5

June 13 th, 1856. Sir,—On my departure from Canada in 1854,1 was deputed by a number of Canadian Colonists to go to New Zealand or to South Australia, and to enquire if they could purchase land from the Government, so that they could form a settlement on which they could reside in contiguity, and be able to assist each other in the several duties of life, as is their custom in Canada. The liberal offer of the New Zealand Land Regulations, as proposed by Mr. Whitaker, and the kind way the Nova Scotian Colonists had been treated by Governor Grey, tempted me to come to Auckland in preference to going to South Australia. Since my arrival I have not ceased to urge the matter upon the authorities in every possible way; have always received kind promises for the future, but have not yet learned the resolutions Of the Government. The parties in Canada are becoming anxious to learn the result of my labours, so that I should be thankful if you will condescend to see me at your earliest convenience, and render me what information you are able, as to the intentions of the Government in the matter. I have, &c.; (Signed) S. J. Stratford. To the Honorable the Colonial Secretary. &c., &c., &c. Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 18th June, 1856. Sir, —In reply to your letter of the 15th instant, requesting that I would see you at an early day, on the subject of granting land to Canadian immigrants to New Zealand, I beg to name Saturday the 21st instant, at 11 o'clock. I have, however, to remark, the General Government can hold out small hopes of assistance in your objects, as the administration of the Waste Lands is already effectively vested in the Provincial Government. (Signed) C. W. Richmond, Colonial Secretary. Dr. S. J. Stratford. &c., &c., &c.

IMMIGRANTS FROM NOVA SCOTIA. Auckland, December 15, 1853. Sir, —Your Excellency is already aware, from correspondence with the Rev. Mr. Norman McLeod, of Melbourne, Pastor of a community of Highland families now in that Colony, that it is anxiously desired by them to emigrate to New Zealand, where they expect to find a country suited to their wants, and they are now ready and most anxious to come here, provided a suitable locality can be obtained for a settlement. I may mention that there is a party of about 250 in Melbourne, natives of the Highlands ot Scotland, and who went there about two years ago from Nova Scotia. Another party of them (ot whom I was one,) went to Adelaide, and after remaining there about twelve months, that Colony was found unsuitable, on which account we left it, and came here, a short time back, in the schooner " Gazelle," amounting in number to about one hundred souls. Since our arrival we have been making every enquiry and effort to discover a suitable locality for fixing a settlement. Besides the numbers already alluded to, I have advices that other three or four vessels are preparing to start from Nova Scotia to bring many more families on receiving the first encouraging intelligence from their friends who have preceded them hither to prepare a settlement for them. I, in conjunction with the other leading men amongst the small body now here, have fully made up our minds to settle at Wangarei, provided your Excellency can assist us in obtaining sufficient blocks of land to enable us to form a settlement not only for ourselves, but also for those to follow us, so that we may form a community, and be as near to each other as practicable. The difficulty of our obtaining this desirable object is the cause of mj now addressing your Excellency, in the hope of your being able to assist us to carry it into effect.