THE RAILWAY AND IMMIGRATION COMMITTEE.

Southland Times, Issue 1815, 7 November 1873, Page 2

THE RAILWAY AND IMMIGRATION COMMITTEE.

Pursuant to advertisement, the Kailway and Immigration Committee met on Wednesday, sth inst. After the. disposal of Borne formal business, the Chairman. (Mr J. W. Mitchell), read a telegram from tbe Premier, to the effect that he proposed instructing the Immigration Agent in Dunediu to send down one hundred of the immigrants next arriving to the Bluff. A letter from His Honor the Superintendent was also read, referring to the complaints of this Committee of the neglect of the Southland district, offering explanations, and assuring the Com mi tee that all available means should be used to secure to Southland a fair share of arriving immigrants. The Chairman stated that he had advised with Mr Pearson, the Immigration Officer, iv order that arrangements might be made for the reception of the immigrants referred to in the telegram of the Premier, and further that a telegram had been received on that day from His Honor that the Lady Jocelyn had arrived at the Heads, and that a hundred of the immigrants arriving by that vessel should be forwarded by steamer to the Bluff, provided that number of them could be iuduced to come forward, as of course they could not be compelled, but that Mr Seaton, who was on board, would do all in his power in the matter. A letter from Mr M'Leod, the Emigration Officer for the provinces of Wellington and Otago, in the Dominion of Canada, was also put in, which referred to the disparity in the terms which he was empowered to offer, as compared with those offered by the Agent-General, and suggesting that to secure immigrants steps should be taken to place him in the

same position as tbe A gent- General, having power to offer free passages. Mr M'Ewan moved, and Mr M'Arthur seconded, " That the Chairman be authorised to eater into communication with the proper authorities to urge the claims of intending emigrants from the Dominion of Canada to be placed upoD tbe same footing in regard to payment of passage money, as emigrants from the United Kingdom," and the motion was carried. A resolution was also carried, directing the thanks of the Committee to be conveyed to tbe Premier and His Honor the Superintendent for their promptitude and courtesy in reply to the communications of the Committee. Mr Perkins moved — " That a sub-com-mittee be appointed to enquire into the practicability of offering inducements to ship-owners to lay vessels on direct from the United Kingdom to the Bluff, by offering to secure them freight, which, with the passenger traffic, would be sufficient inducement for them to bring shipments direct to the Bluff. Such committee to consist of the chairman, and Meßsrs W. H. Calder, Hall, Macrorie, Kingsland, Dalgliesh, H. T. Boss, Lumsden, Wood, Rose, Barnaul, Tapper, and J. T. Martin." Mr J. Kingsland seconded the motion, which was carried. A Finance Committee was appointed, consisting of Messrs Wilkinson, Barham, M'Leod, and Mayo — Mr Mayo being Treasurer.