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D.—4,

duties of such a position, anything derogatory to the Superintendent or Provincial Executive. In fact, some of the most distinguished public men of the Colony have, in their respective Provinces, acted as agents for the General Government. If you accepted the charge offered to you, certain officers of the General Government would be instructed to act under your directions; but they would still be General Government officers, and the General Government would be perfectly at liberty to communicate with them, if it should be found necessary to do so. As a rule, no doubt, communications would be made to your Honor ; but it is impossible to determine that direct communication with the officers might not be found necessary. For example, the Government might have occasion to instruct the officers with respect to the collection of promissory notes, or with respect to statistics, or as to the transhipment of immigrants to other Provinces. I am thus specific in the matter, because, owing to the absence of preconcerted arrangements, many difficulties have arisen in connection with the management of gold fields by Superintendents ; and it would be a mistake to arrange with the Provincial Government to take charge of immigration within their respective Provinces, without a clear understanding of the relative positions of the two Governments. On the other hand, I scarcely need say that whilst an agent is not supposed to dictate conditions to his principal, it is always open to an agent to decline to continue to act in such a capacity. I shall be glad if you will inform me to-morrow whether you are able to accept the charge of immigration in this Province upon the conditions named. I hope you will not consider that lam over urgent in making such a request; because, apart from the fact that the matter has already remained too long undecided, I desire, if you should not feel able to accept my proposal, to make other arrangements before I leave Christchurch. I shall have very much pleasure in complying with the suggestion with which you close your letter —that we should meet and discuss some of the details of the circular —if you are able to see your way to take charge of immigration here in the manner proposed. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Canterbury. Julius Vogel.

No. 22. His Honor the Superintendent, Canterbury, to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sib, — Superintendent's Office, Christehurch, 27th November, 1873. Referring to the interview which I and my executive had with you yesterday, and to the explanations which you then afforded as to certain details of your circular of the 14th October, I have the honor to inform you that the Provincial Government are prepared to accept the charge of immigration in this Province in terms of your circular, it being understood that all direct communication between the Colonial Government and the Immigration Officer shall be laid before the Provincial Government immediately that they are cither received or sent. "With reference to the expenditure which it will be necessary for the Provincial Government to incur on behalf of the Department, I understand that a sum of money will be from time to time placed at their disposal, by way of imprest, for that purpose, the expenditure thereof to be accounted for in the usual manner ; and that the Colonial Government do not contemplate that any of the expenses of the disposal of the immigrants on their arrival, and prior to their obtaining employment, should fall on the Provincial Government. I have, &c, "W. Eolleston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Superintendent.

No. 23. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to His Honor the Superintendent, Canterbury. Sir, — General Government Offices, Christchurch, 27th November, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this day's date, iv which you state " the Provincial Government are prepared to accept the charge of immigration in this Province," upon the terms contained in my circular letter of October 14th, " it being understood that all direct communications between the Colonial Government and the Immigration Officer shall bo laid before the Provincial Government immediately that they are either received or sent," and in which letter you refer to the conditions of " expenditure which it will be necessary for the Provincial Government to incur on behalf of the Department." In reply, I have to state that I shall be willing to direct any officers of the Immigration Department who act under you, that they are to show to you any correspondence which may pass between them and the General Government. As I have pointed out to you, such correspondence will probably be very rare. It will be more convenient that, as a rule, correspondence should be with your Honor. You are correct in supposing that the Colonial Government do not contemplate throwing upon the Province any portion of the expenses incurred on account of immigrants between their arrival in the Province and their obtaining employment. I will give to you a general authority for such expenditure as experience has shown you will be likely to have to incur; and should circumstances make exceptional expenditure necessary, your Honor will have no difficulty in applying for and obtaining the requisite authority. I shall be glad to confer with your Honor or your Executive on any point which it is desirable should be dealt with at a personal interview. I hare, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Canterbury. Julius Vogel.