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9

The are two lines of steamers running monthly from Britain to all ports in the colony, the average passage being about forty-two days. As I intend being in Skye for a few months, I shall be glad to reply to any inquires about the colony, made either verbally or by letter, addressed to me to the Post-office, Colin Allan, Immigration Officer for Otago, New Zealand.

No. 10. The Hon. Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (Memorandum). Immigration Department, Wellington, 11th March, 1886. I have received your memorandum, No. 62, dated 21st January, with which you forward a report of a deputation which waited upon the Secretary of State for the Colonies, relative to a scheme for disseminating authentic information on emigration to the Colonies, through the medium of the Post Offices, &c. As the Government place you in possession from time to time of the latest information in regard to this Colony, I have to request you will be good enough to supply whatever information you can to the Colonial Office. J. Ballance, Minister for Immigration.

No. 11. The Hon. Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (Memorandum). Immigration Department, Wellington, 26th March, 1886. In reply to your letter of the 20th January, No. 60, respecting the arrangements made with Mr Courtney for lecturing in the United Kingdom. I have to inform you that the following was the decision arrived at by the Cabinet, when the question of the amount of remuneration to be paid to Mr Courtney was submitted for consideration. " Cannot exceed £1 for £1, so that if £128 only is raised, only that amount will be paid." J. A. Tole, For the Minister for Immigration.

No. 12. Hon. Minister of Immigration to the Agent-General. (Memorandum.) Immigration Department, Wellington, 6th April, 1886. Referring to my letter of the 26th March, I have now to inform you that on receipt of your telegraphic message stating that Mr. Courtenay was destitute, the cabinet decided to instruct you to pay Mr. Courtenay up to the sum of £250, to include the cost of a return passage to the Colony. The following message was accordingly telegraphed to you on the 2nd instant : " Courtenay advance to total two fifty including passage back." Robert Stout, For Minister of Immigration.

No. 13. The Hon. the Minister of Immigration to the Agent-General. (Memorandum.) Immigration Department, Wellington, 10th May, 1886. Referring to your Memo, of the 11th March transmitting copy of a communication from the Board of Trade as to the collection and publication of Labour Statistics, and asking if it is intended to establish any special bureau, that you may be supplied with early information, I have to inform you that^ the Government do not contemplate establishing a labour bureau at present. The rates of wages ruling in the Colony are published in the Annual Statistical Volume issued by the Registrar General. J. Ballance, Minister of Immigration.

No. 14. The Hon. Minister of Immigration to the Agent-General. (Memorandum.) Immigration Department, "Wellington, 17th May, 1886. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th March, transmitting copies of further correspondence with the Colonial Office, asking if the Government would be prepared to receive as immigrants'—laborers, mechanics, and artizans, who had, until recently, been in continuous employment—if satisfactory financial arrangements were made. Copies of the correspondence will be submitted to the General Assembly during the present session. J. Ballance, Minister of Immigration. 3. D.—4.