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It is the desire of the Government that you should fully understand that, in accordance with the rules of the public service, they look to you for the efficient and economical working of your own Department, and they cannot therefore but express their dissatisfaction that you should have retained in your employment, and, upon your own authority, increased to a considerable extent the salaries of gentlemen whose services you have distinctly stigmatised as " useless," and whose appointments you considered " wholly unnecessary." It appears to me that your proper course would have been, when not satisfied with the necessity for the employment of Messrs Birch, Seaton, and Farnall, or with the way in which they performed such duties as were entailed upon them, to have at once dispensed with their services, placed at their disposal, if required, the money for their return passages to the Colony, and reported the circumstances under which you took this action to the Government. I may further remark that it was not until receipt of your telegram, dated 25th April, 1873, that I was in any way made aware that you were dissatisfied with the gentlemen referred to ; and lat once, to remove all possible doubt from your mind as to the view entertained by the Government with regard to the absolute discretion allowed you, despatched the following cablegram :—" You have full power to dispense with Seaton, Birch, and Farnall, if useless as you report." Before leaving this subject, I would remark that I have been very much struck with the statement you make on the subject of the salaries and allowances you have granted to Messrs. Birch and Seaton. You say —" It was only on their distinct and repeated assurance that they had been promised by the Government a salary of at least £350 a year, and a travelling allowance of 20s. per diem for every day in the year, that you very reluctantly agreed to pay them the salary named above (£350), and travelling allowance of £350 a year in addition." This is so much at variance with what was generally understood in the Colony with regard to the visit of these gentlemen to Europe, that I must request you, if they are still in England, to call upon them to state when and by what member of the Government such promise was made. With regard to the Eev. Mr. Barclay, I am glad that you consider his services likely to be eventually useful in the way of stimulating emigration to this Colony. I shall be obliged if you will forward me some copies of his " Notes on New Zealand," and inform me whether the pamphlet has been published by authority, and at the Government expense, and also whether it is distributed gratis. The appointments of an Accountant and Shipping Agent, and the general scale of office salaries of your Department (Schedule C) are approved ; and with regard to your arrangements generally, I wish to reiterate that the Government desire you to exercise the utmost discretionary power in the performance of your duties, the arduous and responsible character of which they fully appreciate. Immigration Office, Wellington, 4th June, 1873. G. Maueice O'Eoeke.

No. 101. Memobandtjm No. 123, 1873, for the Agent-Geneeal, London. Heeewitii I forward copy of the report of the Commissioners on the emigrant ship " Woodlark," which arrived at Auckland on the 31st ultimo. Immigration Office, Wellington, 17th June, 1873. G. Matjbice O'Jloeke.

Enclosure in No. 101. Eepoet by Immigeation Commissionees on Ship " Woodlark." Sib, — General Government Offices, Auckland, 3rd June, 1873. We have the honor to report that the ship " Woodlark," from London, arrived here on the night of Saturday, the 31st May, with 125 passengers, of whom 116 souls—equal 100 statute adults — are Government immigrants. We boarded her at the anchorage, and found all well; and then proceeded with our inspection. The ship was found clean and regular, and the health and comfort of the passengers seem to have been studied in every particular ; the comjiartments of the married people, single women, and men were all well ventilated, and sufficient room for the number on board. The provisions were all of good quality, and there was a sufficient quantity of fresh water for the whole voyage. There was one death on board by drowning; a boy of 11 years old accidentally fell overboard and was not seen again, although every effort was made by captain and crew. In conclusion, we beg to recommend that the usual gratuities may be given to the officers. We have, &c, T. M. Philson, Health Officer. I. J. Bttegess, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Chief Harbour Master.

No. 102. Memoe-OWM No. 125, 1873, for the Agent-Genebal, London. It having been represented to the Government that many valuable immigrants might be introduced into this Colony from Wales, I have to request that you will take the necessary steps for bringing before the public of that portion of the United Kingdom the advantages New Zealand offers as a field for emigration. In the printed list of local agents forwarded, I observe that there appears to be only one (Mr. Presßwell, of Merthyr Tydfil) appointed for Wales. Immigration Office, Wellington, 18th June, 1873. G. Maueice O'Eobke.