IMMIGRATION. (FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE WITHIN THE COLONY.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1874 Session I, D-05a

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1874. ' NEW ZEALAND.

IMMIGRATION. (FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE WITHIN THE COLONY.)

Presented to loth Souses of the General Assembly by command of Sis Excellency.

AUCKLAND. No. 1. Mr. G-. V. Stewaet to the Hon. G-. M. O'Eorke. Sik,— Auckland, 29th April, 1874. « Beferring to our conversation yesterday, I wish to state in writing, as briefly as possible, the terms upon which I consider the Government should hand over the Kati Kati Block for special settlement; and in asking such, I refer you to Agent- General's letters to me dated 10th July and 23rd October, 1873, as well as to the previous official correspondence that passed between you and Mr. Gillies, the late Superintendent of Auckland. 1. Forty acres to each adults of free land, providing each family shall not claim more than 300 acres, excepting leaders of the settlement, aa hereafter reserved; children under twelve years to be entitled to 20 acres. 2. Each adult to count at twelve years of age and upwards. 3. Though ordinary members are now entitled to free steerage passages on faith of AgentGeneral's letters to me dated 23rd October last, and which I would still hope and expect, yet I would accept the terms then current, viz. free passages for females, and £5 cash or £10 promissory notes for males. Those males under twelve to rate at half the above rates. 4. Land to be left open for special settlement for all approved applicants leaving the United Kingdom during the year 1875. 5. Members of the settlement to be entitled to purchase any additional quantity of land upon the settlement and continuously adjoining their own block; such additional quantity not to exceed the previous amount of the free grant. 6. Such additional land to be sold at 10s. per acre, and to be limited to members of the special settlement. 7. Such additional purchased lands to be also subject to the clearing, fencing, and occupation clauses. A deposit of 2s. 6d. per acre to be paid on purchase, and to be forfeited if land is not cleared or reclaimed within such reasonable time as may be agreed upon, and on completion of which a Crown grant is to issue. 8. Temporary accommodation to be provided for emigrants on arrival by Government. 9. Suitable roads to be made to each 100-acre section at expense of the Government; also, a schoolhouse erected, and master provided. A qualified National Board master could be got from Home. 10. Blocks of 10 acres each to be reserved in the most central portion of the settlement for each of the three religious denominations, viz. Episcopalian, Presbyterian, and Boman Catholic, for erection of churches and permanent clergymen's houses. 11. Free town allotments to each family, at rate of half an acre to each 100 acres of free lands. 12. Special forms of application for such special settlement to be provided and signed in duplicate, addressed to me ; duplicate copy to be sent to Agent-General, as official contract to join settlement. 13. Eight of selection or rejection of applications to be left to Agent-General, G. V. Stewart, or H. W. FarnaH. 14. Emigrant vessel to sail from any port in Ireland I may select, and to discharge emigrants at Kati Kati. 15. Agricultural labourers with families, who may wish to accompany their former employers, to receive free passages, and a free grant of 50 acres for entire family, upon the usual cultivation clauses. 16. Single farmers paying their own full passages in first or second-class cabin, and bringing with them respectable farm labourers, to be entitled to a free grant of 40 acres for each adult of said labourer's family, provided he does not claim more than 300 acres for each family, and deducts from same 50 acres in one block for entire of such family. I—D. sa.

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17. As I possess a wife and nine children, who accompany me, with three servants, that I obtain a grant of 1,000 acres wherever I may elect, in one block, so as not to vitiate any other settlers; and I would here select " Te Kauri," and adjoining lands. 18. Mr. H. ~W. Farnall to receive a free grant of 500 acres to himself and each member of his family ; such to be given in recognition of his services as originator of this undertaking, and for his gratuitous assistance to emigration in Belfast for such a long period. Mr. Farnall has a wife and two children. 19. Township to be placed at Kati Kati Bay, as recommended by Captain Turner, the Eesident Engineer. 20. Permission to be given to me to purchase or lease from Natives upon the Kati Kati and adjoining blocks such lands as may be required for occupation of settlement. (This permission has already been given to Mr. Gill, Mr. Frazer, Mr. Thomas Mackay, and others, and the land still remains in its original state of fern.) 21. In event of a Fishery Company being formed in Scotland, and that Scotch fishermen should accompany the settlers, and chemical works in connection with same be established in the township, that +he Government would consider in what manner such an enterprise could be encouraged, and that they will kindly let me have their instructions before I leave this country. 22. Any further modifications or arrangements to be left to Agent-General. I have now submitted my views on this matter without seeking advice or information from any person here or at home. I am aware that the Government wish to treat this pioneer settlement in a liberal manner; and I have endeavoured to carry out their policy by making all free grants and purchases to be dependent upon cultivation and reclamation of the lands, thereby preventing speculators from obtaining land, either free or by purchase, that would remain unoccupied or unproductive. I also consider it would tend very much to the advantage of the colony if, on my return home, I devoted the four months I shall have at my disposal in the delivery of lectures through different parts of Ireland, England, and Scotland, on the subject of New Zealand emigration in general. I firmly believe that, from the position I occupy at home, my acquaintance with members of the Irish and English Press (including London Standard and Times), and from the number of influential friends I possess at the different places named, that such lectures will be attended with the most beneficial results. The remuneration I should receive for hotel and travelling expenses only expected, I am most willing to leave to the discretion of the Government, and would be quite willing to send monthly reports to Agent-General. I have, <&c., The Hon. G. M. O'Eorke, Auckland. Geo. Veset Stewart. P.S.—I would of course expect the above advantages to be extended to a further block adjoining of 12,000 acres, in event of such being required.

No. 2. The Hon. G. M. O'Eoeke to Mr. G. V. Stewart. Sib,— Auckland, 4th May, 1874. I have the honor to inform you, in reply to your letter of the 29th ultimo on the subject of the scheme of immigration which you have visited this province to give effect to, that the block of land at Kati Kati which you desire to select is no longer at the disposal of the General Government. Some time ago when the Hon.. the Premier, who also acts as Minister for Immigration, was in Auckland, an arrangement was made between him and the Superintendent of this province, whereby the administration of the Kati Kati lands was committed to His Honor the Superintendent, and a set of regulations has been prepared for dealing with these particular lands on a system of deferred payments. On ascertaining your desire to select this block, T immediately, together with Dr. Pollen the Colonial Secretary, waited upon His Honor in reference to the letter you had addressed to me, and which is now under reply, and we were assured by His Honor that he was in a position to fully carry out the agreements made by his predecessor Mr. Gillies, for setting apart a good block of land for the forty or fifty families you proposed last year to induce to emigrate to this province on the terms that were then offered. The original proposal on behalf of your immigration scheme having been made to the Superintendent, who expresses his desire to carry the scheme out in its integrity, it only remains for me, in reply to this portion of your letter, to refer you to him to set apart a suitable block of land for your body of immigrants. As this application for the Kati Kati Block is the most important feature in your letter to me, I confine my remarks to that subject; the other matters to which you refer as parts of the general scheme would require the consideration of the Superintendent, as the officer undertaking the charge of locating your party of immigrants. , I trust you will understand that there is no desire on the part of the General Government to shrink from any obligation they may have incurred in this business. Throughout the whole correspondence they have exhibited but one desire —to assist (if their assistance were required) the Superintendent to introduce into the colony, and permanently establish therein, such an admirable class of immigrants as the Superintendent of the province (Mr. Gillies) reported you were likely to induce to accompany you. A copy of this letter will be submitted to His Honor the Superintendent for his information. I have, &c, G. Vesey Stewart, Esq., Auckland. .G. Maurice O'Eobke.

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No. 3. Mr. G. V. Stewaet to the Hon. G. M. O'Eobke. Sib,— Northern Club, Auckland, Bth May, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication, dated 4th instant, in which you state that the Tauranga block I have selected at Kati Kati is no longer at the disposal of the General Government. I beg respectfully to submit to you, as their representative, that at the time of making the arrangements referred to between the Hon. the Premier and the Superintendent of Auckland, these very lands were under offer to me, and therefore could not in justice be thus dealt with; and in support of this statement I refer you to the official Blue Book, 1873, D. 2c, page 8, in which the following passage appears: — " The Government will give you (G. Vesey Stewart) a right of selection over the whole lands of the Province of Auckland, whether General or Provincial, and they will be prepared to set apart a block of 10,000 to 20,000 acres for the purpose of such special settlement." I feel satisfied that these previous arrangements made with me did not at the time occur to either Mr. Vogel or Mr. Williamson. I therefore, on behalf of a large number of intending emigrants (some of whom are at present on their passage to this country) ask the General Government, through you, to redeem their promises made to me, and to cancel " the regulations that have been prepared for these particular lands." There are thousands and tens of thousands of acres of good land that the Government, with its facilities for purchase, can readily exchange for the lands I now desire, and enable them to make regulations equally favourable to the Province of Auckland. The Victoria Valley was suggested to me yesterday for the first time by Mr. Williamson, as a suitable block, and which lat once declined to accept. I had made strict personal inquiries when in that neighbourhood, and ascertained that the lands (though good, but broken) were liable to floods, and so cut off from all communication with markets, as in a practical sense to be perfectly useless for many years to come as a place for special settlement; and I would deserve to be branded as a scoundrel and hooted from society, if by my representations I induced my countrymen to exchange their happy cheerful homes for such a place of banishment and servitude. You state " that the original proposal on behalf of the immigration scheme having been made to the Superintendent," &c, you refer me to him to set apart a suitable block of land. I respectfully submit, in reply to this allegation, that the original proposal was made to Mr. H. W. Farnall, the accredited agent to the General Government; and therefore, to adopt your own argument, "it only remains for me" to apply to the General Government for the block of land required. I accept unreservedly your statement, " That there is no desire on the part of the General Government to shrink from any obligation they may have incurred in this business," and feel equally satisfied that if you could kindly confer with Mr. Williamson on the subject, he will readily join you in making such arrangements as will enable us to conclude the matter. I would, in conclusion, urge upon both Governments, in the strongest terms, the necessity now existing to allow me to return home by the mail steamer of next Tuesday. I'will (D.V.) reach Ireland in July, which of all the months of the year is the most important for emigration purposes, as in that month intending emigrants sell their growing crops by auction ; and further delay, after the protracted delay that has already occurred (caused by personal differences among your own officers at home) will tend much to weaken public confidence in the Government of New Zealand. In justice, however, to my friends, and to your Government, who have partly defrayed my expenses here, I feel bound to remain in this country till all is satisfactorily concluded. I have, &c, The Hon. G. Maurice O'Eorke. Geo. Veset Stewaet.

No. 4. His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland, to the Hon. G-. M. O'Eoeke. Sib, — Superintendent's Office, Auckland, Bth May, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated yesterday, enclosing the copy of one addressed by you to Mr. G. V. Stewart, in regard to the land at Kati Kati being appropriated for his proposed special settlement. With reference to the statement contained in your letter to Mr. Stewart, to the effect that the block of land at the Kati Kati is no longer at the disposal of the General Government, but, by an agreement between the Hon. Mr. Vogel and the Superintendent, is now in the hands of the latter for administration, I have to point out that the land comprised in that block has not as yet been placed under the administration of the Superintendent. Mr. Stewart has been informed that the promise made by my predecessor will be faithfully maintained and kept with him, and that he is now (and has been since his arrival in Auckland) at liberty to select, for the purpose of his scheme, any block of land held in possession by the Provincial Government, and that any such land which may be selected by him accordingly will be set apart for his proposed special settlement, and held in reserve for that purpose for a reasonable period, to afford him time to take the requisite means for bringing out his immigrants to Auckland ; and I have also given Mr. Stewart to understand that the undertaking made by Mr. Gillies cannot be regarded as extending, or having been meant to extend, to lands still in the hands of the General Government, inasmuch as when those lands may be handed over to the Superintendent for administration, certain stipulations and conditions are likely to be required for the sale and disposal thereof, as may prevent the Provincial Government from dealing with Mr. Stewart for the location of his people thereon upon the basis of Mr. Gillies's proposal. I have, &c, J. Williamson, The Hon. the Secretary for Crown Lands, Auckland. Superintendent.

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No. 5. The Hon. G. M. O'Eoeke to His Honor the SuPEBiNTEirDEffT, Auckland. Sic, — General Government Office, Auckland, 13th May, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of date Bth instant, indicating the course you propose to adopt with reference to Mr. Stewart's application to have a block of land set apart for the special settlement he proposes to establish, and further stating that the Kati Kati lands, which I informed Mr. Stewart were no longer at the disposal of the General Government, have not yet been placed under your administration. I have also had placed before me by your Honor your letter to Mr. Stewart of date 12th May (instant), in which you state that there are, so far as you are at present aware, no means to enable either yourself or the Provincial Council to give effect to any obligation which may have been incurred by members of the General Government, and that you do not know of any obstacle to prevent the General Government from carrying out its own promises or engagements with Mr. Stewart. Since my interview with you on the subject of Mr. Stewart's application for reserving the block of land at Kati Kati for his body of immigrants, on which occasion I was accompanied by the Hon. Dr. Pollen, I have been in communication with the members of the General Government at Wellington, and I have now, on behalf of the General Government, to state that in order to bring the negotiations that have been for some time pending between Mr. Stewart and the Provincial and General Government to a termination satisfactory to all parties concerned, they (the General Government) will, if you request them to do so, reserve the Kati Kati Block, consisting of 8,000 acres, for Mr. Stewart's party of immigrants, for a reasonable time, subject to the terms offered to him by your predecessor and approved by the General Government. In making this proposal, the object the General Government wishes to attain is, not to interfere with any other arrangements you might prefer to make with regard to the location of this body of immigrants, but to show your Honor that the desire to co-operate with your Honor's predecessor in founding a settlement of immigrants of the small-farmer class, with sufficient means to occupy land and maintain themselves thereon, is still the desire of the Government, provided that in doing so your Honor's concurrence is fully obtained. It only remains, then, for your Honor, if you approve of the reservation of the Kati Kati Block for Mr. Stewart's party, to express that approval. It appears to me that, irrespective of the matter whether this block is within your administration or not, the foundation of settlements within the borders of your province is one on which your Honor is fairly entitled to be heard before a decision is arrived at, independently altogether of your having accepted the supervision of the location of immigrants within your province. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. G. Maitbice O'Eoeke.

