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Albion Company declining to accept the contract, the New Zealand Shipping Company will have to arrange for the shipment of the emigrants and cargo from the Clyde to New Zealand. Referring to the wish of the Premier that the first ships should arrive in October, I have further to instruct you to arrange that all the emigrants ordered for the year should arrive in the colony not later than the end of February, and you will please make your arrangements accordingly, distributing them as equally as possible over the intervening months. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson. P.S.—Referring to the Ist section of the Conditions of Contract, copy of a letter from the Manager with regard to the minimum height of the ships between decks is enclosed.

No. 43. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 136.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, Ist June, 1876. In reply to your letter No. 245, of the 21st March, I have the honor to state that, as Mr. Adam's pamphlet was reprinted without the Government being communicated with in the matter, and in the face of the large circulation of the " Official Handbook of New Zealand," I am of opinion that the General Government should not be called upon to bear the expense. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 44. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 137.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, Ist June, 1876. I have the honor to inform you that the master of the " Pomona" has made a claim for an extra gratuity in consideration of having had to take charge of the emigrants after the death of the surgeon, and I have accordingly authorized the sum of £50 to be paid to him on that account. The death of the surgeon having occurred about midway on the voyage, it would appear that £61175. 6d., being half the sum payable to him had he landed, should be allowed to his representatives, I have, &c, The A gent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 45. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 139.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, Ist June, 1876. I have the honor to forward herewith, for your information, copy of documents handed in to this office by Mr. Pearce, one of the local directors of the Emigrant and Colonist's Aid Corporation, and of the letter addressed to Mr. Pearce in reference thereto. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure 1 in No. 45. Exteact from Letter of Seceetaey to Emigeant and Colonist's Aid Coepoeation to the Local Dieectoes in Wellington. Deae Sies, — London, 17th March, 1876. 2. With reference to the fifth paragraph of my letter of the 18th February, I am to advise you that, in a communication dated the 6th instant, addressed to me by Consul Kirchner, of Darmstadt, under cover to the Agent-General (for whom Mr. Kirchner has acted as agent for the selection of German immigrants), that gentleman informs me that he has a party of about 500 emigrants who would suit the Corporation well, consisting of families with grown-up sons and daughters, coming from the Ukermark and Pomeranian Provinces, celebrated for industry and saving. They are Lutherans, and wrould like to remain together, and they have means, as he is informed that they realized 85,000 m.c. (£4,250) for their landed property. 3. As, however, the Agent-General had indorsed the following memo, on Mr. Kirchner's letter, — viz.: "The Government of New Zealand having instructed me to discontinue emigration from the Continent, I have advised Mr. Kirchner by telegram that you have no authority to enter into the proposed engagement. —I. E. Featherston. March 14, 1876 " —I am instructed to send you at once the following telegraphic message in cypher, according to the code furnished to Mr. Halcombe : — " Featherston refuses Germans. Press Government wire Featherston to approve 105 Lutheran moneyed families for Corporation." A copy of the above I have posted to Mr. Kirchner, with a suggestion that ho should not break up the party until we have had time to hear from you. ' # * # # * * #