15

D.—la,

The "Malay," a vessel of about 400 tons register, has made three voyages to this river from London, but a suitable vessel of larger tonnage without increasing the draught of water could probably be got, if emigrants were sent to occupy a portion of the 'tween-decks, and we have now the honor to inquire whether the Government will instruct the Agent-General in London to send a suitable number of immigrants by such opportunity. , We may add that the local agent of the New Zealand Shipping Company promises to assist by telegraphing to London, advising the agent there to look out for a suitable vessel. We have, &c, Jno. Duthie and Co., The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. General Importers.

Enclosure 2 in No. 10. Mr. J. Betce, M.H.E., to the Hon. J. Vogel. Sic, — Wanganui, 22nd June, 1874. In reference to the introduction of immigrants to this portion of the colony, I have the honor to call your attention to the disadvantageous position which Wanganui at present occupies, owing to the fact that immigrants are not directly introduced into the district. Immigrants are, it is true, brought directly into Wellington, which is the chief centre of population in this province; but Wanganui is situated at a considerable distance from the city of Wellington, and can only receive a supply from those immigrants who have not succeeded in finding employment in the place of their first arrival, or who are willing to face a second sea voyage. The evil I have alluded to has been, I am quite willing to admit, almost unavoidable, and I should not have thought of calling your attention to it, were it not that I think there is now an opportunity of obviating it. Mr. John Duthie, a merchant of Wanganui, and an importer of goods to a large extent, is very desirous of promoting a direct trade between Britain and this place. With that object in view, he proposes, and is prepared by the next mail to instruct his London agent, to charter a suitable vessel and load it for Wanganui, if only he can receive from the Government an assurance that a number of emigrants, equal to the carrying capacity of the vessel, will be placed on board at the usual rate of payment per head. I have a very strong belief that if you can see your way to giving Mr. Duthie such assurance, it would prove of great benefit, in more ways than one, to Wanganui, and would at least save the Government the cost of their coastal voyage and contingent expenses of a number of people equal to the number which Mr. Duthie's vessel or vessels would bring out. I have also reason to believe that if a vessel were to sail from some part of Britain direct for Wanganui, under Government auspices as to emigrants, that many acquaintances and friends of Wanganui residents would take that opportunity of coming to the colony, although at present they hesitate for want of direct communication with the place in which their friends reside ; and these people would, without doubt, form a valuable addition to the population. It may also be proper to mention that Patea, which is part of the Province of Taranaki, is within forty miles of the port of Wanganui, and is accessible by a good road. Immigrants therefore intended for that part of Taranaki could, with great advantage, be landed at Wanganui. Unless you see some objection to the giving of such assurance as Mr. Duthie wishes, of which I am not aware, I very much desire, for the reasons I have stated, that you would do so; and if you could by any possibility inform me of your views and decision on the matter in time for the next English mail, which leaves on the 2nd of next month, I should feel greatly obliged. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. John Betce.

No. 11. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 190.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 2nd July, 1874. I have the honor to forward, for your information, copy of some very interesting communications which have been addressed to me by Mr. J. G. Corbett, of Wellington, upon the subject of emigration of the small-farmer class of people. I have, <&c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogei,.

Enclosure 1 in No. 11. Mr. J. G. Coebett to the Hon. the Ministee for Immigbation. Deae Sic,— Wellington, 21st April, 1874. I take the liberty of enclosing, for your perusal, the copy of a letter I addressed to Mr. Gisborne (the then Minister for Immigration) in January, 1871. I am induced to do so from the impression that it may never have come under your notice; and that now, under the more liberal regulations you have established, the ideas I then expressed may be worthy of your consideration. The conditions I then sketched are, as a matter of course, subject to modification, but the principle is still the same, —" That it is more profitable to the colony to give free passages to families of the true agricultural type, possessed of a small capital, than to give free passages to paupers."