No. 6. His Honor the Supeeintenbent, Auckland, to the Hon. G. M. O'Eoeke. Sic, — Superintendent's Office', Auckland, 15th May, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th, proposing, in reply to mine of the Bth instant, that I should request the General Government to reserve the Kati Kati Block for Mr. Stewart's party of immigrants. I can only reiterate what I have already stated in my former letter, and subsequently at the interview with you, in company with Mr. James Dilworth, at this office —namely, that, while I offer no objection or obstacle to the fulfilment of whatever engagements may have been entered into with Mr. Stewart, either by members of the General Government here or by their agents in Great Britain, for the settlement of families proposed to be brought out to the Province by that gentleman, I must respectfully decline the responsibility of requesting the Government to fulfil engagements and to carry out arrangements with the details and conditions of which I am unacquainted, and which may be (for aught I know) unsatisfactory to Mr. Stewart himself. And, moreover, Ido not feel at liberty to ask the General Government to undertake a business which the Provincial Government itself is adequate to conduct, if only the block of land in question be handed over free from encumbrance for administration. The land being still held in possession by the General Government, that Government retains the exclusive right to dispose of it in such a manner as is best calculated to promote the interests of the colony; and " The Immigration and Public "Works Act Amendment Act, 1871," confers ample power upon the General Government to take any provincial lands for the location of immigrants, without any request in that behalf from the Superintendents of provinces. I enclose, for your information, the copy of a letter* handed to me by Mr. Stewart on his arrival in Auckland, from the Agent-General (Dr. teatherston). Upon receipt of it, lat once instructed the "Waste Lands Commissioner to furnish Mr. Stewart with all information and particulars which his department would supply, to enable that gentleman to make a suitable selection of such lands belonging to the province as he might consider best adapted for the purposes of his proposed settlement; and I must again repeat, that the Provincial Government is still prepared to fulfil the promise made by my predecessor for encouraging the settlement of Mr. Stewart's party of small farmers upon lands which were then, or have been since, placed in the hands of the Superintendent for administration under the Waste Land laws of the province. I have, &c, J. "Williamson, The Hon. G. M. O'Eorke, Secretary for Crown Lands, Superintendent. Auckland. * D. 3, p. 27.

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No. 7. Mr. Gh V. Stewaet to the Hon. G. M. O'Eoeke. Sic,— 15th May, 1874. As some misapprehension might occur with reference to the letter of the 29th ultimo, I beg to state that I shall be prepared to accept the Kati Kati Block from the Government upon such conditions as may fairly carry out the spirit and intentions of the previous arrangements, to which reference has been made in the official correspondence. These remarks of course refer to my proposal on behalf of Mr. 11. W. Farnall, as I find from the printed correspondence that the Government has not overlooked his just claims upon their consideration. In fact, the letter of the 29th April (as therein stated) merely contained my own suggestions in matters of detail for the consideration of the Government. 1 have, &c, The Hon. G. Maurice O'Eorke. Geo. Vesex Stewaet.

No. 8. Mr. G. V. Stewaet to the Hon. G. M. O'Eoeke. Sic,— Northern Club, Auckland, 15th May, 1874. I have the honor to enclose you copy of official communication received from His Honor the Superintendent, dated 13th instant, respecting the proposed special settlement upon the Tauranga lands at Kati Kati. You will thus perceive that His Honor states, "It is now in the power of the General Government to carry out any such (their) engagements without consultation with the Provincial Government, and without any necessity for their confirmation by the Superintendent." I should therefore feel much obliged to you if you could kindly name an early day to meet me on behalf of the General Government, and finally close these protracted negotiations. I have, &c, The Hon. G. M. O'Eorke. Geo. Veset. Stewaet. N.B.—The enclosure to this letter was returned to Mr. Stewart.—Vide No. 11.

No. 9. The Hon. G. M. O'Eoeke to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Auckland. Sib,— General Government Offices, Auckland, 22nd May, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th instant, and to inform you that I have communicated to Mr. Stewart, as I had on a previous occasion, that your Honor states that the Provincial Government is still prepared to fulfil the promise made by your predecessor for encouraging the settlement of Mr. Stewart's party of small farmers upon lands subject to your administration. I have also to acknowledge the receipt of copy of the Agent-General's letter dated 24th of December last, which is attached to your letter under reply, wherein Dr. Featherston introduces Mr. Stewart to you, and commends him to your good offices. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. G. Matteice O'Eoeke.

No. 10. The Hon. G. M. O'Eouke to Mr. G. V. Stewaet. Sib, — General Government Office, Auckland, 22nd May, 1874. In reply to your letter of date the Bth instant, I have the honor to inform you that since the receipt thereof I have been in communication with His Honor the Superintendent, and that he repeats the statement which he had already made to me, and which was intimated by me to you on the 4th instant, that the Provincial Government is still prepared to fulfil the promises made by his predecessor Mr. Gillies, for encouraging the settlement of your party of small farmers upon lands under his administration. In regard to an inference you endeavour to establish, that because your original application was made to Mr. Parnall, the General Government are in the first instance responsible, I think, on reflection your knowledge of the history of the whole matter will lead you to admit that the General Government only heard of your proposals through the late Superintendent, Mr. Gillies, and that Mr. Farnall corresponded directly with the Superintendent in order to bring this scheme of settlement within the terms of the Auckland Homestead Act. It will therefore be necessary for you, as I stated in my former letter, to arrange with the Superintendent for the settlement of the business with regard to which Mr. Gillies requested the Agent-General to accredit you to the present Superintendent. I have, &c, Q-. V. Stewart, Esq., Auckland. G. Matjbice O'Eoeke.

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No. 11. The Hon. G. M. O'Koeke to Mr. G. V. Stewaet. Sib, — General Government Office, Auckland, 22nd May, 1874. I beg to return herewith the Superintendent's letter to you of the 13th instant, and to inform you that, as I have intimated in previous letters I must refer you to His Honor for a settlement of the matter of setting apart a suitable block of land for your immigrants. I have, &c, G. V. Stewart, Esq., Auckland. . G. Maueice O'Eoeke.

No. 12. Mr. W. Kelly to the Hon. the Peemiee. (Telegram.) Auckland, 21st May, 1874. Self, Morris, and Johnston, M.P.C.'s, waited upon Superintendent yesterday, requested him to carry out arrangement with Stewart for Kati Kati Block, Tauranga. He replied Kati Kati lands not handed over to province yet. When handed over he would endeavour to make arrangements with Stewart. He has no objection to General Government dealing with him direct. lam greatly afraid that he is not inclined to give Tauranga lands to Stewart if handed over to him. I would therefore strongly urge the advisability of General Government dealing with Stewart at once, and get population to the district. The Provincial and General Government may want their assistance presently. Stewart prefers dealing with the General Government. Whatever arrangements entered into by Agent-General, on behalf of General Government, with Stewart, should be strictly carried out, and no obstacle thrown in his way. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. William Kelly.

No. 13. The Hon. the Peemiee to Mr. Keht. (Telegram.) Wellington, 22nd May, 1874. When I saw you in Auckland I told you we were considering plan for throwing Tauranga blocks open to settlement. I explained outline, and understood you approved. After very great trouble, Dr. Pollen finally arranged terms with Superintendent, and they are being prepared for proclamation. I believe they would be of great advantage to the district, and that to delay them would be a public loss. I have no faith in Mr. Stewart's eiforts. It is true that in July last the Agent-General wrote to him that the Government would give him a right of selection over the whole lands of the Province of Auckland, whether General or Provincial. In the same letter this was modified by the sentence, "If the Superintendent is unable to set apart first-rate land from the provincial territory, then the General Government will be ready to grant land for the purpose at Tauranga, on the East Coast." In September the Agent-General enclosed a new and extraordinary project of Mr. Stewart's, which he wrote, " will show the Government that Mr. Stewart is not prepared to carry out the original proposal." In October the original project seems to have been revived, for Dr. Featherston wrote to Mr. Stewart stating certain terms ; but Mr. Stewart seems to have taken no advantage of them, and later in the month to have arranged with the Agent-General for a passage to and from New Zealand. In the Agent-General's introductory letter to the Superintendent in December, he wrote, " On discovering that little or no progress was being made with the scheme, and that not a single family had actually pledged itself to join in 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." It seems to me, therefore, that even if Mr. Stewart had an implied right to Tauranga land, it was ended, by the fact that his efforts were entirely fruitless. I confess to having no faith in Mr. Stewart's success, and the terms of a circular about his proposed settlement which he addressed to Orange Lodges convinced me that if any arrangement is made with Mr. Stewart, the details will have to be carefully elaborated. Having made these explanations, I have to add that I recognize you represent the district, and that I shall be prepared to attach much weight to your advice. There are three courses open —1. To leave Mr. Stewart to return home, and if he can organize a party, to let him make arrangements with the AgentGeneral ; suitable land to be provided when the immigrants are really coming. 2. To hand over the land to the Superintendent, leaving him to make arrangements with Mr. Stewart; the General Government to be free from all responsibility therewith. 3. To reserve the Tauranga land from sale until Mr. Stewart reaches home and makes arrangements with the Agent-General satisfactory to the latter, instructions to be sent (which Mr. Stewart would see) to the Agent-General as to the nature of the stipulations which on this side we think necessary. You are at liberty to show this telegram. W. Kelly, Esq., Auckland. Julius Vogel.

No. 14 The Hon. the Peemiee to His Honor the Supeeintehdent, Auckland. (Telegram.) Wellington, 22nd May, 1874. I foewakd to your Honor attached copy of telegram from Mr. Kelly, and of my reply to him. I understand that your Honor has expressed willingness that the General Government should act in the matter, but I should be glad to receive any remarks of your Honor upon the subject, or, if you think it desirable, the opinion of the Provincial Council. His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. Julius Vogel.

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No. 15. His Honor the Supeeintendent, Auckland, to the Hon. the Peemieb. (Telegram.) Auckland, 23rd May, 1874. I hate nothing to add to what has already been stated in my letter to the Hon. Mr. O'Rorko — viz., that the Provincial Government are ready and willing to carry out my predecessor's promises and engagements with respect to provincial lands, but decline to interfere in any arrangement entered into by the General Government with Mr. Stewart in respect of lands which are not yet handed over to our administration. I cannot, on behalf of the Provincial Government, undertake responsibility to "request" the General Government to deal with Mr. Stewart on terms and conditions with the nature of which lam unacquainted. This was pointed out fully to Messrs. Kelly, Morris, and Johnson when they called. I found, however, at that interview, that Captain Morris, the representative of Tauranga in the Provincial Council, differed widely from Mr. Kelly in his views of the system upon which Kati Kati land should be disposed of. Kelly recommended " deferred payments," and Morris was in favour of "free selection," and occupation under Homestead Act, 1870. There must be some misunderstanding between Dr. Pollen and myself with reference to the "alleged agreement " on the regulations for the disposal of this block. The Doctor had a paper in his hand when he called with Mr. O'Eorke at my office, but I did not peruse its contents. I merely stated that, as the regulations prepared and submitted by Mr. Tole and myself were not accepted, I could do no other than act on whatever conditions were to be attached to the transfer of the block to our administration, so long as those conditions should be consistent with the terms of your memorandum conveyed to me in Colonial Secretary's letter while I was at Wellington. The Provincial Council is now in possession of the whole correspondence in our possession re Mr. Stewart's proposals, and a Select Committee has been appointed to consider and report upon the whole matter. I shall forward to Committee a copy of your telegram and of this reply, and the result of the Council's deliberations shall be conveyed to you. Pray request Dr. Pollen to forward to me copy of Mr. Stewart's letter received by him here, proposing terms on which he desires to get possession of block. I think Provincial Council should know the whole case. I cannot understand what grounds Mr. Kelly had for his opinion that lam not inclined to give Tauranga lands to Stewart if handed over to me. Mr. Stewart stated in one of his letters to me that he could rely with confidence on the promises of the General Government; but when I expressed displeasure at what appeared to me to be implied in this remark, he afterward called and explained. It was clearly understood by Mr. Stewart that so soon as he had made his selection of a block of land suitable for the purposes of his proposed special settlement of small farmers, that block should be set apart, upon giving his assurance that his people might be expected to arrive in the province within a reasonable time, to be stated. If not then arrived, the Provincial Government to be at liberty to throw open the land to be otherwise disposed of. Accept my thanks for acquainting me with the telegraphic correspondence between Mr. Kelly and yourself. J. Williamson, The Hon. J. Vogel, Wellington. Superintendent.

No. 16. The Hon. J. Vogel to His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. (Telegram.) Wellington, 26th May, 1874. Mr. Stewaet's letter was to Mr. O'Eorke, not to Dr. Pollen; the former has been asked to supply you with a copy. I have not seen it, but I understand it comprised request to give Mr. Farnall a large grant of land. The Q-overnment are only anxious to do what is best for the Province. We are reluctant to give Mr. Stewart the land he wants, because he has not given evidence of ability to carry out the arrangement he proposes, with everything at his command; and notwithstanding assurances that he would be prepared with his emigrants, it turned out, as stated by the Agent-General, that not one single family had undertaken to join. Again, his proposal to bring out young men whose parents give him premiums of 150 guineas was obviously very objectionable. Again, the prospectus he published contains statements which would have given the emigrants right to complain when they arrived, and perhaps to ask for compensation. For example, it stated that the main line of railway between Auckland and Wellington would pass through the settlement. All things considered, we have determined to leave the Council to decide —Ist. Whether, in its opinion, Mr. Stewart has any claim on Tauranga land. 2nd. Supposing it is otherwise, whether it is desirable to let him have such land. If the Council is willing to decide, it must wait arrival of mail, which leaves to-day, and by which I will forward you all papers. It must be understood, however, that if the Council decide in favour of Mr. Stewart having Tauranga land, that the Government will impose restrictions such as that only a reasonable time will be allowed for carrying out agreement; that there be no power to sell or transfer concessions ; that no grant be given to Mr. Farnall; that Agent-General approve emigrants ; and that those who receive land pay their own passages. In the case of the Fielding Settlement, we give free passages, and the Corporation pay for the land. The land is really good; and if the emigrants pay their own passages, we will pay the province for the land, under the terms of the Bill of last year. To enable the Council to decide on the whole matter, I will also send a copy of the regulations for the sale of land at Tauranga, which it is proposed to gazette at once, if Mr. Stewart is not to have the land. I hare, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. Julius Vogel.

