D.—7.

1880. NEW ZEALAND

VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND OF MESSRS. GRANT AND FOSTER (CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE, AS DELEGATES ON BEHALF OF LINCOLNSHIRE FARMERS).

Presented to both Souses of the General Assembly by Command of Sis Excellency.

No. 1. The Agent-Genisbal to the Hon. the Minister for Immigeation. Sie, — 7, "Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 3rd October, 1879. I have the honor to inform you that T have agreed to give passages to and from New Zealand to Mr. Samuel Grant, Mr. Grant, jun., and Mr. Foster, under the following circumstances: — The Rev Mr. Berry introduced these gentlemen to me, and I had an interview with Mr. Grant, in which he reported to me that a large number of tenant-farmers in Lincolnshire desired that he should go out to report on the capabilities of New Zealand for farming. I told him, if I had evidence of the wish of a large number of farmers to that effect, that I would give him my assistance. Memorials signed by a large number —several hundreds —of Lincolnshire farmers, addressed to Messrs. Grant and Foster, requesting them to visit New Zealand,and to ascertain how far that country •is suited to the wants tuid condition of the memorialists, were submitted to me; and Mr. Samuel Grant having signified to me that he was willing to go, accompanied by his son and Mr. Foster, I agreed to give them passage to and from New Zealand. In the present state of farming in the United Kingdom there is a strong inclination on the part of a large number of farmers to leave this country for the colonies, and special exertions are being used by the Canadian and other Colonial Governments to direct the attention of such intending emigrants to their respective colonies. The Canadian Government have, I understand, offered to defray the expenses of any delegate representing not less than twenty-five persons; and Mr. Grant was specially requested to proceed to Canada instead of New Zealand. Under these circumstances I thought I was acting in the best interests of New Zealand in conceding to Messrs. Grant and Foster the privilege which they might have obtained elsewhere. It is probable that very great benefit will arise from their visit. I should observe that I had impliedly given a promise before the receipt of the instructions not to assist farmers. However, lam not clear, even if I had received those instructions, that 1 should have considered they prevented my dealing with a special case like this. Mr. Grant, his son, and Mr. Foster have taken their passages by the steamer "Norfolk," sailing this month. I shall pay the cost of their passages to New Zealand by that vessel, and have to request you to arrange for their return passages as sooii as they are prepared to leave the colony for this country I have, &c, Julius Yogel. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 2. The Hon. the Minister for Immigeation to the Aqent-Genebali. Silt, — Immigration Office, "Wellington, sth December, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of letter of 3rd October, No. 868, reporting that you had agreed to give passages to this colony to Mr. Samuel Grant, Mr. Grant, jun., and Mr. Foster, who desired to report upon the capabilities of New Zealand for farming, with object of inducing a number of tenant-farmers to come out to this colony from Lincolnshire. In reply, I have to inform you that the Government approves of your action in this matter, but it would have been more satisfactory if you had stated the total expense you had incurred in sending those gentlemen out, and I shall be glad to hear from you on this point. With a view of enabling these gentlemen to acquire information respecting the various parts of