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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1878 Session I, D-01

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1878. NEW ZEALAND. EMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND. (LETTERS TO THE AGENT-GENERAL.)

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SCHEDULE OF CORRESPONDENCE.

No. Date. Subject. Page. 1877. 1 2 3 July 20 September 10 September 21 Approves of his action in utilizing Baron Eeuter's Agency His view of the arrangement with Mr. Kennaway is approved ... Forwarding report from Sub-Immigration Officer, Wanganui, concerning condition of foreign emigrants in bis district Forwarding circular to Immigration Officers re foreign nominations 1 1 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 December 31 1878. January 3 February 2 March 18 March 30 April 5 April 6 April 16 April 23 April 24 Some limit to be placed upon the time during which nominations may be acted on Colony capable of absorbing any number of immigrants of the right stamp Late immigrants through Scotch Agency not so good as formerly Detailing number and locality of immigrants required for next twelve months Relative to the conveyance of emigrants to the colony Instructing him to make further reductions in his department ... Concerning steam communication between Europe and New Zealand Suggestions re reduction of his departmental expenditure Forwarding notification that £10,000 bonus would be paid for the successful manufacture of sugar made from New Zealand-grown beet Forwarding contract with New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited) Importance of Interprovincial and Intercolonial Steam Services upon a direct steam line from Europe to New Zealand ... Forwarding petition from Nelson labourers against free emigration Appointing Bev. Mr. Berry as an emigration lecturer in Britain Acknowledging receipt of his paper read before Koyal Colonial Institute Transmitting further correspondence with Manager, New Zealand Shipping Company ... Concerning part payment of the passages of small capitalists Requesting him to state the authority under which Mr. S. Cochrane was paid £105 for passage of himself and daughter ... Transmitting correspondence with Mr. Day, who offers hia services gratuitously as Emigration Agent Transmitting correspondence re urgent demand for immigrants in Otago Concerning his remarks on letter No. 7, re emigrants through Scotch Agency Government not justified in paying the income-tax on his officers' salaries His suggestions re. setting apart large blocks of land for special settlements would be unfair to existing colonists ... ... 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 14 15 April 26 April 26 7 7 16 17 18 19 20 21 May 17 May 23 May 23 May 25 June 18 June 18 9 10 10 11 11 12 12 22 July 5 13 13 15 15 23 24 25 26 July 5 July 11 July 11 July 12 15

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No. 1. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-Geneeal. Sir,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 20th July, 1877. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th May last, and, in reply, to approve of your action in furnishing Baron Reuter with a copy of the immigration order for the ensuing year, which was telegraphed to you on the 22nd of that month. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. D. Reid.

No. 2. The Hon. the Minister for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 10th September, 1877. With reference to your letter No. 212, of the Ist March, 1877, I have the honor to inform you that your view of the arrangement with Mr. Kennaway respecting the payment to him of the sum of £250 is substantially approved by the Government, and that that sum will be paid to him on the termination of his engagement, if he returns to the colony within a reasonable time from that date —say, six months, as recommended by you. I have, &c, The A gent-General for New Zealand, London. D. Reid.

No. 3. The Hon. tho Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 21st September, 1877. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 058, of the 20th July last, and, in reply, to thank you for the action which you took in correcting the misstatements with reference to the foreign immigrants in this colony. I now forward for your information copy of a report from the Sub-Immigration Officer at Wanganui, from which you will learn the foreigners in that part of the colony are succeeding well. I have, &c., The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. D. Reid.

Enclosure in No. 3. Repoet of Sub-Immigeation Opficee, Wanganui, respecting Condition of German Immigrants. Sic, — Sub-Immigration Office, Wanganui, 14th September, 1877. Having seen in the papers a telegram from tho Agent-General stating that the German Government was publicly notifying that New Zealand was an entirely unsuitable place for immigrants from that country, that those who had come out were unable to obtain work, and that they were writing to their friends cautioning them about coming, I have taken the liberty of writing to say that so far as my district (Wanganui and Rangitikei) is concerned these remarks are incorrect. I have had a large number of German immigrants, perhaps more than any other place in New Zealand. There is no doubt that some of these immigrants who arrived in the winter, when work was slack, and suffering under the disadvantage of not being able to speak the language, did not immediately succeed in getting employment, and it is very possible that, suffering from a temporary discouragement, they i.— b: i.

1878. NEW ZEALAND. IMMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND. (LETTERS TO THE AGENT-GENERAL.) Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

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may have written home in a slightly desponding strain. As soon, however, as summer arrived, they got shook into their places, and picked up the English language (which they readily do in five or six months), they found work, and, in fact, farmers were glad to have them, in some instances preferring them to Englishmen. A foreigner arriving here is in something the same position as a professional man —h e wants to make a connection. This, of course, takes a little time, and men want time also to get into their natural groove; but I am quite satisfied that there is scarcely a German immigrant who has been here, say, two years, who would write home in the strain mentioned above. One or two instances which have come under my notice I will relate. About fifteen months ago a number of these immigrants arrived here, and some of them settled down in Wanganui. Having some spare land just outside the town, on which I wished to put a few settlers, I offered several of these families half an acre apiece, and assisted them to build cottages by becoming responsible for tho material, &c, and advancing a little money for wages. The price of these cottages averaged from £60 to £80 each. With one exception, the whole of these cottages have all been paid for or nearly so already, and in another twelve months these people will have comfortable homes of their own. Some of them have (by permission from Wellington) nominated their relatives and friends for passages out. To show that New Zealand is not unsuitable for German immigrants, I will give another instance. Near the Township of Marton there is a German settlement called Pukepapa. It is inhabited by a number of Germans who came from Australia some ten or eleven years ago. The land at that time was poor and sterile, and nothing to be compared in quality to most of the other land in the district, and the amount taken up by the new arrivals rarely exceeded fifty acres, in some cases even less. The settlement now is a most prosperous one; every one of the inhabitants is in comfortable and easy circumstances, possessing good houses, capital stock, and well-cultivated farms. One of these Germans (for whom New Zealand is so unsuitable !) has, to my own certain knowledge, purchased a block of land of over 500 acres, several others, blocks of nearly the same size, while the majority of them have increased tho acreage of their original holdings. The sons have also taken up land from the Government on the deferred-payment system ; in fact, the settlement of Pukepapa is a decided success, and shows that the Germans, when they get into their groove, take kindly and naturally to the soil. lam willing to admit that Germans, except when they are clever tradesmen, do not do well in towns ; but fix them on ever such a small piece of land, if it is only half an acre, with a chance of its becoming their own property, and they do well. I may add, in conclusion, that most of the single girls who have arrived here are getting from 10s. to 15s. per week as domestic servants, and that I could readily place forty or fifty more at the same rate after they had picked up oven a little of the language. I have penned these few notes with the idea that they may enable you to send an answer to the AgentGeneral's telegram, should you wish to do so. I have, &c, Joseph Giles, Esq., Under Secretary, IT. M. Beewee, Immigration Department, Wellington. Sub-Immigration Officer.

