25

D.—2.

A moderate number of applications are still coming in for free passages, and mostly from apparently eligible persons. These lam holding over pending your final instructions as to the amount of emigration required for the ensuing twelve months. I gather from your Despatch No. 44, of 11th February, that it is not desirable to send emigrants to any province so as they reach their destination during the winter months. Ido not intend, therefore, at all events, to despatch any emigrant vessels until the month of June. Meanwhile, I have withdrawn all the advertisements, and otherwise as far possible diminished the amount of expenditure. Mr. Holloway and Mr. Burton are completing their engagements to lecture and hold meetings, without giving any further assurance than that there is a probability of there being some emigrant vessel despatched in June and following months. The following shipments of material and stores have been made during the past month : —l,BOO tons rails, 21 carriages, 2 brakes, 100 pairs wheels, 2 engines, 85 sets of ironwork for wagons and trucks, 45 packages railway stores, 1 five-ton crane, 25 clocks, railway lamps (2 cases), railway tickets (20 cases), cavalry accoutrements (6 cases), barometers and thermometers from Casella (5 cases), material for the lighthouse Moko Henore, 860 gallons paraffin oil. Tenders for the construction and carriage of the Cook Strait telegraph cable were opened on the 29th March, and the tender sent in by the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company, offering to construct the cable and deliver it at Wellington, in accordance with Mr. Latimer Clarke's specifications, was accepted. Twenty certificates under the provisions of " The Immigrants Land Act, 1873," were issued from this office during the month of March. Despatches via San Francisco from New Zealand were delivered on the 29th March. I have, &c, I. E. Feathebston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 41. The Agent-G-eneeal to the Hon. the Ministee for Immigeatiof. (No. 256.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— sth April, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 23, of 9th February, respecting the case of a single man being authorized to be taken as a saloon passenger in the ship " Salisbury." Mr. P. D. B——, the gentleman in question, called at this office. He was a married gentleman. of over fifty years of age, an old New Zealand colonist, and Civil Engineer; and under such circumstances I raised no objection to his proceeding by the " Salisbury," and informed the New Zealand Shipping Company accordingly. I have, Ac, I. E. Featheeston, The Hou. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent- General.

Iso. 42. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Mintstee for Immigeatiox. (No. 259.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., !Sie,— sth April, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 38, of the 11th February, calling my attention to the fact that you have received no advice as to the steps I have taken respecting emigrants for the Jackson's Bay special settlement. The books of general conditions of the settlements have been, since they were received at this office, from time to time given out to any person who appeared to be a suitable emigrant for the settlement. Mr. Holloway and Mr. Burton were furnished with them, and I caused them also to be translated into Grerman, for distribution through my Agent on the Continent, and to assist Mr. Matthies in his endeavours to collect his party of Pomeranians. My efforts were principally directed in aid of Mr. Matthies, as the Superintendent of Westland, in his communication to me of November 12th, 1874, stated that the families of Pomeranians would be sufficient at first. STou are already aware that the mission of Mr. Matthies was unfortunately brought to a close by that gentleman's death, caused by circumstances which have already been communicated to you. A Dr. Welch, whom I furnished with some of the books of conditions, and who had already been in New Zealand, has called several times at this office, and stated that it was his intention to make up a party for the settlement. I offered to give him every i'acility, and he has since been in direct communication with the Superintendent of Westland; but with what result I am not at present aware. With this exception, although I have had a few inquiries, no persons appear to have seriously entertained the matter. Tour letter No. 210, of 27th September, 1875, enclosed a copy of memorandum from the Immigration Officer at Hokitika, covering list of Shetlanders nominated for passages to Jackson's Bay. This list was at once forwarded to Mr. Andrew, of the Scotch Agency; aud, in reply to my inquiry, that gentleman informs me that the parties mentioned therein were communicated with immediately on its receipt, and forms of application for passages were forwarded to them, but that he has received no reply, and has written again to ascertain their intentions. 4—D. 2.