming, Dundee, 30; J. S. Tonkin, Lanner, Redruth, Cornwall, 34; H. Taylor, Leamington, 230; G. Gardner, Brighton, 70; E. Edwards, Smethwick, 30; W. li. Archer, Leamington, 80; O'Sullivau, Tralee, County Kerry, 20; E. Pascoe, Penzance, Cornwall, 35; R. T. Turbitt, Strabane, Ireland, 100; Mr. Twelvetrees (within the last two months), 300; H. Simmons, Maidstone, 320. N.B. —It should be noted that some of the above agents were only employed during a portion of the specified period.

Enclosure 2 in No. 40. Instructions to Local Agents for the Selection of Emigrants to New Zealand. 1. The duties of a local agent consist, chiefly, in affording information within his district as to the state and prospects of the Colony; and in selecting, when directed to do so, persons duly qualified for assisted passages under the regulations which may be in force at the time, and under the special instructions he may receive from the Agent-General. 2. The handbills, and a copy of the regulations now in force under which emigrants are selected for passages, are herewith supplied. With the conditions, directions, and cautions contained in the latter document, the local agent will make himself well acquainted. 3. The selection of emigrants must be strictly confined to persons of the working classes, who have established a character for industry, sobriety, and general good conduct, and who are going out with the intention of settling in the Colony, or working there for wages. Reduced tradesmen and others, not belonging to the working class, or those who, though of the labouring class, have been in the habitual receipt of parochial aid, arc decidedly ineligible. 4. When the local agent is satisfied as to the eligibility of the applicants, he will require them to fill up the form of application annexed to the regulations, which should not, however, be issued to any but apparently eligible candidates. 5. When the form of application is returned to the local agent, he will carefully examine it to see that it is complete, and that it does not show the applicant to be in any respect disqualified. He will next carefully examine the applicant, in order to check the statements as to age, trade or calling, &c, in the form of application. If the applicant appears not to belong to one of the required classes —to have been guilty of any deception or wilful mis-statement, or to have any bodily or mental defect likely to impair his or her usefulness as a labourer or servant, or to be on any other account ineligible, the agent will at once reject the application. 6. The local agent will next ascertain that the applicant can procure the required clothing for the voyage, can make the requisite payment to meet the expenses of bedding and mess utensils mentioned in the regulations, and can provide, where necessary, the means of joining the ship. 7. The next step will be to ascertain, by careful inquiry, that the applicants for passages are persons of good character and of sober and industrious habits. This is very important. The local agent will make inquiry of the householders who may have signed the certificate ; and if they do not themselves appear to be trustworthy persons, or if their opportunities of knowing the applicant have been insufficient, the local agent will require the applicant to obtain other signatures.

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8. In the case of single women unaccompanied by married relatives, the local agent will make inquiries of the applicant's employer or referees, and transmit their answers to the AgentGeneral with the application. He must also, either personally or by a sub-agent, examine the candidate as to her character and qualifications, and endorse a special report on these points on the form of application, stating the time and place of the examination. 9. When the local agent has completed the inquiries herein indicated, he will sign and transmit the application to the office of the Agent-General. 10. The local agent must distinctly understand that all application forms are to be submitted to the Agent-General for approval; consequently, he must on no account promise a passage to any one; but, on the contrary, he must warn applicants that the fact of filling up the forms confers no claim whatever to a passage; that unless, after their papers have been sent to this office, they receive a notice, stating that the Agent-General can grant them a passage, and calling upon them to pay the usual deposit, they are on no account to leave any employment they may have, or make any preparation for departure; and that if they fail to attend to this warning, they must bear any loss and disappointment that may accrue, and will have no claim on the Agent-General. 11. As the Agent-General is bound to pay the ship-owners for the passage of a stipulated number of emigrants, whether they embark or not, the local agent must be careful to ascertain, as early as possible, if there are likely to be any defaulters; adopting such steps as he may think necessary for immediately removing any doubts on the subject, and informing the AgentGeneral without delay if defaulters should arise, in order that their places may be supplied. 12. The local agent will let the emigrants distinctly understand that, when once summoned to embark, unless they attend on the appointed day, or give timely notice (say at least fourteen days) of their inability (through illness) to do so, they will not again receive a passage, and that the payments they have made will be forfeited. 13. If the local agent should have reason to suspect that any parties, whether selected by himself or not, are going out at the public expense who ought not to obtain passages, he will inquire into the circumstances and report them' to the Agent-General. 14. In the performance of his duty the local agent will carefully avoid overstating the benefits to be expected from emigration; and will impress on all applicants that industry, frugality, and general good conduct are as essential to success in the colonies as at home. 15. As it would be obviously unjust to use the funds of one colony in providing passages for persons who intend to proceed to another colony, the local agent must be careful to ascertain beforehand that the applicants intend to settle in New Zealand. 16. In order to prevent any erroneous statements being put forth, the local agent is not permitted to issue any advertisement, placard, or other document, without the previous sanction and approval of the Agent-General. The cost of advertisements sanctioned by the AgentGeneral will be paid by him. The local agent is recommended to write his name and address at the (left-hand) corner of any forms he may issue to inquirers. 17. No local agent is to canvass for immigrants in the districts assigned to other agents. 18. In his correspondence with the A gent-General, the local agent should not include in one letter more than a single subject. For example, the forwarding of accounts, or of applications for passages, should each form a separate communication. Each letter should have an inner margin, the different paragraphs should be numbered, and care should be taken to compress into one paragraph all observations relating to the same person or matter. 19. The local agent must prepay all letters and parcels forwarded by him to the AgentGeneral. 20. If a local agent wishes to appoint sub-agents, the names, occupations, and addresses of the persons proposed must, before they are allowed to act, be submitted for approval. The subagents are not to correspond direct with the Agent-General on the business of the agency, but must make all their communications to the local agent, who appoints and remunerates them, and who will be held responsible for their acts and defaults. 21. Subject to the conditions herein contained, the local agents will receive for their services, in respect of such persons of their selection as may be approved by the Agent-General, and finally sail in one of his vessels, the following fees, viz.:— On each married couple .. .. .. .. .. 20s. On each single man .. .. .. .. .. ss. On each single woman, viz., servants of allwork, dairymaids, cooks, kitchen-maids, housemaids, and nursemaids .. .. 10s. No fees will be payable : — Ist. Where the persons selected are under 12 or above 45 years of age at the time of embarkation. 2nd. AVhere they may prove at the port of embarkation to be ineligible, and the AgentGeneral, in order to avoid inflicting hardship, shall allow them to proceed. 3rd. Where the applicants do not actually sail in a ship despatched by the AgentGeneral. 4th. Where the applicants have been nominated for passages in the Colony, or are persons paying their own passage, or the wives or husbands of such persons.

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The above fees are to be the only remuneration of the local agent, and are to cover postages, carriage of parcels, and other incidental expenses of the local agency. 22. Any money which applicants may be called upon by the Agent-General to pay, is to be transmitted direct to this office by the parties themselves—and not through the local agent —-by means of bank drafts payable in London at sight, or by post office orders, enclosed in a letter of advice addressed to the Agent-General. 23. The local agent is not to receive, under any pretence whatever, any money or other remuneration from applicants or others for any services rendered in his capacity of local agent. 24. The accounts for local agency should be forwarded to the Agent-General, for examination and settlement, as soon as practicable after the end of each quarter. I. E. Featherston, Agent-General for New Zealand. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., January, 1872.

