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Enclosure in No. 31. His Honor the Superintendent, Otago, to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sir, — Dunedin, 4th December, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the number and date quoted in the margin, enclosing copy of a letter received from the Agent-General with reference to the appointment of Mrs. Howard as an Emigration Agent, and in reply to "state that the Provincial Government never recommended Mrs. Howard, nor was its opinion asked upon the subject. Had it been so, the probability is that her services would not have been availed of. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. J. Macandrew, Superintendent.

No. 32. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-General. (No. 370.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 21st December, 1874. Referring to previous correspondence on the subject of despatching immigrants direct to the Bluff, from which it appears that the shipping companies declined to send more than two ships during the six months ending 19th August, 1874, I desire to point out to you that the "Ocean Mail" and " Conflict," which ships sailed from London during this period, both proceeded to the port indicated to discharge cargo, after landing their immigrants at Nelson and Wellington respectively. It appears to me only reasonable that advantage should have been taken of these vessels to comply with the reiterated instructions of tho Government, by despatching immigrants in them direct to the Bluff. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 33. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-General. (No. 372.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 21st December, 1874. Referring to the Hon. Mr. Vogel's letter No. 260, of 20th November, 1873, with reference to the forms of application for passages and certificates issued from your office to intending emigrants, I have the honor to call your attention to the fact that the form of certificate for signature by two householders still contains the clause objected to by my predecessor in the letter referred to, relative to the emigrant not having the means of paying his passage in full; and I would point out to you that the wording of this clause, independently of its objectionable nature, is entirely inconsistent with the system of free emigration, and would appear to refer to assisted passages — i.e. : "We believe that he (she, or they) really have not the means of paying in cash a larger part of the passage money than the above sum." 2. The Government are of opinion that every possible inducement should be given to the immigration of small farmers, artizans, or labourers with a little money, who are much more desirable persons in the work of settling the country than immigrants entirely destitute of means. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 34. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-General. (No. 373.) Sir, — Immgiration Office, Wellington, 22nd December, 1874. It has been brought under my notice that a very considerable number of immigrants upon their arrival either produce nomination papers for other ports of the colony than the port of destination of the ship, or produce evidence, mere or less satisfactory, that they shipped for such other ports, and were assured at your office that there was no ship available, but that they would be forwarded at the Government expense. 2. It is hardly necessary that I should point out to you the very large additional expense entailed hy not shipping immigrants direct to their destination, and I have directed a complete return to be prepared by the Immigration Officers at the principal ports, showing the names and other particulars respecting those who appear to have been so despatched, in order that when forwarded to you, as it will be by the next mail, you may cause full inquiry to be made into the matter. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 35. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-General. (No. 376.) Sir, — ■ Immigration Office, Wellington, 22nd December, 1874. In order that you may be kept fully informed of the rates of wages and prices of provisions ruling in the colony, I directed a circular to be sent to each Immigration Officer instructing him to furnish the necessary information, and I now transmit the returns received. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.