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The grant of free passages to suitable immigrants. The advance of expenses of travelling to the port of embarkation, and of outfit, if necessary. The provision of lodging in London while awaiting the preparation of ship. The immediate hire of large steamers expressly for the conveyance of immigrants to New Zealand. 2. I have also to enclose copies of the Regulations for Nominated Immigrants, and of an Act, passed in the Session which has just closed, for giving free grants of land to immigrants who pay their own passages. 3. I desire to remark that I have observed, since my arrival in this Colony, no jealousy of the introduction by Government of persons who will compete for employment with the existing labouring classes, which appears to me to prove the abundance of employment, and the easy condition of those who depend upon wages. 4. My Advisers request me to represent to Her Majesty's Government, through your Lordship, that if, as they hope, their efforts to attract to the Colony a portion of the growing population of the United Kingdom are recognized to be a fulfilment of a duty and a benefit to the Empire at large, they may receive such encouragement and assistance as it is in the power of Her Majesty's Government to afford, without showing partiality to one Colony, or infringing any rule. They desire, especially, permission to have their official notices to intending immigrants affixed within the premises of Post Offices within Great Britain and Ireland, of course at their own expense, and under such conditions as may be imposed. They would further request that their Agent in London may be permitted to have a list of the depositors in the Post Office Savings Bank, to each of whom he would send a copy of the terms offered by the Government of New Zealand. 5. There is some difficulty in bringing these to the notice of large numbers of persons who might be induced to emigrate, and who would be desirable acquisitions to the Colony. Many who are attracted by advertisements in the newspapers most read by the working classes are not of the best type, and perhaps many little educated persons in remote districts would be useful additions to the labouring class in the Colony, while they could be well spared in any land. Moreover, it may be anticipated that some who are attracted by the cheapness and facility of a passage to the United States of America, but deterred by the climate of Canada, would prefer to dwell under British Government in the almost perfect climate of this Colony, if assured that they could reach it with equal or greater ease. 6. I would ask a favourable consideration of these requests, but by no means as a favour to this Colony which would not be extended to any other. I have, &c, JAMES FERGUSSON, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor.

No. 18. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor the Right Hon. Sir J. Eergttsson, Bart., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberxey. (No. 86.) • Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 6th November, 1873. With reference to your Despatch No. 47, of 11th July, 1873, transmitting copies of correspondence with the Foreign Office, respecting the proposed establishment, by the United States Government, of stations for the observation of the transit of Venus, I have the honor to inform you that my Government gladly comply with the request of General Schenck, that the instruments required for the observations should be admitted into the Colony free of duty, and that all Government officers have been directed to afford the expedition any assistance in their power. I have, &c, JAMES EERGUSSON, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor.