D.—sa,

2

17. As I possess a wife and nine children, who accompany me, with three servants, that I obtain a grant of 1,000 acres wherever I may elect, in one block, so as not to vitiate any other settlers; and I would here select " Te Kauri," and adjoining lands. 18. Mr. H. ~W. Farnall to receive a free grant of 500 acres to himself and each member of his family ; such to be given in recognition of his services as originator of this undertaking, and for his gratuitous assistance to emigration in Belfast for such a long period. Mr. Farnall has a wife and two children. 19. Township to be placed at Kati Kati Bay, as recommended by Captain Turner, the Eesident Engineer. 20. Permission to be given to me to purchase or lease from Natives upon the Kati Kati and adjoining blocks such lands as may be required for occupation of settlement. (This permission has already been given to Mr. Gill, Mr. Frazer, Mr. Thomas Mackay, and others, and the land still remains in its original state of fern.) 21. In event of a Fishery Company being formed in Scotland, and that Scotch fishermen should accompany the settlers, and chemical works in connection with same be established in the township, that +he Government would consider in what manner such an enterprise could be encouraged, and that they will kindly let me have their instructions before I leave this country. 22. Any further modifications or arrangements to be left to Agent-General. I have now submitted my views on this matter without seeking advice or information from any person here or at home. I am aware that the Government wish to treat this pioneer settlement in a liberal manner; and I have endeavoured to carry out their policy by making all free grants and purchases to be dependent upon cultivation and reclamation of the lands, thereby preventing speculators from obtaining land, either free or by purchase, that would remain unoccupied or unproductive. I also consider it would tend very much to the advantage of the colony if, on my return home, I devoted the four months I shall have at my disposal in the delivery of lectures through different parts of Ireland, England, and Scotland, on the subject of New Zealand emigration in general. I firmly believe that, from the position I occupy at home, my acquaintance with members of the Irish and English Press (including London Standard and Times), and from the number of influential friends I possess at the different places named, that such lectures will be attended with the most beneficial results. The remuneration I should receive for hotel and travelling expenses only expected, I am most willing to leave to the discretion of the Government, and would be quite willing to send monthly reports to Agent-General. I have, <&c., The Hon. G. M. O'Eorke, Auckland. Geo. Veset Stewart. P.S.—I would of course expect the above advantages to be extended to a further block adjoining of 12,000 acres, in event of such being required.

No. 2. The Hon. G. M. O'Eoeke to Mr. G. V. Stewart. Sib,— Auckland, 4th May, 1874. I have the honor to inform you, in reply to your letter of the 29th ultimo on the subject of the scheme of immigration which you have visited this province to give effect to, that the block of land at Kati Kati which you desire to select is no longer at the disposal of the General Government. Some time ago when the Hon.. the Premier, who also acts as Minister for Immigration, was in Auckland, an arrangement was made between him and the Superintendent of this province, whereby the administration of the Kati Kati lands was committed to His Honor the Superintendent, and a set of regulations has been prepared for dealing with these particular lands on a system of deferred payments. On ascertaining your desire to select this block, T immediately, together with Dr. Pollen the Colonial Secretary, waited upon His Honor in reference to the letter you had addressed to me, and which is now under reply, and we were assured by His Honor that he was in a position to fully carry out the agreements made by his predecessor Mr. Gillies, for setting apart a good block of land for the forty or fifty families you proposed last year to induce to emigrate to this province on the terms that were then offered. The original proposal on behalf of your immigration scheme having been made to the Superintendent, who expresses his desire to carry the scheme out in its integrity, it only remains for me, in reply to this portion of your letter, to refer you to him to set apart a suitable block of land for your body of immigrants. As this application for the Kati Kati Block is the most important feature in your letter to me, I confine my remarks to that subject; the other matters to which you refer as parts of the general scheme would require the consideration of the Superintendent, as the officer undertaking the charge of locating your party of immigrants. , I trust you will understand that there is no desire on the part of the General Government to shrink from any obligation they may have incurred in this business. Throughout the whole correspondence they have exhibited but one desire —to assist (if their assistance were required) the Superintendent to introduce into the colony, and permanently establish therein, such an admirable class of immigrants as the Superintendent of the province (Mr. Gillies) reported you were likely to induce to accompany you. A copy of this letter will be submitted to His Honor the Superintendent for his information. I have, &c, G. Vesey Stewart, Esq., Auckland. .G. Maurice O'Eobke.