D.—3

20

No. 20. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (No. 729.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 30th October, 1873. I have the honor to inform you that, at an interview with the Messrs. Brogden yesterday, I finally arranged all matters of dispute between them and the Government. The Messrs. Brogden read letters which they had received by last mail from their Agent in Wellington, informing them that the Emigration contract had been endorsed upon their Public Works contracts. After considerable discussion, they handed over to me the promissory notes, amounting to £1,060, for the passage money due for emigrants despatched per " Durham" and " Lutterworth," and which ought to have been given up to me fifteen days after the sailing of those vessels. They have also paid me the interest on the promissory notes at 6 per cent, up to date, namely, £945 12s. They have, moreover, paid me the amount of the Government claim for bedding, namely, £192 10s. I on the other hand have paid them £1,894 3s. 10s., the balance of commission, at 10 per cent., on Contract Memo. 53, 25th November, 1871, and also £12,500, their commission at 5 per cent, on £250,000, and I have agreed, subject to the approval of the Government, not to require them to forward any more emigrants to the Colony under the terms of their contract. The enclosed schedule* will show more specifically the amounts of the promissory notes, with the dates at which they are redeemable, and also the dates on which the interest accrues. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 21. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (No. 734.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 31st October, 1873. I have the honor to send herewith copy of report by the Rev. P. Barclay, with reference to his emigration operations for the quarter ending 30th September, 1873. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 21. Report, Quarter, Ist July to 30th September, 1873. On Ist July I found myself at Lerwick. On 2nd, I crossed to Bressay Island and arranged for a meeting. During the same week I went to Weisdale and on to Walls, twenty-two miles west, where I took duty on Sunday, and held a meeting. On Tuesday, Bth, I went from Lerwick to Baltasound, and where I remained a week. There I held a defence meeting, in order to contradict sundry reports about New Zealand and myself. I have spoken of this, and about Shetland generally, in some " notes " already sent in to the London office. I came to Lerwick on 16th, and on Thursday held my meeting at Bressay. I left Lerwick on Monday, 21st, and arrived at Edinburgh on 23rd July. I spent the last days of July in arranging New Zealand and family matters, after my long absence of nine weeks, in correspondence, &c. On 30th July I left for Poolewe, in North-west Rosshire, partly for change for my family and partly to "prospect" for New Zealand. There I remained fully four weeks, making one journey to Portice, in Skye, and also to Rasay Island. For all this, however, I count only six days, and 30s. expenses, though certainly I would not have travelled so far (280 miles) for change, save for the interests of New Zealand. With a proper agent, knowing Gaelic, working on that coast, I should look for much success during 1874, after what has been done. As I hope to be in London in the beginning of November, I can speak of this at that time. September.—l arrived in Edinburgh on 6th September, and remained till Friday, 12th. The time was spent in various works—seeing one or two expected emigrants, and in correspondence, which also occupied me largely at Poolewe. On 13th arrived at Lerwick. On Tuesday I went to Baltasound, Unst. The little steamer takes a whole day, although the distance, in a straight line, is only fifty miles. There I remained a week, arranging with emigrants who had given in their names before. lam convinced that a considerable number will go next year. The arrangements must be made in spring, and though a few may go then, a greater number will go in autumn. This is owing to tenure of land, fishing engagements, term days, &c. One or two who had promised on my last visit to go, drew back. I came again to Lerwick on 24th (Wednesday), with seventeen emigrants, transferring them * It has not been thought necessary to print this Schedule.