Enclosure 3 in No. 40. Emigration to New Zealand, under the Conduct of the General Government. Applications for Free Passages should he addressed to the Agent-General, at 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., from whom Forms of Application and all other information may be obtained. Free Passages will be granted by the Government of New Zealand, until further notice, upon the following conditions : —■ I. The classes eligible are Married and Single Agricultural Labourers, Navvies, Shepherds, and Mechanics, &c.; also Single Women, as Cooks, Housemaids, Nurses, General Servants, Dairymaids, &c, who are not under fifteen, nor over thirty-five years of age. They must be sober, industrious, of good moral character, of sound mind, free from bodily deformity, in good health, and must be going to the Colony with the intention to work for wages. The charge for ship's outfit must be paid in advance. (See Clause XII.) 11. The Government will not give free passages to more than three children between one and twelve years of age in each family; but parents who have more than three children may make their application; and the Agent-General will determine, in each case, whether the passage applied for can he granted. Every person above the age of twelve years is reckoned as an adult; children between one and twelve are reckoned as half an adult; and infants under one year are not reckoned. 111. In filling up the " Form of Application," the Applicant must be careful to furnish all the required particulars. If his application be entertained, he will receive a form containing certain " Certificates," and unless he can obtain propor signatures to these certificates, he will not be accepted. IV. No person will be allowed a free passage unless he shall have been approved of by the Agent-General. No Single Man above the age of forty years, and no Married Man above the age of forty-five, will be allowed any assistance. But any person so ineligible on account of age, and going with a family eligible for assistance, may receive a passage on payment of the entire expense incurred in providing it. V. As soon as the intending Emigrant shall receive notice that he has been approved of, he must pay the cost of ship outfit, as provided in Clause XII. He will then forthwith receive a " Contract Ticket," naming the ship in which he is to sail, and the time 'and place at which he is to embark. The sums paid will be absolutely forfeited if the applicants should fail to embark at the time and place appointed. VI. The filling up the accompanying " Form of Application" does not, nor does even the signature of the " Certificates," entitle the Applicant to a passage ; and he is warned against leaving his employment, or making any preparation for emigrating, before he has received his " Contract Ticket." Replies are not sent when Applicants are ineligible. VII. The Emigrants are expected to pay their own expenses to the Port, and up to the period of embarkation, including dock dues upon luggage; but in special cases, if it shall be proved, to the satisfaction of the Agent-General, that the Emigrant is an Agricultural Labourer and unable to pay the whole of these expenses, an advance in aid will be made : for the sum so advanced, the Emigrant will be required to sign a promissory note. VIII. If any false statement or false signature shall be found in .the Form of Application or the Certificates, or if the Applicant shall fail to embark at the time and place required ; or if, upon appearing at the place of embarkation, any Emigrant shall be found to have any infectious disorder, or any bodily or mental defect, contrary to the statement in the application, such Emigrant will not be allowed to embark, and will forfeit any deposit which may have been made on account of his passage money or outfit cost. IX. The Emigrant should state the name of the Province to which he desires to proceed. On receiving this information, the Agent-General will acquaint him with the date of sailing of the next vessel. X. Provisions, &c.—Provisions, Medical Attendance, Cooking, and Cooking Utensils, are supplied on board without charge to Emigrants. 5.—D. 3.

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The following is the Dietary Scale for each adult per week. Women receive same Rations as Men; Children between one and twelve years of age, one-half: —

Mixed Pickles ... ... } pint. Salt ... ... 2 oz. Mustard ... ... ... | oz. Pepper ... ... -J oz. Lime Juice while in the tropics 6 oz. Children between one and four years of age to receive preserved meat instead of salt meat every day, and, in addition to the articles to which they are entitled by the above-written scale, a half-pint of preserved milk daily, and every alternate day one egg, or two table spoonfuls of condensed egg, and 8 ozs. of arrowroot or sago weekly. Children under one year old, 3 pints of water daily ; and if above four months old, half a pint of preserved milk daily, and every alternate day one egg, or two table spoonfuls of condensed egg; also 3 ozs. preserved soup, 12 ozs. biscuit, 4 ozs. oatmeal, 4 ozs. sago or arrowroot, 8 ozs. flour, 4 ozs. rice, and 10 ozs. sugar weekly. XL No one will be allowed to embark with a less quantity of clothing for each person than— For Males. For Females. For Children. 6 shirts, 6 chemises, 7 shirts or chemises, 6 pair stockings, 2 warm and strong flannel petti- 4 warm flannel waistcoats, 2 warm flannel or guernsey shirts, coats, 1 warm cloak or outside coat, 2 pair new shoes, 6 pair of stockings, 6 pair stockings, 2 complete suits strong exterior 2 pair strong shoes, 2 pair strong shoes, clothing. 2 strong gowns, one of which 2 complete suits of exterior must be warm. clothing. The clothing need not be new, but it must be serviceable. XII. Outfit, &c.—The requisite mattrasses, bedclothes, soap, and utensils will be provided by the Government at the following rates, which sums must be paid by the Emigrants before they can receive their Contract Ticket, viz.: — For Single Women ... ... ... ... Twenty shillings each. „ Single Men ... ... ... ... Ditto. „ Married Couples and Children ... ... Twenty shillings each adult. Emigrants must find their own towels. XIII. The Emigrants will be divided into three classes, and berthed in three separate compartments in the ship : Ist, Single Men, that is, all unmarried males above twelve years; 2nd, Married Couples, with children under twelve years ; 3rd, Single Women, that is, all unmarried females above twelve years. The Single Women will be placed under the superintendence of a Matron. XIV. Luggage, &c.—All luggage should be distinctly marked in paint with the name of the passenger and the ship ; and boxes containing articles which will be required on the voyage should have the word " Wanted " written conspicuously upon them. The whole quantity of luggage for each adult, allowed free of charge, is 10 cubic feet measurement, and this may be either brought on board by the emigrant on the day of embarkation, or forwarded to the docks previously. Luggage in excess of this quantity will be chargeable with freight at a rate not exceeding Is. per cubic foot. Notice of the number and sizes of the packages containing such extra luggage should be sent to the Shipping Agents at least five days before the day of embarkation. Emigrants must present themselves at the ship on the day named for embarkation on the Contract Ticket. As all boxes are put into the hold of the ship, and those marked " Wanted" can be got at about once a month during the voyage, the emigrant should keep a supply of linen for immediate use in a canvas bag, which he can keep in his berth. I. E. Featherston, 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., Agent-General for New Zealand. 28th October, 1873. N.B. —No notice will be taken of any application, nor will any answer be returned to any inquiries until the " Form of Application" is returned to this Office, properly filled up and signed.

"ccl CO a b fl H Ph 3 s O Li o o o Vegeti Potal dries. ;oes. T3 O a o N a? o O M 9 00 -a a j-t 0 W to ■ S CO PP c* 5 Pn CO __ B "3 '3 o m 5 O s -J rW Li O V CO o K Ph fl CO "S qts. 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 _} B H oz. oz. oz. 8 OZ. 2 oz. oz. 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 oz. 8 8 8 8 8 oz. 4 4 4 4 pint. ib. 1 ib. oz. 4 oz. JL a oz. oz. 4 OZ. Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday ... Thursday Friday Saturday 8 ... 8 is ... 8 2 "2 2 i 7 4 "i "i 4. a "i 4 "i ... 4 4 8 2 2 "i "4 4 "i "i 4. "i i 4 "•i ... Weekly Totals 20 16 16 6 6 8 21 66 48 2t .1 2 li k;

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This "Form of Application" must be torn off from the first.Sheet, properly filled in and signed, folded so as to leave the Printed Address outside, and returned to this Office without delay. Form of Application. To tue Agent-General for New Zealand. Sir,— I hereby apply for a free passage to the Province of , New Zealand, for myself and the other persons named below; and I hereby declare that the statements contained in this paper are true, that I am of good character, and that I go to the Colony intending to work for wages in my calling ; and I hereby pledge myself to conform to the regulations for the voyage, and not to leave the ship until she arrives in . [And I hereby agree to pay the sum of £ in cash, for ship outfit mentioned in Clause XII.] I am, Sir, (Signature.) (Residence.) , (Date.)

Persons for whom this Application is made. The Christian and Surnames, in full, of the persons on whose behalf this application is made, must be entered here, together with all the other particulars required.

Enclosure 4 in No. 40. EMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND, UNDER THE CONDUCT OF THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT.

The above Applicant offers to pay £ in cash towards his outfit cost, and to sign Promissory Notes for £ payable to Her Majesty Queen Victoria We hereby certify that we have known the above-named person [s] for years.; that we believe him [her, them] to be sober, honest, industrious, and of good character, and that he [she, they] is [are] free from any bodily or mental defect likely to impair his [her, their] efficiency as good labourers. We also believe that he [she, they] really have not the means of paying, in cash, a larger part of the passage money than tho above-named sum, and is [arel deserving of the assistance he [she, they] seeks. We also believe that the above statement as to relationship, age, county, occupation, <&c, is true. (To be signed by two or more respectable householders of the Applicant's parish, one of whom should be Applicant's employer.) (Address and date.) I hereby certify that I have examined the above-named Applicant [and his wife and children] ; that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, he [she, they] are in good health, and free from any bodily deformity or mental defect likely to impair his [her, their] efficiency as labourers. I also certify that he [she, they] have all had the small-pox, or been vaccinated, and is [are] entirely free from any disorder usually considered infectious or contagious. (To be signed by a Physician or Surgeon.) (Address and date.)

