D.—3

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Local Agents giving Mr. Stewart any help which they conveniently can, provided that this is not done in such a way as to commit the Government to any liability either of a pecuniary or any other character. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. J. Macandrew.

No. 19. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 12th December, 1877. I have the honor to forward copy of further correspondence with Mr. Stewart. As you will observe, he is very discontented with me for not more actively aiding him. Tou will observe by my letter of this day's date the view I take, and I can only express the hope that I have correctly interpreted the view of the Government. I have of course taken no notice of the aggressive, not to say offensive, tone of Mr. Stewart's letter of the 6th instant, but have endeavoured, to the best of my ability, to decide as I think the Government would direct me to do. According to Mr. Stewart's opinion, the certificates I am to issue are to be merely echoes of his own. If so, they are surely unnecessary. Mr. Stewart himself supplies a reason why I should exercise an independent judgment, for I cannot agree with him that the mere fact of a person being a gentleman makes him a suitable emigrant. Such a theory might lead to much misery, for unfortunately there are many gentlemen who, from lack of means or ability, or experience, or disposition, or power to work, or wanting other qualifications, would not meet with success in the colony. Regarding the other point, I cannot believe that, with the proviso attached to clause 17, as printed in Mr. Stewart's pamphlet, which would make the Government liable to the emigrant, it can be intended any deposits should be taken or emigrants passed until Mr. Stewart pays the £5,000. I have, &c., Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Agent-General.

Enclosure 1 in No. 19. Mr. G. V. Stewart to the Agent-General. Sir, — Martray House, Ballygawley, Co. Tyrone, October 16th, 1877. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt this day of your letter dated 10th instant, and really am at a loss to know my present position in the matter. If you again read the report in the Herald you will find "that the amended terms upon which the Board had decided to make an additional grant of land to Mr. George Vesey Stewart, for his special settlement scheme, had been submitted to, and approved by the Governor." The instructions to commence de novo, to which you refer, applied to the four resolutions which " were then proposed, seconded, and agreed to unanimously," and there the business is thus concluded, so far as the Waste Lands Board and the Governor are concerned. The Hon. Donald Reid telegraphs to me on Ist August —received as the mail steamer was starting—" that the land was proclaimed under the Act of 1876, on the 13th July." Tou may probably have the New Zealand Government Gazette, and I would refer you to that date. If, therefore, I was a most complete stranger to the colony and to yourself, I respectfully submit that I have produced sufficient documentary evidence to satisfy any reasonable man that my scheme has met with the approval of the New Zealand Government, and of the colony, through the Waste Lands Board. I do not understand the concluding clause of your letter, as to the " approving or disapproving of the emigrants selected by me," or whether I am to understand that the Government had desired you to be responsible for or take part in the selection of such emigrants." Will you also kindly let me know, if I have now succeeded in satisfying your mind as to the bond fide nature of my scheme, and thereby enable you to give satisfactory replies to any of my intending emigrants who may make official inquiries at your office. I have, &c, The Hon. Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G. Geo. Vesey Stewart. P.S. —I enclose you the original letter, on official paper, signed by Mr. D. A. Tole, Chairman of the Waste Lands Board, dated Auckland, 11th July, 1877, enclosing the draft agreement. I returned this draft agreement duly approved, and it was confirmed by the Waste Lands Board at their meeting on 31st July last, and reported in the Herald on Ist August. Kindly return same, as it is an original document, and I wish to keep it safe. G. V. S.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 1 in No. 19. Provincial District oe Auckland.—Memorandum. Sic, — Crown Lands Office, Auckland, 11th July, 1877. I have the honor, at the request of the Under Secretary for Crown Lands, to forward to you the accompanying copy of draft agreement re Katikati Special Settlement. At the same time I beg to inform you that this agreement, subject, however, to some slight amendment duly noted, but which you will observe is not at variance with the terms of your arrangement with the Waste Lands Board, has been recommended by the latter body to the Government for His Excellency the Governor's approval and adoption.