D.—3.

I do not wish to put difficulties in your way, and I am really only asking you for the information which it is to be presumed, in the interest of the settlement, you have yourself obtained. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, Geo. Vesey Stewart, Esq. Agent-General.

Enclosure 6 in No. 19. Mr. G. V. Stewaet to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic, — Martray House, Ballygawley, 6th December, 1877. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 27th ultimo, forwarded to me here on my return home from Belfast. Referring to your observations relative to the certificate I left at your office in favor of Mr. P. C and family, I consider that, if you again refer to that certificate, you will observe that it contains all the information you desire. It states Mr. P C , aged 43 ; Mrs. A C , aged 26; P C , aged 7 ; C M C , aged 3J ; M C , 6 months : address, Royston, Herts; saloon passage engaged. I informed Mr. Kennaway that Mr. P C was a gentleman, and in this country (at all events) such is usually considered the highest qualification any man could enjoy to qualify him for any position in life. The certificate further states that Mr. P C has paid me in cash the stipulated amount " of deposit for the purchase of his land, and has fulfilled with me the required conditions, as stated in my pamphlet." Surely no sane man would pay cash, contract further liabilities with me, pay his saloon passages to Auckland and forfeit same, if he did not intend to follow the occupation of a settler upon my settlement. As to your inquiries relative to Mr. P C ——'s state of health, I should remark that, so far as I could observe, Mr. and Mrs. C both appeared in most excellent health when I had the pleasure of meeting them in London some ten days ago. The late Dr. Featherston, who (we must all admit) was a most perfect gentleman, informed me (and your own efficient officer Mr. Kennaway will substantiate my statement) that he would certify, as a matter of course, for all my emigrants under a similar clause of my former agreement, believing that I could form a far better opinion than he could as to their eligibility or otherwise; and in this instance the case is much stronger for adopting his course, as my present emigrants pay for their land, pay for their passages, and do not receive or expect the slightest assistance from the Government. It would be, therefore, most unfair towards me to give any opposition in carrying out my personal heavy responsibilities contracted between the Government and myself. I am pleased to observe that you do not wish to put any such difficulties in my way, as, reviewing the correspondence that has hitherto passed between your office and myself, I cannot form any other opinion than that every obstacle which the ingenuity of "red-tape" could suggest had been placed across my path. I return Mr. C 's certificate. He has left Royston, and has taken lodgings in London, as he expects to sail for Auckland in a few days. I also enclose you Mr. J X 's certificate, who proceeds to Katikati, via Auckland, by steamer, in saloon first-cabin passage. I further enclose you Mr. G 's certificate, with address and particulars required. I should feel obliged by your sending me your certificates for these gentlemeu. I have, &c, Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G. Geo. Vesey Stewart.

Enclosure 7 in No. 19. The Agent-General to Mr. G. V. Stewart. Sic,— 12th December, 1877. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 6th December. I have delayed answering it for two or three days, thinking that some information on the subject might reach me by the mail, but none has come, nor have I yet a reply to my telegram in which I asked for instructions. Mr. Kennaway does not recollect Dr. Featherston having expressed the view which you attribute to him, but Ido not doubt your statement. Though I regret differing from my predecessor, I am unable to adopt the same view. It seems to me if the Government merely wished the Agent-General to indorse your opinion, the Agent-General's certificate would be unnecessary. I think, therefore, his inquiries should be, to a certain extent, independent. I am, however, willing to leave the decision to the Government, and to that end I will consider you have presented your certificates before the emigrants sail. It the Government consider the certificates sufficient, I can subsequently give you the certificates under the agreement. I must, however, observe that I have no instructions or knowledge of the agreement beyond what appears in your pamphlet, and there it is not set out in full, nor does it appear to have been signed. But assuming that it was approved without signature, I cannot think it was intended you should receive deposits or send out emigrants until after you paid the deposit stated to be due on the Ist January. The proviso to which you refer in your pamphlet, by which the Government are to be bound to the emigrant if he has paid the purchase-money, notwithstanding your having failed to faithfully perform your agreement, cannot be meant to have force before the £5,000 is paid, otherwise the Government might have to give the land away. Clearly to my mind it was not contemplated that emigrants should be despatched or deposits taken until after the payment of the £5,000, and, in the absence of instructions otherwise, I must adhere to that view.

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