D.—3.

42

On the 3rd I had a very good meeting at Scalloway, six or seven miles west of Lerwick. On Tuesday, 7th, I went to Weisdale, twelve miles, and on Wednesday to Walls, where I remained nearly a week, and had on Monday a large meeting, presided over by the parish minister, one of whose sons intended leaving for New Zealand in December. On Tuesday, 14th, I went through a roadless country of hill and peat bogs to Sandness, in the N.W. corner of Shetland, where I met much kindness from Dr. Robert Scott, Esquire, of Mclby, R.M., a chief proprietor in that couuty. Here (in Sandness) I held a meeting, and very considerable interest was manifested. A storm prevented me from going to Papa-stour, an island lying off the mainland of Shetland, but I hear sundry families contemplate leaving it for New Zealand this year. Getting a pony from Dr. Scott, and hiring a guide, I went about ten miles through a waste country to Brindastcr, from whence I hired a boat to take me ten miles to Dotting, on the mainland, about twenty-six miles N.W. of Lerwick. Here I had a very large meeting indeed. On Monday I got a spring cart to take me to Lerwick, believing the steamer .would leave that night; but so great a tempest blew all day, that the steamer could not discharge or take in cargo. On Wednesday morning the steamer left for Granton, where I arrived at mid-day on Friday, 24th October. I think a good many people will be got from Shetland this year, especially as now money cau be advanced to take them on the long journey to London. They are so frightfully poor in most places, that they can in many cases not even pay their way to Lerwick from the outlying islands, with some of which communication is difficult and uncertain. After this I remained nearly three weeks in Edinburgh, engaged in correspondence and other work. On 13th November I left for Liverpool on my way to London, which I reached on Tuesday, 18th. There 1 remained for some days, more or less engaged at the office in Westminster Chambers, and in some other work directly or indirectly connected with New Zealand. But as I remained longer than was necessary, I did not charge the whole expense to New Zealand Government. I came again to Edinburgh the first week in December, and engaged in my usual work. Being suddenly called to take duty for a clergyman at Stoncbouse, who was ill, I "prospected " his district, and arranged a meeting for the following week, which was very well attended. This is in Lanarkshire. I also went to Glasgow to confer with Mr. Duncan, from Christchurch. This report is shorter than my reports commonly are, and may seem to indicate less work; but from the nature of the work there must be variations to some extent. The next report may seem more satisfactory. I. E. Featherston, Esq. P. Barclay.

No. 62. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 1007.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 11th February, 1874. I have the honor to forward herewith, for the information of the Government, copy of a letter from the Earl of Kimberley, pointing out that the law prohibits the Post Office from disclosing the names of depositors in the Post Office Savings Bank. I beg to call your attention to the following clause in the Post Office Savings Bank Regulations : — " 20. The officers of the Postmaster-General engaged in the receipt or payment of deposits, are not allowed to disclose the name of any depositor, or the amount deposited or withdrawn by him, except to the Postmaster-General, or to such of his officers as may be appointed to assist in carrying out the provisions of the Post Office Savings Bank Act." I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 62. Mr. Herbert to the Agent-General. Sir, — Downing Street, 23rd January, 1874. I am directed by the Earl of Kimberley to acquaint you that he referred to the Postmaster-General a Despatch which was received from Sir James Ferguson, conveying the request of the New Zealand Government for permission to have notices to intending emigrants to New Zealand exhibited in the post offices in the United Kingdom, and also that you might be allowed to have a list of the depositors in the Post Office Savings Bank. Lord Kimberley has been informed by Mr. Playfair that he will be glad to meet, as far as possible, the wishes of the New Zealand Government in regard to exhibiting the notices in the post offices, but the law prohibits the Post Office from disclosing the names of depositors in the Post Office Savings Banks, and even if this were not so, it would scarcely be practicable to furnish such a list, seeing that the depositors number upwards of a million and a half. I have, &c., The Agent-General for New Zealand. Robert G. W. Herbert.