Christian and Sur- Relation- ■,, a . _. „ , • Married or Age. name in lull. ship. o- i r Single. County where born, and where Occupation, living lately. Name, Address, and Oecupatioi of present Employer, and hoi long employed by him. If this application be approved, some certificates of character will b< be duly signed before the approval will be finally co: forwarded, which must ifirmed.

Certificate) required in the ci ;e of 'he following Pe; •sons applying for Free Passages : — Christian and Surname in full. Relationship. Whether Married or Single. Age. County where born, and where living lately. j Occupation, j Name, Address, and Occupation of Employer, and how long employed by him.

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I hereby certify that I believe the above certificates to be authentic, and that the persons who sign them are worthy of credit. (To be signed by a Magistrate or Clergyman.) (Address and date.) I

No. 41. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 894.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir, — 13th January, 1874. Referring to the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke's Memorandum of 30th September (No. 211), on the subject of the urgent demand for emigrants in Hawke's Bay, you will have seen that the following ships for Hawke's Bay direct, have been despatched during the past year, viz., — " Hovding," 259 souls ; " Queen of the North," 217 souls; " Invererne," 274 souls. The " Scliiehallion" will sail this month with a full complement of emigrants for that port, and I hope to be able in future to send a vessel direct every two months until further instructed. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 42. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 897.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir, — • 13th January, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 21st October (No. 218), covering six copies of " The Immigrants Land Act, 1873," and giving me instructions thereupon. I have only to say that I shall do my utmost to insure that effect may be given to its provisions. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

■ No. 43. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 906.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 20th January, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 21st October (No. 228), relative to the dismissal of Messrs. Birch, Seaton, and Farnall. I fully concur in your remarks deprecating an appeal to party organization in the case of Mr. Vesey Stewart's proposed special settlement of Orangemen. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 44. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 908.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 20th January, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 22nd October (No. 221), and to assure you, in reply, that no effort shall be wanting on my part to meet the requirements of the Hawke's Bay Province as regards the number of emigrants. I have already addressed you on this subject by the San Francisco mail. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 45. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 919.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 20th January, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 21st October (No. 218),

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enclosing six copies of " The Immigrants Land Act, 1873," with instructions thereon, and to assure you, in reply, that I shall do my very utmost to give effect to the wishes of the Government. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 46. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 921.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 20th January, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter (No. 233), dated 23rd October, 1873, on the subject of the proper superficial space to be allowed to emigrants in passenger ships proceeding to New Zealand. I observe that you do not give definite instructions for the appropriation to our emigrants of a larger space than the Passengers Act prescribes; while at the same time you express your conviction that, for so long a voyage, it is most undesirable that there should be anything approaching to overcrowding on the emigrants' deck. I am now engaged in revising the emigration contract, with a view to the charter of further vessels, and I propose to stipulate that the fifteen superficial feet to be allotted to each adult, shall be exclusive of the space required for the (three) hospitals and the dispensary. I entirely concur in your remarks with reference to the desirableness of providing, for the married emigrants and children, the means of personal cleanliness; and I will endeavour, if possible, to give effect to your wishes by arranging for the construction of a bathroom (and watercloset) on the main deck, accessible by means of a ladder from the married people's compartment. I fear, however, that serious objections will be offered to this stipulation by shipowners who may tender for the conveyance of our emigrants. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 47. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 922.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 20th January, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 232, of 22nd October, 1873, enclosing copies of the new regulations for free nominated immigration. I observe that the lists of persons nominated, or recommended, will be sent to me as usual, and that I am at liberty to reject such persons as appear to me to be unsuited to the requirements of the Colony. With reference to the inquiries to be made as to the character and qualifications of nominated persons, I have to state that it is the practice to require, in each case, certificates of good character and sound health, precisely similar to those which arc furnished by emigrants whose applications originate in this country. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 48. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 926.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir, — 20th January, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the Hon. Mr. O'Piorke's Memorandum No. 213, 1873, dated Bth October, 1873, forwarding copies of report by the Immigration Commissioners and Immigration Officer at Auckland, upon the ship " St. Leonard's," which arrived on the 26th September. lam glad to observe that these reports are wholly satisfactory as to the fittings and condition of the vessel, the conduct of the officers, and the treatment and behaviour of the emigrants. I have, Sec, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General. •

No. 49. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 906.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., •Sir,— 20th January, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 21st October (No. 228), relative to the dismissal of Messrs. Birch, Seaton, and Farnall. 6—D. 3.

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I fully concur in your remarks deprecating an appeal to party organization in the case of Mr. Vesey Stewart's proposed special settlement of Orangemen. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 50. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 908.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir, — 20th January, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 22nd October (No. 221), and to assure you, in reply, that no effort shall be wanting on my part to meet the requirements of the Hawke's Bay Province, as regards the number of emigrants. I have already addressed you on this subject by the San Francisco mail. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 51. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 929.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 20th January, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 224, dated 22nd October, enclosing copies of the report of the Immigration Commissioners upon the ship "Douglas," and reports to those officers and to the Immigration Officer by the surgeon-superintendent. I am glad to learn that the Government approved the vessel and her fittings ; and that the judicious arrangements made by the captain and surgeon-superintendent, enabled the latter to deal effectually with the sickness fr,om which the emigrants suffered during a portion of the voyage. I observe that, according to the report of Dr. Tuck, the surgeon-superintendent, some of the provisions were short and others were insecurely packed, and that the vessel was not in all respects ready when the passengers embarked. I have referred these points to the Despatching Officer, with a request that he will report thereon. A copy of his statement shall be forwarded by next mail. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

•No. 52. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 930.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir, — 20th January, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 246, dated 29th October, 1873, forwarding copy report of the Immigration Commissioners at Wellington, upon the ship " Edward P. Bouverie." I am glad to notice that the Commissioners were of opinion that the ship was " excellently suited for the service, and the health and comfort of the emigrants carefully studied in all arrangements." I have carefully perused the memorandum of the surgeon-superintendent, Dr. Jackson, on the economy of emigrant ships generally, and I beg to submit the following observations in reply:— • 1. Every effort is made to retain, in the New Zealand emigration service, a competent staff of surgeons. The back passage money (£5O) now granted by the Government operates favourably in this direction. The course recommended by Dr. Jackson would, however, lead to increased expense in this branch of the emigration service, and it is generally admitted that the remuneration at present allowed by the Government is sufficiently liberal to attract competent medical officers. 2. I do not agree with Dr. Jackson in bis proposal to relieve the captain of emigrant ships of all responsibility in reference to the passengers proceeding in their vessels. On the contrary, every effort should, in my opinioD, be made to enlist their interest and sympathy on behalf of the emigrants. This object appears to me to be accomplished by the existing system, under which it is alike the interest and the duty of the captain to support the surgeon in maintaining order and discipline among the emigrants, and in promoting their well-being.

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There is, I am aware, much difference of opinion upon the question, whether or not the surgeon should be required to sign the ships' articles. It seems, however, undesirable that he should be wholly independent of the captain, as in that case, great inconvenience might arise from his declining to attend upon the crew of the vessel, or the saloon or other full-paying passengers, except on payment of the ordinary fees as charged on shore. 3. I do not think, on a fair reading of the instructions issued to captains and surgeons respectively, that the rules laid down for the guidance of those officers will appear inconsistent or contradictory ; but as Dr. Jackson does not quote the passages to which he objects, it is difficult to follow him in his criticisms. 4. With reference to the survey of stores, &c, the surgeon is invited to attend on the day appointed for the Government inspection, and he has access to the list of provisions and medical comforts furnished to the Despatching Officer. It would be obviously inconvenient in all instances to give the surgeon absolute control over the vessel's fittings, hospitals, ventilation, &c., as some of the surgeons have had no previous experience in the management of emigrant vessels, and are incompetent to arrange these details. 5. I do not think it advisable to give the surgeon power to alter the dietary scale, as recommended by Dr. Jackson, as it is conceivable that such alteration might be made capriciously and to the injury of the emigrants. The captain is empowered by the Passengers Act to make certain substitutions in case of need. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 53. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 931.) 7. Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 20th January, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 229, dated 22nd October, 1873, enclosing copy of a letter from the Immigration Officer at Lyttelton, covering extracts from the diary of the surgeon-superintendent of the ship " Punjaub." I observe that, pending the receipt of the reports of the Immigration Commissioners and surgeon-superintendent upon the ship and passengers, you defer making any remark, further than that it appears very unadvisable that Scandinavians should be shipped in the same vessel with British emigrants. As stated in my letter No. 892, of 13th instant, I hope shortly to be able to make such arrangements as will admit of Scandinavian emigrants being sent with German passengers, in vessels to be despatched direct from Hamburg. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 54. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 935.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 20th January, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 22nd October, No. 220, enclosing copy of a letter addressed by you to Mr. J. S. Wright, of Birmingham, together with previous correspondence. It will afford me great pleasure to give effect to your instructions, the more so as they fully accord with what I have already decided upon. Although I have not seen Mr. Arch personally, I have been in communication with all the leaders of the Agricultural Associations which he represents. I am informed that your letter to Mr. Wright will be laid before the Central Committee of the Agricultural Association at Leamington, and I have volunteered to be present at this meeting if it should be desired. I hear from the Secretary that it is not yet known whether Mr. Arch has come to any decision. But I do not think there is any probability of his accepting an invitation to go to New Zealand. I have reason to believe, however, that Mr. Clayden, who accompanied Mr. Arch to Canada as a co-delegate, may be induced to go out to the Colony for the purpose of informing himself as to its resources and capabilities. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General. .

