D.—2

10

the Government on this subject, stating that the selection in the ease adverted to was made without my approval; and that, on becoming acquainted with the circumstances, I had dismissed Mrs. Howard from the agency, and declined to accept any candidates on her recommendation. 6. On the subject of an emigration depot I have addressed you at some length in a communication by last mail. 7. I entirely concur in your opinion as to the propriety of giving the preference, cateris paribus, to persons nominated in the colony over ordinary applicants. At the same time I feel bound to say that many of those nominated by friends or parties iv the colony are found on examination to be such as would not be passed by any of my local agents. I have, &c, I. E. Feathebston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 23. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Ministee for Immigbation. (No. 1447.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sib,— 20th July, 1874. Eeferring to your letter of Bth May (No. 118), I have the honor to inform you that before receiving your instructions, I had entered into arrangements with the three shipping companies on the old terms up to the end of September. In arranging any fresh contracts, however, I shall take care to give effect to your wishes. I have, Ac., I. E. Featheeston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 24. The Ageni-Genebai, to the Hon. the Ministee for Immigration. (No. 1448.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sib,— 20th July, 1874. Eeferring to your letter of Bth May (No. 127), I have the honor to state that, as I have already informed the Government, I am doing my utmost to charter vessels direct to New Plymouth. The difficulties, however, are almost insuperable. In the first place, the shipowners with whom I am in communication have over and over again refused to convey emigrants there, both on account of the risk incurred, and of the greatly increased rate of insurance they would be required to pay. In the next place, there is no inducement to shipowners in the form of cargo to that port, and I have at present none to offer myself. If, therefore, I succeed in chartering a vessel for New Plymouth direct, the Government must be prepared to pay a very high rate of passage money, with this very possible contingency, that the emigrants cannot be landed at the place of destination, and will have to be transhijjped to a neighbouring port, for no shipowner would allow the vessels to lie off the coast under stress of weather for an indefinite time. It has recently been pointed out to me by the representatives of the shipping companies here, that even in New Zealand one of the local steam navigation companies has refused to ship cargo for New Plymouth, on account of the great risk of detention, and the consequent liability to vexatious legal proceedings. It is quite true that formerly there was no difficulty in inducing ships to go there, but the different state of things to which I have referred is no doubt due to the fact that within the last few years the risk and inconvenience complained of have become more apparent. Notwithstanding these difficulties, I shall do my best to give effect to your instructions in the matter. I have, &c, I. E. Feathebston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G,, Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 25. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation. (No. 1449.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sib,— 20th July, 1874. Beferring to your letter of 4th May (No. 103), I have the honor to state, for the information of the Government, that although Mr. Cochrane was appointed an Emigration Agent in Belfast, on the recommendation of Mr. Thomas Russell and Mr. James Williamson, on account of his special knowledge of the Province of Auckland, he is acting as an Agent for the whole Colony, and not for any particular part of it. I have, &c, I. E. Featheeston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington. Agent-General.