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No. 8. The Hon. the Ministeb of Immigration to the Agent-Genebal. (Memorandum.) Immigration Department, Wellington, Bth March, 1884. Befebbing to your letter of the 24th May last, introducing Count Strickland, who had been engaged by the Council of the Government of Malta to make inquiries as to sending emigrants from Malta to New Zealand, I have to inform you that Count Strickland called upon me on his arrival in Wellington, when the question was fully discussed. I found, however, he was not authorized io make any definite arrangements with this Government for the introduction of Maltese emigrants. The fullest information respecting the Crown lands of the colony was given to Count Strickland, but he was informed that the Government was not prepared to go beyond the limits of the arrangements made with Signor de Cesare, as published in Parliamentary Paper D.-4a., 1883. W. Bolleston, Minister of Immigration.
No: 9. • The Hon. the Ministeb of Immigbation to the Agent-Genebal. Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 12th March, 1884. In my letter of the 2nd ultimo you were referred to the original proposals of the Government, which were that the sum of £200,000 should be distributed over a period of three years for the purposes of immigration, and you were informed that, if that sum is to be fairly expended within the limits proposed, it will not admit of the continuance of the rate at which immigrants have been arriving during the past few months. In order to reduce as much as possible the number of nominated immigrants who would be likely to arrive 'during the winter months, the following telegraphic message was sent to you by the Premier yesterday : " Stop immigrants, except nominated girls, during winter." I now transmit for your information copy of a circular telegram which has been addressed to the local Immigration Officers in the colony, instructing them to hold over all applications for passages that may be made to them until Parliament has had an opportunity of considering the question of future immigration. I also send a copy of a communication from the Immigration Officer at Ohristchurch, recommending that no immigrants should arrive in Canterbury during the winter months. I have, &c, W. EoiiLBSTON, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Minister of Immigration.
Enclosure 1 in No. 9. (Circular telegram.) Government Buildings, 12th March, 1884. Fob the future nominations can oniy be received with condition, to bo noted in each application, that it will not be acted on during the winter months, and not even afterwards unless Parliament approves of further immigration. Applications for passages should accordingly be retained in your office until you are instructed to send them forward, when they will have prior consideration, on payment of whatever sum may be fixed in future. Nominations for single women can be sent forward as at present, with the understanding that Government does not bind itself to act upon them. 11. J. H. Bliott. To Immigration Officers.
Enclosure 2 in No. 9. Mr. Makch to the Undeb-Secretary, Immigration. (Memorandum.) Immigration Office, Christchurch, Ist March, 1884. Taking into consideration the present state of the labour market, together with the fact that by each direct steamer a number of paying passengers arrive, I w T oul<i strongly advise that no immigrants should be shipped for this district between the months of April and August, except a limited number of single women. The latter should bo good general servants and dairy women. The Under-Secretary of Immigration, Wellington. J. E. Mabch.
No. 10. The Hon. the Ministeb of Immigbation to .the Agent-Genebal. Sib, — Immigration Department, Wellington, 23rd May, 1884. When I acknowledged the receipt of your letter of the 30th November, advising me of the consignment of the " Handbook of New Zealand," forwarded by the New Zealand Company's ship " Aorangi," I had not had the time or opportunity for attentively reading the book, or for forming an estimate of its value. I now desire to express my entire concurrence in the opinion expressed by you that Mr. Gisborne has rendered good service to the colony by the manner in which he has executed the work confided to him. The wonderful correctness, completeness, and condensation which characterizes its compilation have been the subject of remark by men whose opinion is best worth having. I learn from your letter (No. 113) of the Ist April that another edition of the "Handbook" would shortly be issued. I shall be obliged if you will forward a further supply to the colony. I have, &c., W. BOLLESTON, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Minister of Immigration.
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