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Michie, that he thinks as strongly as Ido that the designation of Agent-General is a mistake. He finds, as I have found, that there are people who consider it to mean a general agency of the most enlarged description of a commercial character. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Agent-General.

Enclosure 1 in No. 1. The Agent-Geneeal to Mr. A. O. Otttwell. Sib,— 23rd December, 1878. Eeferring to my interview with you on the 6th instant, I have to inform you that I am prepared to appoint you local Ageirt at Edinburgh and Glasgow under the conditions, as to the duties to be performed and as to the remuneration to be received by you, contained in the enclosed copy of instructions to local Agents. Up to the end of the present term, in May next, I will place the office at 3, Hope Street, Edinburgh, and such office furniture therein as is the property of the New Zealand Government, at your disposal free of charge. In consideration of your satisfactorily performing the work of inspecting, fitting, &c, of any ships despatched with Government emigrants to New Zealand from Glasgow, also the inspection and management of the embarkation, &c, of the emigrants, and general despatching officer's work, I am prepared to pay you the following rate of fees: that is to say, four shillings per statute adult on the number of emigrants despatched during the year, up to fifteen hundred (1,500), and two shillings per statute adult for any over that number. These fees to cover your travelling aird all your other incidental expenses connected with your duties as despatching officer —provided, however, that in case a short ship takes a less number than ten (10) statute adults, I will allow you the sum of one pound (£1) towards your travelling expenses. It must be further understood, both as regards your agency and despatching officer's work, that you must not carry on any business that I may consider injurious to the interests you have in charge. The arrangement set forth in this letter to commence on the first of January next. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, A. 0. Ottywell, Esq. Agent-General.

Enclosure 2 in No. 1. Instructions to Local Agents for the Selection of Emigrants to New Zealand. 1. Local Agents must address all their communications to the Agent-General for 'New Zealand, 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W. 2. The duties of a local Agent corrsist chiefly in affording information within his district as to the state and prospects of the colony ; and in selecting, when directed to do so, persons duly qualified for assisted passages under the regulations which may be in force at the time, and uuder the special instructions he may receive from the Agent-General. 3. A copy of the regulations in force under which emigrants are selected for passages will be supplied. AVith the conditions, directions, and cautions contained in these regulations the local Agent is required to make himself well acquainted. 4. The selection of emigrants must be strictly confined to persons of the working-classes, who have established a character for industry, sobriety, and general good conduct, and who are going out with the intention of settling in the colony, and working there for wages. Eedueed tradesmen and others not belonging to the working class, or those who, though of the labouring class, have been in the habitual receipt of parochial aid, are decidedly ineligible. 5. When the local Agent is satisfied as to the eligibility of the applicants he will require them to fill up the form of application annexed to the regulations, which should not, however, be issued to any but apparently eligible candidates. 6. AVhen the form of application is returned to the local Agent he will carefully examine it to see that it is complete, and that it does not show the applicant to be in any respect disqualified. He will next carefully examine the applicant in order to check the statements as to age, trade, or calling, &c, in the form of application. If the applicant appears not to belong to one of the required classes, to have been guilty of any deceptiorr or wilful misstatement, or to have any bodily or mental defect likely to impair his or her usefulness as a labourer or servant, or to be on any other account ineligible, the Agent will at once reject the application. 7. The local Agent will next ascertain that the applicant can procure the required clothing for the voj 7age, can make the requisite payment, or meet the expense of bedding and mess utensils mentioned in the regulations, and can provide, where necessary, the means of joining the ship. 8. The next step will be to ascertain, by careful inquiry, that the applicants for passages are persons of good character and of sober and industrious habits. This is very important. The local Agent will make inquiry of the householders who may have signed the certificate ; arrd, if they do not themselves appear to be trustworthy persons, or if their opportunities of knowing the applicant have been insufficient, the local Agent will require the applicant to obtain other signatures. 9. In case of single women unaccompanied by married relatives the local Agent will make inquiries of the applicant's employer or referees, and transmit their answers to the Agent-General with the application. He must also, either personally or by a sub-agent, examine the candidate as to her character and qualifications, and endorse a special report on these points on the form of application, stating the time and place of the examination.

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