CASE OF ME, MACANDREW.

D.—No. 1

13

[H.] Sib, — Edinburgh, 15th November, 1859. 1. On the 7th instant we were favoured with your Honor's Despatches of the following dates, 4th, 17th, and 25th August, with relative correspondence with Messrs. Macandrew and Co. referred to. We also received Mr. Logan's letter dated 27th August, with list of guaranteed parties Nos. 473 to 493 inclusive ; and also duplicate list, Nos. 452 to 472 inclusive. 2. In terms of your Honor's instructions, and of which we acknowledge receipt on the 17th October, we now send you enclosed a list of emigrants by the ship " Gala," which sails from the Clyde on 16th November. By that ship we shall send you the usual classified list, as finally closed before the ship sails, with the relative list of bills, &c. 3. You will observe that with regard to the change of agency intended by Messrs. Macandrew and Co., referred to in your Honor's letters of 4th and 17th August, that matter is entirely superseded—the contract having now terminated by the despatch of two thousand adults. We shall forthwith proceed, in accordance with your Honor's instructions, to call for tenders for carrying on the emigration. We shall endeavour to make the best arrangements in our power. We do not however expect a great reduction in the rate per head, for although we do not doubt that there are parties who will offer to perform the contract on considerably lower terms than hitherto, we shall reserve to ourselves the right to accept any offer though not the lowest. We should deem any deterioration in the quantity or the quality of the food, or in the general comfort of the emigrants, as in the highest degree injurious to the interests of the Colony; and we are aware that these, in a very great degree, practically depend upon the character and standing of the contractor. The selection of a suitable contractor, and the entering into a contract, will plainly require some time ; and, having respect to your Honor's statements, that it is desirablo to have one or two ships between October and the first half of January, you will see that this would not be practicable under any new contract to be entered into, for want of time. As the " Gala " carries a considerable number of emigrants, we trust that, though there was no ship in October, if it, with the addition of another in January, will be sufficient to meet the demand in the Colony for the most part, we must make separate arrangements for the proposed ship iir January, irrespective of the new contract; and we trust to be able to do so satisfactorily immediately after the sailing of the " Gala." It must bo kept in view, however, that it is not an easy thing to remove from the minds of emigrants the unwillingness they feel to leave this country at that season of the year, and which we fear, from the unhappy loss of the " Eoyal Charter," may be more strongly felt for some time. This therefore may affect the numbers that we shall send out in January. 4. We observe that carpenters are much wanted, and we are glad to find that so many of this class lately left for the Colony. There were in the "Alpine," twenty-one; iv the "Sevilla," eighteen; in the " Gala," ten ; total, forty-nine; besides several more who pay their own passages by these ships. 5. We shall keep in view your Honor's instructions to send out three ships to arrive in the Province in the months of August and September with emigrants, with a view to their being employed in road making. We have, &c, Jasies Ceawfoed, His Honor the Superintendent, Otago. John Auld.

[J.] Sic, — Edinburgh, lpth November, 1859. 1. We enclose herewith a copy of our Despatch to you, dated 15th Instant, forwarded to you via Marseilles, also a copy of our Despatch of 17th October. 2. We now send you, 1. —Classified list of passengers per the " Gala," two hundred and eightythree souls, equal to two hundred and twenty-one adults. 2.—Bills, Ist of Exchange per " Gala." 3,-r- BiUs, 2nd of Exchange per " Scvilla." From the number of assisted emigrants now left for the Colony, the whole conveyed under the contract is two thousand and thirty-four. We have, &c, James Ceawfoed, His Honor the Superintendent, Otago. John Auld.

[ K. ] Gentlemen, — Dunedin, Sth May, 1860. I have the honor to enclose herewith an order for railway plant, which I will thank you to order to be shipped from the Clyde by the first vessel for Dunedin. I have instructed Messrs. Crawford and Auld, the Provincial Agents in Edinburgh, to pay the amount to your correspondent on presenting bill of lading and duplicate invoice to them. I remit £1000 to the Provincial Agents for the purpose: should the invoice amount to more than £1000, the balance will be paid to you here. I have, &c, James Macandeew, Messrs. James Paterson and Co., Dunedin. Superintendent.

[L.] Sic, — Dunedin, 15th December, 1860. Wo, the Committee on Public Accounts, &c, have the honor to inform you that in the course of our investigations, statements have been elicited which appear seriously to compromise your Honor in relation, —Ist, To the payment of immigration funds on account of " Gala." 2nd, To the Bill of 4