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stock of the principal articles before half the contemplated voyage was completed. This is a veryserious matter, and, I regret to say, is one of frequent recurrence, and I trust that, my repeated instructions in the matter have by this time received the attention of the officers of your department who are charged with the conduct of emigration. I further observe upon the subject, that the surgeon-superintendent states in his evidence that the quantity of bread for the children was wholly insufficient, whilst the biscuit was thrown away in large quantities. This biscuit could have been easily convertible, by soaking or otherwise, into palatable food ; and it should be recollected generally, in dealing with the emigrants on board ship, that the class from which they are drawn are not ready of resource in novel situations, and consequently it becomes the duty of those under whose charge they are placed to suggest and enforce good arrangements. I have, <fee, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.

No. 8. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 186.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, Ist July, 1874. I have the honor to forward herewith copies of a telegraphic correspondence with the Superintendent of Otago, relative to the applications of a number of persons for land under " The Immigrants Land Act, 1873," and of the printed regulations which have been issued under my authority in the colony, in order to give effect to the provisions of the Act. In my letter No. 218, of 21st October, 1873, enclosing you copies of the Act referred to, I requested that you would use your utmost exertions to insure that practical effect might be given to the provisions; and I discussed the whole measure at considerable length, in order that there might exist no doubt as to the intention of the Government in the matter. Fp to this date, except a bare acknowledgment, which I referred to in my letter No. 97, of 10th April, 1874, I have received from you no information as to what action you may have taken, but find, from the correspondence enclosed, that an advertisement has appeared in the Scottish newspapers, setting forth that grants of land would be given to emigrants paying their own passages, but not quoting the very stringent conditions as to settlement, &c, which the Act contains, nor the necessity, as a first step, of procuring a certificate from yourself that the persons so emigrating are fit and suitable emigrants. This has been a very grave error, and at my suggestion, as you will observe, His Honor the Superintendent of Otago has telegraphed to Mr. Auld to set it right. I cannot but observe how disappointed I feel at your inaction in a matter which you are aware is considered of so much importance by the Government. Although some few persons have made application for land under the Act, not one of them has been able to produce your certificate, the receipt of which is a necessary preliminary to even receiving an application under the Act. If you have not already exerted yourself in the matter, I can only express my great disappointment, and request you to again read my letter of the 21st October. lam by the mail writing you on the subject of an application for land by Mr. TJ'Een. I think the correspondence in this case supplies evidence, if evidence be wanted, that had you exerted yourself as I asked you in my letter already referred to, there would have been no lack of people glad to take advantage of the Act. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.

Enclosures in No. 8. Telegeams between His Honor the Supeeijtteitdent, Otago, and the Hon. J. Vogel. Dunedin, 3rd June, 1874. It is important that specific instructions should be given to some one to deal with applications for land by persons who have paid their own passages. Advertisements at home intimate that such grants will be made, without specifying any other condition than the payment of passage. A number have applied to the Immigration Officer here, and from getting no satisfaction they go to the Waste Lands Board and then to me. I should advise that printed directions be prepared, setting forth, in few words, the modus operandi. Hon. J. Vogel, Wellington. J. Macandeew. Wellington, 3rd June, 1874. Peinted forms and regulations have been prepared. Delay has arisen through the bookbinder. Necessary papers will be sent by first mail. The Act specifically requires that the Agent-General shall give to emigrants certificate of approval, but he has not yet advised me that he has approved of a single person under the Act. I gather from your telegram that advertisement published at home did not make known this condition. If so, a grave error has been committed somewhere. Shall be glad, therefore, in order that I may know where the fault rests, if you will telegraph me literal copy of advertisement to which you refer. His Honor J. Macandrew, Dunedin. Julius Vogel. Wellington, 13th June, 1874. Have received advertisement headed " Free Emigration to Otago." As far as lam aware, the General Government are entirely free from any responsibility for the reference to free land grants. The Immigrants Land Act requires the Agent-General's certificate, and the land has to be cultivated, whilst the advertisement speaks of free grants. As the advertisement purports to be provincial I cannot interfere, but do you not think you had better cable home about it ? . His Honor J. Macandrew, Dunedin. Julius Vogel.