D.—4

1883. NEW ZEALAND.

EMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND (LETTERS FROM THE AGENT-GENERAL RESPECTING). [In Continuation of D.-1, 1880.]

Presented to both Souses of the General Assembly by Command of Mis Excellency. No. 1. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Miotstee of Immigeation. (Memorandum.) 7, "Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 13th January, 1882. A few applications are coming in from persons nominated in previous years, who, hearing of the resumption of nominated immigration, desire to know whether their applications for passages under such nominations will now be available. I have assumed that lam only to entertain applications from those whose names are included in the lists now being sent from the colony, commencing with those forwarded with your letter No. 62, of the 4th November last ; and I have informed inquirers accordingly, suggesting to them at the same time that they should ask their friends in the colony to endeavour to renew their nominations. I shall be glad to know whether in so doing lam acting in accordance with your wishes. In your letter No. 98, of the 2nd April, 1880, you instructed my predecessor to grant passages to single-women domestic servants accompanying their employers to the colony. I shall be glad to know whether I am to consider these instructions as still in force. Generally speaking, as to the emigration of this class of single women, I should wish to have your instructions as to whether I can entertain applications for passages for them under such special circumstances as would, in my opinion, supply the colony with some suitable servants. For instance, I have had lately an application for passages for four such servants, to be selected by a colonist visiting this country, who wished to send that number out under engagement to himself and friends. In this and other similar cases I deemed it right to decline to entertain the applications, but I am inclined to think that while such cases would be probably only few in number, yet it would be an advantageous mode of increasing, if required, the number of that class of single women in the colony. 3?. D. Bell, Agent-General.

No. 2. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Ministee of Immigeation-. Sie, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, 20th February, 1882. The recent files of New Zealand papers have directed attention here to the announcement from your department of the proposed dealing with three millions of acres of pastoral country in Otago. Long before the publication of this announcement I had on every possible occasion invited the attention of inquirers here to the probability of something of the kind being done, and had taken especial pains to explain the provisions of the Land Acts relating to pastoral land on deferred payment, and to small runs to be obtained at Government auction. But I need not say that I was never able to make any authoritative statement of what would really be done, nor even to give any one ah assurance that the new leases would be put up for sale at the time and in the manner appointed by the Land Act of 1877. The notification published by you has only reached this country when it was too late for any one to avail himself of it, so far as the runs are concerned. But I have taken care to explain that this delay in announcing the intentions of the Government did not arise from any fault or neglect of theirs, but only from the pressure which had been exerted to induce you to postpone any decision at all; and I have said that you would ha^fi been very glad to invite in good time the competition of intending settlers for the Otago leases, if it had been practicable or honest to do so without at the same time warning them that when they got out they might find the whole question indefinitely adjourned and nothing for them to compete for. But, though your notification comes too late for the leases of runs, it would still be in plenty of time for sales of pastoral land on deferred payment if I had detailed particulars in my possession of