11

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a trade which will centre at the most convenient harbour, and that harbour, sooner or later, will be New Plymouth. I will now only add that, where the geographical position of a place is so commanding and convenient, and where the country is so extensive and good, and where the natural facilities for making a harbour for refuge and trade are so advantageous and inviting, and where such an amount of good can be effected at comparatively small cost, with a certainty of large returns, as is the case at New Plymouth, it is the duty of those who have the well-being and prosperity of the community intrusted to them, to use every proper means in their power to cause so desirable a work as a harbour of refuge off the town of New Plymouth to be carried out; and this, I believe, may bo done by the General Government aiding in the way they havo already promised,* and by giving a concession of the proposed harbour site to a corporate body, who would undertake to construct aud keep tho harbour works, subject to receiving the land to be given for such work, together with harbour dues and tolls to be agreed upon by Government and Parliament, at the same time the Government to have the right to purchase at a just valuation on terms to be stated. In closing this letter I beg leave to say that I am urged on all sides to use my best endeavours with the Government for the carrying out of this harbour work, and that I have more than once brought the same question before the House of Representatives, supported by a unanimous resolution of the Provincial Council, which was favourably received ; and what I now ask is, that the promise which was made to me on the floor of the House on the 14th November, 1871, " be faithfully adhered to," together with such other aid as the Government may think a colonial work such as I desire to bo now carried out should receive. I have, &c, F. A. Carrington, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Premier of New Zealand, &c. Superintendent.

No. 23. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation to His Honor the Supebintendent, Taranaki. Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 24th January, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 29th December last, which purports to bo in reply to my circular letter of 14th October last, respecting immigration, but which is chiefly devoted to arguments for the construction of a harbour at New Plymouth. I hope shortly to be able to call in at New Plymouth, and to have an opportunity of conferring with your Honor. Meanwhile, I desire to say in reply to your letter that it is very far from the desire of tho Government that Taranaki should not obtain as many immigrants as it requires, and I have already instructed the Agent-General to arrange as speedily as possible for vessels to call periodically at New Plymouth with immigrants. With respect to the construction of a harbour, your Honor is aware that lands purchased in Taranaki under the Immigration and Public Works Loan Acts, 1870 and 1873, are, as soon as the purchase has been completed, to be handed over to the Province. I have to remind you that it has already been stated to you that the Government would interpose no obstacle to the Provincial Government m.aking the proceeds of such land applicable to the construction of a harbour at New Plymouth should your Honor and the Provincial Government decide so to apply such proceeds. I have also to remind your Honor that the Government last Session supported a Bill to enable money to be borrowed in advance on the security of these lands, but that the Bill was rejected by the Legislative Council. I hope that the Province will shortly be in possession of a sufficient quantity of land to allow of the question of constructing a harbour being decided on its merits, and with a feeling that should such a work be considered expedient the means for carrying it out will not be wanting. I do not think that the work is one which the Colony is likely to undertake at Colonial expense; and after the arguments used by your Honor as to the great local advantages which will result from a harbour at New Plymouth, I think it must be admitted that you have conclusively established the fairness of tho expenditure being borne by the Province. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Taranaki. Julius Vogel.

HAWKE'S BAT. No. 24. The Hon. the Ministeb for Immigeation to his Honor the Supebintendent, Hawke's Bay. (Circular.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 16th October, 1873. I have the honor to forward herewith copy of an Order in Council, dated the 15th instant, establishing a system of free nominated emigration to the Colony, trusting to your cordial co-opera-tion with the General Government in their endeavours to bring population to the country. I also enclose copies of forms intended to be used by persons nominating their friends, which I shall be obliged if you will circulate through the medium of Provincial officers and schoolmasters. These application forms, you will observe, are returnable to the Immigration Officers. If you agree to the proposal I have made you by printed letter dated 14th instant, to take charge of the immigrants on arrival, I shall be glad if you will assist and direct the Immigration Officer in your Province in respect to his treatment of these applications. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Hawke's Bay. Julius Vogel. * Vide "Parliamentary Debates," 4th September, 1873, pages 899, 900, 901, 902, 903.