D.—3

21

" Tou will, however, understand that any arrangement you may make with Mr. Stewart does not commit the Government of New Zealand or this department to any liability, pecuniary or otherwise. to yourself, or beyond the terms of the agreement." I may state that the terms of this letter are in accordance with instructions I have received in reply to a telegram I despatched on the subject. If you will furnish me with the names of the localities at which you desire to make use of the services of any of this office's Local Agents, I will send to the Agents in such localities a circular letter as above, and will furnish you with their names and addresses, in order that you may, if you wish, enter into communication with them. I may add that, in issuing certificates under the agreement, it is my intention to adopt the form of application, &c, copy of which I sent you in my letter of the 31st ultimo, and that I will have a number printed, unless, as stated in your letter of the 3rd instant, you have already done so. I have, &c, G. Vesey Stewart, Esq., Martray House, Julius Vogel, Ballygawley, Ireland. Agent-General.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 5 in No. 25. The Hon. D. Reid to Mr. G. V. Stewart. (Telegram.) 31st July, 1877. I have not received resolution of Board setting land apart for purpose of special settlement. I think it would be well to have agreement finally settled before you leave, to avoid any misunderstanding. When the agreement has been completed I will give you letter to Agent-General. D. Reid.

No. 26. Mr. G. V. Stewart to the Hon. J. Macandrew. Sir,— Martray House, Ballygawley, Co. Tyrone, Ireland, 25th February, 1878. I trust you will excuse me for trespassing upon your time, which I know must be so fully occupied, but I regret to state that the Agent-General appears to ignore your instructions as conveyed to me in your letter of the 7th December last, and still persists in a spirit of factious opposition to my scheme in the matter of his certificates. As copies of past correspondence have been sent to the Chairman of the Waste Lands Board of Auckland, I have transmitted further correspondence for this month, with copy of the letter herewith enclosed. I have secured a body of settlers such as never has been surpassed by any that ever landed on the shores of New Zealand. I am willing to leave their formal approval to the Waste Lands Board, or any person or persons you may desire; but it is galling and disheartening to receive such treatment from your present A gent-General. I should, therefore, feel much obliged to you to forward a cablegram to the Agent-General informing him that his certificates under clause 7 of the agreement will be dispensed with, and to convey the contents of such to me. Tou should receive this letter on the 14th April, and we do not intend leaving Belfast before the 12th or 14th May. In consequence of your Agent-General having hitherto refused to give me the names of the New Zealand Local Agents—which I submit is public property —I have been compelled to select my own agents, and have been put to considerable delay and expense in advertisements to secure suitable emigrants to fill up the remaining portions of the ship not occupied by my special settlers. Hoping that you will kindly give this matter your prompt and most favourable consideration, I have, &c, The Hon. J. Macandrew, Crown Lands Office, Geo. Vesey Stewart. Wellington, New Zealand.

No. 27. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 28th February, 1878. Referring to the correspondence which has passed between Mr. George Vesey Stewart and this office respecting the agreement as to the Katikati Special Settlement, copies of which I have from time to time transmitted to you, you will observe that Mr. Stewart, in his letter of the 14th instant, asks me to issue certificates in favour of certain persons whose names he mentions, and who he states have already started for the colony, and who he certifies are fit and proper persons to join his Kati. kati Settlement. Considering the very small amount of information which I have received from Mr. Stewart respecting these persons, I do not feel justified in issuing the certificates without the sanction of the Government, and I have therefore adopted the course of transmitting the certificates to you in this letter, leaving it to you to issue them to the persons concerned should you, under the circumstances, think fit to do so. I also give, in schedule attached, a copy of all the information furnished me by Mr. Stewart respecting these persons. I also enclose a blank form of application, of which I have forwarded Mr. Stewart a supply, and which I shall require any persons wishing to obtain my approval under the provisions of the agreement to complete and return to this office. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Julius Vogel, Wellington, Agent-General.