AGENT-GENERAL, LONDON.

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List of Canterbury Importers who have promised support to a new line of Ships. A. J. White. Morrow, Bassett, and Co. W. Langdown. W. Cudden. Duncan and Son. Turnbull, Reeves, and Co. T. Hancock. J. W. Anderson. W. Rratt. J. P. Jameson. G. Booth. S. and H. Nashelski. Morrison, Sclanders, Fletcher, W. Strange and Co. E. B. and T. A. Bishop. and Co. W. Neeve. George Gould, John Lewis. G. L. Bealth and Co. J. W. Oram. Twentyman and Cousin. J. White and Co. Robert Black. George Warner. Cobb and Sawtell. • James Spensloy. L. E. Nathan. J. Anderson. C. W. Turner.

No. 16. Memorandum for the Agent-General, London. (No. 2, 1872.) Public Works Office, Wellington, 18th January, 1872. It being in contemplation to establish special settlements on Stewart's Island, and in the neighbourhood of Catlin's River, and other places on the West Coast of the Province of Otago, I send you copy of a letter I have received from His Honor the Superintendent of that Province, enclosing a very interesting report on the prospects which Stewart's Island holds out for the location of certain classes of immigrants. The original proposal was, that these settlements should be established under " The Otago Special Settlements Act, 1869," and the amended Act of 1871, of each of which I enclose a copy ; but although the shape which the scheme will ultimately take is not yet decided, it is desirable that you should, in the meanwhile, direct your attention to the facilities for obtaining suitable families of the classes indicated. W. Gisborne.

Enclosure in No. 16. His Honor J. Macandrew to the Hon. W. Gisborne. Sir, — Superintendent's Office, Dunedin, 28th December, 1871. With a view of taking action towards the settlement of Stewart's Island, by virtue of the powers conferred under the provisions of " The Otago Settlements Act, 1871," I have requested Mr. Pearson, Commissioner of Crown Lands at Invercargill, to supply me with such practical suggestions on the subject as his experience places him in a position to do. Mr. Pearson has accordingly furnished me with a very valuable report, copy of which is enclosed herewith for your information. 1 also enclose a map, which so far illustrates the report, and which shows the localities best fitted for settlement tinted red. By next mail I hope to transmit, for His Excellency's approval, a draft of the regulations under which it is proposed to dispose of the land at Stewart's Island, and also on the mainland between Waikawa and Catlin's River. I propose, in the first instance, to make the necessary provision for planting special settlements of Orkney and Shetland men, and Western Islanders, on that portion of Stewart's Island extending from Black Rock Point to Patterson's Inlet. I believe that at least a thousand families—if industrious— could make themselves comfortable homes and find profitable occupation in the locality in question. So soon as the free grant regulations are completed, I propose to forward 2,000 copies, together with a like number of Mr. Pearson's report and map, to the British Agent of the Province, with a request that he may confer with the Agent-General as to the requisite steps to be taken towards the shipment, direct to Stewart's Island, of the class of emigrants referred to in the said report. Perhaps you will be good enough to direct the special attention of the Agent r General to this matter. I may state that Mr. Stout, the gentleman who has been communicating with you respecting immigration from Orkney and Shetland, has written to his friends and relations there, as also to the local Press, setting forth the advantages of Stewart's Island to those who desire to emigrate. I have requested Mr. Jameson, an old settler here, who is well known in the Western Islands of Scotland, to communicate with his fellow-countrymen there upon the same subject. All this will strengthen the hands of the agents at home, who I hope will have little difficulty in obtaining emigrants of the class best suited to occupy beneficially the territory in question. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. J. Macandrew. P.S.—I omitted to say that Mr. Pearson has repeatedly visited Stewart's Island. P.S.—Since writing the foregoing, I have seen a native of the Western Islands, who has just returned by the " Christian McAusland," from a visit to his native country. He has given me the names of thirty families, chiefly his own friends and connexions, all of whom would have been glad to have accompanied him, had the existing regulations as to passage been in force. I shall send the list of names to the Home Agent, together with a letter from the person in question, which he assures me will have the effect of inducing the whole to emigrate to Stewart's Island. —J. M. Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 16. Sir, — Crown Lands Office, Invercargill, 17th December, 1871. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Honor's telegram of the 7th instant, informing me of the Government's desire to locate on Stewart Island, under " The Otago Settlements