No. 4. The Hon. J. T. FisnEß to the Agent-Geneeal. - Sic,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 31st December, 1877. Referring to my letter No. 182, of 29th October, I have the honor to forward herewith copy of a circular addressed to Immigration Officers relative to the nomination of foreigners, from which you will observe that the Government have decided to discountenance foreign nominated immigration. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. T. Fishee.

Enclosure in No. 1. Circular Memorandum for Immigration Officers. Immigration Officers are informed that it is considered desirable to discountenance to some extent the further nomination of foreigners as immigrants to the colony. With this view, it is requested that, for the future, all nominations of foreigners may be entered upon a separate list, for transmission through this office. In forwarding such lists, some fuller remarks and explanations should be appended than in ordinary cases, showing any special reasons which the Immigration Officer may have for recommending the nominations. The nominators of foreigners should be informed that their nominations will not be accepted as a matter of course, but will be specially considered by the Government. In accepting provisionally foreign nominations, the preference should always be given, other things being equal, to relations and members of the families of the nominators, rather than to mere friends or acquaintances; in fact, the latter class should, as a rule, only be accepted for special reasons. J. Giles, Under Secretary for Immigration. Immigration Office, Wellington, 18th December, 1877.

No. 5. The Hon. J. T. Fisher to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 3rd January, 1878. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 1021, of 3rd November, 1877, in which you report upon the case of Francis D , and ask for instructions how to deal with

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nominations of long standing. In the case of E. D , the nominator will be communicated with, and you will be further advised. With regard to the general question, it is certainly desirable that some limit should be placed upon the time during which nominations may be acted on, and your suggestion that all nominations made prior to the 30th June, 1876, should be considered cancelled, and that unless they are renewed the persons concerned will be dealt with as ordinary applicants to your office, is approved. It is further considered expedient that a similar rule should be established for the future, and should be made applicable to all nominations which are not acted on within eighteen months from the receipt of the lists by you. Immigration Officers will be instructed to inform nominators of this regulation. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. T, Eisher.

No. 6. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 2nd February, 1878. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 1132, of Ist December, embodying report of the proceedings of your department for the month of November last. I observe that the sailing of the vessels therein enumerated brings to a close the emigration season for the year, and that certain temporary services in your department have been consequently dispensed with. As regards future operations, I had hoped by this mail to have supplied you with full particulars as to the probable number and quality of immigrants required during the current year. So soon as I am furnished with returns ordered to be sent in by the respective Immigration Officers throughout the colony, I shall be able to do so. In tho meantime I would state that we can scarcely have too many people, provided they are of the right stamp —agricultural, able-bodied labourers, dairy women, and domestic servants : tho power of the colony to absorb such with advantage may be said to be unlimited. Another class to whom the colony presents great advantages are practical farmers, with small or large means. The construction of railways now in progress, and in contemplation, opens up for agricultural settlement an extensive territory, which has hitherto been unavailable, and upon which thousands of industrious families may acquire independence, and surround themselves with comfort. I venture to say that New Zealand never presented greater attractions to genuine colonists than at the present time. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. Macandeew.

No. 7. The Hon. the Minister for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 18th March, 1878. I have the honor to call your attention to the fact that, since the Otago Agency has been placed under your department, tho immigrants that have arrived in Otago have not been equal to those formerly sent out. I need not inform you that tho Scotch Agency was kept up mainly to induce Scotch farmers, and others engaged in agricultural pursuits in Scotland, to emigrate to New Zealand. From returns forwarded to me it appears that, of the immigrants that have arrived in Otago during the past twelve months, the majority have not been Scotch people at all, and of farming many of them have been ignorant. So far as nationality is concerned that is of little moment; but it is unadvisable to forward to the colony persons only acquainted with life in large cities. A vigorous effort should bo made to procure small farmers and agricultural labourers from the agricultural districts of Scotland. If these cannot be procured, keeping up a separate Scotch Agency seems to be of no use, and only involves unnecessary expense to the colony. I am of opinion, however, that, if proper efforts are made by the Scotch Agency, the class to which I have alluded may be obtained. In thus specially directing your attention to the unfavourable contrast which the late emigration from Scotland to Otago presents as compared with what it used to be, and in urging a more careful selection for the future, it must be distinctly understood that I am not desirous that your efforts should be in any way relaxed in seeking to obtain as many as posible of the most suitable class of emigrants from other parts of the United Kingdom. I shall conclude by repeating what I have said in a previous letter —namely, that you can scarcely send too many people to New Zealand, provided they arrive at the proper season of the year, are of good character, able-bodied, and willing to work. The colony never held out more favourable inducements to large and small farmers, agricultural labourers, dairy women, and domestic female servants, and people of this class, than it now does ; and the gradual extension of the railway by steam will bring land within reach of profitable occupation to an extent which has not hitherto been generally realized. I have, &c., The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. Macandeew.

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No. 8. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. Sic,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 30th March, 1878. Referring to my cablegram of the 23rd instant —of which the following is a copy: " Five thousand immigrants required current year; classify agricultural and domestic servants; arrange accordingly, particulars posted"—l have now the honor to transmit copy of return from the various Immigration Officers throughout the colony, setting forth the number and character of immigrants which, in their opinion, are required during the ensuing twelve months. With regard to many of the trades enumerated in this return, I do not deem it advisable that public money should be expended in bringing persons of the description indicated to the colony, inasmuch as in many localities there is at present a glut of such workmen, and supply and demand will soon regulate itself within the colony. I have put a cross in red ink under the various headings to which I refer. This you will understand to mean that the class of persons therein described are not required, unless they pay their own passages, or are nominated from the colony. It will be observed from this that the classes of immigrants chiefly required are ploughmen, agricultural labourers, dairywomen, and domestic servants. The places to which they will have to be sent, and the proportion, will be somewhat as follows, viz. : Auckland, 300; Taranaki, 80; Napier, 400 ; Nelson, 100; Blenheim, 100; Hokitika, 200; Wellington, 600; Canterbury, 1,600; Otago, 1,600: total, 4,980. You will also find enclosed particulars as to rate of wages and price of provisions in different parts of the colony. As respects the best plan to be adopted for the future conveyance of emigrants to the colony, I have been anxious to have this matter considered in full meeting of Cabinet, but have been unable to do so. I propose addressing you separately at an early date on this point. As it is, no harm will result from the question remaining open in the meantime. My own impression is that an effort should be made to convey the whole of our immigrants from Europe by steam, and that arrangements might be entered into whereby this might be done at little if any additional cost. In the view of the possibility of our succeeding in making such an arrangement, it would be unwise to be tied up by any lengthened contract with owners of sailing ships, and it may perhaps be better to charter vessels as required. At the same time lam not prepared to give any decisive opinion on the matter. I shall endeavour to have the question disposed one way or the other before your operations for tho ensuing twelve months require to take effect. I have, &c., The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. Macandrew.

