D.—3

24

direction, and that there was as little prospect of Mr. Farnall's succeeding with this project as with ordinary emigration, I felt it my duty to dispense with his services, and to place my elf in communication with those who are the real promoters of the movement. The correspondence which ensued between Mr. FarnaU and myself, has already been forwarded to the Government, and fully reported on. I have also kept the Government informed of the steps since adopted, in conjunction with Mr. Vesey Stewart, for giving effect to the wishes of the Superintendent of Auckland in respect to the proposed special settlement. My various reports on the general subject of emigration will have informed the Government that there is every prospect, in spite of the numerous difficulties that have to be encountered, of my being able to obtain the required number of emigrants of the various classes, and I do not anticipate any failure in obtaining a fair proportion of Irish. With regard to the Hon. Mr. Waterhouse's suggestion, that if unable, by my own officers or agents, to obtain the requisite supply, I should put myself in communication with Her Majesty's Emigration Commissioners, with a view of ascertaining on what terms they will undertake to forward emigrants from Ireland. I beg to observe that the Commission referred to has broken up its emigration staff, and that their operations are being rapidly wound up. I was of course under the impression that the Government were aware of this, or I should at once have replied to that effect, on receiving the Hon. Mr. Waterhouse's Memorandum of sth December, 1872. The duty of examining emigrant ships, under the provisions of the Passengers Act, has been transferred from the Commissioners to the Board of Trade by the Act 35 and 36 Vict., cap. 73. The Commissioners have still the management of Coolie emigration from the East to the West Indies, but they have, for the last three years at least, declined to undertake operations of a general character. In their thirty-third general report to the Secretary of State (30th April, 1873), they state that " this is the last report we shall have to make on emigration from this country." I understand that the Commissioners superintended the selection of domestic servants for New South Wales, up to the time that Sir Charles Cowper undertook the duty; but this was on a very small scale, and was understood to be an arrangement of a purely provincial character. It is perfectly well known that they have on three occasions declined to undertake emigration business on behalf of the Colonial Governments. I may add that immediately on my arrival in this country I placed myself in communication with Her Majesty's Emigration Comsioners, who assured me of their cordial co-operation and support. I have on several occasions had recourse to them for counsel and advice, more especially with regard to the reports of the local Immigration Commissioners in New Zealand. They have always given me the benefit of their opinions and experience, and have not hesitated to condemn, as utterly impracticable, many of the recommendations of your local Commissioners. I shall continue, of course, to take advantage of the friendly co-operation of these gentlemen in future cases of doubt and difficulty, but for the reasons that I have given, I cannot look to them for any active assistance in obtaining emigrants. I obtained from them, some time since, a list of their best local agents throughout the United Kingdom, most of whom I have taken into my employ. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. J. Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 28. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 802.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 26th November, 1873. In compliance with instructions, I have obtained from Mr. Mason a report on his operations as emigration agent, a copy of which I have now the honor to forward for the information of the Government. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 28. Mr. Mason to the Agent-General. Agency of the New Zealand Government, 22, Eden Quay, Sir,— Dublin, 21st November, 1873. I have the honor to report, in terms of your letter of 15th instant, for the information of the Government of New Zealand, the proceedings of this office in connection with emigration since the commencement of the year. 2. In addition to a large number of personal applications, there have been answered by post to this date 284 letters asking for information. These have been received from nearly all the counties throughout Ireland, and from Irish in the mining districts of the North of England. In