D.—4

6

No. 11. His Hon. the Supeeditendent, Wellington, to the Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Wellington, 4th December, 1873. In further reply to your circular letter of 14th October last, respecting a proposal for handing over to the Provincial authorities the administration of immigration, I refer to my letter of tho 7th ultimo, and also to the assurance I gave you at a personal interview, that the question should be most carefully considered at the earliest date at which the members of the Provincial Executive might be able to meet for that purpose. At a full meeting of its members yesterday the question was earnestly discussed, and the conclusion at which we have arrived is, that the proposal in its present shape is inadmissible. I beg to assure you at the same time that there is every disposition to take over the administration, provided a proper basis upon which the transfer may be made can bo mutually agreed upon. I may add that we shall be happy to have an interview with you on the subject at any time you may please to appoint. I have, &c, William Fitzhebbebt, The Hon. J. Vogel, Premier, Wellington. Superintendent.

No. 12. His Honor the Supebinteitdek't, Wellington, to the Hon. the Ministeb for Immigeation. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Wellington, 4th February, 1874. I refer to my letters of the 7th November and 4th December last respectively, in which I expressed to you the desire of the Provincial Government to consider favourably the proposal to take over the administration of the immigration within the Province ; and to the proposal contained in my letter of the 4th December, that the difficulties which occurred to the Provincial Government might be explained away if you thought proper to consent to a personal interview. At the interview with which you favoured the Provincial Secretary and myself on the 31st ultimo, the explanations which you afforded of the practice intended to be adopted with regard to the proposed transfer of administration were such as to remove many of the objections unanimously entertained to the proposal by the Provincial Executive upon the first perusal of your circular. In furtherance of the desire which has been uniformly evinced by the Executive of this Province, since my advent to office, to co-operate as far as possible with the General Government in the practical work of government, I beg to state that the Provincial Government is now prepared to accept the charge of immigration in this Province, it being understood that all direct communication between the Colonial Government and the Immigration Officer shall be laid before the Provincial Government immediately that they are either received or sent. With reference to the expenditure which it will be necessary for the Provincial Government to incur on behalf of the Department, I understand that a sum of money will be from time to time placed at their disposal by way of imprest for that purpose, the expenditure thereof to be accounted for in the usual manner; and that the Colonial Government do not contemplate that any of the expenses of the Department should fall on the Provincial Government. In accordance with your suggestion, I shall be prepared to provide accommodation for the immigration staff at the Provincial Buildings; so that, as far as possible, the local part of the Department may be separated from the more general portion which is under the more immediate charge of the Under Secretary for Immigration. I have, &c. William Fitzheebeet, The Hon. J. Vogel, C.M.Gr., Minister for Immigration. Superintendent.

No. 13. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation to His Honor the Supeeintendeot, "Wellington. Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 7th February, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th instant, in which you state that " the Provincial Government is now prepared to accept the charge of immigration in this Province" upon the terms contained in my circular letter of 14th October, "it being understood that all direct communication between the Colonial Government and the Immigration Officer shall be laid before the Provincial Government immediately that they are either received or sent;" and in which letter you refer to the conditions of " expenditure which it will be necessary for the Provincial Government to incur on behalf of the Department." In reply, I have to state that I shall be willing to direct any officers of the Immigration Department who act under you, that they are to show to you any correspondence which may pass between them and the General Government. As I have pointed out to you, such correspondence will probably be very rare. It will be more convenient that, as a rule, correspondence shall be with your Honor. Tou are correct in supposing that the Colonial Government do not contemplate throwing upon the Province any portion of the expenses incurred on account of immigrants between their arrival in the Province and their obtaining employment. I will give to you a general authority for such expenditure as experience has shown you will be likely to have to incur ; and should circumstances mako exceptional expenditure necessary, your Honor will have no difficulty in applying for and obtaining the requisite authority. I shall be glad to confer with your Honor or your Executive on any points which it is desirable ihould be dealt with at a personal interview. I have, <fee, His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. Julius Vogel.