No. 9. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. Sir,-— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., sth April, 1878. Referring to that portion of my letter to you of 30th ultimo, Not 57, relative to the conveyance of emigrants to the colony, I have now to say that, with the exception of the tender of the Albion Company from Glasgow to Otago, the others show an advance upon previous rates; it becomes, therefore, a question as to how far the Government would be warranted in entering into any lengthened engagement upon the terms stated. Even as regards the Clyde to Otago tenders, it is questionable how far it would be expedient to tie up our hands even for twelve months in view of the possibility of being able to enter into arrangements for emigrants being conveyed to the colony by steam. It would seem that the best course to pursue would be to go into the open market from day to day for tonnage as required;—at the same time,looking at the nature of the business and the whole of its surroundings in the past, there are objections to this course. The business of conveying emigrants to New Zealand with safety and satisfaction to all concerned is not one which can be acquired in a day, and I should bo sorry to throw away tho experience of years for the sake of saving a few shillings per head. There are, moreover, other considerations which ought not to bo lost sight of. The New Zealand Shipping Company is a colonial enterprise, and as such has claims which the Government is unwilling to ignore; at the same time there is of course a limit to the extent within which such claims can be recognized. As it is, lam disposed to think that the advanced rate proposed in their tender —viz., £14 7s. 6d. as against the previous rate of £13 lis. 6d. —is not such as to warran; our throwing the Company over, especially seeing that, with the exception of Glasgow to Otago, even at the advanced rate theirs is the lowest tender. As regards the Clyde tender, the Albion Company has for so many years carried on emigration to Otago upon reasonable terms, without a hitch, and so much to the satisfaction of all concerned, —it has, moreover, placed on the line such a superior class of ships expressly built for the trade, —that it has always appeared to me to have been a mistake on the part of the Colonial Government to disturb it. Looking at the whole circumstances of the case, the Government is prepared to accept the tender of the Albion Company from Glasgow to Otago, and that of the New Zealand Shipping Company from other ports in the United Kingdom to New Zealand, provided the tenderers will consent to the contracts being determined in case arrangements can bo made for a steam line for the conveyance of Government emigrants to New Zealand, four months' notice at least of such determination to be given on behalf of the Government. While upon this subject I may say that it has long appeared to me that a considerable savingmight have been effected in the Agent-General's Department if advantage could have been taken of the services of the Emigration Contractors in the way of selecting and supervising the shipment of emigrants. For example, some years ago negotiations were on foot, whereby, had they been carried out, the whole business of selecting and shipping emigrants to Otago would have been undertaken by

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the Albion Company free of cost, and, if I am not mistaken, much of the German emigration from Hamburg to the other colonies has been conducted in this way. lam not prepared to say how far this could be clone now as regards New Zealand. It is a subject, however, deserving of your consideration, and it would undoubtedly simplify matters if the Government had nothing to do with the business excepting to approve the immigrants, and pay so much a head on all immigrants landed and approved. There is a strong wish on the part of the people at Invercargill and Oamaru to have all emigrants for those districts landed at the Bluff and Oamaru direct; it is a wish to which the Government desire to give effect so far as this can be done without involving the colony in additional expense. As to this I shall addresss you more fully in a separate letter. The substance of this letter has been communicated to the New Zealand Shipping Company, Christchurch, and the Agent of the Albion Company, Dunedin. I have, &c., The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. Macandeew,

No. 10. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. Sir, —■ Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., sth April, 1878. Since writing to you on the 19th October last, I have carefully perused tho whole of the correspondence which has passed between the Government and yourself since your arrival in England in respect to the departmental arrangements of the Agency, and I may say that I feel somewhat to blame for not having communicated with you more fully on the subject than has yet been done. I would observe that the Government entirely concurs in the terms of my predecessor's letter to you of date, as.per margin (20th June, No. 122), with the important exception that, instead of limiting the expense of the Agency, as indicated by him, to £4,000 a year, we desire to reduce the cost so as not to exceed £2,000 to £2,500 a year, exclusive of Agent-General's salary and advertising expenses. In your letter of 20th August last you enter very fully into details, showing that the establishment cannot be reduced under £4,114 without seriously impairing its efficiency. In this I regret to say that the Government feels constrained to differ from you, and it is of opinion that the figures may be reduced to the amount above referred to —viz., £2,000 to £2,500 a year —without detriment to the service of the colony. It is obvious that, in curtailing the expenditure of the Agency within the limits now prescribed, you must be the best judge as to the particular directions in which services may be dispensed with. It is therefore deemed inexpedient to fetter you in any way in the exercise of your discretion ; at the same time I cannot but feel that the task now imposed upon you is an invidious one, and, if called upon to indicate the specific heads under which savings may be effected, I would point out those of "Private Secretary," "Secretary to Edinburgh Agency," "Despatching Officer," "Accountant;" indeed I may say that it is not clear to the Government that there is any necessity for a Secretary at £800 a year; at all events, if that office is to be continued, the duty of Private Secretary may well be combined with it. In expressing this opinion I desire it to be distinctly understood that the Government in no respect undervalues the importance of Mr. Kennaway's services. We cannot, however, disguise from ourselves the conviction that the Agency, looking at the amount of its business, is much overmanned, and that the circumstances of the colony imperatively demand retrenchment in this as in every other branch of tho public service. I feel assured that, when you reflect upon all the circumstances of the case, you cannot fail to recognize the expediency of the decision at which the Government has arrived in respect of the subject of this communication. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. Macandrew.

No. 11. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-Geneeal. Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 16th April, 1878. Reverting to the subject of the passage of emigrants from Europe to New Zealand by steam, I now desire to draw your special attention to this question, with a view to your taking whatever action may be deemed most likely to influence those who may feel disposed to embark in such an enterprise. 1 feel persuaded that a payable, unbroken steam line between the mother country and this colony can be established, and that such line would do more towards attracting a steady stream of suitable emigrants to New Zealand than aught besides. When it is considered that the voyage would be accomplished in less than half the time now occupied by sailing vessels, I do not think that the conveyance of emigrants need cost much, if any, more than it has hitherto done. It is, in my opinion, to be regretted that, after the colonial immigration policy was initiated, advantage thereof was not taken towards the establishment of a direct steam line. Even a portion of the money which the colony has expended on immigration would have gone a long way towards subsidizing such a service. Indeed, it is not very clear to me that we ought not to have applied the large sum now paid annually towards the Californian line to the subsidizing of a direct line of steamers, of sufficient power and capacity to have combined both a postal and emigration service.

