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CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE

which those conditions are embodied, you are aware that they are more or less subject to such revision as that officer may find it expedient to make. Tou will be good enough to proceed by the first San Erancisco steamer to London, and after reporting yourself to Dr. Eeatherston, the Agent-General, whose address is Victoria Street, Westminster, act under such instructions as he may from time to time furnish you with. Although no fixed term of engagement can be promised to you, the Agent-General will be instructed that, should he find your services useful in the promotion of Scandinavian immigration to New Zealand generally, he will be at liberty, if he thinks fit, to avail himself of them for that purpose, as well as for the more especial object in furtherance of which you have been engaged. The remuneration which the Government will pay you is 18s. per diem, from the date of your departure from Hawke's Bay to your return, in lieu of all travelling expenses, except passages by sea, and ten shillings capitation allowance for such approved adult immigrants, and in proportion for 'children, as the Agent-General may certify to your having obtained ; and further, although the Government are not to be understood as making an absolute promise of additional remuneration, yet, should your services prove highly advantageous to the Colony, they will be prepared, on your return, to consider any recommendation the Agent-General may make in your favour. The paymaster at Napier is instructed to pay you £80, being the equivalent of a through passage from Hawke's Bay via San Erancisco to London, together with £50 as an advance on account of your allowances, and the Agent-General will be instructed to pay you, in London, such moneys as you may from time to time become entitled to, and provide you with a free passage back to New Zealand whenever he may direct you to return. Although, as above stated, the length of your engagement is left entirely to the Agent-General to determine, yet it is understood that, should the engagement not be previously terminated, you will, if you wish it, be allowed to return to New Zealand at the expiration of two years. I have, &o, John Knowles, Bror Eric Eriberg, Esq., Napier. Under Secretary. 23rd November, 1871. P.S. —To avoid misunderstanding, the following information is noted, so that you may be able to make a statement of accounts to the Agent-General. The cost of passage to Liverpool is £80, which amount has been paid you, but you will have to charge in addition the railway fare from Liverpool to London. It having been necessary for you to come from Hawke's Bay to Wellington, the cost (£3) will have to be charged also. The date of your leaving Hawke's Bay, the 17th November, is the day from which the allowance for travelling expenses is to date, on account of which expenses you have received £50. John Knowles.

No. 5. Memorandum for the Agent-General, London. (No. 51, 1871.) Public Works Office, Wellington, 25th November, 1871. With reference to my memorandum No. 24, of 30th August last, in which I informed you of the recommendation of the Superintendent and Provincial Council of Otago, that "there should be a perambulating home agency, consisting of one or more persons from New Zealand thoroughly acquainted with the agricultural and pastoral pursuits of the Colony, and qualified to give reliable information," I have now to enclose copy of the appointment of Messrs. Thomas Birch and James Seaton, two settlers of many years' residence in Otago, both of whom are well qualified to render you valuable assistance. I need not further refer to the terms of their engagement, which are fully set forth in the letters addressed to them respectively, than to point out that these gentlemen are directed to act implicitly under such instructions as you may see fit to give them. I understand that both Mr. Birch and Mr. Seaton will proceed to London by an early vessel from Otago. W. Gisborne.

Enclosure in No. 5. The Under Secretary, Public Works, to Mr. T. Birch and Mr. J. Seaton. Sir, — Public Works Office, Wellington, 21st November, 1871. On the recommendation of His Honor the Superintendent of Otago, the Government have availed themselves of your intended visit to Great Britain, to appoint you an agent for promoting immigration to this Colony. As it is impossible to determine the nature and extent of the services you will be called upon to render, I am directed by Mr. Gisborne to state generally that, on reaching London, you will be good enough to wait on Dr. Eeatherston, the Agent-Gen era], whose address is 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, and take your instructions from him. For the same reason, the Government have not fixed the scale of your remuneration; but the Agent-General will be instructed to determine it for such services as you may perform, and, if he think necessary, include in that remuneration the payment of your passage to London. It is, however, distinctly to be understood that such payment will depend on the fulfilment of your duties to the .satisfaction of the Agent, and that there is no engagement as to the payment of your return passage to New Zealand. Tour long residence in New Zealand, and your acquaintance with its immigration wants, encourage the Government to hope that you will be able to render most valuable assistance in furthering the