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No. 83. The Agent-General to the Hon. J. Vogel. (No. 1114.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 4th April, 1874. Referring to my letter of 13th January last (No. 892), I have the honor to inform you that I have effected an arrangement with Mr. Hill for the establishment of an emigration depot here. It will be seen from the memorandum of agreement, a copy of which is forwarded herewith, that I have guaranteed to pass through the depot not less than 30,000 adults in the course of the first three years, paying two days' maintenance for each adult, at the rate of 2s. 3d. per diem. The guarantee ceases, however, as soon as the 30,000 emigrants have been accounted for. If the number should fall short of 30,000 during the period specified, I am under agreement to pay one shilling per head on the number short by way of compensation—a contingency which is not likely, of course, to arise. I may state that I consider this arrangement preferable to taking the depot into my own hands, as being a far more economical one. I have ascertained that I should have to pay for rent, insurance, repairs, and rates, something like £700 or £800 a year. In addition to this, I must have incurred a considerable outlay in order to adapt the place to the purposes of a depot, besides having to take it for a fixed period of not less than seven years. Apart from this preliminary outlay, I should have been compelled to keep up a permanent staff at an annual cost of from £500 to £600 per annum. I ought to mention that the situation of the present depot is admirably well suited to the purpose, being conveniently situated at Blackwall, close to the Railway Station as well as to the pier, and sufficiently isolated from all other buildings. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 83. Memorandum of Terms of Contract agreed between the Agent-General on behalf of the Government of New Zealand, and Arthur Hill, of Reading, for Depot Accommodation for Emigrants to New Zealand who may be embarked from London. A. Hill to secure lease of and fit up and convert forthwith the premises known as the Brunswick Hotel, near Blackwall Station, in the Parish of Poplar (hereinafter called the depot), for the reception of emigrants, and to receive and maintain the emigrants to be sent out by the Agent-General for New Zealand in the same manner, and with the same scale of diet, and under the same regulations as are now in force at the emigrant depot at Plymouth belonging to Mr. Hill. A. Hill to carry out also any further rules which the Agent-General may lay down for his people. The Agent-General will arrange that the heavy luggage of the emigrants shall be taken direct to the ships, and A. Hill shall be responsible for such smaller quantity as may be brought to the depot. The rate of payment to be paid to A. Hill by the Agent-General to be 2s. 3d. per diem for each statute adult; emigrants above one year of age and under twelve counting each as one-half an adult, and the emigrants to remain at least two days in the depot, the days of arrival and departure each counting as one day. In consideration of the heavy outlay and risk to be incurred by Mr. Hill in taking the premises herein referred to, and fitting them up, the Agent-General guarantees that during the three years from the 25th day of March, 1874, he will send under this agreement a minimum of 30,000 statute adults through the depot; and if on the 25th day of March, 1877, the total number so sent shall not have amounted to 30,000 as guaranteed, then the Agent-General will pay to A. Hill the sum of one shilling for each emigrant short of that number. Dated the 10th day of March, 1874, and signed by the said Agent-General for New Zealand and Arthur Hill. I. E. Featherston, Agent-General. Witness — Arthur Hill. Albert 0. Ottywell.

No. 84. The Agent-General to the Hon. J. Vogel. (No. 1198.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 4th April, 1874. Referring to your letter of December 22nd (No. 289), with reference to taking over B.—D. 3.