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No. 55. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 934.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir, — 21st January, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 231, dated 23rd October, 1873, on the subject of the proposals to carry emigrants to the Colony, at the termination of the existing contract with the New Zealand Shipping Company, which have been made to the Government by Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co., and by the agents of those gentlemen at Christchurch, respectively. I take due note of the remarks which you make with reference to the rates of passage money which were demanded last year by Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 56. The Aoent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 935.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 21st January, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 242, dated 29th October, 1873, forwarding copies of reports by the Immigration Commissioners upon the ships " Dover Castle" and "Otago," which vessels, you inform me, arrived at Port Chalmers on the 10th and 11th October respectively. I am pleased to learn from these reports that both vessels arrived in a satisfactory condition, and that the emigrants are stated to be " a good class," and " well fitted to supply present requirements." I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 57. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 972.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 23rd January, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 226, dated 21st October, 1873, forwarding copy of the report of the Immigration Commissioners upon the ship " Celestial Queen," which, you inform me, arrived at Lyttelton upon 4th October. I have referred to the Despatching Officer that portion of the report which relates to the condition of the ship's " condenser," and to the bad quality of the cheese put on board for the use of the emigrants. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 58. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 974.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 23rd January, 1874. Referring to my letter No. 901, dated the 14th January, 1874, I have the honor to state that although the whole of the emigrants by the " Scimitar " have received contract tickets for Dunedin, the port at which the ship discharges her passengers, it was previously arranged with the Committee of the National Agricultural Labourers' Union, that any of the passengers who preferred to proceed to Canterbury or Wellington, should be forwarded to their destination at the expense of the Government. This arrangement was made because the Union's Secretary represented to me that some of the persons introduced by him desired to settle in Canterbury and others in Wellington. Will you have the goodness to issue the necessary instructions to the Immigration Officers at the ports named. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

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No. 59. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 994.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 9th February, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 19th November, No. 257, covering reports of the Immigration Officer and of the Immigration Commissioners in respect to the ship " Punjaub." I beg to express my gratification that the Government have taken proceedings against the ship for breaches of the Passengers Act, as I have no doubt it will have a very salutary effect. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 60. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 997.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 10th February, 1873. I have the honor to enclose a report by Mr. C. 11. Carter, of a meeting held by him at Islip, and the arrangements made with Mr. Leggett, an assisted emigrant in the " Ballochmyle." I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 60. Mr. Carter to the Agent-General. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, sth February, 1874. I have the honor to report to you that, on the 27th ultimo, I attended a large meeting of farm labourers at Islip, an agricultural village in Oxfordshire. This meeting was especially called for the purpose of my being present to deliver an address on New Zealand, and thereby to assist Mr. Leggctt in securing a large body of farm labourers to sail in the " Ballochmylc " for Canterbury, on the 27th instant. The results of the meeting were very satisfactory : by means of it about fifty eligible emigrants of the rural class were procured. Since then, over one hundred more have been approved. Mr. J. Leggett, a most intelligent country mechanic, and Secretary to the Oxford District Agricultural Labourers' Union, having expressed a desire to you to go out to settle in New Zealand, and also to select from one to two hundred emigrants from agricultural districts to proceed in the same ship with him, I, acting under your instructions, have made arrangements with him as follows :— 1. Mr. Leggett and family are to be provided with a free passage in an enclosed cabin in the steerage of the " Ballochmyle." They arc also to be supplied with ship's outfit, bedding, &c., without charge. 2. He is to receive for outfit expenses and railway fares to Plymouth for himself and family, the sum of £20. 3. He is to be appointed schoolmaster in the ship in which he sails. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. C R. Carter.

No. 61. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 1001.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 11th February, 1874. I have the honor to forward herewith, for the information of the Government, the Rev. Mr. Barclay's Emigration Report up to the 31st December, 1873. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General. Enclosure in No. 61. Report, Ist October to 31st December, 1873, on New Zealand Emigration. My last report left me at Dunrossness, in Shetland. From that I got to Lerwick on the 2nd October, having had a most successful meeting on the 30th September. I fancy that this year, 1874, a good many will go to New Zealand, making their arrangements in spring to leave in autumn.,

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On the 3rd I had a very good meeting at Scalloway, six or seven miles west of Lerwick. On Tuesday, 7th, I went to Weisdale, twelve miles, and on Wednesday to Walls, where I remained nearly a week, and had on Monday a large meeting, presided over by the parish minister, one of whose sons intended leaving for New Zealand in December. On Tuesday, 14th, I went through a roadless country of hill and peat bogs to Sandness, in the N.W. corner of Shetland, where I met much kindness from Dr. Robert Scott, Esquire, of Mclby, R.M., a chief proprietor in that couuty. Here (in Sandness) I held a meeting, and very considerable interest was manifested. A storm prevented me from going to Papa-stour, an island lying off the mainland of Shetland, but I hear sundry families contemplate leaving it for New Zealand this year. Getting a pony from Dr. Scott, and hiring a guide, I went about ten miles through a waste country to Brindastcr, from whence I hired a boat to take me ten miles to Dotting, on the mainland, about twenty-six miles N.W. of Lerwick. Here I had a very large meeting indeed. On Monday I got a spring cart to take me to Lerwick, believing the steamer .would leave that night; but so great a tempest blew all day, that the steamer could not discharge or take in cargo. On Wednesday morning the steamer left for Granton, where I arrived at mid-day on Friday, 24th October. I think a good many people will be got from Shetland this year, especially as now money cau be advanced to take them on the long journey to London. They are so frightfully poor in most places, that they can in many cases not even pay their way to Lerwick from the outlying islands, with some of which communication is difficult and uncertain. After this I remained nearly three weeks in Edinburgh, engaged in correspondence and other work. On 13th November I left for Liverpool on my way to London, which I reached on Tuesday, 18th. There 1 remained for some days, more or less engaged at the office in Westminster Chambers, and in some other work directly or indirectly connected with New Zealand. But as I remained longer than was necessary, I did not charge the whole expense to New Zealand Government. I came again to Edinburgh the first week in December, and engaged in my usual work. Being suddenly called to take duty for a clergyman at Stoncbouse, who was ill, I "prospected " his district, and arranged a meeting for the following week, which was very well attended. This is in Lanarkshire. I also went to Glasgow to confer with Mr. Duncan, from Christchurch. This report is shorter than my reports commonly are, and may seem to indicate less work; but from the nature of the work there must be variations to some extent. The next report may seem more satisfactory. I. E. Featherston, Esq. P. Barclay.

No. 62. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 1007.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 11th February, 1874. I have the honor to forward herewith, for the information of the Government, copy of a letter from the Earl of Kimberley, pointing out that the law prohibits the Post Office from disclosing the names of depositors in the Post Office Savings Bank. I beg to call your attention to the following clause in the Post Office Savings Bank Regulations : — " 20. The officers of the Postmaster-General engaged in the receipt or payment of deposits, are not allowed to disclose the name of any depositor, or the amount deposited or withdrawn by him, except to the Postmaster-General, or to such of his officers as may be appointed to assist in carrying out the provisions of the Post Office Savings Bank Act." I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 62. Mr. Herbert to the Agent-General. Sir, — Downing Street, 23rd January, 1874. I am directed by the Earl of Kimberley to acquaint you that he referred to the Postmaster-General a Despatch which was received from Sir James Ferguson, conveying the request of the New Zealand Government for permission to have notices to intending emigrants to New Zealand exhibited in the post offices in the United Kingdom, and also that you might be allowed to have a list of the depositors in the Post Office Savings Bank. Lord Kimberley has been informed by Mr. Playfair that he will be glad to meet, as far as possible, the wishes of the New Zealand Government in regard to exhibiting the notices in the post offices, but the law prohibits the Post Office from disclosing the names of depositors in the Post Office Savings Banks, and even if this were not so, it would scarcely be practicable to furnish such a list, seeing that the depositors number upwards of a million and a half. I have, &c., The Agent-General for New Zealand. Robert G. W. Herbert.

