D.—2b

1875. NEW ZEALAND.

EMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND. (FURTHER LETTER FROM THE AGENT-GENERAL.)

Presented to both Souses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 429.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 21st June, 1875. I have the honor to inform you that the ship " Carisbrooke Castle" sailed from Belfast on the Bth instant, with the main party of the Kati Kati special settlers. I enclose the following paj)ers for your information : — 1. Copy of an agreement, dated June 24th, 1874, between the Hon. G. M. O'Rorke, Secretary for Crown Lands for the Colony of New Zealand, and George Vesey Stewart, of Ballygawley, County of Tyrone, Ireland. 2. Copy of letter from George Vesey Stewart, dated February 13th, 1875. 3. Copy of Memoi-andum, dated February 27th, 1875, from the Hon. J. Vogel, replying to the above letter, and concurring in certain modifications in the provisions of the above agreement. 4. Duplicates of certificates issued under the provisions of the above agreement. I have, ifec. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. I. E. Featherston. P.S. Copies of letter dated 3rd April, 1875, from Mr. Stewart to the Hon. J. Vogel, and Hon. J. Vogel's reply thereto, are also enclosed.

Enclosure No. ]. Mr. G. V. Stewart to the Agent-General. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., My Dear Sir,— 13th February, 1875. As you requested me to submit to you in writing my views of the agreement for the consideration of Mr. Vogel1 and yourself, I beg to refer to the following points :— 1. You differ from me in the interpretation of clause IX. respecting children. lam not a lawyer or an attorney, and, on my honor as a gentleman, Mr. O'Rorke's and my intentions were that children under 12 should be entitled to free passages; children above 12 to pay the £o on being entitled to land. Does it not appear unreasonable that a child eighteen months old should pay as much as a man of eighteen years 1 » 2. Relatives, or adult members of the household, to be entitled to the land on payment of £5. This was allowed in John Mark's case, according to clause X. at close, where " household " and not " family " is used. 3. The size of the block to be increased as shown in Capt. Heale's figures on map herewith enclosed, showing 2,238 acres net, deducting Faulkner's (half cast) award of 380 acres. 4. Capitalists paying their own saloon passages to be entitled to 40 acres, independent of age, provided they do not claim more than 300 acres per family. This will encourage several highly eligible families. 5. A shed to be erected by Government at Kati Kati for our reception, goods, and baggage, <fee, as we land in winter. The materials could be sold by Government when settlers occupy their own holdings. 6. Ship to be sent from Belfast to Auckland, and passengers transferred to Kati Kati at expense of the Government. 7. Widows, with capital, of the agricultural class, with their children grown up, to be eligible for land and privileges of the agreement. 8. Contract for ship to be made simultaneously with contract for saloon passages, which I have been offered at £35 each. 9. As there will be so many saloon passengers, a large ship to be provided, and the additional space to be occupied by picked married families, of a superior class, single girls, and a few selected farm laborers connected with the settlers. I—D. 2b.