25

D.—3

the first quarter there were 64; in the second, 62; in the third, 107; and in the seven weeks of the present, 51. Total, 284. 3. It might be desirable to give the result, in emigration, of this correspondence, but I have not the means of doing so. In advertising, reference is made also to your office, and papers sent out by me may be returned to you, and the emigrants proceed without the fact coming to my knowledge. This is, I presume, immaterial, as you have the means of knowing how many go from this country and how many you pay for to local agents. 4. I know that 60 have been sent for the following ships : —ln May, for Auckland, 10 per "Berar;" in June, for Wellington, 7 per "The Douglas;" in July, for Wellington, 1 per "E. P. Bouverie;" for Canterbury, 4 per "Adamant" and 2 per "Merope;" in August, for Canterbury, 14 per " Cardigan Castle;" in September, for Auckland, 7 per " Hindostan;" in September, for Canterbury, 1 per "Star of India;" in October, for Auckland, 4 per "Lauderdale;" in October, for Canterbury, 7 per " Isles of South;" in November, for Auckland, 3 per " Queen of the Age:" total, 60. 5. In addition, there are engaged—For Otago, 1 per " Carnatic;" for Canterbury, 8 per " Dilharree" and 1 per s.s. " Mongol:"—total, 10; and about 25 applications under consideration. 6. There is every indication that the emigration will be largely increased next year. Since the commencement of the present month, when free passages were offered, the inquiries have increased, and the favourable reports sent home by emigrants will cause others to join them. The desire to proceed to America has diminished, and a good many are returning home again. Applicants who come here give as a reason for preferring New Zealand, that the Irish are not now so well treated as formerly in the United States. 7. At present, in this country, the labouring classes can hardly get the .small amount now necessary to enable them to proceed. Many come here with insufficient, and some without any, means, asking to be taken, and offering to repay in the Colony what may be advanced to them, as in the case of the Davis family, who applied early in July, and whose application, I expect, will be renewed next month. It is a matter, I think, worthy of consideration, whether, where so much is done, it is not advisable to add what little remains, especially in the case of large families such as I mentioned. I have had to refuse several female domestic servants for these reasons. They say they have a fair state of clothes, but find it impossible to do more than keep that up with the wages they receive. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Patrick Mason.

No. 29. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 821.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 28th November, 1873. Referring to the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke's Memorandum No. 187, of 30th August last, on the subject of despatching a vessel with emigrants to Invercargill, I have now the honor to inform you that I have arranged to send a ship from London on or about the 28th December. I am unable at present to state how many emigrants will be sent by this vessel, but every effort will be made to collect a large number. I have carefully perused the copy letter from Mr. Cuthbertson, which accompanied the Memorandum under reply. I have, &., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 30. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 827.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 12th December, 1873. In acknowledging the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke's Memorandum of 29th September last (No. 200, 1873), reminding me that, immediately on receipt of my telegram to the effect that Messrs. Birch, Farnall, and Seaton, were " costly and useless," I was informed that the power of dispensing with their services rested with myself, I presume it is not necessary for me to add anything to the very full communication which I have already addressed to the Government on this subject. I have endeavoured to show that at the earliest moment I felt myself in a position to use my own discretion, I dispensed with the services of those agents, and put a stop to an expenditure which was producing little or no return. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G. Agent-General. 4.—D. 3.