10

D.—2c,

" The New Zealand Government has within the last month telegraphed for 100 coal miners to be sent out, and of courso will find them work by the day or by piece-work as soon as they arrive in the Colony." In response to my offers, I received about twenty applications in Whitehaven. I expected more, but on this occasion it transpired that mining labour was much scarcer than when I visited this part of England during last year. I proved this by visiting the pits myself. At the Wellington colliery, I ascertained the rate of wages averaged for miners, good and bad, Bs. per day, and they work five days per week. In some cases, coal-hewers, or naggers, as they are termed, were earning 12s. per day. Wherever I went about here, new works or new pits were being opened out, and consequently wages had risen to an unprecedented height. Even in the pastoral and secluded valleyß of Cumberland, labouring men are receiving, from 245. to 255. per week. I visited Hartlepool to find labour to be as difficult to procure as in other places I have been to during my last absence from the office in London. It is too early as yet for me to speak with certainty in respect of the tangible results of my journey, for only three of the applicants have, up the date hereof, paid their 20s. deposit, and the others have, up to the 20th instant to do so. I venture respectfully to submit, as the result of my recent experience, that any better terms which you might have instructed me to offer would not have been attended by a much larger acquisition of colliers than you are likely to procure under the present circumstances, and unparalleled prosperity of the coal and iron trades. I believe, and am assured, that this state of things cannot last, and that another year is likely to witness a change tending greatly to favour emigration. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. C. B. Caetee.

No. 13. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. (No. 509.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Sib,— Westminster, S.W., 11th July, 1873. I have the honor to report that acting upon the discretion allowed me, both in the Hon. Mr. O'Eorke's telegram received Ist June, and the Hon. Mr. O'Eorko's memorandum on the same subject, I have dispensed with the services of Messrs. Seaton, Birch, and Farnall, who were sent home from the Colony in the capacity of Emigration Agents. I felt compelled to adopt this course, because it appeared to me that the results of their efforts were in no way commensurate with the expenditure. It ia only fair, however, to add that Mr. Seaton had previously tendered his resignation, and that Mr. Birch had intimated to me his intention of adopting the same course. With regard to Mr. Farnall, whose services it was suggested I should retain for a time in connection with the proposed special settlement at Auckland, I may state that finding that he had already compromised the Government by the proposals he had made to the promoters of the enterprise, and fearing that he might still further compromise the Government I deemed it prudent to dispense at once with his services, and to put myself in direct communication with Mr. Stuart, who is the real promoter of the movement. I have, &c, I. E. Feathebston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. A gent-General.

No. 14. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretabt. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Si*,— Westminster, S.W., 11th July, 1873. At the request of Messrs. Shaw, Saville, and Co , I have the honor the transmit to you the enclosed letter. I have, &c, I. E. Featheeston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 14. Messrs. Shaw, Sayille, & Co., to the Agent- Genebal. The Passengers Line of Packets for New Zealand, &c, Dear Sibj— Offices: 34, Leadenhall Street, E.C., London, 10th July, 1873. Xt -7 that your Government has entered into a contract in the Colony with the JNew Zealand Shipping Company for the conveyance of all their emigrants for the remainder of the present year on the conditions of our contract for last year at £14 10s. per adult