37

D.—2

by request from Mr. Morrison to visit Aberdeenshire, &c, in the N.E., I know that there could be little immediate fruit, and that a deal of preliminary work had to be done. Last year I heard of some people who had consulted one of the agents about New Zealand ; but when told they would have to sail from London, they at once decided on going to America, sailing from Glasgow. Then as to the number of people for the next three months, it is not easy to form any idea. I intend, if all be well, leaving for West Coast, Lochalsh, &c, about 29th inst. Macdonell, as per letter sent by me to the office, seems to think a great many will go, such good accounts having been received from the last lot who went. A good many may prefer to go to Otago, especially if they can sail from Glasgow, as 1 suppose they can now do. I should not be surprised if in course of the spring we were to get 200. Macdonell is very much afraid of the Ontario agents, who are coming in force this year. They certainly hold out wonderful promises, and delude ignorant people with free grants of land, which, to a man without a shilling, are often no better than giving him a "white elephant" (white enough five months of the year with snow): But it seems near, and many of their friends have gone to Canada. I shall, however, hold by the regulations laid down. Things are entirely different in almost every respect in the West Highlands and Islands from what they are in Aberdeenshire. There is a different race, a different language, and labour on an entirely different footing. My present idea is to live about a week or ten days in the little inns in Plockton, Gairloch, &c, and to work along with tho local agents in doing definite work—such as from the nature of things can be much more readily done in such places. Thereafter, towards end of March or beginning of April, I think I should run up to London, and have some conversation over the whole matter ; this is so much wore satisfactory than any number of letters. Let the Agent-General see this letter if he has time to read it. I have, &c, Mr. Ottywell. P. Baeclay. Sub-Enclosure 1 to Enclosure 3 in No. 36. Qtjaeterlt Eepokt on New Zealand matters, Ist October to 31st December. My report may be shorter than usual on this occasion, as I was laid aside by severe illness for about a month, although able to write during part of that time. After my return from the country in September, I remained in town working up correspondence, &c. I wrote a series of letters to the People's Journal, a paper of very large circulation among the working people. I thought it wise, when I saw any ploughmen's meetings advertised, to send New Zealand bills and notices, and also copies of " Notes on New Zealand," to the respective chairmen of such meetings. On 27th November when I was in so far well, I went to Perth, where I had a tolerably successful meeting. Next day I inspected the Craigie Refuge, which is not at all for criminals, but for poor orphan girls or neglected children. It seemed to me that some nice girls might be got from this cleanly well-conducted establishment for New Zealand, and some seemed very anxious to go, about whom I wrote the other day. Thence I went to Aberdeen, and there attended to some advertising business. Onwards to Meldrum, where, in spite of dreadful weather, I had a capital meeting on Monday night; no doubt it was larger because I took service in one of the churches on the previous day. On Wednesday I had a very good meeting at Kintore. Thence I went to arrange meetings at "Kemnay and Alford, and returned to Inverary on Saturday, 7th December. Here I did duty on Sunday, and had a meeting of about 200 in the Town Hall. On Tuesday I returned to Kemnay, where through the kind help of my cousin, the minister of the parish, I had a most successful meeting. Thence I went to Alford, where the meeting was very good indeed, considering the weather and the smallness of the village. It is, however, important in its way, being a railway termination, and a centre for six or seven parishes on the River Don. Here W. McCombic, Esq., M.P. for West Aberdeenshire, rears his splendid cattle, which the Queen went to see, partaking at the same time of some refreshment under his hospitable roof. Thence I went to Aberdeen on Thursday, partly for a day's rest. On Saturday I went to Keith, about 54 miles, and arranged a meeting, returning 12 miles to Huntly. I took duty on Sunday, and had about 300 at a meeting on Tuesday ; the clergyman for whom I did duty was the Eev. Mr. Burnett, brother-in-law of the late Alexander Shepherd, Esq., Auckland, New Zealand. I may here remark that in almost every place I was much indebted to the clergy for their kind help. On the day before I had held a meeting at Keith, very well attended. For about a fortnight at this time the weather was most deplorable —wind and. rain, sleet and rain, frost and thaw, mixed up in ever-varying proportions. It formed a famous argumentfor people moving to more genial climes. In Keith I found an American Emigration tract, which set forth New Zealand as a badly-watered country and burnt up by hot scorching winds ! Of course I tell the truth about New Zealand, and take care to speak about the frightful winters, &c. &c, of the North-Western States. In Huntly I had a telegram waiting me from farmers in Rhyme parish, asking me to go there on some early day, so I appointed Friday, 20th, and they, by bills and otherwise, got up a very good meeting. On Wednesday, 18th, I was at Kinnethmont, from which Mr. Elmslie, as Presbyterian minister, went to Wanganui, New Zealand. On Thursday I had a meeting at Pitcaple. Both these meetings were well attended, considering that the snow was very deep at the one place, and the rain incessant at the other. On Saturday I returned to Aberdeen from Ehynie, and on Monday, 21th December, to Edinburgh. At those meetings, and at other times, I gave away or sold about GOO copies of " Notes on New Zealand." Although advised always to give them away, I find it necessary to sell them at meetings, that Ihose who really want them may j>et them. Besides, it would bo impossible to supply every little fellow who came up for a book. I think of getting these " Notes" into the hands of some of the railway newsboys, that they may have a still wider circulation.