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amended scale, and I request that you will, in pursuance of the promise you made at the time in anticipation of such a contingency, give the necessary instructions to enable us to recover payment at the contract price tendered at, under the scale which we subsequently adjusted and amended. I beg also to say that I am informed that the ship " Invercargill," despatched by the Albion Company from the Clyde, is bringing a large number of emigrants from Ireland, who have been sent over thence to the ship, as well as some from England ; and I respectfully submit that this is in contravention of our contract; and I trust you will so advise the Agent-General by the outgoing mail. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, H. Selwyn Smith, "Wellington. General Manager.

No. 13. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 231.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 26th October, 1876. Eeferring to your letter of 6th July last, No. 519, upon the subject of the arrangements made with the New Zealand Shipping Company for the conveyance of emigrants to this colony, I have the honor to inform you that in the case of the ships " Waitangi," "Waimea," and " Invercargill," which were despatched prior to the receipt of the instructions respecting the amended dietary scale, it has been decided to allow passage money at the rates mentioned in my telegram of the 21st April —namely, £13 17s. 3d. for adults, and £7 16s. for children. I have also to convey to you the approval of the Government of the steps taken by you to keep faith with the emigrants who had taken their passages prior to the amending of the dietary scale, and, if you find it necessary, to place extra stores on board the ship's sailing prior to August last. I have to request that the quantities of each article so placed on board may be furnished me for each vessel, with a statement of the cost. I shall be glad to receive the promised report of the Despatching Officer upon the alterations in the charter-party. With regard to the items "suet" and "raisins," the quantities taken off will be replaced in the contract, so as to comply with the requirements of the Passenger Act. I may mention that the medicine list was carefully revised by two medical gentlemen —namely, Dr. Johnston on behalf of the Government, and Dr. Newman on behalf of the Company, and they informed me that they only erased the medicines which in their opinion were obsolete, adding such as they considered necessary. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 11. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 244.) Sir, Immigration Office, Wellington, 16th November, 1876. Eeferring to my letter No. 127, of sth May last, I have now the honor to transmit twenty-five copies of the agreement with the New Zealand Shipping Company, which has this day been executed.* You will please hand a supply of these to the Director of the Company in London. 2. You will observe that the contract commences from the Ist May last, and will be in force until the Ist November, 1877; and that the Government have the option of further extending it until the Ist August, 1878. 3. The rate of passage has been fixed at £13 lis. 6d. per adult and £7 lis. per child. As payments have been made on the ships already despatched at the higher rates of £13 17s. 3d. and £7 165., according to tho first draft of agreement, an adjustment of account will be made in the colony. 4. The dietary scale has been altered in respect of the articles of suet and raisins, bringing the allowance to the quantity required by the Passenger Act. 5. The list of medicines according to the old charter-party has been substituted for the revised list in the draft of agreement already forwarded to you; this has been done to conform with the requirements of the Board of Trade. 6. As Messrs. P. Henderson and Co. have agreed to continue the Clyde business upon the terms arranged with the New Zealand Shipping Company, an adjustment of account with that firm will also be made in the colony. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 15. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-Genral. (No. 251.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 13th December, 1876. I have the honor to transmit, for your information, further reports and correspondence with regard to the Italian immigrants at Jackson's Bay. You will be glad to see that upon the whole these people appear satisfied with their condition and prospects. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson. *D. No. 3, 1877. 2—D. 1.