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No. 63. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 1010.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 19th February, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 20th November, No. 260, forwarding a letter, with enclosure, from his Honor the Superintendent of Hawke's Bay, relative to the forms of application for passages and certificates issued from this office to intending emigrants. I observe that you adopt the opinion expressed by His Honor, Mr. Ormond, that these forms are in some respects unsuited to the case of nominated emigrants, and consider them inapplicable to the case of ordinary emigrants also. The alterations which you indicate as desirable, shall bo made in the forms in question. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 64. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 1011.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 19th February, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of letter No. 258, dated 19th November, 1873, in which you communicate to me the reply of the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke to a question put by Major Atkinson, in the House of Representatives, during the last session, on the subject of sending ships direct to New Plymouth with emigrants. In accordance with your instructions, I shall endeavour to arrange for vessels to call occasionally at New Plymouth with immigrants. It Would, however, not be right to conceal from the Government that I anticipate much difficulty in this negotiation, on account of the disinclination of shipowners—so often expressed to the Government—to allow their vessels to disembark passengers and luggage at open roadsteads. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. J. Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General. P.S.—Since writing the above, the three Shipping Companies between whom I am instructed to divide the shipping business, have absolutely refused to allow their vessels to call at New Plymouth on any terms whatever.

No. 65. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 1013.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— ' 19th February, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 263, dated 24th November, on the subject of the despatch of emigrants direct for the Bluff. In reply, I beg to state that, in obedience to your earlier instructions, I arranged for the ship " Zealandia" to call at the Bluff with emigrants. This vessel sailed from London on the 29th of August. In compliance with the direction conveyed in the telegram quoted, I despatched the ship " William Davie " direct for the Bluff on the 14th January; and in accordance with the instructions contained in the last paragraph of your letter under acknowledgment, I shall endeavour to arrange for other vessels to call at the Bluff with emigrants, at intervals of about six weeks. At the same time, I deem it right to mention, that at an interview I had to-day with Messrs. Galbraith, Stringer, Pembroke,and Co., Messrs. Shaw, Savill,and Co.,and the New Zealand Shipping Company's Managers (Messrs. Turner and Coster), witli reference to future shipping arrangements, they all three declined to provide me with more than two ships for the Bluff during the next six months. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 66. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 1015.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 19th February, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter No. 254, dated 19th November, 1873, forwarding copy of the Immigration Commissioners' report upon the ship " Merope," which vessel you inform me arrived at Lyttelton on the 31st October. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

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No. 67. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 1016.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 19th February, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 255, dated 19th November, 1873, forwarding a copy of the Immigration Commissioners' report upon the ship " Hydaspes," which vessel you inform me arrived at Auckland on the 19th October. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 6S. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 1017.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 19th February, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 252, dated 18th November, 1873, in which you inform me that the Government have decided to permit, under certain circumstances, nominations by trade or calling to be made by persons desirous of availing themselves of the services of friends at home in the selection of emigrants for specific employment. I have also received copies of the applications and schedules authorized in such cases. , I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 69. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 1018.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 19th February, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter No. 261, dated 20th November, 1873, forwarding copies of reports by the Immigration Commissioners and Immigration Officer upon the barque "Adamant," and copies of the evidence taken by the Commissioners with reference to complaints made by the immigrants respecting the short issue of provisions. I observe that in the case of this vessel, as well as in that of the " Punjaub," the captain had in his possession two dietary scales—one, that of Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co., the other, that of the New Zealand Shipping Company —and that he gave the victualling officer the former scale, a mistake which docs not appear to have been discovered until the ship had been at sea about a month. I am glad to learn that the Government claimed and recovered from the Shipping Company a sum of 7s. Bd. per statute adult on account of this short supply of rations. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 70. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 1019.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 19th February, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 251, dated 18th November, 1873, in which you refer to your previous letter No. 224, of 22nd October, and forward copy of further correspondence with Messrs. Levin and Co., agents for Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co., respecting the short supply of arrowroot and other stores to the immigrants on board the ship " Douglas." I am glad to learn that the Government have determined, in every similar case, to enforce strictly the terms of the charter-parties, and to require payment for all stores short supplied, in addition to taking such steps as they may be advised for breaches of the provisions of the Passengers Act. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

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No. 71. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (Telegram.) London, 20th February, 1874. Three shipping firms combine, demanding £16 adult, payable here 250 guaranteed, Wellington, Lyttelton, Dunedin, 150 other ports. Had previously arranged ten March ships, £14 10s., fair rate. Firms will provide April ships, March rates pending decision Government. If offer accepted new rate commence Ist April. Ships sailed 10th, passage money £15, money payable Colony. Companies require whole paid here. • ****** ****** Vogel, Wellington. Featherston. The remainder of this telegram refers to matters unconnected with immigration.

No. 72. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 1026.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 20th February, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 15th December (No. 279), covering copy of the report of the Immigration Commissioners at Port Chalmers, upon the ship " Zealandia," and to express my gratification at receiving so satisfactory an account. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 73. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 1027.)' 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 20th February, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 15th December (No. 278), forwarding copy of the report of the Immigration Commissioners at Port Chalmers, upon the ship " Jessie Readman," and to express my gratification therewith. I have, See., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 74. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 1034.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 20th February, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 24th December, 1873, No. 295, and to make the following observations on the subject thereof. It has been found extremely difficult at all times to obtain the complement of emigrants for any ship laid on for Auckland; and I fear, therefore, it will be almost impossible to carry out your instructions as to getting a reserve in advance of the ship. As pointed out in my letter of 13th January (No. 892), it is a matter of some difficulty to obtain a depot in London, or a suitable site for building one; and although I have made every exertion, I have hitherto failed to obtain what I require. I am in hopes, however, that I shall succeed in obtaining from the Admiralty a hulk, which will be fitted up as a depot and moored off Gravesend. The only plan at present is to place the emigrants in a lodging-house on shore, but there are many considerations, which will be at once obvious to you, against such a course. Not only are the emigrants, when thus lodged, removed from proper control, but there are many temptations to which they are exposed, especially in the case of young girls. Apart from this, there is always a liability of their contracting contagious and infectious diseases. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z, Agent-General, 7.—D. 3.

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No. 75. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 1035.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 20th February, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the Bth December (No. 267), forwarding copy of the report of the Immigration Commissioners at Lyttelton, upon the ship " Cardigan Castle," and to express my gratification at its very favourable character. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 76. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 1036.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 20th February, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of Bth December (No. 268), forwarding copy of a report of the Immigration Commissioners at Dunedin, upon the ship " Lady Jocelyn." I am glad to observe that the report, on the whole, is favourable, although I regret very much the mortality that occurred during the passage. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 77. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 1040.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 20th February, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of December Ist (No. 266), forwarding copy of a Memorandum by the Commissioners of Audit, and to inform you, in reply, that I fully concur iv the view expressed therein, that only a moiety of passage money should be paid in this country, and the other moiety on the arrival of the ship at the port of destination. In the case of the s.s. " Atrato," I did succeed in effecting such an arrangement, but within the last few days, the representatives of the three Shipping Companies have strongly objected to this proposal unless a sum of not less than 10s. per statute adult be added to the rate of passage money. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 78. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 1048.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 20th February, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 24th December, No. 291, expressing disappointment that I did not make any remarks upon it in my letter of October 31st, No. 730, enclosing a copy thereof. In reply, I beg to explain that the copy was forwarded under a formal covering letter, in pursuance of the standing instruction to send copies of all telegrams received by the next ensuing mail. I did not consider it necessary to enter fully into the subject in writing, as I had answered all the main points raised by you in my telegram of 6th November, 1873. On the minor questions I took the opportunity of addressing you very fully in my letter of 13th January, 1874, when replying to your Despatch of 25th October (No. 239). I did not consider it necessary to repeat, either by telegram or by letter, that I would do my very best to give effect to your imperative instructions, for I had already assured the Government of my desire to carry out, to the utmost of my ability, their wishes and intentions. In my telegram despatched on the 7th January last, I advised the Government of 7,000 adults for January, February, and March; and I may here state that I have every reason to believe as large, if not a far larger, complement will be despatched during the ensuing three months, provided that the requisite tonnage can be obtained on terms sanctioned by the Government.

