7

D.—2

As already stated in a previous letter, I am unable to forward nominated emigrants for Canterbury or Otago direct to their destination, as I have already completed the numbers ordered for those provinces, and I await the further instructions of the Government on this subject. A few nominated persons for Otago, who are anxious to proceed, will be forwarded via Wellington, by the ship " Star of India," on the 29th July. A promise has been given that they will be sent to their destination at the expense of the Government. I have, &c, I. E. Featiierston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 21. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Minister for Isimigeation. (No. 1436.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 10th July, 1874. I have the honor to forward herewith, for the information of the Government, copy of a report received from the Rev. Mr. Barclay, of work done by him on behalf of the colony during the quarter ending 31st March last. I have, &c, I. E. Featiierston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 21. The Rev. Mr. Barclay to the Agent-General. Quarterly Report. — Work done on behalf of New Zealand, from Ist January, 1874, to 31st March, 1874. I mat begin by remarking that I look on this quarter as being on the whole one of the most successful I have reported on. This is to be attributed partly to the preparatory work done during 1872 and 1873, consisting of information given by lectures and correspondence, partly by a wide distribution of my " Notes on New Zealand," and partly through the energy and admirable business habits of Mr. Duncan, Agent for Canterbury Province, N.Z. He has also removed the great difficulty which stands in the way of many, — i.e., the great expense that intending emigrants have to meet in coming from their very distant homes. For it is comparatively easy to come from Oxford or Warwick to London, or from Perthshire or Roxburgh to Glasgow, where railways abound ; but it is a very different thing to come over rough and stormy seas, as from Shetland, several hundred miles, where, moreover, communication is both difficult and infrequent. Even to get to Lerwick, in Shetland, from Unst, 50 miles N., lat. Gl° N., is more than some of the Unst people can do ; and it is not less difficult to get from some of the outlying parts of the main island and the islets lying off its coasts. The same difficulties are felt in many parts of the N.W. Highlands of Scotland—Skyc, Lewis, &c. —although to some points communication with Glasgow is rendered easier by weekly steamers, especially in summer. Were I to venture on any suggestion, I would sayvthat more time should be given to the people for preparing to go, especially as it is properly enough laid down in the Regulations that they should make no definite preparations till they are accepted. Postal communication is very slow in many places, and the people are often so tied and bound by circumstances that they cannot prepare in a few days, even were they more gifted with business habits than they commonly are. Prom want of due notice, some very good emigrants have been lost to us, and others have been put in great perplexity. They will, however, make preparations before acceptance, although warned to be cautious. For example, a letter from Dunrossness, in Shetland, informs me that about 100 are preparing in every way for leaving in September. Many arc selling off their goods or chattels, giving up their crofts of land, &c, &c, that they may go after the summer fishing. By their land and fishing regulations, it is very difficult for many to leave before August or rather September. I intended to leave for Shetland to-day ; but I have now fixed to go on Tuesday, 14th, hoping to hear from London ere then, and to remain five or six weeks, April and May being the best months for emigration purposes in Shetland. I hope to go again in August or September, when only, as I. have said, the majority of the people can leave. On my return from London in December, I entered into correspondence with different parts of the country, and organized a series of meetings in South Ayrshire. I went there on Saturday, 10th January, and remained eight days. During this time I had meetings at Barrhill, from the neighbourhood of which some people have in time past gone to Canterbury ; at Girvau, where Mr. Duncan was also present; at Dailly, where, in spite ot' a terrific night of darkness and rain, I had a remarkably good and intelligent audience. I could not expect to see people more suited than those 1 saw at Barrhill and Dailly. This latter place is not far from the Kilkerran estates, belonging to His Excellency Sir James Fergusson, Bart., Governor of New Zealand. At Girvan the audience was more numerous than select. I believe a considerable number are going this year from Ayrshire, principally to Canterbury. To this province they go the more readily, because Mr. Duncan is a native of the country. Mr. Duncan having expressed a wish to go to Aberdeenshirc, and being limited as to time, left it to me to arrauge a journey there. He mentioned three places specially where he wished to go— Turriff, Strichen, and Fraserburgb. I had been at those places before, and had had remarkably good meetings, specially at Turrift". So I arranged to go, adding luveruric, which we could take on the day we left Edinburgh on our way to Turriff, on the Monday, and proposing Ellon for the Friday of the