7

D.—2.

telegrams which have passed between the Mayor of Invercargill and yourself, on the subject of emigration to that part of New Zealand. On receipt of your telegram of the 4th July, I at once took the necessary steps to give effect to the instructions contained therein —namely, to send out 600 immigrants to Southland. The ship " Waitara " has consequently already sailed for the Bluff with 229 emigrants ; and, in order to attract further and special attention to the subject, I have issued advertisements stating that there is a large demand for farm labourers in Southland, and that a direct ship, conveying emigrants to that part of New Zealand, will sail from Plymouth October 25th, by which ship I hope to send about 300 emigrants. With regard to the remarks in your letter on the general subject of selecting emigrants, I have to say that, were we to send out all the persons who apply for passages, we should have no difficulty in sending out as many thousands as we now do hundreds. Our regulations, however, are very restrictive, as besides those relating to the occupation and character of the persons, they (including all the members of the family) are required to be free from bodily defects, and we also require that there be not more than three children under twelve years of age to each family. The range of selection is also materially lessened by the short notice I am able to give, and by the limited period of the year within which passages are given—that period being during the mouths when employment is most readily found in the United Kingdom. lam aware that it is necessary to regulate the period of emigration to the time when it is most suitable the emigrants should land in the colony. As to the shortness of notice, I am in hopes that the strong representations which I have made to you on the subject will meet with your approval, and that next season you will give me earlier notice of your requirements. It would greatly be of advantage to let me have my instructions early in January. Respecting the assistance which returned colonists may give to me in selecting emigrants, you will, lam sure, acquit me of disrespect in giving you my candid opinion on the subject. As a general rule I think, amateur assistance of the kind is not of much use. The sense of individual interest at stake, on account of the persons selected becoming future colonists, is too remote to make colonists, as a rule, proof against attacks on their good nature. Frequently the friends of applicants refused, or who are ineligible, because of their not coming within the rules, get at returned colonists and ask for their influence. These gentlemen do not like to say "No." They speak highly of the colony: how are they to say that it is unsuitable to a family because there are too many young children, or because one of the members is maimed or in ill health ? Amateur selection often results in my having to refuse recommendations, or to accept them with reluctance. On the other hand, if a returned colonist really sets himself to the task of making selections, not trusting to the exceptional cases which may be brought before him on sentimental grounds, he may do much good. I think Mr. Adams, when he was Home, made some excellent selections. lam of opinion that Mr. Holloway does good service. I hope for good results from the service promised me by Mr. Barnes, of Dunedin, and by Mr. Andrews, of Wellington. lam also anxious to avail myself of the assistance of the two gentlemen specially recommended by you, the ltev. J. Berry and Mr. P. Day. If these gentlemen will specially set themselves to the task of selecting good emigrants, they may materially aid me. There is all the difference, in my opinion, between desultory and, so to speak, chance and accidental aid, and that aid that springs from a determination of the colonist acting to make his task of selection the object, for the time being, of his exclusive attention. f i^ I think it right to add that, when colonists who have returned from New Zealand call at this office, their attention is called to the subject of obtaining emigrants, and they are, if they desire it, supplied with the conditions under which free passages are granted, and with the forms which applicants for such passages are required to complete, and such other information as may be necessary to enable them to assist in the selection of suitable emigrants. I have also, in more than one case, appointed returned colonists as local agents. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Julitjs Vogel. Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 16. The Agent-Gexekal to the Hon. the Minister for liuiigbation. Sic, — 7, "Westminster Chambers, London, 23rd September, 1878. I have the honor to inform you that one or two cases lately came under my notice, in which the persons nominated in the colony for free passages have been ascertained to have been already in New Zealand. As it must be contrary to the intention of the Government to grant passages to persons under such circumstances, I have declined to entertain their applications, and think it desirable to direct your attention to the matter, in order that the Immigration Officers may be directed to ascertain whether the persons on whose behalf nominations are applied for have not been already either iv Australia or New Zealand. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, "Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 17. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sib, — 7, "Westminster Chambers, London, 24th September, 1878. I hate the honor to forward, for the consideration of the Government, copy of a letter I have received from Mr. George J. Potts, of Ontario, Canada, who is desirous of proceeding to New Zealand,