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No. 17. The Hon. G. M. O'Eoeke to His Honor the Sctebintendent of Auckland. Sic, — General Government Offices, Auckland, Ist June, 1874. I have the honor, in compliance with the wish expressed by your Honor in a telegram contained in a Message, 'No. 37, of date 26th May, to the Provincial Council, to furnish you with copy of a letter addressed to me by Mr. G. Vesey Stewart on the 29th ult., and which letter I tendered for your perusal on the occasion of my interview with you, when I was accompanied by the Honorable the Colonial Secretary, Dr. Pollen. My reply to Mr. Stewart, dated 4th May, has been forwarded to you, and attached to Mr. Stewart's letter of 29th April is a letter of Mr. Stewart's dated 15th May, explanatory of the former of these letters. In order that your Honor may be in possession of the whole correspondence between Mr. Stewart and myself since my return to Auckland at the end of last month (April), I append copies of the following letters that have passed between us :— Mr. Stewart to Mr. O'Eorke, dated Bth May. Mr. O'Eorke's answer, dated 22nd May. Mr. Stewart to Mr. O'Eorke, dated 15th May. Mr. O'Eorke's answer, dated 22nd May. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. G. Maueice O'Eoeke.

No. 18. His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland, to the Hon. G-. M. O'Eoeke. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 4th June, 1874. Herewith I have the honor to forward for your information, copy of an Address received from the Auckland Provincial Council, recommending the reservation of the Kati Kati lands for Mr. Stewart's proposed special settlement. I have adopted the present course of referring the matter direct to you, rather than incur the delay which would necessarily be caused by forwarding the address in the customary way to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary at Wellington, in order that such regulations and conditions as the General Government may think proper to propose to Mr. Stewart may be submitted to that gentleman in time for the closing of negotiations with him, if possible, before the departure of the outgoing mail steamer (as desired by the Provincial Council). I have, &c, J. Williamson, The Hon. the Secretary for Crown Lands, Auckland. Superintendent.

Enclosure in No. 18. Session XXIX. [Extract from the Journals of the Auckland Provincial Council, Wednesday, 3rd Juno, 1874.] {Address No. 52.) " Eesolted, —That a respectful address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to arrange with the General Government for the reservation, until the end of 1875, of 10,000 acres at Kati Kati for Mr. George Vesey Stewart's special settlement, subject to such conditions as have heretofore been agreed upon between Mr. Stewart and the Colonial and Provincial Governments, and as shall further be agreed upon between him and both Governments before Mr. Stewart leaves the colony ; and further, that arrangements should be made for the purpose of closing the negotiation in time to enable Mr. Stewart to leave the colony by the next outgoing mail.' " True extract. G. Maueioe O'Eoeke, Speaker.

No. 19. Mr. W. Kellx to the Hon. J. Vogel. (Telegram.) Auckland, 4th June, 1874. " That a respectful Address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to arrange with the General Government for the reservation, until the end of 1875, of 10,000 acres at Kati Kati for Mr. G. V. Stewart's special settlement, subject to such conditions as have heretofore been agreed upon between Mr. Stewart and the Colonial and Provincial Government, and as shall further be agreed upon between him and both Governments before Mr. Stewart leaves the Colony ; and further, that arrangements should be made for the purpose of closing the negotiations in time to enable Mr. Stewart to leave the Colony by the next outgoing mail." I send this, hoping you will concur with the unanimous wish of the Council. I had an interview with the Superintendent to-day, who is now anxious to carry out the resolution of Council, and to assist Mr. Stewart to get away by next steamer. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. "William Kelly.

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No. 20. The Hon. J. Vogel to Mr. W. Kelly. (Telegram.) Wellington, sth June, 1874. I hate received your telegram, but none from Superintendent. The Government will make no further objection to putting aside 10,000 acres at Kati Kati for Mr. Stewart until the end of 1875, upon conditions such as those proposed by the General Government, and Mr. Gillies on behalf of the Provincial Government; but those conditions must be clearly stated, so that there shall be no possible uncertainty as to their nature. I cannot agree to Mr. Stewart going home with any claim to lands unless the agreement upon which these lands are to be put apart is definitely reduced to writing. It will therefore be desirable that he should come on to Wellington. After all that has taken place, lam sure no one can doubt the necessity of there being no further misunderstanding, and that can only be guarded against by the plan I propose. lam sending a copy of this telegram to the Superintendent. William Kelly, M.H.E., Auckland. Julius Vogel.

No. 21. The Hon. J. Vogel to His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. (Telegram.) Wellington, sth June, 1874. I hate received from Mr. Kelly telegram conveying resolutions of Provincial Council re Mr. Stewart. I attach copy of my reply to Mr. Kelly. His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. Julius Vogel.

No. 22. His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland, to the Hon. J. Vogel. (Telegram.) Auckland, sth June, 1874. Ec Kati Kati. —Your telegram just received. The Address from Provincial Council, forwarding resolution agreed to, did not reach me until four o'clock yesterday afternoon, at which time Messrs. Kelly and Stewart called at my office, and desired to know what course I then proposed to take. I informet them that the usual course would be to forward to Colonial Secretary copy of the Address ; bud as that would involve delay, I would send my letter covering the resolution to the Hon. the Secretary for Crown Lands, now in Auckland, who no doubt would communicate by wire with you at Wellington. I append my letter to Mr. O'Eorke for your information. I quite concur with you in the propriety of settling conditions and necessary details with Mr. Stewart before he leaves for Europe. " Herewith I have the honor to forward for your information, copy of an Address received from the Auckland Provincial Council, recommending the reservation of the Kati Kati lands for Mr. Stewart's proposed special settlement. I have adopted the present course of referring the matter direct to you, rather than incur the delay which would necessarily be caused by forwarding the address in the customary way to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary at Wellington, in order that such regulations and conditions as the General Government may think proper to propose to Mr. Stewart may be submitted to that gentleman in time for the closing of negotiations with him if possible before the departure of the outgoing mail steamer, as desired by the Provincial Council." The Hon. Julius Vogel, Wellington. J. Williamson.

No. 23. Mr. W. Kelly to the Hon. J. Vogel. (Telegram.) Auckland, 6th June, 1874. Received telegram. Glad you approve of what ia done, and prepared to carry out arrangements. Stewart anxious to leave. Scheme demands that he should leave on Monday. The Hon. J. Vogel, Wellington. William Kelly.

No. 24. The Hon. J. Vogel to Mr. W. Kelly. (Telegram.) Wellington, 6th June, 1874. You must have misunderstood my telegram if you conclude that I think it possible any arrangement could be made with Mr. Stewart before Monday. The property is an exceedingly valuable one, and the agreement should be carefully drawn up. Ido not know whether Mr. O'Eorke will be willing to deal with the matter. If not, the best thing Mr. Stewart can do is to come on to Wellington. You seem to suppose that I approve of what has been done. If you will again read my telegram of yesterday, I think you will see that it means only this: that as the Provincial Council wishes that Kati Kati land should be set apart, I agree to carry out that wish, subject to necessary conditions. William Kelly, M.H.E., Auckland. Julius Vogel. 2—D. sa.

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No. 25. The Hon. J. Vooel to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Auckland. (Telegram.) Wellington, 6th June, 1874. Am communicating with Mr. O'Eorke upon the subject of Mr. Stewart. I cannot understand how your Honor or the Provincial Council could suppose that an agreement dealing with so large and valuable a property could be arranged by or before Monday, nor do I understand what difficulty Mr. Stewart would have in remaining later, if he proposes to devote himself to carrying out the plan. If Mr. O'Eorke is not willing to deal with him, and he comes on to Wellington, I will endeavour to arrange with him on the basis of the original intention of the Provincial and General Governments— the land to be in accordance with the wish of the Provincial Council. His Honor J. Williamson, Auckland. Julius Vogel.

No. 26. His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland, to the Hon. J. Vogel. (Telegram.) Auckland, Bth June, 1874. Ec Kati Kati. —I did not consider it possible for any satisfactory agreement to bo made with Mr. Stewart either by Mr. O'Eorke, yourself, or any one else, in time for him to get away by the mail steamer this day. Mr. Stewart called, in company with Mr. Kelly, before I received the resolution of the Council, and expressed a wish that Mr. O'Eorke and I should proceed at once to settle terms with him. I declined to take any part in the matter beyond forwarding a copy of the Address from the Council, to the Secretary for Crown Lands here, and also by first mail to Colonial Secretary. I stated my opinion that it was not possible to arrange the business in so short a time. When I received from you a copy of yours to Mr. Kelly, I urged Stewart to proceed to Wellington. This he appeared reluctant to do, lest he should lose a month by the journey. The " Wellington " has left for South. I have made inquiry, but cannot learn whether Stewart has gone in her or not. J. Williamson, The Hon. J. Vogel, Wellington. Superintendent.

No. 27. His Honor the Supebintendent, Auckland, to the Hon. J. Vogel. (Telegram.) Auckland, Bth June, 1874. Hate just learned that Mr. Stewart is still at the Northern Club. The Tauranga people believing that Kati Kati lands were shortly to be brought into the market for sale and settlement, requested me to subsidize a small steamer to run between the harbours. Tenders were invited, but owing to the uncertainty and delay of settlement then caused by late negotiations, no tenders for the service have been sent in. J. Williamson, The Hon. J. Vogel, Wellington. Superintendent.

No. 28. Memorandum of Agbeement between the Hon. the Secbetaey for Ceown Lands and Mr. G. V. Stewabt. Memorandum of an Agreement made this twenty-fourth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, between the Honorable George Maurice O'Eorke, Secretary for Crown Lands for the Colony of New Zealand, of the one part, and George Vesey Stewart, of Ballygawley County, Tyrone' Ireland, but now on a visit to Now Zealand, Esquire, of the other part: Whereas the said George Vesey Stewart has proposed to organize and bring out from Ireland a certain number of families possessed of an adequate capital to occupy, improve, and cultivate land for the formation of a special settlement of farmers on certain lands hereinafter described ; and in consideration that such proposals shall be effectually carried out, the said George Maurice O'Eorke has agreed, on the part of the Government of New Zealand, that the said lands shall be set apart for the said settlement upon the terms and conditions hereinafter mentioned: Now, therefore, this Agreement witnesseth, that each of the said parties, the said George Maurice O'Eorke and the said George Vesey Stewart, doth for himself respectively promise and agree as follows : — 1. That the said George Maurice O'Eorke shall and will cause to be set apart and kept, for the purposes of a special settlement of farmers with capital, to be founded by the said George Vesey Stewart, all those lands the property of the Crown situate in the District of Tauranga, in the Colony of New Zealand, and known as the Kati Kati Block, comprising ten thousand acres or thereabouts, as defined by the plan hereunto annexed. 2. That the said block of land shall bo surveyed at the expense of the Government, and convenient roads laid out through the same, and divided into suitable allotments, so as to be ready for selection and occupation on the arrival from Ireland of the said George Vesey Stewart and the party selected to form the special settlement. 3. That the said George Vesey Stewart shall and will select and organize a party of farmers in Ireland, being married men with families, to emigrate therefrom to New Zealand, with adequate capital to occupy, improve, and cultivate the said Kati Kati Block as a special settlement. 4. Provided that no person shall be entitled to be considered as one of the said party, or to any of the rights and privileges under this agreement, unless and until he shall have received from the Agent-

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General, or some person appointed by him for the purpose, a certificate in writing that such person is accepted as an eligible person to form one of the said special settlement party. 5. That in consideration of the said George Vesey Stewart organizing the said party, he shall be deemed to bo the leader thereof, and as such entitled to the special advantages hereinafter mentioned. G. That the said party shall consist of a sufficient number of families to take up and occupy under this agreement the whole of the said block of land, not being fewer than forty families. 7. That the said George Vesey Stewart, together witl» his family, and the said party, or such part thereof as hereinafter mentioned, shall embark for the port of Auckland or Tauranga, in a vessel to be provided by the said Agent-General at a port in Ireland. The ports of embarkation and landing to be arranged between the said Agent-General and the said George Vesey Stewart. 8. That the said George Vesey Stewart shall be entitled to make a first selection out of the said block, of five hundred acres, with an additional forty acres on account of his wife and forty acres on account of each of his children, provided that such land shall be taken in one block of a convenient form. 9. That each of the said party shall be entitled to an assisted steerage or third-class passage to Auckland or Tauranga, on payment for each individual of the sum of five pounds before embarkation. Single women between the ages of fifteen and thirty-five, children of parents having assisted passages, shall be entitled to free passages. 10. That each of the said party of the age of eighteen years and upwards shall be entitled to select and occupy forty acres, with an additional twenty acres in respect of each child between the ages of twelve and eighteen: provided that not more than three hundred acres shall be held and occupied by any number of persons forming one household. 11. That, as soon as conveniently may be after arrival, lots shall be drawn to determine the order in which the several persons shall be entitled to select the land to which they are respectively entitled, and a written permission to select given by the Waste Lands Commissioner accordingly. 12. That if any person, after receiving due notice, shall neglect, or refuse, or fail to attend to draw his lot, at a time and place to be appointed by the Commissioner of Waste Lands, the lots shall be drawn by those who attend, by themselves or by their agents ; and those so failing shall, on application, receive from the Waste Lands Commissioner a written permission to select in the order in which the applications are made. 13. The right of selection shall be exercised as soon as conveniently may be after the lots are drawn, or after permission given as aforesaid, and in any event within ten days after those times respectively ; and if any person fail to select within such ten days, his order of choice shall only entitle him to select after all those who are then ready to select have made their selections. 14. On a selection being made, the selector shall be entitled to receive from the Waste Lands Commissioner a certificate in writing authorizing him to occupy the land selected under the provisions and conditions of this agreement. 15. If any dispute or question shall arise in respect of the drawing of lots, or of any selection to be made under this agreement, the same shall be determined by the Commissioner of Waste Lands, and his decision shall be final and conclusive, and not liable to be questioned in any Court of law on any ground whatever. 16. At the expiration of three years from the date of the commencement of occupation, the said George Vesey Stewart, and every other occupier, shall be entitled to a Crown grant of the land, on his proving to the satisfaction of the Waste Lands Commissioner that he has, during the whole of the previous three years, been in the hondji.de occupation of the said land by continuous residence thereon, and that at least one-fifth part thereof is under cultivation. 17. The holder of a certificate of occupation shall also be entitled to a Crown grant at any time prior to the expiration of three years, on proof to the satisfaction of the Waste Lands Commissioner that the whole of the land comprised in the certificate is fenced and cultivated and a dwelling-house erected thereon. 18. The Waste Lands Commissioner, on being satisfied that any land comprised in any certificate has been bond fide occupied thereunder, shall, at the request of the person named in such certificate, authorize the transfer thereof to any other person, and the transferee shall have and be subject to the same rights, privileges, and liabilities as the person named in the certificate. 19. If an original holder of a certificate, or his transferee, shall cease to be in bond fide occupation of the land, such certificate shall become and be null and void, and all rights and privileges thereunder shall absolutely cease and determine. 20. If any question shall at any time arise as to whether any person has continued or ceased to be in bond fide occupation of the land, or otherwise fulfilled the before-mentioned conditions, such question shall be referred by the Waste Lands Commissioner to two or more Justices of the Peace, and the decision of such Justices shall be final and conclusive, and not liable to be questioned in any Court of law on any ground whatever. 21. In the event of the death of the lawful holder of any certificate before the issue of a Crown grant, the rights, privileges, and liabilities of such holder shall pass to his appointee in writing, and failing such appointment, shall pass to his personal representative, provided that he claims the same within two years from such holder's death ; and failing such claim, the land shall revert to the Crown free of all claims and liabilities whatsoever. 22. If the said George Vesey Stewart, together with his family, and at least thirty families, shall not arrive in one ship at Auckland or Tauranga, in pursuance and part fulfilment of this agreement, before the first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-sis, this agreement shall cease, determine, and be void; and neither the said George Vesey Stewart, nor any other person whomsoever, shall have any claim or demand to or in respect of the said land, or any part thereof, nor for any compensation on any account whatsoever in respect of the same, or of this agreement, or any matter or thing relating thereto or in connection therewith. 23. That if such thirty families shall arrive, as by this agreement required, before the first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-six, they shall be entitled at once to select their land, and the settlement shall be deemed to have been formed under this agreement, but the remainder of

