47

D.—3

In my telegram of 6th November I reported that I had secured the co-operation of the Agricultural Unions and other associations; and I have since communicated more fully with the Government by letter, and stated the terms on which Mr. Holloway, the representative of one of the Agricultural Unions, has proceeded to the Colony. I may add that lam arranging with Mr. Leggett, who proceeds to New Zealand by the " Ballochmyle " on the 27th instant, with the intention of remaining in the Colony, to assist the movement from the agricultural districts, by means of special reports and otherwise. There is more difficulty than the Government is apparently aware of in obtaining suitable steamers for emigration purposes. I was in hopes the contractors would have placed the " Tryphsene" at my disposal, but they found that the arrangement could not be carried out. Immediately on the failure of this I entered into other negotiations, and succeeded, as you are already aware, in an arrangement for sending out the steamer " Atrato." On reference to your telegram under notice, I think you will find that every point has been taken up and answered by me, either by telegram or by letter. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. • Agent-General.

No. 79. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 1051.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 20th February, 1874. I have the honor to forward herewith, copy of correspondence containing an application from the owners of the s.s. " Atrato," for an increase on the rate of passage money for each statute adult in the event of the vessel making a speedy and satisfactory voyage. I have the honor to recommend this application to the favourable consideration of the Government on the following grounds, viz : — 1. The rate of passage money (£l5 per adult) is extremely moderate. 2. The owners offered me £ 1,000 (one thousand pounds) to cancel their agreement (at the time only verbal), as the Government were anxious to charter the vessel to Africa. 3. They incurred very considerable expense in consequence of the detention of the vessel in the river by dense fogs. 4. All their arrangements for the comfort and well-being of the emigrants have been made on a liberal scale. 5. Their intention is to keep the vessel permanently in the New Zealand trade. 6. Should the present voyage prove fairly remunerative, it may materially conduce to the establishment of a line of steamers between this country and New Zealand. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 79. Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co. to the Agent-General. Dear Sir, — 34, Leadenhall Street, London, 20th February, 1874. We beg to enclose you a letter which we have received from the owners of the " Atrato," regarding the rate of passage money by this steamship. We have already pointed out to you how anxious we are to establish a direct line of steam communication with the Colony, and as this can only be done by the Government paying an increased rate of passage money to meet the enormous expenses involved by such an undertaking, we trust in the present instance you will see your way clear to recommend the Government to pay an advanced price for the emigrant?. per "Atrato." We have, &c., I. E. Featherston, Esq., Agent-General, &c., &c. Shaw, Savill, and Co. Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 79. Dear Sirs, — 21, Billiter Street, London, 20th February, 1874. When we first called on the Agent-General for New Zealand about the "Atrato" s.s., as well as when first we named this vessel to you, we told you £18 was the price needed for emigrants for that Colony, and it was only at last, at your earnest solicitation, that we placed that vessel in the hands of Dr. Featherston at £15 per adult, full ship, and the promise of at least 20s. extra per adult in New Zealand on the vessel making a fair passage—we asked 40s. per adult extra. As this vessel is now ten days from Grcenhithe (after a detention of five days by fogs), and this being mail day, we solicit your getting Dr. Featherston to send on his instructions for this