SETTLEMENT ON STEWART'S ISLAND.

5

D.—N*. 7a,

The natural features of the Island correspond very closely with the description given in Mr. Pearson's report, of which you have, I believe, received a copy. The seat of the first settlement will be fixed at Port William, a commodious and safe harbour, where the Government will have to erect a barrack capable of containing say one hundred and fifty persons of all ages, the number which I propose should be brought out by the first ship. As there is but little settlement on the Island, and as, therefore, there would be no employers of labour, I think it would be unwise to hazard the experiment of more than one shipment during the first year. Even if, as proposed by His Honor the first comers are provided with necessary food, tools, seed and boats, it would take quite a year before they will be in a position to feed themselves and assist the next batch of incomers. By that time, if the first attempt succeds, it may be practicable and politic to double the number of immigrants; but a great point will be gained, if, in the course of the first year, the successful settlement of a hundred and fifty or two hundred people is effected on this hitherto neglected Island. The Agent-General will therefore consider himself instructed to prepare for the shipment of about fifty families, from the Orkney or Shetland Islands or Hebrides, to arrive at Port William about November next. Each adult will receive a free grant of twenty acres of land ; but, as stated by His Honor, the intending immigrants should be impressed with the tact that it is to fishing they must look as their main source of prosperity, and not to the cultivation of the soil. Originally the settlement of the Island was intended to be carried on under the provisions of the " Otago Special Settlements Act, 1869 and 1871," but as the business of Immigration has now devolved upon the Colony, it is probable that some modification of those Acts must take place in order to avoid the confusion which will certainly ensue under a dual system of management. At present the Province finds the land, and the Colonial Government introduces the immigrants ; the province also expects the Colony to erect baracks and supply boats, &c, if required. Under these circumstances it will be difficult to determine where the responsibility of the Colonial Gevernment ends. It will, probably, therefore be necessary that that the Province should hand over the land in order that the whole management of the settlement may rest upon those who are really responsible for the welfare of the people they bring out. You will be kept informed, from time to time, of all detail arrangements that may be made which will affect the interests of the intending emigrants. Should you be unable to make arrangements for landing the immigrants at Port William, a contingency, which the Government trust will not occur, as the harbour is easy of access and perfectly safe, they will have to be discharged at the Bluff. W. Reeves.

No. 5. Hon. W. Reeves to His Honor the Superintendent. Office of Resident Minister for the Middle Island, New Zealand 20th April, 1872. Sir, In order to assist your desire to promote the settlement of Stewart's Island, the Government has requested the Agent-General to send out a first shipment of about 150 suitable emigrants to be obtained if possible, from Orkney, Shetland, or the Western Isles. Preparation is being also made to find shelter for the new arrivals, and for this purpose suitable barracks will shortly be erected at Port William. As the future conduct of the experiment will devolve upon the provincial authorities under the " Otago Special Settlements Act," the Government express their hopes that your Honor will urge upon your advisers the necessity of bringing the matter before the Council so that funds may be appropriated for the survey of such an area as will be required for the settlement, for the supply of food necessary for the maintenance of the immigrants until such time as they are enabled to earn their own living, and generally for tools and appliances required to start them in their several occupations. As the immigrants will in this case be almost entirely without means, as they will be out of reach of employers, and as they will be landed on a comparatively uninhabited island, your Honor will readily understand that the Government who are responsible for bringing them out at your request, feel very anxious to learn that proper steps will be taken by the local authorities to avoid the chance of any failure in this attempt of settlement, as the consequences in that case would not only involve considerable pecuniary loss but much certain misery. Hoping with your Honor, that this first importation will be but the commencement of a continuous immigration to the island, and feeling sure that the success of this first experiment will depend mainly upon the mode in which the details are prepared and carried out, I trust you will agree with me in the propriety of submitting such proposed resolutions to your Executive and Council as will meet the circumstances of the case, and satisfy the wishes of the Colonial Government. I have, &c, W. Reeves. His Honor the Superintendent of Otago.