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the said block of land of ten thousand acres shall be available until the first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-six, but not afterwards, for such others of the said party as may arrive before that day, who shall be entitled to make their selection on arrival; and if two or more arrive at the same time, priority of choice shall be determined by lot. In witness whereof the said George Maurice O'Eorke hath, on behalf of the General Government of New Zealand, hereunto subscribed his name ; and the said George Vesey Stewart hath also hereunto subscribed his name, the day and year firstfiherein written. G. Matjeice O'Eoeke, Secretary for Crown Lands. Geo. Veset Stewaet. Signed by the said George Maurice O'Eorke, in the presence of— Thos. Btjddle, Solicitor, Auckland. Signed by the said George Vesey Stewart, in the presence of— Thos. Buddle, Solicitor, Auckland.

No. 29. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to His Honor the S-upeeintendent, Auckland. (Circular Telegram.) "Wellington, 15th May, 1874. The number of emigrants on their way is such that the Government propose instructing the AgentGeneral to partially revert to assisted passages. It is proposed to still give to single females, and to emigrants nominated by name from the Colony, free passages ; but to require from other emigrants promissory notes for £7. Before finally deciding on this, I should like to have your Honor's view on the subject; and I shall feel obliged by your communicating it to me as soon as conveniently possible. His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. Julius Vogel.

No. 30. His Honor the Supekintendent, Auckland, to the Hon. the Ministeb for Immigbation. (Telegram.) ■ Auckland, 27th May, 1874. Re proposed curtailment Free Immigration. —Letter expressing my views posted to your address per " Ladybird." Am pleased to learn from yesterday's telegram the conclusion of Government on this question. I have apprised Chairmen of Highway Boards and others, in the different settlements, of number of immigrants on way to the province, and invited them to apply to Immigration Officer for such labourers and others as they may require, and to attend at the depot, either personally or by agent, to make their own selections. A number of those per " Dorette " were engaged for Poverty Bay and taken to Gisborne under a similar arrangement. This will, I hope, prevent complaining on the part of settlers in out-districts, because of monopoly to Auckland and its neighbourhood. Thanks for telegram just received. Hon. J. Vogel, Wellington. J. "Williamson.

No. 31. His Honor the Supebintendekt, Auckland, to the Hon. the Minister for Imhigbation. Sib, — Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 26th May, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram dated 15th instant, intimating that in consequence of the number of emigrants on the way out from England, it is proposed to instruct the Agent-Greneral to partially discontinue the free immigration to this colony, and to revert to assisted passages upon the promissory-note system, and requesting my opinion upon this proposal. As regards this province, there is no reason to fear that the number of emigrants reported as on their way out to Auckland is likely to prove too large to meet the demands for labour in the several districts of the province. In fact, considerable dissatisfaction has been expressed, and still exists, at the apparent neglect on the part of the Agent-General in not sending out to Auckland something like a fair proportion of the number of free emigrants despatched by him to the colony. It appears that while a very large and continuous stream of immigrants has been flowing into the colony since the 31st December, 1873, amounting to a total of 5,332 adults, only 551 of this number have been despatched to Auckland. "Whatever course it may be found necessary to take in this matter with regard to the other provinces of New Zealand, I cannot advise the sudden stoppage of free immigration to this part of the colony until at least something like a fair adjustment of numbers takes place between this province and those other portions of the colony where the demand for the introduction of immigrants has been liberally acknowledged and supplied. In Auckland there is still room enough and ready employment for a very large number of well-selected respectable female servants. As to your proposal to revert to the promissory-note system, I think that the experience of this and other provinces would hardly testify in favour of its renewal. The Immigration Officer here now holds promissory notes unpaid to the amount of £6,643, but it is feared that only a very small portion of this money will be recovered; and the question naturally arises, what security exists that the persons liable shall not leave the colony before their bonds become due ? In "Wellington, some years ago, an endeavour was made to detain the immigrants in that province until they had liquidated the claims against them, but the attempt utterly failed.

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It appears to me that if immigration to the colony is still to be encouraged—and none will question the necessity for this—the facilities for free passages must be continued, and assistance must still bo given to enable colonists already settled here to have their friends and relations brought out, or land must be given to those who pay the cost of their own passages to the colony. Auckland may submit to the necessities of an alteration to the free immigration policy, but she may fairly demand to be placed in a position which will enable the Government to colonize her waste lands as freely as those more favoured provinces of the South which have had their lands handed over to them almost free of cost for colonizing purposes. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. J. Williamson, Superintendent.

No. 32. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. (Circular Telegram.) Wellington, 26th May, 1874. He Assisted Immigration.—The Government, after considering the replies of Superintendents, have come to the conclusion only to instruct Agent-General to limit the number of emigrants depatched by him between Ist March and the end of the year to 25,000. His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. Julius Vogel.

No. 33. Telegrams between His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland, and the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Auckland, 15th June, 1874. Ec Immigrants' Cottages.—Tenders have been received and accepted for twenty-five, on plan approved by Minister for Public Works; tenders ranging from £199 to £116 10s., the latter being below the estimated cost. Mr. Taylor, an honorable contractor, offers to construct the whole number within two months at the latter price. Twenty-five more, at least, will be required ; may I invite tenders for them ? They will be constructed so as to allow of removal to special settlement sites after, and much of first cost recovered by sale of them to settlers. Hon. J. Vogel, Wellington. J. Williamson. Wellington, 17th June, 1874. In accordance with your Honor's recommendation, I approve calling for tenders for a further number of twenty-five cottages. His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. Julius Vogel.

No. 34. His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland, to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sir,— Wellington, 6th July, 1874. Judging from a remark which fell from your Private Secretary, Mr. Fox, since my arrival in Wellington, it appears that some uncertainty exists in your mind as to whether the immigrants' cottages now in course of construction at Auckland are intended to be used in lieu of depots for the reception of immigrants on their arrival, or for the purpose of erection in country districts, as authorized in your circular of date 19th December, 1873, to be paid for by instalments. In order to make the matter perfectly clear, I beg to refer you to the memorandum of Mr. Allright,* enclosed in my letter of 15th April last, by which you will see that the cottages referred to are intended to be used in lieu of depots, and are to be distributed, as occasion may require, for erection for temporary use at various settlements along the coast to which immigrants may be sent from Auckland at the request of settlers selecting them at the principal dep6t. Until these cottages have been disposed of for permanent erection, they will remain the property of the colony. When so disposed of, it will then be open to rent them to the occupants, or to arrange with such occupants for payment of cost by instalments. I have not yet acted upon the authority given me to erect cottages of the class referred to in your circular, the cost of erection of which is to be guaranteed by the Province, and to be paid by four yearly instalments, inasmuch as I am unable at present to form a correct judgment as to the localities in which immigrants may be located under the system of special settlement or otherwise ; nor do I think it desirable or expedient to decide upon such locations until a number of blocks of land lately purchased by the General Government shall have been handed over to the Province, I have, &c, John Williamson. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Superintendent, Auckland. * D.-5, p. 5.

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No. 35. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeatiox to His Honor the Supebintendent, Auckland. Sib,— Wellington, 7th July, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday's date, in which you explain that the immigrants' cottages now in course of construction at Auckland are intended to be used in lieu of depots, and do not therefore come within the terms of my letter of 19th December, 1873, with regard to repayment. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent of Auckland. Julius Vogel.

No. 36. Telegbams between His Honor the Supebdjteiojent, Auckland, and the Hon. the Ministeb for Ihmigbation. Auckland, 18th June, 1874. Re Quarantine Station.—On receipt of your telegram of 16th May advising sailing of ships, copy was sent to Health Officer. The following is copy of his minute thereon: —" With reference to the telegram advising of the embarkation of numerous emigrants for Auckland, attention is drawn to the fact that there is no detached hospital at the quarantine station to receive cases, say of small-pox or other infectious disease, should such arrive. I would recommend a detached building to be prepared, without delay. —T. M. Philson." The report of Immigration Officer, and memoranda thereon, have been sent to me from your office for my opinion as to the works necessarily required on the station. I have caused careful inspection to be made. The report of the Inspector is, that the works referred to are all requisite and necessary, in which report, after consulting the Station Master and Dr. Philson, I concur. The whole cost is estimated at £1,672 ; the cost of hospital, £600. The hospital should be proceeded with immediately, as one at least of the vessels expected may shortly arrive. May I invite tenders for the hospital as well as the other works ? J. Williamson, Hon. J. Vogel, Wellington. Superintendent. Wellington, 20th June, 1874. Is accordance with your Honor's recommendation, I authorize you to invite tenders for the improvements required at Quarantine depot, including erection of small separate hospital. His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. Julius Vogel.

TARANAKI. No. 37. Telegbams between the Hon. the Mikisteb for Immigbation and His Honor the Supebintendent, Taranaki. (Circular Telegram.) Wellington, 15th May, 1874. Tiie number of emigrants on their way is such that the Govenment propose instructing the AgentGeneral to partially revert to assisted passages. It is proposed to still give to single females, and to emigrants nominated by name from the Colony, free passages; but to require from other emigrants promissory notes for £7. Before finally deciding on this, I should like to have your Honor's view on the subject; and I shall feel obliged by your communicating it to me as soon as conveniently possible. His Honor the Superintendent, Taranaki. Julius Vogel. New Plymouth, 18th May, 1874. Be your telegram May 15th—Emigrants' free and assisted passages.—My view is that the AgentGeneral should be instructed to send to Taranaki with free passages the number of immigrants to which we are entitled, say the same number as free to Napier, or at least the number I have so long since applied for. If this be done, I consider that immigration may be partially stopped for a short time. Would not alter regulations ; the effect will be very prejudicial. Fbed. A. Caeeington, Hon. J. Vogel, Wellington. Superintendent. (Circular Telegram.) Wellington, 26th May, 1874. Re Assisted Immigration.—The Government, after considering the replies of Superintendents, have come to the conclusion only to instruct Agent-General to limit the number of emigrants despatched by him between Ist March and the end of the year to 25,000. His Honor the Superintendent, Taranaki. Julius Vogel. New Plymouth, 29th May, 1874. Re Immigration. —Many thanks for your telegram. Provincial Council pleased. Trust you will see order carried out. We have positive information from England that ships will, if ordered, come direct to New Plymouth. F. A. Cabbington, Hon. J. Vogel, Wellington. Superintendent.

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No. 38. Telegeams between His Honor the Superintendent, Taranaki, and the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. New Plymouth, 9th June, 1874. Pleased to learn that stringent orders have been sent to Agent-General. When may we expect immigrants ? Public works at standstill. Must have immigrants. Feed. A. Caerington, Hon. J. Vogel, Wellington. Superintendent. Wellington, 11th June, 1874. Received your telegram re immigration. As I have informed you, I have sent home explicit instructions on subject. Would you like me to arrange to send you one hundred immigrants out of first shipment arriving in Wellington? The " Waikato " is daily expected here. His Honor the Superintendent, New Plymouth. Julius Vogel. New Plymouth, 13th June, 1874. Thanks for your offer to send us one hundred immigrants—we gladly accept them. We will send our agent to be present when they arrive. Fred. A. Carrington, Hon. J. Vogel, Wellington. Superintendent.

No. 39. His Honor the Superintendent, Taranaki, to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sir, — Superintendent's Office, New Plymouth, 23rd June, 1874. I have the honor to inform you that the Provincial Government of Taranaki have appointed Mr. William Mumford Burton, late Deputy Auditor of this province, to be their Emigration Agent in England. I shall therefore feel much obliged if you will be so good as to notify the Agent-General on this point. Mr. Burton will probably leave for England by the next out-going mail. I have, &c, F. A. Caerington, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Superintendent.

