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enclosing six copies of " The Immigrants Land Act, 1873," with instructions thereon, and to assure you, in reply, that I shall do my very utmost to give effect to the wishes of the Government. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 46. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 921.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 20th January, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter (No. 233), dated 23rd October, 1873, on the subject of the proper superficial space to be allowed to emigrants in passenger ships proceeding to New Zealand. I observe that you do not give definite instructions for the appropriation to our emigrants of a larger space than the Passengers Act prescribes; while at the same time you express your conviction that, for so long a voyage, it is most undesirable that there should be anything approaching to overcrowding on the emigrants' deck. I am now engaged in revising the emigration contract, with a view to the charter of further vessels, and I propose to stipulate that the fifteen superficial feet to be allotted to each adult, shall be exclusive of the space required for the (three) hospitals and the dispensary. I entirely concur in your remarks with reference to the desirableness of providing, for the married emigrants and children, the means of personal cleanliness; and I will endeavour, if possible, to give effect to your wishes by arranging for the construction of a bathroom (and watercloset) on the main deck, accessible by means of a ladder from the married people's compartment. I fear, however, that serious objections will be offered to this stipulation by shipowners who may tender for the conveyance of our emigrants. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 47. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 922.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 20th January, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 232, of 22nd October, 1873, enclosing copies of the new regulations for free nominated immigration. I observe that the lists of persons nominated, or recommended, will be sent to me as usual, and that I am at liberty to reject such persons as appear to me to be unsuited to the requirements of the Colony. With reference to the inquiries to be made as to the character and qualifications of nominated persons, I have to state that it is the practice to require, in each case, certificates of good character and sound health, precisely similar to those which arc furnished by emigrants whose applications originate in this country. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 48. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 926.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir, — 20th January, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the Hon. Mr. O'Piorke's Memorandum No. 213, 1873, dated Bth October, 1873, forwarding copies of report by the Immigration Commissioners and Immigration Officer at Auckland, upon the ship " St. Leonard's," which arrived on the 26th September. lam glad to observe that these reports are wholly satisfactory as to the fittings and condition of the vessel, the conduct of the officers, and the treatment and behaviour of the emigrants. I have, Sec, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General. •

No. 49. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 906.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., •Sir,— 20th January, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 21st October (No. 228), relative to the dismissal of Messrs. Birch, Seaton, and Farnall. 6—D. 3.