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In my telegram of 6th November I reported that I had secured the co-operation of the Agricultural Unions and other associations; and I have since communicated more fully with the Government by letter, and stated the terms on which Mr. Holloway, the representative of one of the Agricultural Unions, has proceeded to the Colony. I may add that lam arranging with Mr. Leggett, who proceeds to New Zealand by the " Ballochmyle " on the 27th instant, with the intention of remaining in the Colony, to assist the movement from the agricultural districts, by means of special reports and otherwise. There is more difficulty than the Government is apparently aware of in obtaining suitable steamers for emigration purposes. I was in hopes the contractors would have placed the " Tryphsene" at my disposal, but they found that the arrangement could not be carried out. Immediately on the failure of this I entered into other negotiations, and succeeded, as you are already aware, in an arrangement for sending out the steamer " Atrato." On reference to your telegram under notice, I think you will find that every point has been taken up and answered by me, either by telegram or by letter. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. • Agent-General.

No. 79. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 1051.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 20th February, 1874. I have the honor to forward herewith, copy of correspondence containing an application from the owners of the s.s. " Atrato," for an increase on the rate of passage money for each statute adult in the event of the vessel making a speedy and satisfactory voyage. I have the honor to recommend this application to the favourable consideration of the Government on the following grounds, viz : — 1. The rate of passage money (£l5 per adult) is extremely moderate. 2. The owners offered me £ 1,000 (one thousand pounds) to cancel their agreement (at the time only verbal), as the Government were anxious to charter the vessel to Africa. 3. They incurred very considerable expense in consequence of the detention of the vessel in the river by dense fogs. 4. All their arrangements for the comfort and well-being of the emigrants have been made on a liberal scale. 5. Their intention is to keep the vessel permanently in the New Zealand trade. 6. Should the present voyage prove fairly remunerative, it may materially conduce to the establishment of a line of steamers between this country and New Zealand. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 79. Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co. to the Agent-General. Dear Sir, — 34, Leadenhall Street, London, 20th February, 1874. We beg to enclose you a letter which we have received from the owners of the " Atrato," regarding the rate of passage money by this steamship. We have already pointed out to you how anxious we are to establish a direct line of steam communication with the Colony, and as this can only be done by the Government paying an increased rate of passage money to meet the enormous expenses involved by such an undertaking, we trust in the present instance you will see your way clear to recommend the Government to pay an advanced price for the emigrant?. per "Atrato." We have, &c., I. E. Featherston, Esq., Agent-General, &c., &c. Shaw, Savill, and Co. Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 79. Dear Sirs, — 21, Billiter Street, London, 20th February, 1874. When we first called on the Agent-General for New Zealand about the "Atrato" s.s., as well as when first we named this vessel to you, we told you £18 was the price needed for emigrants for that Colony, and it was only at last, at your earnest solicitation, that we placed that vessel in the hands of Dr. Featherston at £15 per adult, full ship, and the promise of at least 20s. extra per adult in New Zealand on the vessel making a fair passage—we asked 40s. per adult extra. As this vessel is now ten days from Grcenhithe (after a detention of five days by fogs), and this being mail day, we solicit your getting Dr. Featherston to send on his instructions for this

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moiety, and all other liberal assistance possible in getting discharge of the machinery, with every influence they can bear to load the vessel homeward, so that there may be an encouragement to continue in the trade. At present, the outward freight with home prospects will not pay all expenses. Coal (the heavy item) at the Cape at 70s. per ton, or higher rate, with the liberal way the vessel has been supplied with every needful provision, is so much heavier than sailing vessels, and is as well a sure guarantee of what we may continue to do, should there be the encouragement given that steam requires for this trial voyage, as well as in a liberal rate for emigrants for the future. You will remember that we could have got good employment after our promise to send this vessel to New Zealand, and offered the Agent-General £1,000 to cancel his engagement. At the time, we thought it hard it was not done, as no expenses had been incurred by Dr. Featherston; nevertheless, on the ship's part, everything has been done on the most liberal scale to command success. , I have, &c., J. Morrison and Co. Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co., Leadenhall Street.

No. 80. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 1069.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 10th March, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 21st November (No. 262), and to inform you in reply that Mr. Seaton was paid up to the 31st May last, when his connection with this department came to an end. I therefore know nothing of any services performed by Mr. Seaton after that date. Mr. Seaton made no application to this office for his passage money, or it would have been advanced to him in accordance with instructions. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 81. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 1083.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 11th March, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 18th December, 1873, No. 282, forwarding the report of the Immigration Commissioners at Wellington, upon the ship " Helen Denny," and calling my attention to various suggestions contained therein. I observe that a short allowance of flour was served out during the voyage, and that certain articles of the dietary scale for children were short shipped; that a claim was made by the Government, upon the agents of the ship, for the value of the flour; but that, finding that the captain supplied the short-shipped articles of dietary, or substitutes for them, from his own stores, you have made no claim upon this account. The attention of the Despatching Officer has been directed to the report upon this vessel, and to the short supplies complained of, in order that he may provide against similar defaults in the case of future vessels. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 82. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 1083.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, "Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 19th March, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of Bth January, 1874, covering copies of the reports of the Immigration Officer and Commissioners at Auckland, upon the ship " Hindostan," which I am glad to find are of a satisfactory character. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

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No. 83. The Agent-General to the Hon. J. Vogel. (No. 1114.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 4th April, 1874. Referring to my letter of 13th January last (No. 892), I have the honor to inform you that I have effected an arrangement with Mr. Hill for the establishment of an emigration depot here. It will be seen from the memorandum of agreement, a copy of which is forwarded herewith, that I have guaranteed to pass through the depot not less than 30,000 adults in the course of the first three years, paying two days' maintenance for each adult, at the rate of 2s. 3d. per diem. The guarantee ceases, however, as soon as the 30,000 emigrants have been accounted for. If the number should fall short of 30,000 during the period specified, I am under agreement to pay one shilling per head on the number short by way of compensation—a contingency which is not likely, of course, to arise. I may state that I consider this arrangement preferable to taking the depot into my own hands, as being a far more economical one. I have ascertained that I should have to pay for rent, insurance, repairs, and rates, something like £700 or £800 a year. In addition to this, I must have incurred a considerable outlay in order to adapt the place to the purposes of a depot, besides having to take it for a fixed period of not less than seven years. Apart from this preliminary outlay, I should have been compelled to keep up a permanent staff at an annual cost of from £500 to £600 per annum. I ought to mention that the situation of the present depot is admirably well suited to the purpose, being conveniently situated at Blackwall, close to the Railway Station as well as to the pier, and sufficiently isolated from all other buildings. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 83. Memorandum of Terms of Contract agreed between the Agent-General on behalf of the Government of New Zealand, and Arthur Hill, of Reading, for Depot Accommodation for Emigrants to New Zealand who may be embarked from London. A. Hill to secure lease of and fit up and convert forthwith the premises known as the Brunswick Hotel, near Blackwall Station, in the Parish of Poplar (hereinafter called the depot), for the reception of emigrants, and to receive and maintain the emigrants to be sent out by the Agent-General for New Zealand in the same manner, and with the same scale of diet, and under the same regulations as are now in force at the emigrant depot at Plymouth belonging to Mr. Hill. A. Hill to carry out also any further rules which the Agent-General may lay down for his people. The Agent-General will arrange that the heavy luggage of the emigrants shall be taken direct to the ships, and A. Hill shall be responsible for such smaller quantity as may be brought to the depot. The rate of payment to be paid to A. Hill by the Agent-General to be 2s. 3d. per diem for each statute adult; emigrants above one year of age and under twelve counting each as one-half an adult, and the emigrants to remain at least two days in the depot, the days of arrival and departure each counting as one day. In consideration of the heavy outlay and risk to be incurred by Mr. Hill in taking the premises herein referred to, and fitting them up, the Agent-General guarantees that during the three years from the 25th day of March, 1874, he will send under this agreement a minimum of 30,000 statute adults through the depot; and if on the 25th day of March, 1877, the total number so sent shall not have amounted to 30,000 as guaranteed, then the Agent-General will pay to A. Hill the sum of one shilling for each emigrant short of that number. Dated the 10th day of March, 1874, and signed by the said Agent-General for New Zealand and Arthur Hill. I. E. Featherston, Agent-General. Witness — Arthur Hill. Albert 0. Ottywell.

No. 84. The Agent-General to the Hon. J. Vogel. (No. 1198.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 4th April, 1874. Referring to your letter of December 22nd (No. 289), with reference to taking over B.—D. 3.