No. 40. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to His Honor the Superintendent, Taranaki. Sib, — Immigration Office, "Wellington, 9th July, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23rd ult., in which you inform me that Mr. W. M. Burton has been appointed. Emigration Agent in England for the Province of Taranaki, and request me to notify the Agent-General thereof. In reply, I beg to enclose, for your Honor's information, copy of the letter* which was sent to the Agent-General upon the subject by the last San Francisco Mail. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Taranaki. Julius Vogel.

No. 41. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to His Honor the Superintendent, Taranaki. Sin, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 6th July, 1874. It is very desirable that some of the immigrants arriving in your province should at once leave the town and its vicinity, and proceed into the country districts, either to become settlers on their own account, or to accept employment from settlers. To enable this to be done, I shall be inclined not only to allow a moderate expenditure for the cost of transit, but also a proportion of the expense for renting suitable buildings, if any are available, as temporary depots for the immigrants, in the country towns or villages. The scarcity of house accommodation is such in many of the country districts, that immigrants, especially families, inclined to settle or seek employment in the country, may find themselves deterred from doing so on account of the want of adequate shelter. It has suggested itself to me that it would be very desirable to erect, at different points "where employment was available, serviceable but cheap four-roomed cottages or huts, not exceeding in cost £100, for the purpose of letting to the immigrants. Where the Provincial Government have land to spare in the vicinity of railway works, small areas of land might be included, with the cottages, in a lease. This, however, I leave to the consideration of the Provincial authorities. I am willing, as a means of thus settling immigrants, to place a certain amount of money at your Honor's disposal to build such cottages or huts, on the following conditions: — 1. That these be let to newly-arrived immigrants with families. 2. That the Provincial Government undertakes and guarantees to return to the General Government the amount expended, with interest at 5 per cent., in four instalments, on the Ist January, 1875, 1876, 1877, and 1878. * Vide D. la, p. 1.

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I leave you to make such arrangements for building the cottages, and to let them on such conditions other than those stipulated, as may seem to you desirable. If you approve of this proposal, I shall be glad to receive any suggestions from your Honor on the subject, as also to learn the amount of money you think you would require during the current year. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Taranaki. Julius Vogel.

HAWKE'S BAT. No. 42. Telegeams between the Hon. the Ministee for Immigration and His Honor the Supeeintendent, Hawke's Bay. (Circular Telegram.) Wellington, 15th May, 1874. The number of emigrants on their way is such that the Government propose instructing the AgentGeneral to partially revert to assisted passages. It is proposed to still give to single females, and to emigrants nominated by name from the Colony, free passages; but to require from other emigrants promissory notes for £7. Before finally deciding on this, I should like to have your Honor's view on the subject; and I shall feel obliged by your communicating it to me as soon as conveniently possible. His Honor the Superintendent, Hawke's Bay. Julius Vogel. Napier, 19th May, 1874. Re proposed instructions to Agent-General to partially revert to assisted passages —I think doing so will check emigration to this colony. It must be remembered May and June are the favourite months for emigration, and that it is only now the supply is at all coming up to the demand. In face of the known competition for emigrants, I fear if the stream now flowing to New Zealand is checked, it will so operate that sufficient supplies will not be obtained to arrive in the colony in the months of November, December, and January, when labour is most needed. I would rather see additional advantages offered to secure really suitable immigrants, and trust this proposed instruction will be reconsidered. Hon. J. Vogel, Wellington. J. D. Osmond. (Circular Telegram.) Wellington, 26th May, 1874. Re Assisted Immigration.—The Government after considering the replies of Superintendents, have come to the conclusion only to instruct Agent-General to limit the number of emigrants despatched by him between Ist March and the end of the year to 25,000. His Honor the Superintendent, Hawke's Bay. Julius Vogel.

WELLINGTON. No. 43. His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington, to the Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation. Sic,— Superintendent's Office, Wellington, sth May, 1874. I have the honor to enclose herewith copy of a report I have received from the Immigration Commissioners, informing me that the crew of the " Golden Sea" had broken into cargo, and were threatening to fire the ship. I express my opinion that the Commissioners acted with discretion in the matter, and hope that you will approve of their suggestion of having a lock-up erected on the Island in case of a similar occurrence. I have, &c, W. FITZIIERBERT, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Superintendent.

Enclosure in No. 43. The Ijimigeation Commissioners to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Wellington. Immigration Office, Sic, — Provincial Buildings, "Wellington, sth May, 1874. "We have the honor to report that, at 11 o'clock yesterday morning, a messenger reached town with a letter from the surgeon-superintendent of the Quarantine Station, stating that the crew of the " Golden Sea " had broken into cargo, and were threatening to fire the ship. Knowing that the captain had had trouble with his seamen and some of the immigrants during the voyage, we thought it advisable to send off a strong force of police, and application was accordingly made to the General Government, who at once sent over forty men of the Armed Constabulary. On arriving alongside the vessel, we found the greater portion of the crew more or less in a state of drunkenness. All had left off work. On consulting with the captain, he informed us that the crew were drunk and mutinous, and that he had been compelled to use firearms in self-defence. Under the circumstances, we deemed it desirable to arrest the ringleaders, and hand them over to the police. Eleven men were accordingly brought to town in the " Luna."

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Under ordinary circumstances, it would not be right to bring prisoners out from the performance of quarantine ; but in this case, which was one of emergency, we considered that prompt action was necessary, and as there had been no disease amongst the crew, we do not consider that any evil consequences will result from the course we have pursued. We would moreover observe, that the " Golden Sea " was only quarantined for scarlatina, which had been entirely confined to the children; and as all the immigrants had been removed to the island, the ship being only detained for the purpose of being disinfected and cleaned, we were confirmed in our opinion that the most judicious course to pursue would be to remove the men to town. We would draw your Honor's attention to the necessity which exists for a lock-up, or proper place of confinement, for prisoners on the Quarantine Station. Had the vessel been quarantined for smallpox or other virulent disease, we should not have been justified in allowing any person to leave the Quarantine Station. We have, &c, Alexander Johnston, M.D.,) John Hollidat, > Commissioners. H. J. H. Eliott, ) His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington.

No. 44. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 21st May, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the sth May instant, enclosing copy of a report by the Immigration Commissioners relative to an outbreak of the crew of the ship " Golden Sea " while lying in quarantine at Somes Island, and expressing your approval of the suggestion of the Commissioners that a lock-up should be erected upon the island. In reply, I have to inform you that the conduct of the Immigration Commissioners in the matter of repressing the outbreak meets with my entire approval, and I shall be glad if your Honor will take an opportunity of expressing this to them. Upon the subject of the erection of a lock-up on the island, the Government are advised that it is not necessary nor desirable that any such provision should be made. If a lock-up were built, the persons accused of any crime could not be imprisoned without the warrant of a Justice, and would have to be brought before a Justice without delay after apprehension. I need scarcely point out to you the serious inconvenience such proceedings would entail. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. Julius Vogel.

No. 45. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 15th May, 1874. I have the honor to forward to you herewith, copy of a circular telegram which has to-day been transmitted to the Superintendent of other provinces. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. Julius Vogel.

Enclosure in No. 45. (Circular Telegram.) "Wellington, 15th May, 187-1. The number of emigrants on their way is such that the Government propose instructing the AgentGeneral to partially revert to assisted passages. It is proposed to still give to single females, and to emigrants nominated by name from the Colony, free passages; but to require from other emigrants promissory notes for £7. Before finally deciding on this, I should like to have your Honor's view on the subject; and I shall feel obliged by your communicating it to me as soon as conveniently possible. His Honor the Superintendent. Julius Vogel.

No. 46. His Honor the Superintendent, "Wellington, to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sib, — Superintendent's Office, "Wellington, 20th May, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 15th inst., enclosing copy of a circular telegram which has been transmitted to Superintendents of other provinces, asking the opinion of the Provincial Government as to the advisability of your instructing the Agent-General to partially revert to assisted passages. In reply, I have the honor to inform you that such circular has been brought under the special consideration of the Executive, who are unanimously of opinion that no change is desirable, as far as this province is concerned, as the immigrants that have arrived here, both as to quality and quantity, have been on the whole satisfactory, and have been absorbed as quickly as could be expected. I have, &c, "William Fitziierbert, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Superintendent. 3-D. sa.

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No. 47. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Wellington. Sic, — General Government Offices, Wellington, 26th May, 1874. I have the honor to forward to you copy of a circular telegram which has to-day been transmitted to the Superintendents of other provinces. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. Julius Vogel.

Enclosure in No. 47. (Circular telegram.) Wellington, 26th May, 1874. Re Assisted Immigration.—The Government, after considering the replies of Superintendents, have come to the conclusion only to instruct the Agent-General to limit the number of emigrants despatched by him between the Ist March and the end of the year to 25,000. His Honor the Superintendent. Julius Vogel.

No. 48. His Honor the Supeeintendent, Wellington, to the Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation. Sic,— Superintendent's Office, Wellington, 28th May, 1874. I have the honor to enclose copy of a letter I have received from His Honor the Superintendent of Nelson, inquiring whether 1 would be willing to make arrangements for the reception of vessels containing immigrants—should the necessity arise—at Somes Island. I have laid the matter before the Executive, and the Provincial Government will have no objection, providing the General Government concur. I hare, &c, William Fitzheebert, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Superintendent.

Enclosure in No. 48. His Honor the Superintendent, Nelson, to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Wellington. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Nelson, 25th May, 1874. As a considerable number of immigrants will shortly arrive at this port in vessels direct from Great Britain, and there are at present no sufficient arrangements for quarantine purposes in case of need, I have the honor to inquire if you would be willing to make arrangements for the reception of vessels containing immigrants—should the necessity arise—at Somes Island. In the event of a constant stream of immigration being directed to this province, it will no doubt be necessary to make adequate quarantine arrangements here; but it appears to me that in the meantime, and pending more permanent arrangements, much expense might be saved by the course which I am proposing for your consideration. Mr. Lightfoot, Superintendent of Works for this province, will deliver this letter to you, and will be able to afford you any further information you may wish for upon the subject. I have, &c, Oswald Cuetis, His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. Superintendent.

No. 49. The Hon. the Minister for Immigeation to His Honor the Superintendent, "Wellington. Sic, — Immigration Office, "Wellington, Gth July, 1874. In reply to your letter of 2Sth May, in which you transmitted copy of a letter addressed to you by His Honor the Superintendent of Nelson, requesting that arrangements might be made to enable Somes Island to be available as a quarantine station for immigrant vessels arriving at Nelson with infectious disease on board, I have to inform you that a Proclamation has been issued to give effect to this proposal, copy of which I now enclose for your Honor's information. I haye, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. Julius Vogel,

No. 50. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to His Hon. the SupeeintenDent, Wellington. Sib, — Immigration Office, "Wellington, Ist June, 1874, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 27th May,* in reply to mine of 29th of April, respecting the setting aside of land for settlement in the Province of Wellington, and in which you state that the Provincial Government were quite prepared to agree to the terms of D.—s, p. 24.

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the arrangement contained in the fourth paragraph of my letter, and you assure me that the Provincial Government will not act in advance of the prospective power proposed to be obtained from Parliament during its ensuing Session. 2. I append hereto, for your information, a copy of the report of Mr. T. Calcutt, respecting the proposed selection of laud. You will no doubt find it very interesting. 3. If you are willing to agree to Mr. Calcutt's recommendations, I will move the Colonial Secretary to appoint some one to direct and approve of tho surveys made by your own officers. 4. Of course such action must not bo construed into pledging the approbation of Parliament, as it would be merely in continuation of that already agreed upon in respect to the approval of tho Legislature. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. Julius Vogel,

Enclosure in No. 50. Mr. T. Calcutt to the Hon. the Mihtstee for Immigeation. Sib,— "Wellington, 28th May, 1874. Eeferring to the letter of His Honor the Superintendent of Wellington, of date 24th April last, to yourself, relative to setting apart land for immigrants, and to your answer thereto of 29th April, which letters you did me the honor to request me to peruse, and referring also to your verbal instructions to me to report on the general nature of the land to be shown to mo by some officer to be appointed by the Provincial Government of this province, I have the honor to state that, accompanied by J. Gr. Holdsworth, Esq., Crown Lands Commissioner for the Province, and Mr. A. W. Carkeek, of the Provincial Survey Staff, I travelled from "Wellington via Featherston, G-roytown, and Masterton, through the Wairarapa, to the commencement of the Seventy-Mile Forest; thence to the Scandinavian settlement at Mauriceville on to the Manawatu River; thence through a portion of the Napier Province to the Manawatu Gorge (crossing which river at this point this province is again entered), and on to the town of Palmerston, and to report as follows : — 1. That, with the exception of two open plains, of about 800 acres and 400 acres respectively, situate in the Manawatu-Wairarapa No. 3 Block, the whole of the country pointed out to me is dense forest. 2. That from the commencement of the Seventy-Mile Bush (nine miles from Masterton), forty miles of which are in this province, the whole of the land may be said generally to be very good soil, the greater portion excellent; while some of it, in my opinion, is as good as possibly can be found anywhere or can in any way be desired, consisting as it does in a material degree of deep loam resting on limestone. The general outline and contour of the country is excellent for the purposes of settlement, possessing every natural advantage of water supply and for the making of good roads ; and with the single exception of the land being at present heavily timbered, I can imagine no piece of country better fitted for the settlement of a large number of persons. That such will be the case, and that, too, within a comparatively short time if the lands are judiciously opened up, I have no doubt whatever. 3. The timber in the forests consists mainly of black, red, and white pines, totara, rata, tawa, and hinau. This timber, so soon as roads and railways permeate through the country, will of itself be of considerable value, and should if possible be saved from the universal destruction going on in the few settlements already existing. lam aware that the practical solution of a large question of this kind presents difficulties ; nevertheless, I think some plan might be devised to save so large and valuable a portion of the Crown property. The day is not far distant when the timber now growing on these lands would, properly utilized, realize millions of pounds sterling. I venture respectfully to outline my view on this matter for any consideration you may deem it entitled to, believing as I do that under proper regulations the expenditure to be incurred in making roads and railways through this fine portion of the country would be nearly if not wholly recouped by the sale of the timber growing thereon, and thereafter the land sold by the Crown for as high, or possibly, in some instances, a higher price than it would now realize. In the Province of Canterbury lately, bush land realized £40 sterling per acre. lam quite sure that no private person or corporation would part with the land at a nominal price, with the knowledge that hundreds of thousands of pounds sterling would be lost by the wholesale destruction of these splendid forests. Another question during my journey presented itself to my mind, namely, seeing that the railway to Masterton is now under authorization and parts thereof under contract, I venture to point out how desirable it would be to (if possible) make the present partially newly-formed main road (known as Munro's Track) a railway or tramway at once, instead of, as contemplated, a metalled road. The formation now making by the General Government would, I have little doubt, with some slight alteration, be available for rails, and the bridges also ; while the cost of metalling the road (not yet done), from the scarceness of stone along the road, would go far towards the cost of rails, and the extra value thus given to this naturally splendid piece of country would in my opinion (in which opinion I am heartily seconded by Mr. Holdsworth) be very considerable to both sellers and purchasers. No piece of country in New Zealand that I have seen deserved a railway better than this. 4. In the absence of a proper survey of the country, it is impossible for me to give in this report exact boundaries of the land proposed to be selected; indeed, to do this with minuteness and great care, through a virgin forest, would entail the employment of a somewhat large staff of surveyors, linemen, and others, and at least three to four months of time in a different season of the year to that of nearly midwinter ; but so satisfied am I from personal observation of the general character and formation of the country through which we passed, together with information given to me by Mr. Holdsworth, Crown Lands Commissioner; Mr. Baker and Mr. Morrow, General Government surveyors; Mr. Munro and Mr. Stewart, Engineers in the Public Works Department of the General Government;