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It seems very doubtful if New Zealand is receiving anything like an adequate quid pro quo in respect of the Californian subsidy. It is useless now, however, to regret the omissions and blunders of the past, and I feel convinced that, if gone about with earnestness and determination, these may be redeemed in respect to the future. The trade of New Zealand is increasing at an enormous rate; the production of grain alone is now assuming a magnitude which, when the railway system is completed and the available country occupied, will sink into comparative insignificance. There can, I think, be little doubt that, in the course of a very few years, this colony, in addition to its other productions, will supply the market of the world with food to an extent unequalled by any other country of similar area and population ; the production of cereals this year in Canterbury and Otago alone is over 200,000 tons, the population of both provinces being a mere handful. No doubt these facts are already patent to your mind. I allude to them as forming one of the elements which may fairly be taken into account in considering the question as to whether or not a direct steam service will pay. With steam vessels so constructed as to carry grain in bulk, I see nothing to prevent our competing in the European market with any other country to the extent of hundreds of thousands of tons annually. In estimating the prospect of a steam line to New Zealand it is not so much the carrying of cargo that may be reckoned on, as that of passengers, a very large proportion of whom would, be of what may be termed the "paying class." You may rely upon it that, so surely as New Zealand is brought within forty days' sail of England, by means of floating hotels, the attraction of the Hot Springs in the North, and grandeur of the scenery in the Middle Island, will lead to an enormous passenger traffic to and from Europe; in point of fact, New Zealand must inevitably become an essential portion of the "grand tour." In writing thus I may, perhaps, be regarded as stepping somewhat outside of the conventionalism of official correspondence. The conviction on my mind is, however, so strong as to the magnitude of results which must needs accrue from a thoroughly efficient direct steam service between New Zealand and tho mother country, that I cannot refrain from freely expressing my thoughts on the subject. I might say a great deal more in favour of such an undertaking, were it not that I feel assured that you are as fully alive to its importance as myself, and that you will leave no stone unturned to get it carried into effect. I may remark that this is no new idea in as far as I am concerned, and that several years ago a correspondence took place on the subject between the Albion Shipping Company and the Superintendent of Otago. The former were inclined to dispose of their splendid fleet of sailing vessels, and to replace them by suitable steamers, provided the province would have entered into an immigration contract upon certain terms. At the time, however, the aspect of colonial policy was such that the Provincial Government was paralyzed in its action, and hence the negotiations fell to the ground, much to the detriment of New Zealand. I do not know how far the Albion Company might be induced to entertain a similar proposal now; but, as I understand the Company still comprises some of the most eminent and extensive steamship builders on tho Clyde, it might be well for you to communicate with them on the subject. I will now allude to another view or phase of the question. Of course, if a steam line be established, it is supposed to have its terminus at some port in New Zealand, and here, it is to be feared, arises a difficulty: it is a difficulty, however, which I would fain hope may be found to be more apparent than real, should the matter be brought to a practical issue. It is supposed that there is so much jealousy towards one another on the part of the leading communities throughout the colony that, rather than let any one port have the advantage of being the terminus of a steam line, tho colony would forego the benefit of such a service altogether. While there may be some amongst us who are guided by such narrow-minded and impracticable views, I venture to hope that such opinions are not entertained by many. Now that we have taken a fresh starting point, upon the basis of a national life, it is to be hoped that all parts of the colony will be alike to all. As it is, I should be disposed to leave the question of terminus, or ports of call, very much to the judgment of the contractor; it would be for him to select such port as would best enable him to carry on the service on the lowest terms to the colony. I have only further to express an earnest hope that you may be able to succeed in at once breaking ground in this important matter, and that proposals may spring up sufficiently tangible to enable them to be dealt with by tho Legislature at its ensuing session. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. Macandrew.

N©. 12. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. Sir,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 23rd April, 1878. My attention having been directed to your account of expenditure for the month of January last, it has occurred to me that probably a reduction might be made in some of the items ; for instance, I think that the commissions to persons for securing emigrants might be done away with, now that the scheme has been in operation for some time past, and looking to the number of nominations sent Home every month. It also appears that the clerical work of copying and making up the ships' books is done outside of the department altogether, payment having been made to a Mrs. Sunter, of Portugal Street, on that account. Would it not also be possible to reduce the amount of office accommodation required to less than nine rooms, at an annual expenditure for rent of £481 4s. ? I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. Macandrew,

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No. 13. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-Geneeal. Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 24th April, 1878. From the notice enclosed herewith you will observe that it is proposed to pay a bonus of £10,000 towards inducing a commencement of the manufacture of sugar in New Zealand. I have to request that you will be so good as to give this notice such publicity in the United Kingdom and on the Continent as you may deem advisable. It is possible that this industry may be entered upon by capitalists now in the colony. lam not, however, aware of any, so that the race is at present equally open to all. It will probably be within your recollection that, some eight or nine years ago, several casks of the best Silcsian beet seed were imported by me by way of experiment; the result was to establish the fact that the root can be successfully grown in the colony. There is every reason to think that, if a payable market could be found for the beet, there are farmers in various parts of New Zealand now who would produce it to an extent sufficient to manufacture a great part of the sugar required for home consumption. It may not be out of place here to state that there are individual farmers in some parts of the colony having as much as 2,000 acres under turnip crop. I believe that in the Southland District especially, as well as in other parts of the colony, there would be little difficulty in contracting for a very large annual supply of beet-root at a fair price. Formerly, the growth of beet involved to a very large extent the employment of high-priced labour, thereby preventing the production of sugar so as to compete in price with the imported article. Now, however, that our leading agriculturists are bringing to bear upon the cultivation of the soil the best mechanical appliances which the world can produce, this objection is greatly diminished, and with such a soil and climate as it possesses there is no reason why New Zealand should not profitably supply sugar to other markets besides its own. And here I might allude incidentally to the gratifying circumstance that, in respect of all the most recent and approved inventions of agricultural implement and labour-saving machinery, both European and American, in no part of the world have these been more largely taken advantage of than in some portions of New Zealand ; the result is abundantly manifested in the enormous amount of breadstuff to which I alluded in a late letter as having been produced by a mere handful of people. It is difficult to overestimate the prospect which tho undertaking now in question holds out towards affording a comfortable subsistence to many thousands of industrious families in the colony. At first sight it seems almost Utopian; it is one, however, which I venture to predict will yet be realized. Could you not induce such men as Mr. Duncan, the great sugar refiner in London, to take the matter up ? lam persuaded there is an opening for the highly remunerative employment of a very large amount of capital in the production of sugar in the colony. I have, &c., The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. Macandeew.

Enclosure in No. 13. [Extract from New Zealand Gazette, 25th April, 1878.] Ten Thousand Pounds Bonus. Crown Lands Office, Wellington, 22nd April, 1878. Notice is hereby given that, in terms of a resolution of the House of Representatives, the Government of New Zealand will pay, by way of bouus, the sum of five thousand pounds (£5,000) to any individual or company who shall first produce not less than five hundred (500) tons of marketable sugar from beet grown and manufactured in the North Island. Also, that a like sum of five thousand pounds (£5,000) will be paid to any individual or company who shall first produce not less than five hundred (500) tons of marketable sugar from beet grown and manufactured in the Middle Island. Such bonus to bo paid upon its being duly certified by the Commissioner of Crown Lands of the district within which the sugar shall have been produced, and by tho Chairman of the nearest Chamber of Commerce, that the minimum quantity hereinbefore mentioned has been so produced, and is of marketable quality: Provided further that such certificates shall have been presented at the Colonial Treasury within three years of the date above written. J. Macandrew, Minister of Lands.

No. 14. The Hon, the Minister for Immigration to tho Agent-Geneeal. Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 26th April, 1878. I wrote to you on the sth instant, letter No. 65, advising that the Government had decided upon accepting conditionally the tenders of the New Zealand Shipping Company and of the Albion Company for the conveyance of Government emigrants and cargo to New Zealand. I have now to inform you that the contract with the New Zealand Shipping Company has been finally arranged, and will be duly executed here.* There are several alterations upon the original printed conditions, which have been agreed to, the nature and extent of which will be seen in the correspondence enclosed herewith. The only alteration to which it is necessary to direct your special attention is the omission of clause 50 in the printed conditions, which omission renders it expedient that the risk therein *D.—No. 5. 1878.

