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In August last, on receipt from the Government of a telegram directing me to reduce the number of emigrants as much as possible, I abstained from issuing notices to nominated persons informing them of their nominations, and confined myself to entertaining the applications of those nominated people only who applied of their own accord to this office. The first vessels of the season conveyed those who had been approved for passages before the end of April, many of whom wore not nominated ; but the ships despatched since the first week in August have taken only nominated. With regard to single women, the Hon. the Premier's telegram directs me to continue to send them; but I would point out that, unless they are sent in regularly-appointed Government emigrant ships, I have no other desirable opportunity of providing passages for them, for unless I can send at least 150 I have no right to call upon the Shipping Company to provide a separate ship for them. Moreover, it is a question whether it is expedient to send out a large number of single women unless they are accompanied during the voyage by a number of married people and their families. I may observe also that, whilst I am told to continue to send them, I have exhausted the total number of emigrants other than nominated, whom lam authorized to send; nor do I know to which port it is desired I should send them, in case it is wished I should do so. On the whole, I have determined, therefore, not to entertain applications from single women, except in very special cases, until I receive further instructions with respect to the manner in which the Government desire them to be sent out. I have, &c., Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 20. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, 4th November, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 11th September, No. 184, relating to the services of Mr. Clayden, which I have duly noted. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 21. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, Bth November, 1879. Referring to your letter of the 11th September, in which you suggest that it is desirable that I should further reduce the number of paid local agents, 1 have to inform you that there now remain on the list of local agents the following—namely, two in the North of Ireland, sixteen in England and Wales, and, excepting Mr. Ottywell, twenty-five for Scotland. The amount payable to these for the present season will not amount to more than, perhaps, £170. Some of those on the list do very little as regards the obtaining of emigrants; but their retention on the list is, I think, for various reasons, expedient. Some of them are connected with associations, and would perhaps use their influence in opposition to the colony if their appointment as local agents was taken from them. In fact, a great deal of the opposition which during the present year has been shown to New Zealand in the columns of country papers has, I believe, had more or less to do with some of the agents whose services I dispensed with in the year. As you are aware, I dispensed with the services of 139 agents. At some future time the assistance of those I have retained might prove desirable. I estimate that the amount of commission payable to local agents (Mr. Ottywell excepted) in sending out, say, 5,000 emigrants, would not exceed under ordinary circumstances .£2OO to £250. In speaking of local agents, I of course do not include Mr. G. M. Reed, Mr. Clayden, and others who have been sent Home from the colony for the purpose of promoting emigration to New Zealand. I have, &c., Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 22. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, Bth November, 1879. Referring to your letters Nos. 183 and 186, of the 21st August and 12th September respectively, and to your remarks therein respecting single-men saloon passengers by emigrant