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and Mr. A. W. Carkeek, of the Provincial Survey Department (to all of whom I tender my thanks for the hearty manner in which they supplied the information in their power), that I have no hesitation whatever of assuring you that, subject to the surveys being made either as I may direct, or, which I should much prefer, under the immediate direction and supervision of Mr. Heale, or other competent officer of survey under the G-eneral Government, 60,000 acres of good land can be got within the limits of the lino coloured blue on the plan herewith, and 20,000 acres from between the Oroua and Pohangina Eivers, adjoining on the one side the Peilding Block, and running between the two rivers until the area computes to 20,000 acres. This piece of land is not on the plan herewith. It is not necessary, as the description here given is sufficiently concise as a direction for the survey. In mentioning one block of 60,000 acres as a portion of the 80,000, instead of three blocks of 20,000 each, I apprehend no objection will offer itself. This course has been forced upon me in the present state of the non-survey of the country; but if any importance bo attached to the point, the permanent survey can be so arranged as to make the matter coincide exactly with the terms of the letters upon which this report is based. The country included within the blue colour on the plan exceeds to a considerable extent the area required; indeed, some part thereof has been sold to the Scandinavians, and possibly other persons, while there are also a few Native reserves therein. This large area has been taken by me simply to give to the Crown surveyors ample margin to insure a selection of sufficiently level and undulating land as shall equal what I have described. After survey, the excess will revert to the province. More than this cannot in the meantime be done. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Thomas Calcutt.

No. 51. His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington, to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sir, — Superintendent's Office, Wellington, 6th June, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Ist instant, in which you enclose me a copy of the very valuable and interesting report by Mr. Calcutt on the lands proposed to be selected and set apart for immigrants, and to inform you that it has been referred to the Chief Surveyor, with a request that he will report to me upon the best means of having the lands surveyed. So soon as I receive Mr. Jackson's report, I will communicate with you further. I have, &c, William Fttziieebebt, The Hon. J. Vogel, Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Superintendent.

No. 52. His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington, to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sib, — Superintendent's Office, "Wellington, 30th June, 1874. Eeferring to my letter of the 6th instant, acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the Ist instant, respecting the setting aside of land for settlement in the Province of Wellington, and stating that if I am willing to agree to Mr. Calcutt's recommendation that you will move the Colonial Secretary to appoint some one to direct and approve of the surveys made by the officers of the Provincial Government, —I have now the honor to enclose a copy of a memorandum by the Chief Surveyor, and also a copy of a letter received by me from the Provincial Engineer, on the subject. I enclose also for your information a tracing of the proposed blocks, prepared in the Provincial Survey Office. I have, &c., William Fitzheebert, The Hon. J. Vogel, Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Superintendent,

Enclosure 1 in No. 52. Memorandum by the Chief Suevetoe, Wellington, to His Honor the Superintendent. Tiiere are about 100,000 acres of land comprised within the limits mentioned in Mr. Calcutt's report, from which ho proposes to choose three blocks of 20,000 acres each ; the remaining block of 20,000 acres, lying between the Pohangina and Oroua Eivers, will also, I presume, be selected from within an area of land considerably in excess of that required. The whole of this country, consisting as it does of dense bush and far outlying any settled districts, is difficult of access, and presents serious obstacles in the way of an expeditious and inexpensive survey. In the first place, it will be requisite to execute a topographical survey over about 180,000 acres, with preliminary traverses of the principal rivers and streams, before the said blocks of 20,000 acres each can be accurately defined; then an exploration survey ■will be necessary, for determining and pegging the necessary road lines in each block ; and finally, the pegging of the sections will require to be executed. The cost of preliminary surveys over 180,000 acres, say at 4d. per acre, will be £3,000; that of laying out the necessary road lines within 80,000 acres, at Is. per acre, will be £4,000 ; and that of pegging 80,000 acres into 150-acre sections or so, with completed maps of the same, to locate settlers, with their "boundaries, at 3s. per acre, will be £12,000. The cost of laying out four towns will also be about £I,2oo,—making a grand total of about £20,200.

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The preliminary traverses and topographical surveys will occupy six parties for one year; the laying out of the road lines, eight parties for the same period ; and the pegging of sections sixteen parties, also for one year. The laying out of the towns will employ four parties for about six months. Presuming that the General Government are not sufficiently in possession of information from their recent surveys in these localties to enable the various blocks of land to be immediately chosen, the preliminary surveys before mentioned will therefore necessarily have to be undertake*. After the selection has been made of the four blocks, the exploration for road lines will require to be performed. Eighteen months will therefore probably elapse from the commencement of survey before the frontage pegs of sections can be determined, or, in other words, before the land can be occupied by settlers; but prior to this, immigrants may be sent to be employed on road works, waiting for and ready to make their selections. With reference to Mr. Calcutt's proposition, that the surveys be performed by the Provincial Government Survey Staff under the direction of a General Government officer, I have to remark that such an arrangement would be highly prejudicial in a professional point of view, as tending to create a diversity in that which can only be carried out by one authority. Setting apart the injustice such an arrangement would do to myself as the Chief Surveyor of the province within which the surveys are to be executed, I feel that it would weaken my authority in the department —not only iv the case of these particular surveys, but generally so ; whilst probably the adoption of a different system of survey, to accord with the ideas and wishes of a superior over me, would also tend to a derangement of that which has hitherto worked so well in this province, and would produce inevitable confusion and future disputes as to boundaries. I strongly recommend upon the consideration of the Provincial Government the necessity of objecting to this proposal in Mr. Calcutt's report, feeling convinced that if left to myself I shall be able to execute these surveys far better aud cheaper than if I was placed under control. I shall be prepared, on receiving instructions to this effect, to organize the requisite number of survey parties, and to commence the works without delay. Henry Jackson, 18th June, 1874. Chief Surveyor.

Enclosure 2 in No. 52. The Peoyiucial Engineee, Wellington, to His Honor the Supeeintendent. Sic, — Provincial Engineer's Office, Wellington, 2oth June, 1874. I have the honor to state, in continuation of my report, No. 158, that I estimate it will take eight engineers and their parties twelve months to explore and lay off the necessary road-lines in the 80,000 acres proposed to be set apart for the purposes of special settlement, and that the cost of the same would be approximately £5,200. I have, &c., J. D. Baied, His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. Provincial Engineer.

No. 53. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigbation to His Honor the Supeeintettdent, "Wellington. Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 3rd July, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 30th June, enclosing a report by Mr. Jackson, the Chief Surveyor of the province, with respect to Mr. T. Calcutt's recommendation as to the selection of certain blocks of land. 2. I do not think that Mr. Calcutt's recommendation as to the appointment of some one on behalf of the General Government to act in relation to the survey of the blocks was meant to be regarded as Mr. Jackson seems to regard it. 3. As it appears to me, Mr. Calcutt proposed that a certain quantity of land should be selected out of a much larger quantity indicated, and that, in order that the right of selection should still remain, he suggested that the surveying—which in the present case might be held to mean the selection —should be done under the direction of a surveyor appointed by the General Government, just as a private person who had to select a block out of a large area of land might employ the services of a surveyor. Ido not understand Mr. Calcutt to propose either to direct or to control Mr. Jackson's professional action in a manner to which it would be possible for him professionally to take exception. 4. I shall however be prepared to consider any plan of proceeding by which the real power of selecting the land would, as proposed by your Honor, rest with the General Government. I have, &c., His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. Julius Vogel.

No. 54 His Honor the Supeeintendent, "Wellington, to the Hon. the Ministeb for Immigeatioit. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Wellington, 2nd June, 1874. As a large number of immigrants are now on their way to this province, I must strongly urge upon you the necessity there is for the establishment of depots in the country districts. At present I would recommend that in addition to the depots already established, buildings should be erected at Poxton, Palmerston, and Castle Point or Warehama.

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A depot has already been authorized at Foxton, at a cost of £560, but I consider that this would be of too expensive a character —a rough slab shed, as long as it is weather-tight, being all that would be required. I shall be obliged by your giving instructions for the erection of depots of the description indicated at the places I have named ; and I believe that Mr. Munro, of the Public Works Department, or Mr. Halcombe, if asked to do so, could furnish practical details of the description of building required. I have, &c, "William Fitzheebeet, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, "Wellington. Superintendent.

No. 55. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation to His Honor the SuPEEiKTENTiEiirT, Wellington. Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 29th June, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 2nd instant, and, in reply, to inform you Honor that I concur with you as to the desirability of immigrants' depots being erected at the places mentioned therein, and also in the application for these purposes of the £560 already authorized for a large depot at Foxton. Plans of the depots which have been erected at Opaki and Feilding have been forwarded to the Immigration Officer for his guidance, and I shall be happy to favourably consider any arrangements your Honor may make to carry out the spirit of your request. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. Julius Vogel. N.B. —The delay in answering the Superintendent's letter arose from tho necessity of communicating with Messrs. Halcombe and Munro.

No. 56. His Honor the Supebiutendent, Wellington, to the Hon. the Ministeb for Immigration. Sib, — Superintendent's Office, Wellington, 16th June, 1874. I have the honor to forward to you herewith copy of a letter addressed to me by Mr. Charles Eecd, The Crescent, Oxford, England, proposing that Mr. Taylor, the Secretary of the " National Agricultural Labourers' Union," should be invited to visit New Zealand, with a view to his writing a pamphlet for the information of intending emigrants. I entirely concur in Mr. Reid's proposal, and urge upon the General Government the desirability of making some arrangement with that gentleman through the Agent-General. I have, &c, William Fitzheebeet, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent.

Enclosure in No. 56. Mr. Charles Reed to His Honor the SuPEEmTESTDENT, "Wellington. Sic,— 11, The Crescent, Oxford, England, 6th March, 1874. I have the honor to inform you that I have by this mail posted to you a pamphlet of " Arch's Mission to Canada," as well as to the other Superintendents of New Zealand. I think a work from him or the Secretary of the National Agricultural Labourers' Union on New Zealand would have an immense influence among the labourers of the midland and southern counties of England, as they would have the utmost confidence in anything that came from the pen of one so intimately known to them, and would be the means of an immense influx of emigrants to New Zealand, if arrangements were only made for the Secretary to visit the colony. If New Zealand does not do something in the matter, I feel confident the other Australian Colonies will; and the Canadian Government have offered Arch £500 per annum to act as their emigration agent, which he has declined. Mr. Taylor, the Secretary of the National Agricultural Labourers' Union, has informed me that he has no objection to visit New Zealand with the intention of writing a pamphlet on the country, and would circulate it amongst any class of labourers that might be required for the colony, and amongst whom he is well known, respected, and holds very considerable influence. It appears to me that the provinces are equally interested in this matter as the General Government; and any arrangement might be left with the Agent-General here, to make terms with the Secretary of the National Agricultural Labourers' Union for the purpose of visiting New Zealand during next summer. In conclusion, I beg to state that, in suggesting this for your consideration, I have nothing whatever to do with the Union, except to benefit New Zealand, having spent twenty-one years there, and still hold a run and fine estate in the Ashburton, in the Canterbury Province. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. Chables Reed.

No. 57. The Hon. the Mintstee for Ijimigeation to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Wellington. Sib, — Immigration Office, "Wellington, 23rd June, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 16th instant, in which you forward copy of a letter addressed to you by Mr. Charles Reed, recommending that Mr. Taylor, the

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Secretary of the Agricultural Labourers' Union, should be invited to visit New Zealand, with a view to his satisfying himself of the advantages offered by the colony to immigrants. Iv reply, I have to inform your Honor that Mr. Eeed has communicated with the Government upon the same subject, and I enclose for your information copy of the reply which was sent to him. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. Julius Vogel.

Enclosure in No. 57. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to Mr. Charles Eeed: Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 31st March, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 22nd January ultimo, and desire to thank you for the suggestion afforded in the cause of emigration to this colony. I have by the mail forwarded a copy of your letter to the Agent-General, who has full powers in the matter, and with whom I recommend you should place yourself in communication, either personally or by letter. I have, &c, Charles Eeed, Esq., 11, The Crescent, Park Town, Julius Vogel. Oxford, England.

No. 58. His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington, to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sir,— Superintendent's Office, Wellington, 22nd June, 1874. Having made inquiries for a site on which to erect cottages for immigrants at Masterton, the result is an offer from Mr. Eenall to dispose of an acre and a half for the sum of £90. As I consider tho site a convenient one and the price reasonable, I recommend that the land be purchased. I have, &c, William Fitzherbert, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Superintendent.