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intended to be guarded against on the part of the Government should be covered by insurance. You will therefore be good enough to see that this is attended to. Your telegram dated 31st March, 1878, w Tas received as follows: "Premier, N.Z.—lmportant to know time despatch first emigrants. Reply. — (Signed) Yogel, London;" and the following reply has been wired this clay : " Agent-General, London.—First ships arrive October, none after Eebruary." I did not allude specially to this point, inasmuch as it was taken for granted that the matter was fully understood by you. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. Macandrew.

Enclosure 1 in No. 14. The General Manager, New Zealand Shipping Company, to the Hon. J. Macandeew. The New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited), Wellington, Sic,— 20th April, 1878. Referring to our interview of this morning, when we reviewed the clauses of the conditions of contract for conveyance of emigrants and cargo, 1877, I have now the honor, in conformity with your suggestion, to formally record the alterations, first, mutually and definitely agreed upon, and, second, left over for your consideration. 1. In clause 5 : From the second line, the words " or Glasgow " are to be omitted. 2. In clause 8 : All the words following " to convey them," in tho sixth line, are to be omitted. 3. In clause 10: In the first line, after the word "weighing," and before the word "over," to introduce the words " or measuring." 4. Pc clause 50: I ask for, and you promised to consider the propriety of, the omitting of this clause altogether; and I urge it on the ground that the Government can and should protect itself from the consequences of any of the events sought to be provided against by marine insurance " against the act." It is a most novel, indeed unprecedented, introduction in the conditions of an emigration contract. 5. Clause 51 : In lieu hereof, I propose the following : " Should hostilities occur between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and any foreign power during the continuance of this contract, it shall be lawful for either party thereto to annul the same, provided always that, if at any time or immediately preceding the time of the declaration of war, any ship or ships ordered by the Queen under this contract are engaged loading cargo, or preparing for the conveyance of emigrants, tho loading and despatching of such ship or ships shall be completed, and such extra sum for the carriage of cargo and conveyance of passengers shall be paid by tho Queen, as may be mutually agreed upon, or, failing agreement by the parties hereto, as may be determined on in the manner hereinafter—in clause 52—provided for." 6. Clause 52 : To meet the above, I propose to add to this clause, " And if the Queen and the Contractor cannot agree upon the extra sum or sums which should be paid to and received by the Contractor under the circumstances set out in clause 51 of these conditions, the determination of such sum or sums shall in like manner be left to the arbitrament of a Judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand, whose award and decision shall be binding and conclusive on both the parties hereto." 7. Clause 54 :In lieu of this I suggest tho following: "If the Contractor in any way assigns or sublets any part of this contract, or disposes of any of the benefits or advantages thereof, he shall not and will not be absolved from his responsibility under the contract, unless the Minister for Immigration in the colony for the time being first gives his consent in writing thereto." 8. Schedule A, column 3 : Day Wednesday, " 6 " instead of " 8 " to be inserted ; and at foot of schedule (aa) to insert, "These articles to bo of prime and approved quality and descriptions." 9. Schedule B: To omit all the words after " sugar weekly "in the fourth line. 10. In regard to the term of the contract, I suggest, with great deference, that it should be extended to two or three years, because really it hardly gets into working order for the first twelve months, and its determination at an earlier period, subject to certain contingencies, is amply provided for. 11. I shall highly esteem your early decision in these matters, in order that the contract may be signed early next week for transmission by the San Francisco mail. I have, &c, The Hon. James Macandrew, H. Selwyn Smith, Minister for Immigration, &c. General Manager.

Enclosure 2 in No. 14. The Hon. J. Macandrew to the General Manager, New Zealand Shipping Company. Sir,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 23rd April, 1878. Following up the subject of our personal interview, I am in receipt of your letter of the 20th instant, in which you state explicitly the alterations in the conditions of contract for the conveyance of emigrants and cargo desired by you. In reply, I have to say that the Government is disposed to agree to any reasonable modification or alteration which does not materially affect the main conditions of the contract —namely, that immigrants shall be convoyed to New Zealand with as much safety and personal comfort as can be secured under the existing state of things. 1 need not say that to attain this ought to be as much the interest of the Contractor as it is the desire of the Government. Such being the case, I have now to say that, in addition to the omissions and amendments conceded by me at our personal interview, tho Government agree to accept tho other alterations as proposed in

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your letter now under reply, with the exception of that which relates to the assignment of contract. As regards this, the Government cannot agree to any alteration of the terms as embodied in clause 54 of the printed conditions. This clause provides that, in the event of its being found necessary for the Company to avail itself of the assistance of others to fulfil the contract, an assignment of the same or any part thereof may be made with the consent of the Government. Should such contingency arise, it will no doubt be fairly dealt with. As it is, should the tender by the New Zealand Shipping Company be taken up, the Government cannot recognize, even by implication, any others as principals in the transaction. It matters little whose ships are employed, but the Government must look to the Contractors as being primarily responsible for the due fulfilment of the letter and spirit of the contract. Further, I may frankly say that one of the considerations which induced the Government to enter into the contract with the New Zealand Company was that the principals, being located in the colony, they may be readily dealt with in the event of disputes arising. As regards the period over which the contract shall extend, there are no objections to its being for two years from the date of execution : Provided that it may be terminated at six months' notice in the event of arrangements being entered into whereby immigrants may be brought out by direct steam line. The proposed alterations as hereinbefore set forth will be handed to the Crown Law Officer, with a view to the conditions of contract being refrained accordingly, should you so desire it. I have only further to say that one of the proposed modifications of the contract, which it affords me much pleasure to accede to, is that which will enable the Contractors to feed the immigrants with food the produce of New Zealand, a modification which I trust may be taken advantage of to the fullest extent. H. Selwyn Smith, Esq., General Manager, I have, &c., New Zealand Shipping Company, Wellington. J. Macandeew.

Enclosure 3 in No. 14. The Geneeal Managee, New Zealand Shipping Company, to the Hon. J. Macandeew. The New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited), Wellington, Sic,— 24th April, 1878. I have now the honor formally to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the sth April, annexing an extract from your despatch to the Agent-General, instructing him that the Government had decided on accepting the tender of this Company for the conveyance of all emigrants from the United Kingdom to the colony, save and except the Clyde emigrants for Otago, and also for the carriage of all Government cargo. I have also to refer to the interviews with which you were good enough to honor me on the 20th, 23rd, and this day, and to my letter of the 20th, suggesting certain modifications and alterations in the conditions of the contract; and, finally, I have to own receipt of and thank you for your letter of tho 23rd instant, accepting our tender with the modifications subsequently sought. I beg to assure you that it will be the anxious desire of this Company in every fair way to meet the views and wishes of the Government, and to this effect our London manager is instructed by tho outgoing mail. Everything shall be done to insure the safety and comfort of the emigrants on the voyage. Our vessels, as you know, are of a very high class, built and adapted expressly for the conveyance of emigrants from Home. Our masters and officers are all men of good standing and judgment and discretion; and, thoroughly appreciating one of the reasons which have influenced you to accept our tender, I am charged by my directors to say that they are determined to maintain the prestige of the Company, and by an honorable and liberal construction of its obligations to make the New Zealand Shipping Company an institution worthy of this great colony in which it was founded and by the residents of which it is entirely owned. I have, &c, The Hon. James Macandrew, H. Selwtn Smith, Minister for Immigration, &c. General Manager.

