A.-1.

24

Your Excellency may be surprised at their not having sent their application through me; but in reality they were acting in strict accordance with my advice, very frequently sought for—viz., that if they wished Great Britain to take favourable notice of their wishes in such an important matter as that of cession, it must not be the result of official influence, but must be an unconditional act, of and from themselves as a nation ; also that it must be the desire of a decided majority. Sincerely hoping that your Excellency will be disposed to help these people in their honest and unanimous desire, the non-acceptance of which they, with reason, look upon with great dread, I have, &c, W. B. Chuechwaed, Acting British Consul. His Excellency Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., Governor of New Zealand.

Sub-Enclosure 1. [Same as Sub-Enclosure 2 to Enclosure 2.]

Sub-Enclosure 2. [Same as Enclosure 2.]

Enclosure 4. [Extract from Otago Daily Times, Thursday, January 22, 1885.]

No. 26. (No. 21.) Mt Lord,-- Christchurch, 13th February, 1885. I have the honour to transmit herewith a copy of a memorandum from the Premier, Mr. Stout, with reference to facilities which have been offered by the Government of this Colony for the settlement of immigrants from amongst the crofters of the Highlands and islands of Scotland on land in the Provincial District of Otago, in. which, as your Lordship is aware, the majority of the population is of Scotch origin. I can heartily indorse all that has been said by Mr. Stout concerning the advantages that New Zealand offers for an industrious agricultural and seafishing population. I trust that Her Majesty's Government may be able to see their way to assist the emigration of a class whose presence here would be of great value to the colony; and I beg to draw your Lordship's attention to the fifth paragraph of the memorandum, in which it is stated that the Colonial Government 'are prepared to act as agents to secure the repayment by the settlers of any moneys that may be advanced for the preliminary expenses by the Imperial Government. I have, &c, 1 Wm. F. DEUMMOND JEEVOIS. The Eight Hon. the Earl of Derby.

Enclosure. Memoeandum for His Excellency the Goveenoe. The Premier presents his most respectful compliments to His Excellency and would ask him to be good enough to call the attention of Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies to section 42 of "The Waste Lands Act Amendment Act, 1884," transmitted herewith, which provides that free grants of land may be made to Highland crofters. _ 2 From the recent report of the Boyal Commission on the subject, it will be seen that as one means of ameliorating the condition of the Highland crofters, it is recommended that Her Majesty s Government should grant pecuniary aid to enable them to locate themselves m some other part ot 3mThePremier would venture to say that, among the whole of the British colonies, New Zealand, taking it all in all, is perhaps the best adapted for the comfortable settlement of the Highland crofters, whose occupation combines sea-fishing and agriculture. The healthiness of its climate, the fertility of its soil, the numerous harbours, its waters abounding with fish, its regular communication by steam with the markets of the world, all point to it as being a country peculiarly suitable for an industrious and thrifty population such as the Highland crofters. 4 As will be seen from the Act referred to, New Zealand is prepared to make free grants ot land to each male adult up to a limited number; and, assuming that they are willing to emigrate the chief difficulty appears to be of transit and some small assistance towards enabling them to get over the first few months in the colony.