D.—3

50

Messrs. Patrick Henderson and Co.'s contract, and arranging for all payments thereunder, I beg to inform you that I have given the subject very careful consideration. It appears to me that the contract entered into by Mr. Auld with Patrick Henderson and Co. is a very favourable one for the Government, so far as the rate of payment is concerned; and I feel persuaded that, if I were to disturb the present arrangement, the contractors would insist on the same terms as those now demanded by the three shipping companies acting in combination. As, moreover, the contract has been hitherto conducted apparently to the entire satisfaction of both the General and the Provincial Governments, I am of opinion that it would be unwise to disturb it —at any rate until I have had an opportunity of discussing personally the matter with Mr. Auld. I shall, as you direct, take care to advise the Government fully as to the shipment of emigrants from the Clyde. The details you require—viz., the names of the emigrants, the terms of their despatch, the date of sailing, the conditions as to the gratuities, &c.—are contained in the ship's book and accompanying letter of advice, which are now forwarded after the departure of every vessel from Glasgow. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 85. The Agent-General to the Hon. J. Vogel. (No. 1145.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 16th April, 1874. Referring to my telegram of the 6th March, reporting that the steamer " Atrato," which sailed from Gravesend on the 10th February, had put back into Plymouth disabled, the damage being a broken piston and cracked cylinder, I have now the honor to inform you that, having undergone the necessary repairs, she sailed again on the sth instant. The Secretary of the Marine Department of the Board of Trade assures me that the repairs have been thoroughly well done, and that there is no reason to apprehend any further mishap. As, however, the vessel, when under charter to the Government of Victoria in 1872, was obliged, from breakage of her machinery, to put back twice, the Government may probably doubt whether I was justified in engaging ber. I therefore think it well to mention that I only did so after she had undergone a thorough overhaul, and had received the usual certificate from the Surveyor to the Board of Trade; and further, tbat the Lords of the Admiralty were so satisfied with the official report upon her, that they offered Mr. Morrison, her owner, a highly remunerative charter to the Gold Coast. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington Agent-General.

No. 86. The Agent-General to the Hon. J. Vogel. • (No. 1147.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 16th April, 1874. Referring to your letter of the 4th February, 1874, I have the honor to inform you that though repeated applications have been made to Messrs. Brogden, the interest due on the promissory notes, amounting, up to the 28th of March last, to £434 10s., has not been paid, nor has any notice been taken of my applications for payment. Some short time since I requested Mr. Mackrell to place himself in communication with the solicitors of Messrs. Brogden, but Mr. Mackrell has not as yet succeeded in obtaining a settlement. I presume that the assurance given me by Messrs. Brogden, that the emigration contract had been indorsed upon their public works contract, is correct. If so, the Government has the power to deduct the interest, and the amounts of the promissory notes as they fall due, from any moneys to which Messrs. Brogden may be entitled on account of their contracts. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington. A.gent-General.