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D.—3.

country, which derive the benefit of the Society's labours in the moral and social improvement of the emigrants that go out to them, and the Committee therefore cannot but feel that they have special claim for help upon the Governments of these Colonies. In the earnest hope that you will kindly take the above facts into consideration, and grant a favourable reply to their request for pecuniary assistance in aid of their funds, I remain, &c, Amelia Perry, Dr. Featherston, Agent-General for New Zealand. Hon. Secretary.

No. 89. The Agent-General to the Hon. J. Vogel. (No. 1186.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 17th April, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 280, of 15th December, 1873, and, in accordance with the instructions therein, 1 beg to enclose, for the information of the Government, a copy of the rules and regulations in force in the emigration depot at Plymouth. This establishment is owned by Mr. Arthur Hill, of Reading, and is under the personal management of Mr. William Watson, whose wife acts as matron, both officers being resident. The interior arrangements (which I have personally inspected) are very complete, being similar to those of a well-appointed emigrant vessel, with the advantage of much greater space, and the addition of various conveniences not to be obtained at sea. The new depot at Brunswick Wharf, Blackwall, will be similarly managed; and I learn to-day that Mr. Watson will also undertake the management of this depot, having a deputy at Plymouth. The London depot is expected to be ready for the reception of emigrants on the Ist of May. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, Agent-General. New Zealand. Note.—lt has been thought unnecessary to print the rules enclosed in this letter.

No. 90. The Agent-General to the Hon. J. Vogel. (No. 1188.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 17th April, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of January 7th, No. 294, and to inform you that, as it contained a charge against Mr. Ottywell, I felt it my duty to lay your letter before that officer, in order to afford him an opportunity of explanation. I beg now to forward copy of a memorandum by that gentleman; and in doing so, I have simply to confirm the general truth of Mr. Ottywell's statement. I may, however, add that I still hold that the course which I adopted in the case referred to, was the only one that any gentleman would, under similar circumstances, have pursued towards another. I still maintain that the inquiries addressed to me by Mr. Vesey Stewart —a person of whom I had no personal knowledge— regarding His Excellency, were, to say the least of it, impertinent; and had I answered them, they probably would have been followed up by others still more objectionable. Had such inquiries been addressed to me respecting yourself, or any member of your Government, I should have treated them in precisely the same manner. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 90. (Memorandum.) The letter of the Hon. the Minister for Immigration No. 644, of 7th January, has been handed to me by the Agent-General for perusal, and (so far as it relates to myself) for explanation. After remarking upon the departmental arrangements of the Agent-General, the despatch proceeds as follows : —" Others of your officers are probably very good, but I fear they are too much inclined to take much license. For instance, I was not long since shown a copy of a letter written by Mr. Ottywell in reply to a gentleman who thought of introducing a large number of immigrants into New Zealand. That gentleman inquired, not unnaturally, whether the new Governor was English, Irish, or Scotch. He received a most objectionable reply. Mr. Ottywell wrote to the effect that he did not know of what country Sir James Fergusson was, but that if the querist wrote to Sir James, he might or might not answer the question. I consider such a