No. 59. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 24th June, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd instant, in which you recommend that an acre and a half of land at Masterton be purchased by the General Government, as a site upon which to erect cottages for immigrants. In reply, I have to inform your Honor that I shall be prepared to authorize the expenditure necessary for building the cottages under the conditions laid down in my letter of 7th February ultimo, but I regret that I am unable to assent to your recommendation as to the purchase of the land for a site. In making the proposals I did to the Superintendents of provinces relative to the erection of cottages or huts for newly-arrived immigrants, I did not in any way contemplate that the General Government would be called upon for the additional outlay the purchase of land for sites would entail; and this has been clearly understood in other provinces, where, although considerable sums have been authorized for the erection of cottages, in no instance has any request been made for the purchase of sites. The terms of my letter referred to, distinctly point to the fact of the cottages being the property of the Provincial Governments, who have to recoup the money expended in their erection by instalments, and are also left to make their own arrangement as to leasing the same. Under these circumstances it is only reasonable that, having the disposal of the waste lands of tho Crown, the Provincial Governments should provide the necessary sites. It may be, however, that the cottages you propose to build at Masterton are not meant to be brought under the terms of my letter referred to, and that you rather propose them as substitutes for a depot. If this be your Honor's intention, the question will be placed on a different footing. I have, Ac, Hia Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. Julius Vogel.

No. 60. His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington, to tho Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sib, — Superintendent's Office, Wellington, 25th June, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th instant, stating that you are unable to assent to my recommendation as to the purchase of land for a site upon which to erect cottages for immigrants at Masterton. In reply, I have to inform you that when I made tho application in question I was quite aware of the terms of your letter of tho 7th February last, and in places where this province is fortunate enough to possess suitable reserves, there is no difficulty with regard to sites for cottages ; for instance, the reserve in the Adelaide Eoad, in this city, upon which it has been recently decided to erect cottages for the purpose of being let to newly-arrived immigrants.

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Tou are probably aware that the township of Masterton was not laid out by the Government, but by a private association, aud the Provincial authorities cannot therefore be accused of want of forethought in not setting aside reserves within that township for public purposes. I cannot, moreover, distinguish any difference between expenditure required for the purchase of sites and expenditure required for paying for the erection of the buildings, as I understand both would come under the terms of proposal No. 2in your letter of 7th February, viz., —" That the Provincial Government undertake and guarantee to return to the General Government the amount expended, with interest at five per cent., in four instalments, on the Ist January, 1875, 1876, 1877, and 1878." The cottages I propose to erect at Masterton are to be let to newly-arrived immigrants, there being a depot already in the district; and if you cannot agree to my proposal, lam unable to recommend any other site at Masterton upon which cottages can be built. I have, &c, William Fitzherbert, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Superintendent.

No. 61. The Hon. the Minister for Immigeation to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Wellington. Sic,— Immigration Office, Wellington, 26th June, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th instant, in which you explain the circumstances under which you made the recommendation for the purchase of a site upon which to erect cottages at Masterton. In reply, I have to inform you that I am willing to look upon the case as exceptional, and to authorize an advance of the money required for the purchase of the acre and a half indicated in your letter of the 22nd June instant, such amount to be added to the other expenditure in connection with the cottages, for repayment under terms of my letter of 7th February ultimo. I have, Ac, His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. Julius Vogel.

MARLBOEOTTGH. No. 62. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to His Honor the Superintendent, Marlborough. (Circular Telegram.) Wellington, 15th May, 1874. The number of emigrants on their way is such that the Government propose instructing the AgentGeneral to partially revert to assisted passages. It is proposed to still give to single females, and to emigrants nominated by name from the colony, free passages ; but to require from other emigrants promissory notes for £7. Before finally deciding on this, I should like to have your Honor's view on the subject; and I shall feel obliged by your communicating it to me.as soon as conveniently possible. His Honor the Superintendent, Marlborough. ■ Julius Vogel.

No. 63. His Honor the Superintendent, Marlborough, to the Hon. the Minister for Immigbation. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Blenheim, 20th May, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 15th instant, and, in reply, to say that as this province has not yet received any immigrants, with the exception of a few nominated immigrants who have to partly pay their passages, I should be sorry to see the present arrangement altered in any way to prevent our receiving the direct shipments intended to come here in the spring. Beyond this I would not offer any suggestions, as unfortunately I have had no local experience of the working of the system. I must, however, impress upon you that this province is languishing for want of labour, and that there is scarcely any industry in the place but what is crippled for want of hands. Being a small province, we could not of course absorb thousands; but hundreds, coming in gradually, would be a great boon. I have, &c, A. P. Seymoub, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Superintendent.

No. 64. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to His Honor the Superintendent, MarlborougL (Circular Telegram.) Wellington, 26th May, 1874. Re Assisted Immigration.—The Government, after considering the replies of Superintendents, hate come to the conclusion only to instruct Agent-General to limit the number of emigrants despatched by him between Ist March and the end of the year to 25,000. His Honor the Superintendent, Mariborough. Julius Vogel.

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NELSON. No. 65. Telegrams between the Hon. the Minister for Immigration and His Honor the Superintendent, Nelson. (Circular Telegram.) Wellington, 15th May, 1574. The number of emigrants on their way is such that the Government propose instructing the AgentGeneral to partially revert to assisted passages. It is proposed to still give to single females, and to emigrants nominated by name from the colony, free passages ; but to require from other emigrants promissory notes for £7. Before finally deciding on this, I should like to have your Honor's view on the subject; and I shall feel obliged by your communicating it to me as soon as conveniently possible. His Honor the Superintendent, Nelson. Julius Vogel. Nelson, 15th May, 1874. I quite agree in the expediency of proposed instructions to Agent-General respecting immigration. Oswald Curtis, The Hon. J. Vogel, Wellington. Superintendent. (Circular Telegram.) Wellington, 26th May. 1874. Ec Assisted Immigration.—The Government, after considering the replies of Superintendents, have come to the conclusion only to instruct Agent-General to limit the number of emigrants despatched by him between Ist March and the end of the year to 25,000. His Honor the Superintendent, Nelson. Julius Vogel.

WESTLAND. No. 66. Telegrams between the Hon. the Minister for Immigration and His Honor the Superintendent, "Westland. (Circular Telegram.) "Wellington, 15th May, 1874. The number of emigrants on their way is such that the Government propose instructing the AgentGeneral to partially revert to assisted passages. It is proposed to still give to single females, and to emigrants nominated by name from the colony, free passages; but to require from other emigrants promissory notes for £7. Before finally deciding on this, I should like to have your Honor's view on the subject; and I shall feel obliged by your communicating it to me as soon as conveniently possible. His Honor the Superintendent, Hokitika. Julius Vogel. Hokitika, 15th May, 1874. Would be sorry to see immigration checked by reverting to assisted passages. I would rather suggest that opportunity now offers for selecting at home only those best suited for our requirements. If, however, the number of nominations sent home arc nearly sufficient to meet requirements of public works, then it might be possible to insist on part payment of passage money. The Hon. J. Vogel, Wellington. J. A. Bonab. (Circular Telegram.) Wellington, 26th May, 1874. Be Assisted Immigration. —The Government, after considering the replies of Superintendents, have come to the conclusion only to instruct Agent-General to limit the number of emigrants despatched by him between Ist March and the end of the year to 25,000. His Honor the Superintendent, Hokitika. Julius Vogel.

CANTEEBUEY. No. 67. Telegrams between the Hon. the Minister for Immigration and His Honor the Superintendent, Canterbury. (Circular Telegram.) "Wellington, 15th May, 1874. The number of emigrants on their way is such that the Government propose instructing the AgentGeneral to partially revert to assisted passages. It is proposed to still give to single females, and to emigrants nominated by name from the Colony, free passages; but to require from other emigrauts promissory notes for £7. Before finally deciding on tkis, I should like to have your Honor's view on the subject; and I shall feel obliged by your communicating it to me as soon as conveniently possible. His Honor the Superintendent, Christchurch. Julius Vooel. Christchurch, 27th May, 1874. I am sorry I was absent -when your telegram as to change in respect of assisted passages arrived. "We have considered the matter carefully, and are opposed to reverting to a system of promissory notes. "We are further of opinion, that the obtaining part payment before sailing from immigrants is of no 4—D. sa.

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consideration as compared with advantage of free selection of the best-qualified men. Some of the best men, and those most required, cannot find means. If numbers are too great, selection will be easier. Hon. J. Vogel, Wellington. "W. Eolleston. Wellington, 26th May, 1874. Ke Assisted Immigration.—The Government, after considering the replies of Superintendents, have come to the conclusion only to instruct the Agent-General to limit the number of emigrants despatched by him between the Ist March and the end of the year to 25,000. His Honor the Superintendent, Christchurch. Julius Vogel.

No. 68. The Hon. J. Vogel to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Canterbury. (Telegram.) Wellington, 12th March, 1874. Me. Potts has placed at 'disposal of Government, Quail Island for quarantine purposes. Will you see him on the subject, and arrange, if you consider it desirable, for the use of island in case of emergency!? His Honor the Superintendent, Christchureh. Julius Vogel.

No. 69. His Honor the Supeeintendent, Canterbury, to the Hon. J. Vogel. (Telegram.) Lyttleton, lGth March, 1874. I think Mr. Potts' offer a very liberal one, and that we should avail ourselves of it in emergency. I am personally of opinion that quarantine building should not be of permanent character beyond cookhouse. Other buildings should be frame-works, perhaps with roofs, capable of being fitted with moveable floors and sides, and of thorough purification. The present quarantine buildings are too crowded, and do not admit of isolation. I think that Quail Island ought, if possible, to be acquired permanently for Government purposes. I will consider the whole matter with my Executive, and see you about it in Wellington the first week in April. Meantime I have told Mr. Potts that we shall gladly avail ourselves of his permission to use the island in case of emergency, and I will arrange to be ready to do this. W. Eolleston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, Wellington. Superintendent.

No. 70. Telegeahs between His Honor the Supebintendent, Canterbury, and the Hon. the Minister for Immigbation. Christchurch, 21st June, 1874. TJbgent.—Scarlet fever has broken out on Eipa Island in addition to small-pox. Island far too crowded ; therefore, in view of possible requirements for ships now on sea, further accommodation immediately necessary. I propose to erect temporary buildings, either on main land or on Quail Island (Mr. Potts'). I have summoned Board of Health to consider matter. Hon. J. Vogel, Wellington. W. Kolleston. Wellington, 21st June, 1874. I authoeize the erection of the additional quarantine buildings you consider necessary. His Honor the Superintendent, Christchurch. Julius Vogel. Christchurch, 11th July, 1874. I iiave put up cook-house and single men's buildings on Quail Island, at cost of about £400, and have just received tenders for construction of further buildings for married people. Total cost of all buildings will amount to about £1,300. Province has arranged to buy Quail Island. I shall be prepared to make arrangements by which, if province should ever require exclusive possession of island, it would either pay for building on valuation at that time, or allow removal. Please reply, as it is necessary to push on buildings. Hon. J. Vogel, Wellington. W. Eolleston. Wellington, 13th July, 1874. The purchase of Quail Island had better be for the Immigration Department. Mr. Potts offered it to me. I referred the question to you. The buildings are to be for the Immigration Department; and in all cases I of course prefer building on land belonging to Crown. • Will you furnish particulars of purchase, and leave me to consider whether to adopt it; or if you prefer to make the purchase, you must give two years' notice to remove, and valuation on buildings. His Honor the Superintendent, Christchurch. Julius Vogel.

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Christchurch, 13th July, 1874. Urgent. Will you approve of married quarters at Quail Island being proceeded with at once ?—See my telegram of 11th instant. Lowest tender is £78(5, which is very reasonable —otherwise, if ship comes in with disease, we shall be in great difficulty. "We have 98 families now unemployed at Addington, and 142 single men there and elsewhere, besides a number of families elsewhere. Am pressing work through Boad Boards. Hon. J. Vogel, Wellington. W. Bolleston. ■Wellington, 13th July, 1874. In reply to your urgent telegram of to-day, I approve of proposed expenditure on Quail Island. Question of who shall purchase can remain over till we meet. His Honor the Superintendent, Christchurch. Julius Vogel. Christchurch, 13th July, 1574. Urgent. I understood that Mr. Potts' offer, which you referred to me, was for the temporary use of Quail Island in case of emergency. I will confer with you on my arrival at "Wellington touching the transferring Quail Island to General Government. Meanwhile 1 will agree to give two years' notice of removal or valuation of buildings, and hope you will consider this will warrant your allowing buildings to proceed. We can discuss the other question when I come up. Hon. J. Vogel, Wellington. ~W. Bolleston. Wellington, 14th July, 1874. I tiad anticipated your telegram received last night about Quail Island, by previously sending you the authority you require. I am perfectly satisfied with your suggestion that we should arrange the matter when we meet. His Honor the Superintendent, Christchurch. Julius Vogel.

No. 71. Telegeams between the Hon. the Minister for Immigration and His Honor the Superintendent, Canterbury. "Wellington, 24th June, 1874. On 12th March, I wrote Agent-General instructions to send 25,100 emigrants (souls) to New Zealand during the last eight months of the present year, and of that number he was to send 0,000 to Canterbury. Subsequently, when it appeared ho was sending emigrants in very large numbers, and great complaint was made concerning their character, I telegraphed that the 25,000 were to count from beginning of March to end of year. The object of fixing a definite number was partly due to the fact that the Assembly had only given authority tor a certain expenditure ; and also I desired that the whole correspondence of the Agent-General should be considered, and the Legislature decide whether or not special Agents should be appointed to select more carefully than under present system. The Agent-General telegraphs that your 6,000 will have been despatched in July. Should you desire a further number of emigrants sent during the current year, I am willing to telegraph to the AgentGeneral that in addition to the limit named for Canterbury, he may despatch emigrants selected by your Provincial Agent to the extent of 500 a month, during August and Sejjtember, by. which time the Assembly will have decided on the provision to be made. His Honor the Superintendent, Christchurch. Julius Vogel. Christchurch, 25th June, 1874. Telegram as to next year's supply of emigrants received. As I understand it, the number for Canterbury (6,000) to arrive between last mail and next December, will have been all despatched in July. And if not otherwise ordered, no immigrants will be sent in August or September, so as to arrive in November and December, in the summer months just before harvest. It would be much to be regretted that the pressure of immigrants should take place now in winter, and again next winter ; and that the favourable opportunity which the summer and harvest months present for placing immigrants should not be taken advantage of. I am of opinion that it would be far better that any pressure should take place here in the summer months, and not in the winter, if immigration is to continue. I agree, therefore, to your proposal, with regard to immigrants selected by our Agent to be sent in August and September. Hon. Minister for Immigration, Wellington. W. Eolleston.

