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of my predecessor, which was communicated to you in his letter of the 23rd April, 1878 :* " That such commission might be done away with, now that the scheme has already been in operation for some time past, and looking to the number of nominations sent Home every month." Since that letter was written, you have had the assistance of several agents from the colony, as well as the services of returned colonists, in disseminating information respecting the colony, so that it appears to me there is less need than ever of paying local agents by commission. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Robeet Stout.

No. 50. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigration to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 2nd June, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the 7th April, No. 269, and Ist April, No. 274, and, in reply, to inform you that it appears to me, from the large number of applications you are constantly receiving from persons who are desirous of emigrating to this colony, there should be no difficulty in selecting a sufficient number of suitable emigrants to satisfy our requirements for the ensuing year. lam not yet in a position to definitely inform you of the number that will be required, but I hope to be able to do so before the 2,000, which you were requested to prepare for, have been despatched. I am pleased to hear such favourable accounts of the gentlemen who are acting as lecturers, &c, and I cordially approve of your proposal to locate Mr. G. M. Reed as an Agent in the North of Ireland. I note that you intend, notwithstanding tho large number of applications which you are receiving from the South of Ireland, to act strictly in accordance with the instructions you have received with reference to the proportions to be sent from each of the nationalities of the United Kingdom. I desire that these proportions be adhered to. As the work of your department has increased so much lately, and your staff has been considerably reduced, you aro authorized to obtain the services of a shorthand reporter, until the pressure of work which now exists is removed. I shall be obliged by your informing me of the terms which you may make with the person you engage. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Robeet Stout.

No. 51. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic, Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 2nd June, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of tho 25th March last, No. 259. and to inform you that the Government is in communication with the Shipping Company with reference to your grave complaints as to the delay in providing cargo ships. When a reply to my communication has been received, I will further inform you upon the subject, but, from the information before me, I am of opinion that the Government would not be justified in at present cancelling the existing contract, as it seems to me that the Shipping Company could hardly have expected such a large demand for freight would have been made upon them by tho Government. Were a new contract to bo entered into, I think some provision should be made to enable tho Agent-General to charter vessels for such exceptional services as the conveyance of large quantities of railway material, &c. The difficulty, however, is, that if there is no contract with some shipping company the Agent-General would have very onerous duties cast on him, his staff would have to be very materially increased, and I do not know if this increase of cost would be productive of much benefit to the colony. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Robert Stout.

No. 52. The Hon. the Minister for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. S IE — Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 7th June, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd April, No. 316, transmitting copy of your instructions to Mr. G. M. Reed, whom you have appointed Immigration Agent for the North of Ireland. And to inform you that the Government entirely approves your action in this matter. I have, &?., John Ballance, The Agent-General for New Zealand, Loudon. (for the Minister for Immigration.) * No. 12, D.-1., 1878.

By Authority: Q-eobge Didsbcby, Government Printer, WelliDgton.<-^1879. Price, Is. 3d.]