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the said block of land of ten thousand acres shall be available until the first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-six, but not afterwards, for such others of the said party as may arrive before that day, who shall be entitled to make their selection on arrival; and if two or more arrive at the same time, priority of choice shall be determined by lot. In witness whereof the said George Maurice O'Eorke hath, on behalf of the General Government of New Zealand, hereunto subscribed his name ; and the said George Vesey Stewart hath also hereunto subscribed his name, the day and year firstfiherein written. G. Matjeice O'Eoeke, Secretary for Crown Lands. Geo. Veset Stewaet. Signed by the said George Maurice O'Eorke, in the presence of— Thos. Btjddle, Solicitor, Auckland. Signed by the said George Vesey Stewart, in the presence of— Thos. Buddle, Solicitor, Auckland.

No. 29. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to His Honor the S-upeeintendent, Auckland. (Circular Telegram.) "Wellington, 15th May, 1874. The number of emigrants on their way is such that the Government propose instructing the AgentGeneral to partially revert to assisted passages. It is proposed to still give to single females, and to emigrants nominated by name from the Colony, free passages ; but to require from other emigrants promissory notes for £7. Before finally deciding on this, I should like to have your Honor's view on the subject; and I shall feel obliged by your communicating it to me as soon as conveniently possible. His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. Julius Vogel.

No. 30. His Honor the Supekintendent, Auckland, to the Hon. the Ministeb for Immigbation. (Telegram.) ■ Auckland, 27th May, 1874. Re proposed curtailment Free Immigration. —Letter expressing my views posted to your address per " Ladybird." Am pleased to learn from yesterday's telegram the conclusion of Government on this question. I have apprised Chairmen of Highway Boards and others, in the different settlements, of number of immigrants on way to the province, and invited them to apply to Immigration Officer for such labourers and others as they may require, and to attend at the depot, either personally or by agent, to make their own selections. A number of those per " Dorette " were engaged for Poverty Bay and taken to Gisborne under a similar arrangement. This will, I hope, prevent complaining on the part of settlers in out-districts, because of monopoly to Auckland and its neighbourhood. Thanks for telegram just received. Hon. J. Vogel, Wellington. J. "Williamson.

No. 31. His Honor the Supebintendekt, Auckland, to the Hon. the Minister for Imhigbation. Sib, — Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 26th May, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram dated 15th instant, intimating that in consequence of the number of emigrants on the way out from England, it is proposed to instruct the Agent-Greneral to partially discontinue the free immigration to this colony, and to revert to assisted passages upon the promissory-note system, and requesting my opinion upon this proposal. As regards this province, there is no reason to fear that the number of emigrants reported as on their way out to Auckland is likely to prove too large to meet the demands for labour in the several districts of the province. In fact, considerable dissatisfaction has been expressed, and still exists, at the apparent neglect on the part of the Agent-General in not sending out to Auckland something like a fair proportion of the number of free emigrants despatched by him to the colony. It appears that while a very large and continuous stream of immigrants has been flowing into the colony since the 31st December, 1873, amounting to a total of 5,332 adults, only 551 of this number have been despatched to Auckland. "Whatever course it may be found necessary to take in this matter with regard to the other provinces of New Zealand, I cannot advise the sudden stoppage of free immigration to this part of the colony until at least something like a fair adjustment of numbers takes place between this province and those other portions of the colony where the demand for the introduction of immigrants has been liberally acknowledged and supplied. In Auckland there is still room enough and ready employment for a very large number of well-selected respectable female servants. As to your proposal to revert to the promissory-note system, I think that the experience of this and other provinces would hardly testify in favour of its renewal. The Immigration Officer here now holds promissory notes unpaid to the amount of £6,643, but it is feared that only a very small portion of this money will be recovered; and the question naturally arises, what security exists that the persons liable shall not leave the colony before their bonds become due ? In "Wellington, some years ago, an endeavour was made to detain the immigrants in that province until they had liquidated the claims against them, but the attempt utterly failed.