No. 15. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 26th April, 1878. There is one very important fact which I omitted to notice in my letter to you relative to a direct steam line to New Zealand, which is, that the colony is now being circumnavigated with the utmost regularity and safety by a number of first-class steam vessels, so that travellers visiting New Zealand have no difficulty in moving about from one part of the colony to another by sea. There are also regular steamers betwixt New Zealand and the Australian Colonies. These are considerations which should have some weight with those who may feel disposed to entertain the proposal of a direct steam line from Europe. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. Macandeew. 2—D. 1.

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No. 16. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigration to the Agent-Geneeal. Sir,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 17th May, 1878. Referring to my letter of the 30th March, 1878, No. 57, in which you were requested to forward 100 emigrants to the Nelson District during the ensuing season, I have the honor to transmit copy of a memorandum by the Immigration Officer upon a petition from labourers and others to the Government against free immigration. Under the circumstances set forth by Mr. Greenfield, I have to request that the 100 emigrants ordered for Nelson may be sent to Hawke's Bay, where I understand there is a great demand for labour. I have, &c., The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. Macandrew.

Enclosure in No. 16. The Immigeation Officer, Nelson, to the Under Seceetaet for Immigeation, Wellington. Re Petition from Labourers against Free Lnmiyration, forwarded by G. P. Nias. (Memorandum.) 10th May, 1878. I have the honor to call attention to my report for the year ended 30th June, 1877, and for the quarter ended 31st December, 1877. In both of these reports I recommend that, with the exception of female domestic servants and nominated immigrants, free immigration to this port should be discontinued, unless public works could be started upon which the immigrants could be employed on arrival at a low rate of wages until they could find other and more remunerative employment. The demand for labour has not increased, and I therefore see no reason to alter that recommendation. Female servants are much required, say, twenty-five every three months. Aefeed Geeenfieed, The Under Secretary for Immigration, Wellington. Immigration Officer.

No. 17. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 23rd May, 1878. Herewith you will receive copy of a letter, the original of which will be presented to you by the Rev. Mr. Berry, who leaves for England by the "Rialto," and whose services while there may be turned to good account in respect of emigration of the best kind to New Zealand. Mr. Berry has been strongly recommended to the Government as one of the most suitable men who could be employed for the purpose in question. He is, I understand, a most attractive and effective public speaker and lecturer, and is personally acquainted with the resources of a large portion of the colony. He is well known in many of the agricultural districts in England, and will make it his chief business to disseminate information among tenant farmers, agricultural labourers, and others, to whom New Zealand holds out so many advantages. Of course there will be no head-money paid to agents in respect of persons who may be influenced to emigrate through the instrumentality of Mr. Berry, so that it is anticipated a considerable saving will thereby be effected as compared with the ordinary system. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. Macandeew. P.S. —It will be understood that Mr. Berry's lectures need not necessarily be confined to England—J. M.

Enclosure 1 in No. 17. The Rev. Joseph Berrx to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sir,— Wellington, 16th May, 1878. As it is my intention, if possible, shortly to leave for a visit to England, I beg to submit to the New Zealand Government the following proposal: — I should be glad to lecture in any part of the United Kingdom, under the direction of the Emigration Department, on either of the following conditions —that is to say, I would devote to the department the whole of my services for lecturing purposes, for a period not exceeding six months, for the sum of £250; or I would undertake to deliver, wherever directed, eighty lectures for the above-men-tioned sum, provided that their delivery did not extend over a period of, say, eight or nine months. My travelling expenses whilst under the direction of the department to be paid in either case. Waiting your reply, I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Joseph Beret.

Enclosure 2 in No. 17. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Rev. J. Beeet. Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 22nd May, 1878. Referring to your letter of the 16th instant, I am directed by the Hon. the Minister for Immigration to inform you that the Government will be glad to avail itself of your proposed visit to

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England, in the way of your delivering lectures on New Zealand throughout the agricultural districts, and otherwise influencing suitable emigrants towards this colony. In consideration of this service the Agent-General will be directed to pay to you the sum of £300, out of which you will have to find your own travelling expenses. It will be for mutual arrangement between the Agent-General and yourself as to whether this money will be paid in respect of the whole of your services for lecturing purposes being devoted to the department for a period of six months, or in respect of your delivering eighty lectures, wherever directed, extending over a period of eight months. I have, &c, The Rev. Joseph Berry, Wellington. J. Macandeew.

No. 18. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. Sir,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 23rd May, 1878. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th March, No. 270, transmitting by book post three copies of a paper read by you before the Royal Colonial Institute on " New Zealand and the South Sea Islands, and their relation to the Empire," and, in compliance with your suggestion, the Government will be obliged by your having the paper printed in pamphlet form, and distributed from the Agent-General's Office. The paper is in every respect highly creditable; and setting forth as it does, so fully and truthfully the condition and prospects of New Zealand, it cannot fail to be productive of the very best result. Before this letter arrives, you will have received the word " Institute" by cablegram, which you will understand to mean that the Government wish to have the pamphlet printed. I have, &c., The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. Macandeew.

No. 19. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z , 25th May, 1878. Referring to my letter No. 82, of the 20th April, I have the honor to transmit copies of further correspondence, noted in the margin, with reference to the application of the General Manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company for permission to assign a portion of the contract for the conveyance of immigrants and cargo to Messrs Shaw, Savill, and Co. I have, &c., The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. Macandrew.

Enclosure in No. 19. The Geneeal Managee, New Zealand Steam Shipping Company, to the Hon. J. Macandeew. Tho New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited), Sic,— Wellington, 3rd May, 1878. In pursuance of the verbal intimation I gave you, I have now the honor thus formally to intimate that this Company purposes, with your sanction, which I am instructed by my directors to seek to assign to Messrs Shaw, Savill, and Co., of London, the duty of carrying one moiety of the number of emigrants and of the tonnage required by the Government under the contract we hold, dated the 15th instant. I have, &c., The Hon. James Macandrew, H. Selwtn Smith, Minister for Immigration, &c. General Manager.

Enclosure 2 in No. 19. The Hon. J. Macandrew to the General Manages, New Zealand Steam Shipping Company. Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 7th May, 1878. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 3rd instant, in which you inform me that the New Zealand Shipping Company proposes, with my sanction, to assign to Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Company, of London, a moiety of the duty of carrying Government emigrants from England. In reply, I have to refer you to the terms of my letter of the 23rd ultimo, No. 73, in which you were informed that, should the occasion arise of your Company finding itself unable to fulfil the contract, an application to assign the whole, or any part of it, would be fairly dealt with. I cannot see, however, that such contingency has arisen as yet, or that the Government can bo fairly asked, before the signatures are attached to the necessary documents under the contract, to consent to an assignment which less than a week ago was positively declined.

