D.—2

8

The Agency might Le personally inspected from this office, from time to time, if you should consider such a course advisable, and reports occasionally sent to you as to its general working and efficiency. Mr. Andrew has perused this memorandum, and concurs in the opinions expressed therein. I have, &c, Mr. Kennaway. Albert 0. Otiyvvell, Secretary. P.S. —If you approve of the general arrangement indicated in this letter, there will remain the question of the person to be selected as Local Agent for Belfast. It is important to secure the services of an Agent experienced in the business of emigration. It occurs to me that Mr. Turbitt, the Agent at Strabane, might be disposed to remove to Belfast. Mr. Turbitt has worked for New Zealand for about ten years, and appears to be a man of great activity. Ido not know him personally. If Mr. Turbitt were allowed to work the Strabane district by means of a sub-agent (to be approved) he might possibly be disposed to abandon his other Government emigration agencies, if that course were considered expedient. A. O. O.

Enclosure 3 in No. 7. Mr. Kennaway to Mr. Ottywell. (Memorandum.) 9th August, 1877. I have received your letter of the 7th instant respecting the Belfast Agency, and containing suggestions for carrying into effect the directions of the Government as contained in the letter No. 97, of 21st May, from the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. I do not, however, understand that the Government have instructed me to discontinue Mr. Cochrane's services ; they probably desire to obtain your recommendation on the subject, which I shall be glad to receive. For the Agent-General, W. Kennaway. Mr. Ottywell.

Enclosure 4 in No. 7. Mr. Ottywell to the Agent-Geneeal. (Memorandum.) 11th August, 1877. I have received your memorandum of 9th instant on the subject of the Belfast Agency. I am sorry that I was not aware of your view respecting the instructions of the Government on this subject before writing my letter which you acknowledge. As I should be sorry to write or say anything which would tend to prejudice Mr. Cochrane's position in the service of the Government, it would perhaps be well to regard my letter of the 7th instant as withdrawn. If the meaning of the Hon. the Minister is simply that Mr. Cochrane's office should be brought into direct connection with this Agency, as you have anticipated that instruction by the arrangements recently made, I do not think that I can make any useful suggestions on the subject. The Agent-General, London. Albeet O. Ottywell, Secretary.

Enclosure 5 in No. 7. Mr. Kennaway to Mr. Ottywell. (Memorandum.) 14th August, 1877. I have your memorandum of the 11th instant respecting the Belfast Agency. You appear still to misunderstand the present position of the matter to which it refers. In my letter to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration of the sth February (copy of which was sent to you), you will see that I referred the question of continuing Mr. Cochrane at Belfast to the Minister. The reply directed me to place the Belfast Agency under your directions. No direction was given about Mr. Cochrane, and I therefore understood that the Minister wished to know your opinion on the subject. I shall be glad, therefore, to know whether you consider the retention of Mr. Cochrane's services expedient or necessary. - For the Agent-General, Mr. Ottywell. W. Kennaway.

Enclosure 6 in No. 7. Mr. Ottywell to Mr. Kennaway. Sic, — New Zealand Agency, 3, Hope Street, Edinburgh, 17th August, 1877. I have received your memorandum of 14th instant, respecting the Belfast Agency. In this memorandum you point out the present position of this question, and direct me to state whether I am of opinion that the retention of Mr. Cochrane's services is expedient or necessary. In reply, I beg to say that, having regard to the altered circumstances to which you refer, I do not think it is necessary to retain Mr. Cochrane's services as Agent at Belfast. I have, Sec, Albeet O. Ottywell, The Agent-General, London. Secretary.