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be, a thoroughly practical man himself, did not discover that these " local preachers" as a rule are the very worst miners going, and give more trouble than any other class of operatives, as a few inquiries would soon have told him. However, 1 will in the meantime communicate with our directors in Duuedin, when most likely the suggestion contained in the last paragraph of your letter will be carried out. Should the ship arrive in the meantime, these people must remain in barracks in Nelson until this matter is cleared up. I shall be glad to procure a list of the names of these people, their ages, and where they were selected; and any certificates they may havo sent in; the exact terms upon which Government engaged these men, and copies of their engagements. I have, &c, A. J. Burns, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. General Manager.

No. 7. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the General Manager, Westport Colliery Company. Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 13th November, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th instant, and to thank you for the same. The Immigration Officer at Nelson has been instructed to supply you with the particulars you desire respecting the coal-miners now on their way to the colony by the ship " Opawa;" and the Government will adhere to the promise already made to you that these people should have temporally accommodation in the depot at Nelson, provided the Government is put to no expense for their maintenance. I confidently rely upon you meeting these miners on their arrival, and making the necessary arrangements for providing them with work. I have, &c., The General Manager, W. Rolleston, Westport Colliery Company, Westport. Minister for Immigration.

No. 8. The Immigration Officer, Nelson, to the Under-Secretary for Immigration. (Memorandum.) 17th November, 1879. I have forwarded to the General Manager of the Westport Colliery Company a complete list of the passengers by the " Opawa;" but I am unable to furnish him with the exact terms upon which Government engaged the miners, as I have no information whatever as to the terms. It is not even stated in the list which of the miners are engaged for the Company—in fact, the Company is not mentioned, either in the list or the Agent-General's letter. Of course, on arrival all the immigrants must go to the depot that are not otherwise provided for, and they must be fed while there by somebody ; and I would suggest the better course would be for the Company to guarantee to repay the Government the co^t of the maintenance of those who were brought out for the Company, and let them bo supplied with Government rations in the usual way. Alfred Greenfield, The Under-Secretary for Immigration, Wellington. Immigration Officer.

No. 9. The Under-Sechetary for Immigration to the Immigration Officer, Nelson. (Memorandum.) Immigration Office, Wellington, 20th November, 1879. The Immigration Officer at Nelson is informed, in reply to his memorandum of the 17th November, No. 100, that it is hoped the Manager of the Westport Colliery Company will meet the coal-miners who are to arrive by the " Opawa," at Nelson; but in the event of his failing to do so, the Immigration Officer must ration the coal-miners and their families, keeping a separate account, which is to be forwarded to the Colliery Company for payment. The Immigration Officer is requested to communicate this instruction to the Manager of the Company. H. J. H. Eliott, The Immigration Officer, Nelson. Under-Secretary.

No. 10. Mr. A. J. Burns to the Under-Secretary for Immigration. (Telegram.) Nelson, 28th November, 1879 Immigrants must remain at Nelson until instructions come from Danedin. Uuder-Secretary for Immigration, Wellington. A. J. Burns.