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There is nothing to prevent the New Zealand Shipping Company making what arrangements it may see fit as between itself and Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co., so long as the terms and conditions of contract are fairly complied with under the responsibility of the former. I am unable, however, to see any good reason why the Government should, before the contract is commenced, be asked to be a party to any such arrangement. I have, &c, H. Selwyn Smith, General Manager, J. Macandeew. New Zealand Shipping Company, Wellington.

No. 20. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigration to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 18th June, 1878. Referring to your letter of the sth October last, No. 923, relative to part payment of passages of small capitalists, I am disposed very much to agree with the view embodied in the letter of the 22nd May, 1877, No. 96, addressed to you by my predecessor ; at the same time, I am not prepared to say absolutely that the system should not be acted upon unless you can get a sufficient number of this class to fill up a separate vessel, although no doubt that is the most desirable condition under which to carry it into effect. If I remember rightly, many of the best immigrants who came to Otago years ago paid half their own passages, although they could scarcely have been termed " capitalists ;" as it is, the matter is one which should be left very much to your discretion. There are many considerations which would no doubt regulate your action therein ; of course a good deal will depend upon the class of the immigrants, their good moral character, and the nature of their avocation. If these are adapted to the requirements of the colony, the more who pay towards their own passages, and land with more or less money at their disposal, the better. It is not, however, high character only that is required: there should also be self-reliance, together with the ability and willingness to work. None who possess these can fail in this country to secure for themselves and their families a position of comfort and independence more speedily perhaps than in any other. lam aware that all this is already well known to you; it cannot, however, be too often repeated to intending emigrants. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. Macandeew.

No. 21. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 18th June, 1878. Referring to the account of the disbursement of your department for the month of March last, I observe, among other items, the sum of £105 paid for the passages to New Zealand of Mr. S. Cochrane and daughter. I can find no record here of any undertaking on the part of the colony to pay this money, and shall be glad if you will be good enough to state the authority under which this expenditure has been incurred. In the same account, there is the large amount of £1,093 ss. 6d. paid during the months of December, January, February, and March last to sundry local agents by way of commission or head money on emigrants. It appears to me that this expenditure is of a nature somewhat unsatisfactory and undesirable. I may possibly be mistaken, but it does not seem to me, as regards quality, to be calculated to produce the best class of emigrants, whatever it may be as to quantity. If it is deemed necessary to resort to extraordinary means for obtaining suitable emigrants, I am inclined to think that advantage might be taken of the services of those who, having acquired a competency, have gone home to visit their friends. There are many such who, throughout their native districts,would in themselves present, as it were, "a living epistle," setting forth the advantages which have resulted from emigrating to New Zealand, and who, I have no doubt, would be glad to make known the attractions of their adopted country at a cost to the colony much less thau the amount of the head money now in question, and with far greater results. There would be the further advantage, in making use of the kind of agency now suggested, that the agents would, to some extent, feel themselves responsible to their fellow-colonists for the quality of the emigrants recommended by them. lam fully persuaded that this is the true kind of agency to be adopted for the future. There are not a few in the mother country now whose services might be had, and every day their number is increasing. I shall be glad if this view of the question commends itself to your approval. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. Macandeew.

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No. 22. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, sth July, 1878. Enclosed I have the honor to forward copy of a letter addressed to the Under Secretary for Immigration by Mr. P. Day, who proceeded Home by the last mail steamer, and who offers his services gratuitously towards obtaining suitable emigrants from Banffshire, his native county. I also enclose copy of reply sent to Mr. Day by this mail, and shall be glad to hear that you have turned his proffered services to good account. It will be observed that the locality in which Mr. Day's influence is most likely to be efficacious is an inland agricultural district in Banffshire, which contains the class of emigrants most required in New Zealand. I have, &c., The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. Macandeew.

Enclosure 1 in No. 22. Mr. P. Day to the Under Secretaet for Immigeation, Wellington. Sic, — Auckland, 25th June, 1878. It is with great regret that I have to state that the Hon. Mr. Macandrew will not be in Auckland to-day until we are gone, and consequently the pleasure of an interview with the lion, gentleman is hopeless. Under these circumstances, I trust you will advise the Agent-General that I intend to do my best to bring a few suitable emigrants from my native county, and that he will afford every facility for free passages, and that you will kindly send me a copy of your advice to the Agent-General. You may also add that I want no commission or consideration of any kind whatever, and that I will certainly only recommend parties who will not only be an acquisition to New Zealand, but also largely benefit themselves. That I can with confidence assure intending emigrants that no unnecessary delay will arise, or additional expense be caused by waiting for a vessel, is an essential point of success: hence the reason that I can show my letter to the Agent-General, as the best and most reliable reason that no disappointment will occur. Trusting to your kind assistance, The Under Secretary for Immigration, I have, <&c, Wellington. P. Dat.

Enclosure 2 in No. 22. The Under Secretaet for Immigeation to Mr. P. Day. Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, sth July, 1878. I have the honor, by direction of the Hon. the Minister for Immigration, to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 25th ultimo, and, in reply, to forward for your information copy of a letter to the Agent-General, in which he is requested to avail himself of your offer to procure immigrants for New Zealand, while on a visit to your native county. I have, &c, H. J. H. Eliott, P. Day, Esq., Under Secretary for Immigration. Torkins, Botrephine, by Keith, Banffshire, Scotland.

No. 23. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigration to the A gent-General. Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, sth July, 1878. Upon the 4th instant, I transmitted the following telegram: "Send 600 agricultural labourers Southland." I have now to enclose copy of a letter which has been addressed to me by Mr. Horace Bastings, Chairman of tho Tuapeka County Council, also copies of telegrams which have passed between the Mayor of Invercargill and myself. From these it would appear that there is an urgent demand for labour in Otago, and that the number indicated in my letter of the 30th March last as required for that part of the colony is insufficient. I have therefore to request that you will be good enough to send to Otago 2,200 (being 600 additional for the Bluff), instead of 1,600 immigrants. lam, of course, aware that it is an easy matter to say, Send us a given number of immigrants, and that probably it would be equally easy to obtain that number, if no regard were paid to their suitability. As it is, I need scarcely press upon you the fact that, unless our assisted immigrants are of a suitable class, able and willing to work, the colony would be much better without any. I therefore trust that the greatest care may be taken in their selection, and would again suggest that the best agency to effect this would be- that of successful colonists, who mean to end their days in New Zealand —men who would go into the matter con amore. I know of several such men at Home now, the addresses of whom I shall endeavour to send you. You will observe, from the reply to the Mayor of Invercargill, that is with some hesitation that I have partially complied with his request. I. do not know that I should have had any misgiving in doing so wholly, could I have been assured of the practicability of getting 1,200 immigrants of the right stamp for that district alone within the time named. Our experience, however, of what may be 3-D. 1.

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termed " spasmodic " assisted immigration in the past has not been such as to encourage us to risk it in the future. I would only further repeat what you already well know —viz., that the limit to the extent to which New Zealand can at present absorb labour from the mother country with mutual advantage is its suitability to the circumstances and requirements of the colony. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. Macandrew.

