D.—ld

42

The immigrants are clearly entitled to an allowance at the rate of Is. 6d. per diem for each statute adult for every day they maintained themselves on shore after the proper date of sailing of the ship, for it is distinctly so stated on their contract tickets. These immigrants, moreover, assert that when they made inquiry at Gravesend respecting the payment of their subsistence money, they were informed by the person they supposed to be the representative of the Agent-General that the amount would be deducted when the payment of their promissory notes was demanded in the Colony. I think it only right that the Government should keep faith with these immigrants, and I recommend that the Hon. Minister for Immigration authorize me to deduct the sums claimed by immigrants for subsistence money in England from the amount of their promissory notes, and that the subject be referred to the Agent-General. H. J. H. Eliott, Immigration Officer.

No. 86. Memoeandum No. 126, 1873, for the Agent-Geneeal, London. 1 herewith forward copies of correspondence with a Mr. Finlay Murchison, of Eiverton, respecting certain persons who are willing to emigrate to Southland ; and I have to request you to be good enough to communicate with the persons named, and inform them of the terms on which assisted passages are granted to the Colony. Land and Immigration Office, G. Mattuice O'Boeke. Wellington, New Zealand, 30th June, 1873.

Enclosure in No. 86. Mr. Daniel to the Hon. the Minister for Lands and Immigeation. Sir, — Immigration Office, 19th June, 1873. I have the honor to enclose two letters, —one from Mr. i'inlay Murchison, the other from his relations at Loch Carron and Alsh, Scotland. You will perceive they are those that were unable to avail themselves of the offer to come to Southland when their relations left home. Those that arrived were immediately engaged by the flock masters in this district, and though a hundred of such men and women arrived, would immediately be eagerly engaged. Well trained to the bleak and snow-clad hills of Scotland, our climate here would be thought nought of, and in a short time would soon repay from their earnings whatever might be due to the Government. If the land laws of Southland were assimilated to those of Otago, on the deferred payment scheme, I am convinced a steady flow of immigrants would avail themselves and follow. They all look to make a home for their parents. It is the cause of so many thousands leaving for America for that very reason. It would be the means of keeping them in the Provinces, instead of following the rushes to the different gold fields in other Colonies. I have, &c, TiiEOPHiLrs Daniel. Sub-Enclosure 1 to Enclosure in No. 86. Mr. Muechison to Mr. Daniel. Six, — Kintail, Eiverton, 16th June, 1873. Herewith I enclose for perusal a letter addressed to me from Alexander McDonnell, Ochnashellock, Lochcarron, Eoss-shire, Scotland,:, informing me, for himself and brother and sister, also brother-in-law, that they are all ready and willing to emigrate to Southland, JS'ew Zealand, if they only had the chance put into their hands of coming to it. This, you will observe, is one of the McDonnell family whose names formerly you sent to the Otago agents as eligible emigrants for assisted passages to this part of New Zealand. The names of the members composing this family are as follow : — Age. Margaret McDonnell (now Mrs. McLean) ... ... ... 28 years. John McLean, her husband ... ... ... ... 28 „ Donald McDonnell ... ... ... ... ... 25 „ Ewen McDonnell ... ... ... ... ... 23 „ Alexander McDonnell ... ... ... ... ... 21 „ Ann McDonnell ... ... ... ... ... 19 ~ Angus McDonnell ... ... ... ... ... 17 „ Archibald McDonnell ... ... ... ... ... 15 „ All the males of this family have been accustomed to sheep herding from their youth; latterly they have taken to working on railways and other employments, so that they are well broken in for the works that are most needed amongst us here at present —viz., sheep herding and navvying. As you inform me that the Government are desirous of introducing as many single women as possible, I believe the following would most willingly come in charge of Mrs. Margaret McLean, along with the rest of the McDonnells, viz.:— Age. Miss Christina Finlayson, Drumbuaith, Lochalsh ... ... 2G years. Miss Mary Finlayson, Drumbuaith, Lochalsh ... ... 23 „ Miss Catherine Finlayson, Addnarf, Lochalsh ... ... 23 „ Miss Christina McKay, Altnanaruth, Lochalsh ... ... 21 „ Miss Ann McEae, Carnduth, Dornie Kintail ... ... ... 22 „