D.—No. lc

4

EURTHER CORRESPONDENCE

Enclosure 2 in No. 1. Mr. J. Seaton to Dr. Feathebston. Sic— Strath Canon, 3rd June, 1872. I have the honor to report the means adopted and the places visited by me to promote emigration since arrival in England. Immediately after receiving your instructions regarding the terms on which parties were to be assisted, and the locality to which I was to confine my efforts, I proceeded to visit the chief centres of population in the Counties of Ayr, Lanark, Perth, and Fife ; having posters and handbills circulated with the object of drawing attention to and giving information regarding New Zealand as a field for emigration. I also invited all who felt interested in the subject to meet me at places stated. Many availed themselves of the invitation, and evinced considerable interest, asking for the form of application, which I supplied in considerable numbers, but, from the peculiar manner in which I have been engaged lately, am not aware whether they have been forwarded and approved of or not. There are many almost insuperable obstacles in the way of extended emigration from Scotland just now. In the first place, trade of every kind is brisk ; a great demand exists for labour of every kind, with high wages and a reduction in the hours of work. On the other hand, America is bidding high for emigrants, offering from 100 to 200 acres of land to each adult, and in some cases giving an advance of ten dollars per head to assist them to reach their destination. That, with her comparatively short distance, make it the favourite field. I have endeavoured to show the advantages New Zealand possesses in climate over America, being free from fever and ague, and not subjected to protracted frosts, which prevents out-door work from being prosecuted much over seven months in the year. That has had considerable weight with the thinking portion of the community, and may yet yield good fruit in the farming and manufacturing districts, where my efforts have been principally directed. But latterly, as you are aware, I have been among the islands on the West Coast of Scotland, a field, I think, admirably adapted to our purpose. These labourers are abundant, with very few of the comforts of life. A more stalwart, healthy, sober race of people it has never been my lot to see ; but their poverty is a great bar to their removal, and I am afraid, unless some modification of the terms at present in force are arrived at, few will be able to avail themselves of the advantages held out to them. When in the Lewis I addressed public meetings, and although labouring under the disadvantage of having to be interpreted for, great interest was manifested, and questions put to me,showing intelligence and desire for correct information. I invited, as usual, all who might wish further information to meet me on the following day, which many availed themselves of, several showing a strong desire to go out but could not raise the money. I had placards posted on the street corners of Stornoway, stating I had been twenty-four years resident in New Zealand, and would be glad to confer with any one on New Zealand matters. That led many to call upon me, and had I not had to accompany the passengers sailing by the " Ballarat," to London, I believe many more would have improved the opportunity. Some days previous to leaving the Island I went to a fishing village called Bible. The men there seemed very despondent; they had caught very few fish this season, and saw nothing before them but misery and suffering. I am satisfied, if I could have offered them a passage without any prepayment, nine-tenths of the village would have accepted the terms. They were very anxious I would visit them by the end of the fishing season, about the middle of September, as, if they could manage to raise the money, they were determined to go with me. That indeed was the refrain whenever I went on the Island. They seem to be steeped to the lips in poverty. From the experience gained during the last two months I am convinced, unless some modification of existing terms can be arrived at, there will be a great deal of up-hill work and but little result. If an alteration could be made, allowing suitable parties, after approval, to go without any prepayment even if an increase should be made in the passage money (however undesirable that may be), many would avail themselves of the terms that cannot do so now. Although one pound (£1) per adult may seem a small sum, when the family consists of seven or eight, as they frequently do, the amount required for outfit and passage is something considerable to them, asl have seen when parties applied and I have made the calculation. Hoping you will excuse the liberty I have taken in making the above suggestion, I have, &c, James Seaton.

Enclosure 3 in No. 1. The Rev. P. Babclat to Dr. Feathebston. Report of Emigration Work during the last Six Months. In December, 1871, I went up, by request, to London, and conferred with the Agent-General on emigration matters. The Agent-General said he had been instructed to ask my services for Scotland, and asked if I would undertake definite work for him there. I said such work was out of my line of things, but that, being much interested in New Zealand, and being so courteously asked, I would engage in it, at least for a time. Then, and when during the following month the Agent-General came to Edinburgh, the terms were arranged. Thereafter I began to write a tract, at his suggestion, suitable for emigrants. But within a few weeks (about 20th January) I went by invitation to Duncraig, the West Coast residence of Alexander Matheson, Esq., of Ardross, M.P. for Ross-shire. There 1 remained two days, and addressed a very large meeting of his people at the village of Plockton. The interest in emigration there had been excited by the fact that, in. June, 1871, a considerable number of persons had left for New Zealand at the instigation of Mr. Morrison and myself, and by the kind assistance of Mr. Matheson. Some of these had written homo charming accounts of the climate, soil, &c, of Now Zealand, and had spoken of the high rate of wages, which, in some instances, to these poor West Coast Islanders, seemed quite fabulous. The consequence of all this is, that about seventy or eighty go this year from that neighbourhood, chiefly to Hawke's Bay Province, by the " Ballarat;" and Mr. F. McDonell, the local agent, who has been