D.—3a.

1874. NEW ZEALAND.

EMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND. (FURTHER LETTERS FROM THE AGENT-GENERAL.)

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by command of His Excellency.

No. 1. The Agent-General to the Hon. J. Vogel. (No. 1214.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 4th May, 1874. I have the honor to forward you herewith correspondence with Mr. TPRen relative to some persons who proceeded to New Zealand immediately before the passing of the Immigrants Land Act, but who arc nevertheless anxious to obtain the benefit thereof as regards free grants of land. The circumstances of the case are set forth in Mr. Lowther's minute, forwarded to me by Mr. Hamilton, of the Colonial Office. I have replied stating that I had no power in the matter, but would recommend the case to the favourable consideration of the Government. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington. Agent-General.

Enclosure 1 in No. 1. Mr. W. W. U'Ren to Mr. E. Horsman. Dear Sir,— 15, Cecil Street, Strand, W.C., 29th April, 1874, Thank you very much for your favour to hand. My friend, who left England on the 4th October, 1873, is my nephew; his name is Robert U'Ren; he took with him his mother, two brothers, and five sisters, and having paid passage of the whole, he claims the land grant for the whole—equal, I believe, to seven adults. They sailed in the ship "Agnes Muir," and they are now residing in Dunedin, Otago. lam certain that if he had known of the change of the law before sailing, he would have had no difficulty in producing such proofs of his respectability as would have enabled him to obtain the necessary certificate from the Agent-General of New Zealand; and if it will be satisfactory, I will undertake to procure certificates of his character of the highest order from respectable persons who knew him in England, and I will also do so, if necessary, for the other members of the family that he took with him. I have, &c, The Right Hon. Ed. Horsman, M.P. W. W. TJ'Ren.

Enclosure 2 in No. 1. Mr. E. Horsman to Mr. Lowther. Dear Sir,— 1, Richmond Tarrace, Whitehall, 29th April, 1874. Here is the statement you asked for : I can answer for the parties being of the highest respectability. The new Act passed on 2nd October, 1873; these parties sailed from England on the 4th, two days rfter it was passed in New Zealand, but long before the new law was heard of in England. Yours, &c, E. HoiiSKAN.