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No. 8. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) 21st September, 1574. ' Strathnater," " Carisbrook," " Oxford," " Parsee," " Canterbury," " Tweed." Ormond complains no shipment August. Despatch ship October to supply deficiency; also shipment Scandinavians arrive December. Heavy engines Canterbury much wanted. Featherston, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 9. The Hon. E. Richardson to the Agent-General. (No. 275.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 25th September, 1874. I have the honor to transmit copy of a telegram* which was despatched to you via the Bluff upon the 10th instant, respecting the number of emigrants required to be despatched to the colony during the six months beginning October and ending March, and also copy of the correspondence with the Superintendents of the various provinces upon which this order was based. The Superintendents have been made acquainted with the terms of this telegram, and requested to state what number of the 6,000 or 7,000 Scandinavian emigrants to be despatched during the next two years they recommend to be sent to their respective provinces. Upon receipt of their replies you will be duly advised upon the subject. I have, &c, Edward Richardson, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (in absence of Minister for Immigration).

Enclosure 1 in No. 9. Circular to Superintendents. (Telegram.) . Wellington, 4th September, 1874. The Government are desirous of sending instructions to the Agent-General concerning the number of emigrants he is to continue to send. You are aware of the existing conditions in respect to your province: see Agent-General's letter of 2nd June, 1874, and my telegrams of 6th July and 27th July, published in Parliamentary papers. I will be obliged by your Honor informing me if you think any additional instructions should be sent concerning your province, and, if so, what their nature. In case you wish fresh orders, it would be well to state how many emigrants each month, or each two months, during the six months beginning October and ending March, you wish despatched from Great Britain to your province : such number to include nominated emigrants. An early reply is desirable. His Honor the Superintendent. Julius Vogel.

Enclosure 2 in No. 9. Correspondence between His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland, and the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (Telegram.) Auckland, 7th September, 1874. Re your telegram of 3rd instant, I still adhere to the views expressed in my letter of 26th May last, to which I refer you. I observe from Parliamentary returns of last Session —D. No. 7—that the disproportion between the number of immigrants forwarded to this part of the colony as compared with other places is greatly to the disadvantage of Auckland. All previous shipments have been readily absorbed up to the present time, and I see no reason whatever for anticipating that this will not continue to be the case for a considerable time to come. Every exertion is being successfully used to distribute the immigrants throughout the country settlements, and discourage their residence in or about towns. I request that shipments of immigrants to this province may proceed at their present rate, at least until I can report that the power of absorption is exhausted, or the present disparity in numbers as between Auckland and other portions of the colony shall have been reduced: the number to include nominated immigrants. Our Provincial Government will devote special attention to the nominated system, believing it to be the most satisfactory in results, and that the number of nominations, according as the satisfactory settlement and employment of immigrants now in course of arrival takes place, is likely to show a large increase. I desire also to repeat my suggestion that special care should be taken by the Agent-General's Department, in selecting emigrants for this province, to procure as large a number as possible of the small-farming class. The liberal nature of the Waste Lands Act of last Session is likely to induce considerable numbers of this class to come out, if the provisions of the Act are made known, and I propose to send you for general circulation copies of a pamphlet containing a popular and succinct description of its main features. You will remember that considerable indignation was expressed here at the publication of copies of a circular list of wages and prices of provisions, &c, in the various provinces, which had been widely distributed under the authority of the Agent-General. The details of that list relating to Auckland were incorrect and misleading. I propose, therefore, to obtain from time to time full and accurate information on these subjects, and transmit the same to you for circulation at Home. J. Williamson, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Superintendent. * Vide No. 2.