D.—sa.

24

Tou are probably aware that the township of Masterton was not laid out by the Government, but by a private association, aud the Provincial authorities cannot therefore be accused of want of forethought in not setting aside reserves within that township for public purposes. I cannot, moreover, distinguish any difference between expenditure required for the purchase of sites and expenditure required for paying for the erection of the buildings, as I understand both would come under the terms of proposal No. 2in your letter of 7th February, viz., —" That the Provincial Government undertake and guarantee to return to the General Government the amount expended, with interest at five per cent., in four instalments, on the Ist January, 1875, 1876, 1877, and 1878." The cottages I propose to erect at Masterton are to be let to newly-arrived immigrants, there being a depot already in the district; and if you cannot agree to my proposal, lam unable to recommend any other site at Masterton upon which cottages can be built. I have, &c, William Fitzherbert, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Superintendent.

No. 61. The Hon. the Minister for Immigeation to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Wellington. Sic,— Immigration Office, Wellington, 26th June, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th instant, in which you explain the circumstances under which you made the recommendation for the purchase of a site upon which to erect cottages at Masterton. In reply, I have to inform you that I am willing to look upon the case as exceptional, and to authorize an advance of the money required for the purchase of the acre and a half indicated in your letter of the 22nd June instant, such amount to be added to the other expenditure in connection with the cottages, for repayment under terms of my letter of 7th February ultimo. I have, Ac, His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. Julius Vogel.

MARLBOEOTTGH. No. 62. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to His Honor the Superintendent, Marlborough. (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, Marlborough. ■ Julius Vogel.

No. 63. His Honor the Superintendent, Marlborough, to the Hon. the Minister for Immigbation. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Blenheim, 20th May, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 15th instant, and, in reply, to say that as this province has not yet received any immigrants, with the exception of a few nominated immigrants who have to partly pay their passages, I should be sorry to see the present arrangement altered in any way to prevent our receiving the direct shipments intended to come here in the spring. Beyond this I would not offer any suggestions, as unfortunately I have had no local experience of the working of the system. I must, however, impress upon you that this province is languishing for want of labour, and that there is scarcely any industry in the place but what is crippled for want of hands. Being a small province, we could not of course absorb thousands; but hundreds, coming in gradually, would be a great boon. I have, &c, A. P. Seymoub, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Superintendent.

No. 64. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to His Honor the Superintendent, MarlborougL (Circular Telegram.) Wellington, 26th May, 1874. Re Assisted Immigration.—The Government, after considering the replies of Superintendents, hate come to the conclusion only to instruct Agent-General to limit the number of emigrants despatched by him between Ist March and the end of the year to 25,000. His Honor the Superintendent, Mariborough. Julius Vogel.