D.—2

38

At Huntly a man came up, representing several others, saying he wished to go to Otago. I have got a few letters also from some about going. Such things, and also the telegram from Ithynie, show that New Zealand is at last taking hold of the minds of the people. Slow, cautious people they generally are, and not ready to entertain new ideas. Besides their minds are so preoccupied by America, which, is near (they forget the many miles of land journey to Nebraska and other muchvaunted places), and to -which many of their friends have gone. Then some of the American agents have been most unscrupulous in what they have said. I tell of course that Nova Scotians are settled at Waiapu, and that Canadians are coming to the W River, and shall possibly add thia information in a note to the next edition of my " Notes." I have, &c, Edinburgh, 3rd January, 1873. P. Baeclay. Sub-Enclosure 2 to Enclosure 3 in No. 36. The Rev. P. Baeclat to Dr. Featheeston. Supplementaey Repoet, Ist October to 31st December. 1. The District visited. On recovering from a severe illness, which laid me aside for about five weeks, though part of the time I could use my pen, I left Edinburgh for Perth on 27th November. At Perth I held a meeting on that evening, and next day, before leaving for Aberdeen, I inspected the Craigie Befuge for poor girls. On 28th I went to Aberdeen and saw about advertisements; not yet very strong. On Saturday, 30th, I went to Meldrum, twenty miles N., by rail, and arranged meeting for Monday, which, in spite of most dreadful weather, was well attended. This was no doubt partly owing to the fact that I had taken duty in a large church on the previous day. On Wednesday, 3rd, I held a meeting at Kintore, about ten miles south, having stopped between trains to arrange meeting at Inverary (population, 2,500). On Friday I ran up to the Vale of Alf ord, about fifteen miles, and arranged meeting for the following week; also one at Kemnay on the way. On Saturday, 7th, I went to Inverary; took duty on Sunday, and held meeting on Monday the 9th. I may here remark that on Sundays I often try to interest the people by telling them what the different churches are doing in New Zealand. On Monday forenoon I had done a little church business, for if I can tell the people that they will get churches and schools much the same as at home, and that the churches are trying to do work in New Zealand, they will be none the less ready to go. On Tuesday, 10th, my Kemnay meeting; on Wednesday, 11th, my Alf ord; thence on Thursday, 12th, to Aberdeen for a day's rest after four days' meetings. On Saturday, 14th, to Keith, to arrange a meeting, fifty-four miles, and back twelve to Huntly. At Huntly, duty on Sunday, 15th. At Keith, meeting on Monday, 16th. At Huntly, twelve miles, meeting on Tuesday, 17th. At Kinnethmont, ten miles, on Wednesday, 18th. At Pitcaple, ten or so, on Thursday 19th. At Rhvnie, fifteen rail, four coach, on Friday. On Saturday to Aberdeen, and on Monday to Edinburgh, 23rd. So much for the days I was out; but I need not repeat my former report. The district (omitting Perth) may be called the west centre of Aberdeenshire; Keith, however, being three or four miles within Banffshire. It extends from Kintore to Keith, say about thirty-five miles to Alford from Kintore on left hand, and to Meldrum from Inverary on right hand. 2. As to Number of Emigrants. From the nature of my work —constantly going from place to place and lecturing, &c. —it is impossible for me to wait in any place to take in names. This must be left almost entirely, if not altogether, to the local agents. It is also impossible for me to wait, from the fact that in time past the people have known so little about New Zealand (especially as contrasted with America), and they need time to make up their minds. Now, thinking and cautious people cannot be expected to give in their names at the end of a lecture. Moreover, they are held by leases, terms of labour (generally six months), &c. Things are in nearly every respect entirely different on the West Coast of Scotland and in the Islands, but I have not been there for these three months. I think of going about the end of this month, and remaining for a time. Macdonell, the active and intelligent agent at Loch Alsh, seems to think a great many will go about March, remarkably good accounts having come home from those that went last year (L 872). The.great difficulty is to create a stream ; that being done, the people are so clannish that they will more or less readily follow. One has been created from Loch Alsh, and I wish we could create one from Skye, and another from Stornoway, in the Lewis. One island contains 20,000, and the other 24,000 people, and are both much over-peopled. The American agents are coming in force this year, I have heard, and may by their extraordinary promises, and their adverse statements (such as that the Natives are cannibals) about New Zealand, — ■which, moreover, they represent as a badly-watered country, burnt up by hot scorching winds, — succeed to some extent in hindering our New Zealand work. But I shall do my best to correct such statements, and trust that a good many people will follow their friends to New Zealand. P. Baeclat. India Street, Edinburgh, 10th January, 1873.