D.—No. 3.

No. 2. The New Zealand Emigration Boakd to the Colonial Seceetaet, Auckland. Office of the New Zealand Government Emigration Board, 3, Adelaide-place, London Bridge, London, E.C, Sie, — 26th September, 18(54. We have the honor to enclose you herewith copy of correspondence we have had with Mr. McElroy, of Manchester, on the subject of a special settlement in the Province of Auckland. A block of land set apart in the Waikato district, would, wo imagine, be accepted. We beg you will give the proposal favorable consideration; and if acceded to under certain conditions, please instruct us on the subject. We have, &c, Wm. S. Geahame, John Moreison, New Zealand Government Emigration Board. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Auckland, New Zealand. Enclosure 1 to No. 2. John McEleot, Esq., to the New Zealand Ehigeation Board. 15, Alma-square, Moss Side, Gentlemen, — Manchester, September 3rd, 1864. I have been asked to make enquiries of you respecting a special settlement in New Zealand. A number of intending emigrants to that colony (myself among them) desire to know if a block of land could be granted them for the purpose of establishing a settlement. The party consists at present of a small number of respectable men with small capital. But as we have amongst us several persons possessed of considerable local influence, we think that if an eligible block were put at our disposal, we would be able to bring together a considerable number of suitable emigrants to form a settlement. We understand that the Colonial Government have several good blocks of land at their disposal on the River Thames. Indeed, if I am not mistaken, a block of land on that river was offered to the Nonconformist and the Church of England Special Settlement parties, but was not accepted on account of the disturbances in the neighbourhood. Well, if such a block be offered to us —a fair extent of dry ground, not too much encumbered with wood nor swampy, we will be glad to accept it, and will try hard to make the settlement a success. We would like it not to be too far up the river, and to have a place in it available as a port for at least second-rate vessels. If a block on the Thames, be not disposable we will be glad to accept one in any other locality in the Province of Auckland, preferring a district whose access from sea is from the leeward or eastern coast of the island. Of course we will conform in every respect to the new regulations of the colony. A special settlement holds out so many advantages to settlers over promiscuous settling, that my friends for every reason would prefer to go out with one. They arc not, however, inclined to join the special settlement parties now going out, because they would not like to be trammelled by a connexion to a party formed to carry out sectarian views. And at the same time, as we believe that a great number of intending emigrants have similar feelings on the subject to ourselves, wo are convinced that we would be ablo to get up a strong party, throwing out the necessity of sectarian objects, and only taking into view the mutual interest of the settlement. We hope to have a favorable answer from you with regard to our application, the matter of which is intimately connected with our future interests. At the same tine, we bog to urge that it is manifestly to the interest of the Government of Auckland to grant our request, because a strong settlement —one especially in the valley of the Thames, will be of great importance towards the protection of the Province and capital, and also as a nucleus of respectable settlers round which the whole district might be settled. As we understand that you are now the authority at home with respect to emigration to New Zealand, we have addressed this application to you, but if we should have applied elsewhere perhaps you will be kind enough to direct us to the proper channel. I am, &c, The New Zealand Emigration Committee, John McEleot. London. Enclosure 2 to No. 2. The New Zealand Emigeation Boaed to John McElroy, Esq. Office of the New Zealand Government Emigration Board, Sie,— 3, Adelaide-place, E.C, 6th September, 1864. The New Zealand Government Emigration Board are duly in receipt of your letter of 3rd curt., enquiring if a block of land in New Zealand could be set apart and granted for the purpose of establishing a special settlement. In reply, I beg to inform you that the regulations under which emigration is conducted by the Board on behalf of the General Government of New Zealand does not admit of any special block of land being set apart in this country for establishing any particular settlement ; but the Board have pleasure in enclosing you a copy of the small farmers' schedule, setting forth the regulations under which land orders of fifty acres can be granted to every eligible settler who can pay their own passages, and take out with them a certain capital to improve the land so granted. They are also entitled to fifty acres on account of their wives, and twenty-five acres on behalf of each child above twelve and under eighteen years of age ; and for all above eighteen years fifty acres. They would also be entitled to receive fifty acres for every approved agricultural laborer, mechanic, or domestic servant they conveyed to the colony at their sole expense.

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CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO DESPATCH