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No. 16. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigration to the Agent-Geneeal. Sir,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 17th May, 1878. Referring to my letter of the 30th March, 1878, No. 57, in which you were requested to forward 100 emigrants to the Nelson District during the ensuing season, I have the honor to transmit copy of a memorandum by the Immigration Officer upon a petition from labourers and others to the Government against free immigration. Under the circumstances set forth by Mr. Greenfield, I have to request that the 100 emigrants ordered for Nelson may be sent to Hawke's Bay, where I understand there is a great demand for labour. I have, &c., The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. Macandrew.

Enclosure in No. 16. The Immigeation Officer, Nelson, to the Under Seceetaet for Immigeation, Wellington. Re Petition from Labourers against Free Lnmiyration, forwarded by G. P. Nias. (Memorandum.) 10th May, 1878. I have the honor to call attention to my report for the year ended 30th June, 1877, and for the quarter ended 31st December, 1877. In both of these reports I recommend that, with the exception of female domestic servants and nominated immigrants, free immigration to this port should be discontinued, unless public works could be started upon which the immigrants could be employed on arrival at a low rate of wages until they could find other and more remunerative employment. The demand for labour has not increased, and I therefore see no reason to alter that recommendation. Female servants are much required, say, twenty-five every three months. Aefeed Geeenfieed, The Under Secretary for Immigration, Wellington. Immigration Officer.

No. 17. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 23rd May, 1878. Herewith you will receive copy of a letter, the original of which will be presented to you by the Rev. Mr. Berry, who leaves for England by the "Rialto," and whose services while there may be turned to good account in respect of emigration of the best kind to New Zealand. Mr. Berry has been strongly recommended to the Government as one of the most suitable men who could be employed for the purpose in question. He is, I understand, a most attractive and effective public speaker and lecturer, and is personally acquainted with the resources of a large portion of the colony. He is well known in many of the agricultural districts in England, and will make it his chief business to disseminate information among tenant farmers, agricultural labourers, and others, to whom New Zealand holds out so many advantages. Of course there will be no head-money paid to agents in respect of persons who may be influenced to emigrate through the instrumentality of Mr. Berry, so that it is anticipated a considerable saving will thereby be effected as compared with the ordinary system. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. Macandeew. P.S. —It will be understood that Mr. Berry's lectures need not necessarily be confined to England—J. M.

Enclosure 1 in No. 17. The Rev. Joseph Berrx to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sir,— Wellington, 16th May, 1878. As it is my intention, if possible, shortly to leave for a visit to England, I beg to submit to the New Zealand Government the following proposal: — I should be glad to lecture in any part of the United Kingdom, under the direction of the Emigration Department, on either of the following conditions —that is to say, I would devote to the department the whole of my services for lecturing purposes, for a period not exceeding six months, for the sum of £250; or I would undertake to deliver, wherever directed, eighty lectures for the above-men-tioned sum, provided that their delivery did not extend over a period of, say, eight or nine months. My travelling expenses whilst under the direction of the department to be paid in either case. Waiting your reply, I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Joseph Beret.

Enclosure 2 in No. 17. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Rev. J. Beeet. Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 22nd May, 1878. Referring to your letter of the 16th instant, I am directed by the Hon. the Minister for Immigration to inform you that the Government will be glad to avail itself of your proposed visit to