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6

The terms mentioned in your letter, on which the New Zealand Government will be prepared to assist me in organizing a party of special settlers for New Zealand, were communicated to me by Mr. Farnall in early part of last May, and I have no doubt but that, both from my own position in the country, and also from my official connection with the Orange Institution, I shall be able to induce a large number of emigrants to accompany and follow me and my father to Auckland. It may be in your recollection that I wrote to you in the early part of this year, asking you what encouragement I would receive from the New Zealand Government to emigrate, but you did not at that time appear to think that the New Zealand Government would entertain my proposal. Mr. H. W. Farnall forwarded me copy of a telegram he received from New Zealand, and, some weeks later, letters from the Superintendent of the Province of Auckland, confirming the telegram, copies of which he also forwarded to me, which in every respect concur with your present communication. I enclose you one of my circulars I had printed, but the movement is at present delayed, and my own departure postponed till next spring, in consequence of the disagreement with Mr. W. H. Farnall, as such matters shake confidence; and from what I know of Mr. Farnall, I consider him to be the most energetic and active representative for your Government in this country, and feel confident his exertions will be crowned with success. I have, &c, Geo. Vesey Stewart. Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 7 in No. 2. {Mr. Stewart's Circular.) Dear Sir and Brother, — Lisbeg, Ballygawley, 6th May, 1873. I should feel very much obliged to you to be kind enough to draw the attention of any members of your lodge, or Protestant neighbours, who may have any idea of emigrating, to the many advantages now offered by New Zealand as a field for that purpose. The Government of that country have, through a personal friend, who is officially connected with the New Zealand Government, been in communication with me, with a view of forming a special settlement in the best and most fertile part of the Province of Auckland. It is therefore proposed to send a special vessel early in the month of September, from London to the port of Belfast, for the special convenience of farmers desirous of joining this settlement. The number of families required will be about forty, and of this number nearly one-half have promised to go; they will be accompanied by Brothers Rev. Thomas Adderley of Ballygawley, Dr. Macmaster of Carrickmore, Mr. Woods of Emyvale, William Anketell, J.P., Anketell Grove, myself, and others on whom the brethren may trust implicit confidence. Out of many advantages offered, I will briefly state those that occur to my mind : — 1. Each member of the proposed settlement will be entitled to a grant of 40 acres free to himself, to his wife, and to every member of his family, not exceeding 300 acres to each family. 2. The ordinary rates for passages will be considerably reduced, so as to enable each member to have as much available capital as possible to start him and his family in a new country. 3. The climate of Auckland is the finest and most healthy in the world, and which is confirmed beyond all doubt by the published mortality tables of the different countries. 4. Persons emigrating to America or Canada have to contend with excessive heat in summer, and excessive cold in winter, which is most trying to English constitutions, or to any persons not acclimatized to the country. 5. The severe cold of Canada and America, covering the land four months each year with a heavy coat of frost and ice, compels the farmer in these countries to provide during the summer food to support his stock in winter, whereas in Auckland you have no winter; therefore winter keep is not required for the stock in consequence. 6. The average heat of Auckland is, in summer, one degree hotter than England, and nine degrees less cold in winter. 7. The proposed settlement will be placed on the high road between Auckland and Wellington, the two capital towns of the Island, and through which a line of railway is at present in course of formation, which is expected to be completed within five years, and which will alone enhance the value of the holdings tenfold within that time. 8. The feeling of distance from the mother country will be removed by a large party of neighbours and acquaintances going out in a body as proposed. 9. A person with capital can invest his money there at 10 to 12 per cent., with as great security as money in this country at from 4 to 5 per cent. 10. The prices for bread, tea, coffee, and sugar are cheaper than in this country; beef and mutton range from 2d. to 4d. per lb. 11. The rate of wages for farm labourers is ss. to 6s. per day; single men or women, £30 to £45 per annum and food; so that in the event of large families going out, some members could work for wages, and assist their parents at the commencement on their own farms. 12. And, in conclusion, I would honestly advise our Protestant friends and brethren to embrace the proposed offered advantages; to avail themselves of the present high prices paid for