NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURAL COMPANY. (CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE AGENT-GENERAL RESPECTING HIS CONNECTION THEREWITH.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1879 Session I, A-10

A.^10.

1879. NEW ZEALAND.

NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURAL COMPANY. (CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE AGENT-GENERAL RESPECTING HIS CONNECTION THEREWITH.)

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency. No. 1. (Printed as No. 43, of D.-2.) The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, 13th February, 1879. I have the honor to inform you that I have joined the Board of Directors of the New Zealand Agricultural Company (Limited), and, following the precedent established by my predecessor when he joined a public company, I have to express the hope that you will see no objection to my doing so. The primary object of the Company is to promote settlement. The large estates it is to acquire are to be cut up into farms for the occupation of settlers. Frequently, since I have been in England, I have represented to the Government the desire on the part of suitable persons in this country to acquire land in New Zealand, on which they could settle and pursue their avocations as farmers. I indeed once suggested that a block of land should be put apart for the purpose, and that I should be authorized to dispose of it. The Government, however, replied that there was a great demand for land in the colony, and that they could not put people at a distance on more favourable terms as regards absence of competition than people within the colony had to submit to. I mention these circumstances in order to show you that, in my opinion, the Company will fulfil a really public object. I believe it will greatly benefit the colony, by affording an opening to the numerous desirable people who constantly express the desire to obtain land for settlement in New Zealand. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 2. The Premier to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 22nd April, 1879. Agint-General appointed additional agent inscribed stock. Instructions by next mail. Government cannot approve connection Agricultural Company. Request you arrange early retirement therefrom. Vogel, London. G. Gret.

No. 3. The Agent-General to the Premier. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 9th May, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the telegram at foot.* I propose deferring to the Suez or San Francisco mail my reply to it, and trust you will not object to the delay. I have, &c, The Hon. Sir George Grey, X.C.8., &c, &c. Julius Vogel.

No. 4 The Premier to the Agent-General. Sir,— Government Offices, Wellington, N.Z., 19th July, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 9th May, enclosing copy of a telegram from me, and expressing the hope that I would not object to your delaying, until the subsequent Suez or San Francisco mail, to reply to the portion of that telegram which requested you to arrange for an early retirement from the position you hold in connection with the New Zealand Agricultural Company. I have had much pleasure in complying with your wishes. I have, &c, Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G., &c, &c, Loudon. G. Gret. * For telegram see No. 2 ante. By Authority : Giobob Dids_o*y, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB79. "_»_:_- o_ .

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