Enclosure in No. 23. The Chairman of the Tuapeka Countx Council to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works* Wellington. Sir, — Tuapeka County Council, Lawrence, 15th June, 1878. I have the honor to bring under the notice of the Government the great necessity that exists for the importation of more labour to this colony, and to direct your attention to the fact that it is impossible to carry on public works, owing to the very great difficulty that exists in procuring labour. Contractors in this district are offering 10s. and lis. per diem for ordinary day labour, notwithstanding which the supply is totally inadequate to the demand, and, as a necessary consequence, the contractors have in some cases been compelled to throw up contracts and forfeit their deposits, owing to the impossibility of procuring labour, while others are struggling to complete their works by employing Chinamen, who are altogether incapable of performing road-work. As an instance of the increase in the price of labour, I may mention that the contracts let by this Council recently are 33 per cent, higher than similar ones let upon the same road when I had the honor of holding the position of Minister of Works for Otago some four years since, thus practically proving that though our large national works have in many instances been completed, yet the labour of the country has become absorbed in the vast amount 'of settlement that has taken place, the continuous works going on throughout the length and breadth of the country, and last, though not least, the general prosperity of the colony, which, I am proud to say, in my humble opinion, was never so great and staple as at the present time. It therefore, I think, becomes a matter of considerable moment to the legislators of the colony, and a subject that demands the serious consideration of the Government, and I would strongly urge upon them the necessity of encouraging and assisting immigration by every legitimate means in their power, in order that some provision, however inadequate, may be made for supplying the present great and increasing scarcity of labour throughout the country. This appears to be the only course open for regulating the present very high rates for labour, and developing the many resources of the colony, while every effort should be made to resuscitate our immigration scheme upon a large scale, and to even offer additional inducements to intending immigrants of a desirable class. Never in any period of the history of the colony have the requirements for immigration been so great as at present. In this district the rates of wages are higher and employment more plentiful than in the palmiest days of the gold fields, which will give some idea of the present labour market, when we consider that Tuapeka was perhaps the richest and most payable gold field in the entire colony. I trust, therefore, in this matter you will not consider me intrusive, as I deemed it my duty as Chairman of an important county, and from my well-known and intimate knowledge of the interior districts of this portion of New Zealand and their wants, to make known these facts to the Government of the country ; and, did time permit, I could dwell upon the matter at some considerable length, knowing large tracts of valuable country that could be brought under cultivation and be made capable of supporting thousands of farming men and their families by ordinary industry. For the reasons stated in the foregoing the proprietors at present in the country are afraid to put a plough in the land on account of the scarcity of labour and exorbitant rates of wages charged. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Horace Bastings, Wellington. Chairman.

Enclosure 2 in No. 23. The Mayor of Invercargill to the Hon. the Minister for Immigeation.. (Telegram.) Invercargill, 24th June, 1878. Crowded public meeting last night in response to the largest requisition ever presented to the Mayor of this town, that Government be requested to cablegram the Agent-General to select and forward to Bluff Harbour 1,200 suitable emigrants, as many agriculturists as possible, during the ensuing spring. Joseph Hatch, Mayor.

Enclosure 3 in No. 23. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Matoe of Invercargill. (Telegram.) Auckland, 25th June, 1878. Please to indicate the particular class of immigrants ; also the number of each, outside of agricultural labourers, desired to be sent to Invercargill. Although. 1,200 is very largely in excess of the number which has been already sent for upon the recommendation of the local Immigration Officer, I am

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desirous that your request should be, if possible, complied with, on the express understanding, however that tho local authorities shall, in case of need, find employment for those, if any, who may be unable to find it otherwise. I w rould point out the very grave responsibility which compliance w rith your request implies, responsibility which, with the most sanguine belief in the labour-absorbing capacity of Southland, I confess I should shrink from incurring, unless there is the absolute assurance that employment will be found for the immigrants at fair wages, without Government aid, the district taking its chance of the quality of the labour which may be introduced. J. Macandrew.

Enclosure 4 in No. 23. The Mayor of Invercargill to the Hon. the Minister for Immageation. (Telegram.) Invercargill, 26th June, 1878. Youb telegram received. There cannot be any doubt of district to absorb labour, especially agricultural labourers and ploughmen. Would recommend that 100 arrive September, 300 November, 300 December, 300 January. Brydon, New Zealand Land Company, and Mcintosh, Otatu, were amongst the most prominent supporters at the meeting. Last year the Corporation had large contracts, and fewer tenderers than in any year. County Council had repeatedly to re-tender their contracts. Farmers last year complained sadly for men. Great inclination of large landowners to cut up estates into small farms. Municipal Council in past years has always provided work at ss. a day for all comers for a fortnight each. Trust you will therefore comply with request of meeting. Joseph Hatch, Mayor.

No. 24. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 11th July, 1878. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 21st May, in reply to mine of 18th March, on the subject of emigration from Scotland. You state that " you gather from my letter that the emigrants from Ireland have not shown themselves equal to the emigrants from Scotland." If you will refer to my letter you will find that it does not contain one single word which can possibly bear the interpretation put on it. No doubt there are good and bad emigrants, both Irish and Scotch. My opinion is that the one is as good as the other if carefully selected. The purport of my letter was simply to show the inexpediency of maintaining an expensive Agency in Scotland unless it is to be the means of sending out Scotch people, and those not from the large towns but from the agricultural districts. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. Macandrew.

No. 25. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 11th July, 1878. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 23rd May, relative to the salaries of the officers in your department, and, in reply, to say the Government does not feel justified in paying the income-tax charged by the Imperial Government on the said salaries. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. Macandeew.

No. 26. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 12th July, 1878. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 21st May, in which you recommend the setting aside and surveying of blocks of land which might be disposed of in England as a means of attracting to New Zealand emigrants of the class to which you refer. In reply, I have to say that my colleagues and myself have fully considered the matter in question, and have arrived at the conclusion that in many respects the adoption of your suggestions would be to give an unfair advantage to people in England over the people in the colony as respects the acquisition of land —a result which, I feel assured, did not present itself to you. I need scarcely say that land in New Zealand is a limited quantity, and that the demand for its acquisition by those who are daily finding their way to the colony, as well as by the families of old settlers, is so steadily on the increase that there is no need for the Government to stimulate such demand by extraordinary means. I quite agree with you that there is in the colony a splendid field for the manly youth of Great Britain, who may have the energy and the disposition to betake themselves to farming pursuits. I think, however, it would be much better for them to find their way to New Zealand as others have done; they could then select land on the same terms as others, and, if need be, acquire a modicum of colonial experience before doing so.

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I would point out, as I have previously done, that, to the practical farmer, with large or small capital, never did the colony present a more extensively available field for settlement than it does at the present moment. The extension of branch railways into the interior of the Middle Island, the breaking up of several immense estates into farms of large and small dimensions, together with the certainty which now exists as to the vast Native territory in the North Island being shortly opened up for settlement by railway communication, all combine in bearing out what I have just stated, and cannot fail to attract a large population to our shores in the ordinary course. As regards the proposed Agricultural School at Canterbury, I am not aware as to how far it has yet assumed a practical existence. I believe, however, that it might most advantageously meet the case of young men such as those to whom you. refer, and I shall take care that your suggestion is communicated to the promoters of the proposed school. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. Macandrew. By Authority: Geoeoe Didsbtov, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB7B. Price 9d.]