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No. 3. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 30th December, 1885. Since 1 wrote to you on the 30th ultimo, I have taken steps for extensively advertising your notice respecting the immigration of small farmers. I have also been in communication with the two shipping companies, with a view to carry out a plan I have been thinking of for reducing the passage money in both the second saloon and intermediate, with special arrangements for small farmers and their families. lam glad to say that the companies have behaved very handsomely in the matter, and I hope to be soon able to report having come to an arrangement with them for a substantial reduction. It happens that during a certain number of months in the year their passenger traffic is much lighter than at other times, and we may bo able to arrange that small farmers, receiving assisted passages, may go out during the slack time. The whole subject is constantly in my thoughts with reference to the organisation which will be indispensable for making your proposals a success. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

No. 4. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation. Sie, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 15th January, 1886. In continuation of my letter of 30th December, I transmit to you herewith a copy of two letters I have received from the Shaw, Saville and Albion Company, containing their proposals for reducing the cost of passage of small farmers. You will see that the company will carry second-class passengers at £28 per adult, and intermediate passengers at £21 ; for married couples, or, in the case of families equal to four adults or over, at £19. The intermediate passengers would be berthed in enclosed cabins, receiving the same dietary as steerage passengers. I have to day learnt from the New Zealand Shipping Company that they will take intermediate passengers at £21 per statute adult, but they have not yet decided what to do about second-class passages. I have, <fec, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

Enclosure No. 1 to No. 4. Managing Dieectoe Shaw, Savill & Albion Shipping Company to the Agent-Geneeal. Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, Limited, 34, Leadenhall Street, Deae Sie, —■ London, E.C., Bth January, 1886. Referring to the conversation which I had with you a short time ago regarding the proposed scheme for assisting second-class passengers to proceed to New Zealand, I have now gone fully into the question with my co-directors, and we are willing to carry this class of passengers for the New Zealand Government at a rate of £28 per adult, it being understood that they are to go as ordinary passengers on board the steamers, and that we are to place at the disposal of the Government a certain number of passages during the months when the vessels are not ordinarily full of paying passengers. With regard to intermediate passengers. We would be prepared to carry these at a rate of £21 per adult, berthing them with our enclosed steerage passengers, and dieting them on the same scale. I trust that the rates quoted will appear reasonable to the Government of New Zealand, and that proposed new scheme of emigration may be attended with every success. I have, &c, J. W. Temple, Managing Director. The Agent-General for New Zealand, 7, Westminster Chambers, S.W.

Enclosure No. 2 to No. 4. Managing Dieectoe Shaw, Savill & Albion Company to the Agext-Geneeal. Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, Limited, 34, Leadenhall street, Deae Sie, — London, E.C., 15th January, 1886. I am in receipt of your favour of yesterday's date, acknowledging receipt of my letter giving quotations of rates of passage money for second class and intermediate passengers by steamer to New Zealand. I find that inadvertently in quoting for intermediate passengers, I only gave you the price for married couples berthed in enclosed cabins and notfor families. When four or more people are berthed together we take them at a lower rate than married couples, and, therefore, in the case of families equal to four adults or over, berthed together, the price would be £19 per adult instead of .£2l. I have to apologise for my carelessness in having overlooked this, and I trust that it will not have caused you any inconvenience. I have, &c, J. W. Temple, Managing Director. The Agent-General for New Zealand, 7 Westminster Chambers, S.W.

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