97

D.—l

No. 105. Memorandum No. 131, 1873, for the Agent-General, London. Befeering to Memorandum No. 71, of the 14th April last, I forward herewith for your information copy of a further correspondence with His Honor the Superintendent of Auckland, on the subject of immigration to that Province. Immigration Office, "Wellington/23rd June, 1873. G. Matjeice O'Eoeke.

Enclosure 1 in No. 105. His Honor T. B. Gillies to the Hon. G. M. O'Eoeke. Sib,— Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 18th April, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 223, dated the 14th instant, and to thank you for the instructions given to the Agent-General as to the selection of immigrants for this Province. In reference to the passages quoted from my last letter, which you appear to consider contradictory, I regret that I have not made my meaning clear to your mind. In the first paragraph quoted, I was speaking of the rapidity of absorption of large bodies of immigrants; in the second, I spoke of the capacity for absorption. Keeping in view that distinction, the intention of my remarks was to deprecate the landing at irregular intervals of large masses of mere labourers, but at the same time to encourage the sending of an equal number under a more steady continuous system. Permit me further to remark, that if the Provincial authorities are expected to advise the General Government so as to prevent a glut of the labour market, they must be kept much more fully advised than they have hitherto been of the amount and character of the immigration coming forward from England. I hare, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, "Wellington. Tjiomas B. Gillies.

Enclosure 2 in No. 105. The Hon. G. M. O'Eoeke to His Honor T. 13. Gillies. (No. 414.) Sib, — Immigration Office, "Wellington, 23rd June, 1873. I have the honor to inform you that a copy of your letter of the 18th April ultimo, explanatory of the discrepancies which appeared to me to exist in your letter of the 22nd February ultimo, has been forwarded to the Agent-General. I must leave to the Agent-General, in despatching emigrants to the Colony, to judge of the question you raise with regard to the Province of Auckland's rapidity of absorption and capacity of absorption of immigrants. My only object in drawing the Agent-General's attention to what appeared to me discrepancies in your remarks was, lest he should, on the strength of your expressions, reduce the number (3,500) to be despatched to the Province of Auckland during the current year, or discourage immigration in any way to the Province. I quite agree with your Honor that a continuous stream of immigration is far preferable to the landing of large masses of immigrants at a time in the Province ; but at the present rate of emigration to the Colony, I do not apprehend that you will experience the dangers you seem to foresee. I am aware that full information as regards the number of immigrants expected to arrive in Auckland is telegraphed to your Honor the day it reaches this office ; and it will be my earnest endeavour to keep you fully apprised of the number and character of immigrants that may have taken shipping for that Province, in order that you may at all times be in a position to cope with any difficulties that may arise from such a glut of the labour market as you refer to. I hare, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. G. Matjeice O'Eobke.

No. 106. Memorandum No. 132, 1873, for the Agent-General, London. Eefeeeing to Memorandnm No. 79, 1873, of the 22nd April, I herewith enclose for your information, copy of a further correspondence with His Honor the Superintendent of Auckland, with reference to Mr. Farnall's proposal to send out immigrants for a special settlement in that Province. Immigration Office, Wellington, 23rd June, 1873. G. Matteice O'Eoeke.

Enclosure 1 in No. 106. His Honor T. B. Gillies to the Hon. G-. M. O'Eorke. Sir,— Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 17th April, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 226, dated the 14th instant, and to thank you for the proffered co-operation of the General Government in locating the settlers proposed to be sent out by Mr. Farnall. I regret that the copy of my reply to Mr. Farnall was not attached to the correspondence. It is now sent herewith. I thank you also for pointing out the error in the statement of the maximum grant of land under the Homestead Act. 13—D. 1.