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Messrs. Patrick Henderson and Co.'s contract, and arranging for all payments thereunder, I beg to inform you that I have given the subject very careful consideration. It appears to me that the contract entered into by Mr. Auld with Patrick Henderson and Co. is a very favourable one for the Government, so far as the rate of payment is concerned; and I feel persuaded that, if I were to disturb the present arrangement, the contractors would insist on the same terms as those now demanded by the three shipping companies acting in combination. As, moreover, the contract has been hitherto conducted apparently to the entire satisfaction of both the General and the Provincial Governments, I am of opinion that it would be unwise to disturb it —at any rate until I have had an opportunity of discussing personally the matter with Mr. Auld. I shall, as you direct, take care to advise the Government fully as to the shipment of emigrants from the Clyde. The details you require—viz., the names of the emigrants, the terms of their despatch, the date of sailing, the conditions as to the gratuities, &c.—are contained in the ship's book and accompanying letter of advice, which are now forwarded after the departure of every vessel from Glasgow. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 85. The Agent-General to the Hon. J. Vogel. (No. 1145.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 16th April, 1874. Referring to my telegram of the 6th March, reporting that the steamer " Atrato," which sailed from Gravesend on the 10th February, had put back into Plymouth disabled, the damage being a broken piston and cracked cylinder, I have now the honor to inform you that, having undergone the necessary repairs, she sailed again on the sth instant. The Secretary of the Marine Department of the Board of Trade assures me that the repairs have been thoroughly well done, and that there is no reason to apprehend any further mishap. As, however, the vessel, when under charter to the Government of Victoria in 1872, was obliged, from breakage of her machinery, to put back twice, the Government may probably doubt whether I was justified in engaging ber. I therefore think it well to mention that I only did so after she had undergone a thorough overhaul, and had received the usual certificate from the Surveyor to the Board of Trade; and further, tbat the Lords of the Admiralty were so satisfied with the official report upon her, that they offered Mr. Morrison, her owner, a highly remunerative charter to the Gold Coast. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington Agent-General.

No. 86. The Agent-General to the Hon. J. Vogel. • (No. 1147.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 16th April, 1874. Referring to your letter of the 4th February, 1874, I have the honor to inform you that though repeated applications have been made to Messrs. Brogden, the interest due on the promissory notes, amounting, up to the 28th of March last, to £434 10s., has not been paid, nor has any notice been taken of my applications for payment. Some short time since I requested Mr. Mackrell to place himself in communication with the solicitors of Messrs. Brogden, but Mr. Mackrell has not as yet succeeded in obtaining a settlement. I presume that the assurance given me by Messrs. Brogden, that the emigration contract had been indorsed upon their public works contract, is correct. If so, the Government has the power to deduct the interest, and the amounts of the promissory notes as they fall due, from any moneys to which Messrs. Brogden may be entitled on account of their contracts. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington. A.gent-General.

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No. 87. The Agent-General to the Hon. J. Vogel. (No. 1157.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 17th April, 1874. Referring to your letter of 6th February (No. 18), forwarding copy of a telegram from His Honor the Superintendent of Nelson, relative to a direct supply of emigrants for that Province, I observe that the Government desire that a ship with emigrants should be sent to Nelson every month, whose complement should be made up of the 150 required for Nelson, and the balance for Marlborough. Every effort shall be made to give effect to your instructions in this matter. I have already fixed the ship " Adamant" to sail with emigrants for Nelson on the sth May, from Plymouth, and I hope to be able to forward by this vessel about 250 adults. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 88. The Agent-General to the Hon. J. Vogel. (No. 1185.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 17th April, 1874. I have the honor to forward, for the consideration of the Government, copy of a letter addressed to me by Miss Perry, the Honorary Secretary of the British Ladies Female Emigrant Society, in which an application is made for a grant of money in aid of the funds of the Society. I am glad to be able to report very favourably as to the character of the work done by this Society, in the selection of matrons for emigrant vessels, the supply of needlework materials at reduced prices for the use of single female emigrants, and in the gratuitous supply of clothing (in special cases) to necessitous families and single women. I desire also to acknowledge the valuable services rendered by the Secretary, Miss Caroline Tipple, who visits the emigrant ships both in dock and at Gravesend—frequently in very inclement weather; assists the matrons, some of whom are inexperienced persons; and otherwise exerts a very beneficial influence in the conduct of female emigration to the Colony. I shall be glad to learn that the Government is able to make a substantial contribution to the Society's funds. Probably a yearly subscription of 100 guineas during the continuance of the emigration would meet the necessities of the case. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 88. Miss Perry to the Agent-General. Dear Sir, — 111, Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Square, December, 1873. I am desired by the Committee of the British Ladies' Female Emigrant Society to call your attention to the work carried on by them during the last twelve months, especially as regards the emigrants to New Zealand. No less than forty-one emigrant ships have sailed for New Zealand since Ist January, 1873, and the number will most probably be made up to forty-four before the end of the year. Nearly all of them have been visited two or three times by the Society's Agent, not in the docks only, but at Gravesend also, where she frequently spends the day going from one ship to another. The appointment of emigrant matrons has long been required as an essential element in any arrangements for the successful and satisfactory conduct of female emigration. But inasmuch as the New Zealand Government docs not employ permanent matrons, the Agent of the Society has generally been deputed to make the selection of the most competent from among the emigrants themselves. Upon her also depends the responsibility of instructing them in the duties of their office, —reading over the rules and regulations with them, explaining such parts as their ignorance of life on board ship makes it difficult for them to understand, and giving them such advice for managing them as her experience may suggest. All the materials for work are provided, and the boxes supplied, packed, and forwarded to the several ships, through the Society. The Committee beg it may be understood that they do not complain of the increase of work undertaken by them and their Agent—it was for such work the Society was originally formed, and it has been a pleasure to them to engage in it; but the growth of emigration, more particularly in connection with New Zealand, involves so great an increase in the expenditure, that the present funds are quite inadequate to bear it, and this must be their excuse for bringing the subject under your notice. It moreover should be borne in mind that it is the Colonies themselves, and not the mother

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country, which derive the benefit of the Society's labours in the moral and social improvement of the emigrants that go out to them, and the Committee therefore cannot but feel that they have special claim for help upon the Governments of these Colonies. In the earnest hope that you will kindly take the above facts into consideration, and grant a favourable reply to their request for pecuniary assistance in aid of their funds, I remain, &c, Amelia Perry, Dr. Featherston, Agent-General for New Zealand. Hon. Secretary.

No. 89. The Agent-General to the Hon. J. Vogel. (No. 1186.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 17th April, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 280, of 15th December, 1873, and, in accordance with the instructions therein, 1 beg to enclose, for the information of the Government, a copy of the rules and regulations in force in the emigration depot at Plymouth. This establishment is owned by Mr. Arthur Hill, of Reading, and is under the personal management of Mr. William Watson, whose wife acts as matron, both officers being resident. The interior arrangements (which I have personally inspected) are very complete, being similar to those of a well-appointed emigrant vessel, with the advantage of much greater space, and the addition of various conveniences not to be obtained at sea. The new depot at Brunswick Wharf, Blackwall, will be similarly managed; and I learn to-day that Mr. Watson will also undertake the management of this depot, having a deputy at Plymouth. The London depot is expected to be ready for the reception of emigrants on the Ist of May. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, Agent-General. New Zealand. Note.—lt has been thought unnecessary to print the rules enclosed in this letter.