No. 72. Telegrams between His Honor the Superintendent, Canterbury, and the Hon. the Minister for Immigeation. Christchurch, 26th June, 1874 I am making arrangements with the Governor's Bay Road Board, to find work for a number of immigrants at roads for which the province finds money. This will necessitate erecting some cottages, and charging the immigrants with rent; in fact, guaranteeing rental. "Will you give me authority to do this ? the necessity for distribution is urgent. Hon. Minister for Immigration, "Wellington. W. Eolleston. Wellington, 29th June, 1874. Be your telegram about Governor's Bay Boad Board, shall be happy to authorize you to erect cottages under terms of my letter of 29th November. Is this what you propose ? His Honor the Superintendent, Christchurch. Julius Vogel.

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Christchurch, 29th June, 1874. My proposal is to rent cottages for, say, six months, to place immigrants in, then arranging with Road Board to employ them, and charging them rent. This rent will not always be forthcoming, from sickness, unsuitableness for work, and other causes, and in some cases it will fall on Government. Unless I can distribute at once, there will be a great crush in the town: over four hundred arrived to-day. In Governor's Bay, three cottages will hold six families, at a cost of 19s. 6d. a week. I shall charge rent to each. Of course landlords will not take the responsibility in these cases. Hon. J. Vogel, Wellington. W. Rolleston. Wellington, 30th June, 1874. In accordance with your Honor's recommendation, I authorize you to rent three cottages at Governor's Bay. His Honor the Superintendent, Christchurch. Julius Vogel. Christchurch, 2nd July, 1874. Refeeeing to your authority in matter of Governor's Bay cottages, I presume that you will authorize my making similar arrangements where I can, to meet the great pressure now existing. " City of Dunedin" is now on the coast, and other ships are now due. I have placed buildings belonging to Provincial Government at disposal of Immigration Department, at Rakaia, Selwyn, Armagh, &c, capable of holding some 60 or 70 families; and I shall be obliged to take further buildings wherever I can get them. I shall act on presumption that you will approve all necessary expenditure under the special circumstances. I remain here till pressure is over. Hon. J. Vogel, Wellington. W. Rolleston. Wellington, 4th July, 1874. In reply to telegram of 2nd, respecting necessity of arrangements for incoming immigrants, and asking me to authorize similar arrangements to those made at Governor's Bay, I approve of your Honor's exercising the discretion you propose under the special circumstances. His Honor the Superintendent, Christchurch. Julius Vogel.

No. 73. Telegeams between His Honor the Supeeintendent, Canterbury, and the Hon. the Ministee for Imhigeation. Christchurch, 7th July, 1874. Seventt-six families in Addington depot; sixty-three unemployed. When present additions are completed, room for twenty more families. " Dunedin " fills up all branch depots. " Hereford " will bring, say, seventy families, probably next week. "Eastern Monarch," "Lawrence," " Carisbrook Castle," next month, will bring some fourteen hundred souls, say two hundred and fifty families. More room is necessary, and I propose to put up depot, in accordance with resolution of Provincial Council, at Southbridge, on site of railway terminus, same place as at Akaroa, to cost about £800. With your sanction this. I also propose to convert large new railway shed temporarily into depdt at Christchurch. I have also made arrangements with Meat Preserving Company to take in some sixteen or seventeen families. Please telegraph if you approve. Hon. J. Togel, Wellington. W. Rolleston. Wellington, Bth July, 1874. I appeoye of the arrangements you propose to make for providing for large number of immigrants you expect. His Honor the Superintendent, Christchurch. Julius Vogel.

No. 74. Telegeams between His Honor the Supeeintendent, Canterbury, and the Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation. Christchurch, 22nd July, 1874. Übgent. Further active steps are necessary to provide house-room for emigrants arrived and to arrive. Immediate accommodation is wanted, as well as accommodation of a more permanent character. The first I propose obtaining by hiring buildings wherever available in the country districts, for short time, and fitting them when necessary, as previously authorized; the second, by building cottages or huts in localities where works are about to be put in hand. I propose to send Marshman at once to country south of Rangitata, to make immediate arrangements, first, for temporary accommodation and distribution of emigrants, and, second, to report upon localities most favourable for location of emigrants and building cottages or huts. He will be occupied about a month, and will confer with Road Boards and local authorities, and offer his assistance to Le Cren. I propose payment to him of £2 2s. per diem, and out-of-pocket expenses. No expenditure for housing immigrants to be incurred by him except upon approval by me. What is necessary north of Rangitata will be attended to from Christchurch. Will you authorize this arrangement, and will Colonial Government contribute funds for building cottages or huts ? The province has incurred over £100,000 in cottage building, and there are 2,800 persons yet afloat. "Eastern Monarch" just telegraphed. Hon. J. Vogel, Wellington. . W. Rolleston.

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Christchurch, 23rd July, 1874. Veet urgent. Another ship, probably "Peeress," off Heads. Please reply to yesterday's telegram. Hon. J. Vogel, Wellington. W. Eolleston. Wellington, 23rd July, 1874. Your telegram of last night only reached me this morning. I am sorry for delay in replying. I approve your proposals and authorize you to give them effect. In reply to your query about cottages, the department will advance you money for cottages upon the terms of my letter of 29th November. If you desire to build cottages to serve as depots or in lieu of depots, I shall be prepared to authorize construction of reasonable number. In that case the land upon which they are built should be conveyed to Crown. His Honor the Superintendent, Christchurch. Julius Vogel.

No. 75. His Honor the Superintendent, Canterbury, to Mr. Maeshman. (Forwarded by His Honor to the Hon. J. Vogel.) Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Christchurch, Canterbury, 23rd July, 1874. I have the honor to inform you that the Government wish you to go South and make inquiries from Road Boards and others as to the works on which immigrants can be employed, and the best means of locating them near such works ; and, further, to inquire what immediate temporary accommodation can be provided, and what accommodation of a more permanent character, such as the building cottages or huts. Also to confer with Mr. Le Cren, at Timaru, informing him of the object of your visit, and co-operating with him in the distribution of immigrants. The arrival of two ships at the present time renders it necessary that your first efforts should be devoted to improvising accommodation to meet the immediate emergency, by hiring houses and cottages and fitting up buildings where they can be obtained. The Government are of opinion that much may be done by a system of huts, which may be put up at a small expense, of sods and other material; and they are ready to find a sum of say £10, in materials, towards the erection of each of such huts, on Government unoccupied reserves, giving a right of occupation for a period not exceeding, say, twelve months, without rental. On this subject, I have to request that you will confer with Mr. Tancred, of Eaukapuka, who has suggested this course. I have further to request that you will inspect the buildings now in use in the southern district; and you are authorized to incur any reasonable expense in promoting the comfort of the occupants, where you consider it necessary. I shall be obliged by your reporting from time to time what you have done, and telegraphing for authority for such expenditure on buildings as you may recommend. I have, &c, Wm. Eolleston, John Marshman, Esq. Superintendent.

No. 76. Telegeasis between the Hon. the MiinsTEß for Immigration, Mr. Maech, and His Honor the Superintendent, Canterbury. Wellington, 23rd July, 1874. Befereing to the " Peeress's " arrival at Lyttelton, it would be desirable she should proceed to Timaru without landing immigrants. If the weather absolutely forbids this, I think her immigrants should be taken from ship's side to Timaru by steamer, for which I will authorize you to make arrangements necessary. Mr. Stafford represents to me that landing immigrants at Lyttelton would occasion dissatisfaction at Timaru. As they were specially sent out to Timaru, I should like to carry out arrangement. His Honor the Superintendent, Christchurch. Julius Vogel. Christchurch, 23rd July, 1874. Hate given instructions that under no circumstances shall "Peeress" land immigrants here. I will see ship's contract, if here, to-night, and arrange accordingly. Please request Under Secretary to look it up, and telegraph particulars as to power to order her on. Mr. March may not have returned from inspection. It' she cannot go, " Coomerang " will ply backwards and forwards. Hon. J. Vogel, Wellington. W. Bolleston. Wellington, 24th July, 1874. " Peeress " chartered " for Timaru, weather p3rmitting" ; in consideration of going to which port, the charge per adult is £16 10s., instead of £14 10s. for Lyttelton ships. There is no provision in charterparty to meet the case of the ship coming on to Lyttelton. Duplicate of charter-party is here; the captain probably has original. His Honor the Superintendent, Christchurch. Julius Vogel. Christchurch, 24th July, 1874. Urgent. Mr. G-ould, Agent of Shipping Company, writes ship has fulfilled her engagement. Weather off Timaru was bad for twenty-four hours. Insurances would be vitiated if she left port after arrival. He is very willing to forward immigrants as I may direct, and free of cost. I see nothing else to be done. 1 have no copy of agreement. ' Peeress's' immigrants are a good lot. ' Eastern Monarch's ' well reported of." Hon. J. Vogel, Wellington. W. Eolleston.

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Wellington, 24th July, 1874. I think if Company forward immigrants to destination free of cost, we should be satisfied under the terms of the agreement. His Honor the Superintendent, Christchurch. Julius Vogel. Christchurch, 24th July, 1874. SniPPED all the immigrants ex " Peeress " to Timaru this afternoon, by steamers " Wellington " and " Coomorang." Under Secretary for Immigration, Wellington. J. E. Maecii.

OTAGO. No. 77. Telegeams between the Hon. the Ministee for Ijimigeation and His Honor the Supeeintendent Otago. (Circular Telegram.) Wellington, 15th May, 1874. THsJnumber of emigrants on the way is such that the Government propose instructing the AgentGeneral to partially revert to assisted passages. It is proposed to give to single females, and to emigrants nominated by name from the colony, free passages, but to require from other emigrants promissory notes for £7. Before finally deciding on this, 1 should like to have your Honor's view on the subject, and I shall feel obliged by your communicating it to me as soon as conveniently possible. His Honor the Superintendent, Dunedin. Julius Vogel. Dunedin, 19th May, 1874. Youe telegram re immigration has been carefully considered in Executive Council. We are loath to advise any course that might tend to diminish the stream of immigrants into this province, with which we find no fault as to quantity, provided it were of a better quality and came at the proper season of the year. We can scarcely get too many people of the quality selected by our own Agents, and would bo glad if, in addition to those whom you propose to carry free, free passages were granted to all selected by the Provincial Agent. Ido not desire to depreciate the Colonial Agency, but we cannot shut our eyes to the fact that none of the objectionable class lately sent here would have been passed by our own Agents. I trust you will see your way to acceding to this suggestion; result would be highly satisfactory to both colony and province. Hon. J. Vogel, Wellington. J. Macandeew. (Circular Telegram.) Wellington, 2Gth May, 1874. Re Assisted Immigration.—The Government, after considering the replies of Superintendents, have come to the conclusion only to instruct Agent-General to limit the number of immigrants despatched by him between Ist March and the end of the year to 25,000. His Honor the Superintendent, Dunedin. Julius Vogel.

No. 78. Telegbahs between His Honor the Superintendent, Otago, and the Hon. the Ministee for Immigbation. Dunedin, 20th June, 1874. Auld telegrams that Featherston says his instructions to stop immigration in July, and declines to pay thereafter. I understand that you had limited him to 20,000 for next nine months. I hope a fair proportion of these -will be sent here, and that all who are selected by the Provincial Agent will be included in this proportion. Auld has made arrangements, whereby considerable number superior class can be sent here, if free and assisted passages are granted. Hon. J. Vogel, Wellington. J. Macandbew. "Wellington, 24th June. On 12th March I wrote Agent-General instructions to send 25,100 emigrants (souls), to New Zealand during the last eight months of the present year, and of that number he was to send 0,000 to Otago. Subsequently, when it appeared he was sending emigrants in very large numbers, and great complaint was made concerning their character, I telegraphed that the 25,000 were to count from beginning of March to end of year. What is meant by the information you have received is, that your 0,000 will have been despatched by July. The object of fixing a definite number was partly due to the fact that the Assembly had only given authority for a certain expenditure, and also I desired that the whole correspondence with the Agent-General should be considered, and the Legislature decide whether or not special agents should be appointed to select more carefully than under present system. These are the facts, and 1 am willing to telegraph to the Agent-General that after he has reached the limit named for Otago, he may despatch emigrants selected by Auld and Adams, to the extent of 500 a month during August and September, by which time the Assembly will have decided on the provision to be made. Superintendent of Otago, Dunedin. Julius Vogel. Dunedin, 30th June, 1874. Hate telegraphed to Auld your decision re free emigrants, which is so far satisfactory. Hon. J. Vogel, Wellington. J. Macandbew.

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Wellington, Ist July, 1874. Continuation of immigration after July.—lf you will read my telegram again, you will see that the action I was to take depended upon your answer, and that I did not anticipate your telegraphing to Auld. Now the consequence will be, that Auld will hare information in advance of Agent-General, which will no doubt cause dissatisfaction on both sides. I shall telegraph as soon as possible. Will you, by mail, write to Auld, and explain how it was that you telegraphed. On referring to my telegram you will clearly see that I anticipated your answering it. His Honor the Superintendent, Dunedin. Julius Vogel.

No. 79. Telegeams between His Honor the Superintendent, Otago, and the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Dunedin, 6th June, 1874. Vert great desire to have immigration depot at Palmerston, which is centre of an extensive labouremploying district. There is General Government reserve there. Will you authorize an expenditure of not exceeding £500 ? Hon. J. Vogel, Wellington. J. Macakdeew. Wellington, 6th June, 1874. I am happy to authorize, in accordance with your Honor's recommendation, the erection of an immigrants' depot at Palmerston, at a cost not exceeding £500. A short while since I had an opportunity of observing the improvements at Palmerston, and the evidences of the probably bright future in store for it. Hia Honor the Superintendent, Dunedin. Julius Voqel. By Authority : Gisobge Didsbuet, GoTerument Printer, Wellington.—lB7-1. Price Is. 3d.]