D.—2

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a strong desire to emigrate —and to New Zealand, as a general thing, in preference to any other colony. But the "tenant-right—the chief asset of the farmer in Ulster—has been so depreciated by the farming disasters of the last few years that the farmers who, a few years ago, could have taken considerable capital with them, find great difficulty in realizing as much as would pay the passages of their families and leave a margin for commencing life in New Zealaud. They incline, therefore, to cling to their farms, in the hope that one good harvest may enable them to realize at something like the prices of the past; but the desire to emigrate is painfully evident. Referring to the unsuitable classes specified by the Hon. the Minister for Immigration— "architects, surveyors, engineers, and tradespeople generally"—l may state I have never been asked respecting the prospects of the first three, nor have I in any lecture or interview referred to them, or come in contact with any of them contemplating emigration. As to the little pamphlet headed " New Zealand, the Home for the Emigrant,'" I have distributed between 7,000 and 8,000 copies during the past two months. I have taken special pains that it should mainly reach the farming classes : and the distribution has taken place at the following towns, generally at fairs and markets, sometimes by the agency of farmers acting in a friendly spirit in the town lands; sometimes by my own hands, after lectures and meetings, and when passing through the country districts : At and around Bainbridge, Dromorc, Hillsborough, Ballinahinch, Downpatrick, Donaghadee, and Bangor, in County Down; at and around Tynan, Armagh, Middle town, Lurgan, Scarra, and Portadown, in County Armagh; Lisnaskea, Fivemile Town, Marquis Bridge, Enniskilleu, and Newtownbutler, in County Fermanagh; Balliboy, Monaghan, Glasslough, Clones, Smithborough, and Newbliss, in County Monaghan; Belturbet and Cootehill, in County Cavan; Omagh, Newtownstewart, Caledon, and Duugannon, in County Tyrone; Castledawson, Colcrainc, Magherafelt, and Toomc, in County Deny; Antrim, Ballymena, Lame, and llandalstown, in County Antrim, I have thus lectured, held meetings of farmers, and distributed the pamphlets at various points throughout each of the counties of Ulster except Donegal. I may add that 1 regret the withdrawal of the pamphlet, as I found it very useful in evoking an interest in the colony and in answering correspondence. I think it might be modified, and still issued with advantage. I have thus given a general view of my course of procedure since I came. The correspondence even during the winter has been considerable, and is now rapidly increasing. I have usually managed to bo in Belfast one day or part of two each week, so as to attend to what might have arisen in the office. In conclusion I may add that, though I have a strong confidence in the colony, its capabilities and its future, I do not think I have " indiscreetly puffed " it, to use the words of the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. On the contrary, lam profoundly convinced that one unsuitable emigrant does more harm than half a dozen good ones can do good; and lam confident that my words and letters have had a damping effect on the aspirations of great numbers of persons who would otherwise have been added to the ranks of unsuitable emigrants. I have, &c, G. M. Reed, The Agent-General for New Zealand. Emigration Officer.

No. 48. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 22nd March, 1880. Referring to the correspondence which has passed between us respecting the loss of the ship " Knowsley Hall," I have the honor to transmit paragraph taken from the Times, and copy of my letter to the First Lord of the Admiralty calling his attention to the same. You will be glad to see by his reply that Her Majesty's ship " Raleigh " has been ordered to call at the Island of Amsterdam for the purpose of rescuing any shipwrecked persons that may be there. I also attach a paragraph from the Times, that Her Majesty's ship " Comus " proposes to call at St. Paul's, an island close adjoining the Island of Amsterdam; so that in all probability that vessel will call at the latter island. I have, &c., Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Agent-General.

Enclosure 1 in No. 48. The Agent-General to the Right Hon. the First Lord of the Admiralty. g IR _ 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 20th March, 1880. I have the honor to call your attention to the following paragraph, which appears in the Times of this morning. _ In case there is reason to believe in its correctness, I beg to suggest that it be telegraphed to the Cape, with instructions that the " Comus " or some other vessel shall visit the island with as little delay as possible. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, The Right Hen. W. H. Smith, M.P., Admiralty. Agent-General.