No. 90. The Agent-General to the Hon. J. Vogel. (No. 1188.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 17th April, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of January 7th, No. 294, and to inform you that, as it contained a charge against Mr. Ottywell, I felt it my duty to lay your letter before that officer, in order to afford him an opportunity of explanation. I beg now to forward copy of a memorandum by that gentleman; and in doing so, I have simply to confirm the general truth of Mr. Ottywell's statement. I may, however, add that I still hold that the course which I adopted in the case referred to, was the only one that any gentleman would, under similar circumstances, have pursued towards another. I still maintain that the inquiries addressed to me by Mr. Vesey Stewart —a person of whom I had no personal knowledge— regarding His Excellency, were, to say the least of it, impertinent; and had I answered them, they probably would have been followed up by others still more objectionable. Had such inquiries been addressed to me respecting yourself, or any member of your Government, I should have treated them in precisely the same manner. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 90. (Memorandum.) The letter of the Hon. the Minister for Immigration No. 644, of 7th January, has been handed to me by the Agent-General for perusal, and (so far as it relates to myself) for explanation. After remarking upon the departmental arrangements of the Agent-General, the despatch proceeds as follows : —" Others of your officers are probably very good, but I fear they are too much inclined to take much license. For instance, I was not long since shown a copy of a letter written by Mr. Ottywell in reply to a gentleman who thought of introducing a large number of immigrants into New Zealand. That gentleman inquired, not unnaturally, whether the new Governor was English, Irish, or Scotch. He received a most objectionable reply. Mr. Ottywell wrote to the effect that he did not know of what country Sir James Fergusson was, but that if the querist wrote to Sir James, he might or might not answer the question. I consider such a

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reply, not only very flippant, but either it was untruthful or Mr. Ottywell must take very little interest in the affairs of the Colony not to know something about the new Governor." I beg to submit the following observations in explanation of the circumstances under which the letters referred to were written. They will, I cannot doubt, be deemed to furnish a complete justification of the course adopted by me. 1. Early in March, 1873, Mr. George Vesey Stewart, of Lisbeg House, Ballygawley, Ireland, who was at that time known to the office as a local agent authorized to act in the introduction of emigrants, wrote to the Agent-General, inquiring what inducements the Government of New Zealand would offer to him to emigrate to the Colony. 2. Dr. Featherston, in reply, asked what inducements he required; and 3. On the 7th March, Mr. Stewart wrote as follows : — " Sir, —Your favour of the 4th to hand. I beg to acknowledge receipt of the printed forms for assisted passages, for which I feel obliged. " The encouragement I would require to seriously entertain the idea of moving to New Zealand would be a free grant of a considerable portion of good land, near a good road or railway, say 2,000 acres, and I would be willing to bind myself to reclaim a limited quantity each year, as I can bring out capital, and am accustomed to agricultural pursuits." " Your obedient servant, " Geo. Vesey Stewart. " Could you kindly inform me who is Sir Jas. Fergusson, the newly-appointed Governor of New Zealand, and state whether he is an Irishman or Englishman, and where he has been resident ?" 4. The letter was forwarded to the Agent-General at Bayswater, and it was returned indorsed with an instruction to me to intimate to Mr. Stewart that it was improbable the Government would grant inducements to him to emigrate; the memorandum concluding thus:—" On application, Sir J. Fergusson would or would not answer his queries.—Signed I. E. F." 5. On the 12th March, a reply was sent to Mr. Stewart, in the following words :— " Sir, —Your letter of 7th inst. was forwarded to the Agent-General, who is confined to his house by illness. " Dr. Featherston directs me to inform you that, in his opinion, there is no prospect of the New Zealand Government granting to you the inducements mentioned. Dr. Featherston is unable to give you the information you required respecting the newly-appointed Governor. On application, Sir James Fergusson might or might not be disposed to answer the queries. " I am, &c., " for I. E. Featherston, " G. Vesey Stewart, Esq." " A. O. Ottywell." I have only to remark, with reference to the letter written by me, that I conceived myself bound to carry out the instruction issued to me, and that it was my sincere desire to do so in the most courteous manner possible. 6. I notice, with great regret, the grave accusations which are brought against me in connection with this correspondence. I have served the Colony in various positions for upwards of fifteen years, and hitherto without reproach; aud it would be exceedingly painful to me to feel that I had occasion to reply to charges of " flippancy," " untruthfulness," or indifference to the interests of New Zealand. Albert O. Ottywell.

No. 91. The Agent-General to the Hon. J. Vogel. (No. 1192.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 17th April, 1874. Referring to your letter of the 11th February (No. 32), I beg to offer the following observations :— You will remember that I established the Dublin Agency in accordance with instructions from the Government; and although free to admit that the operations conducted by Mr. Mason have been as unsatisfactory to myself as to you, yet I hope to be able to show by returns which I shall shortly forward, that his efforts of late have been more successful. At the same time, I am of opinion, that large centres of population, like Dublin, are by no means the best stations for emigration agents. With regard to other agents in Ireland, you will already have been advised that I have appointed Mr. Cochrane, an old Auckland settler, as Agent at Belfast; and Mrs. Howard, who was strongly recommended to me from Otago, as Emigration Agent for the South of Ireland. I may add that Mr. Cochrane's appointment was made on the joint recommendation of Mr. James Williamson and Mr. Thomas Russell, both of Auckland. I think that when the returns, which are now in the hands of the printers, are forwarded to the Colony, you will find that a fair proportion of Irish emigrants has been secured. With regard to the Dublin Agency, I may state that I shall be quite prepared, in case the 9—l). 3.

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results of Mr. Mason's operations continue to be unsatisfactory, to exercise the power which I have of appointing another agent in his stead or closing the agency altogether. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 92. The Agent-General to the Hon. J. Vogel. (No. 1202.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 17th April 1874. Referring to your telegram received 22nd October, 1873, in which you say that you would be glad if " 20,000 emigrants could be sent during the next six months," I have the honor to state that there is every prospect of your wishes being complied with, provided the requisite tonnage can be obtained. During the quarter ended the 31st March, some 10,500 souls have been sent out, and during the present quarter that number will be exceeded if I succeed in securing vessels. It is infinitely easier to procure 40,000 emigrants, now that the Agricultural Unions have taken up emigration, than it was to obtain 5,000 when they were opposed to it. All the Unions are working heartily with me, being convinced that they can only hope to succeed in their present struggle by shipping off the surplus labour. The number sent away has already had a very appreciable effect in the labour market in certain districts in the County of Kent, and the employers are so alarmed that they constantly refuse to sign certificates of character for intending emigrants. The stream thus set flowing will not easily be stemmed, especially if the reports sent home by emigrants to their friends continue as favourable and encouraging as hitherto. The only real difficulty is the scarcity of tonnage. Since the New Zealand Shipping Company, Messrs. Patrick Henderson and Co., and Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co. combined to raise the rate of passage money from £14 10s. to £16 per statute adult, I have had brokers employed, but up to the present time they have not been able to charter a single vessel. I have also been in communication with shipowners in Liverpool and Bristol, but they one and all decline to enter into the New Zealand trade against such formidable competitors as the three firms just mentioned. I might probably have chartered the " Great Britain," and two other steamers of above 4,000 tons register, belonging to a company called the English and Australian Steam Company, but it was in each case a sine qua non that they should be permitted to call at Melbourne. I have offered also to charter the steamers of Mr. Sloman, but the same objection is started: "We have no mercantile connection with the Colony, and we therefore don't see our way to securing freight either outwards or homewards." lam aware that the difficulty is not recognized by you. You believe, as you say in your letter of October, that any broker would any hour charter for me as many ships as I required; but I have little doubt that the late manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company, Mr. Turner, will disabuse your mind of this idea. I will only further add, that I shall not agree to the terms of these firms until I find it utterly impossible to find tonnage outside of them. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 93. The Agent-General to the Hon. J. Vogel. (No. 1203.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 17th April, 1874. Referring to your letter of 6th February (No. 21), I have the honor to state that, in the particular instance referred to, it was quite impossible for me to attend personally at the meeting in Oxfordshire. Although I have not actually attended these public meetings, I have been for the last twelve months in almost constant communication with the Executive Committees of the several Agricultural Labourers' Unions, and I have lost no opportunity of enlisting their interest in New Zealand as a suitable field for emigration. I have offered to attend their meetings, but the representative men seem to prefer me at my office, where they can discuss questions in the freest manner, and obtain the information required by the Associations for which they are acting. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington. Agent-General.

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No. 94. The Agent-General to the Hon. J. Vogel. (Telegram.) London, 4th May, 1874. April ships—"Awe," " Miltiadcs," Auckland, 780 souls ; "Winchester," Napier, 400; " Euterpe," "Conflict," Wellington, 840 ;*" Hereford," "Monarch," Lvttclton, 990; "■ Caroline," "Sussex," "Denny," Otago, 1,200; "Carlick," Bluff, 300;" "Adamant," Nelson, 330. After chartering five ships, arranged with three firms £14 10s. till end December. Expect 6,000 emigrants May, June. Bs [Brogden and Sons] paid interest promissory notes. Proceed Hamburg arrange contracts shipments Scandinavians, Sloman's ships. Vogel, Wellington. Featherston.

No. 95. The Agent-General to the Hon. J. Vogel. (Telegram.) London, 2nd June, 1874. May—" Reichstadt," " Strathnaver," Wellington, 700 souls ; " Lawrence," " Carisbrook," Lyttelton, 900; "Corona," " Bahn," Otago, Dunedin, 1,300. Instructions respecting numbers adhered to. Canterbury Otago order completed, July; Wellington, August; Auckland and Napier, October; other ports, November. Vogel, Wellington. Featherston. By Authority: Gbobgb Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lsri. [Price, 2s.]

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