we succeed in getting the money back, it returns with a curse, and the outstanding balances eat as a canker into the political, moral, and social system. It would be unwise to furnish the political schemer with another weapon of offence.

30. Mr. W. H. Reynolds.—What is your opinion generally of the working of the system of immigration heretofore in use?—I consider that the system heretofore in use is almost perfect.

31. Do you entertain any strong objections to the system of assisted passages in any part of its working?—No. I consider that assisted immigration may be carried on with great advantage to the Province.

32. Do you consider that under that system you could obtain as many immigrants as would be desirable?—I consider that under our Home Agency, if carried on as efficiently as when I was in England, a sufficient supply could be obtained of first-class people.

33. Have you any alterations or amendments to suggest in this system?—No. I would be quite satisfied with the system as carried out by the Home Agents.

34. Do you consider that there is insuperable difficulty in collecting the money advanced?—There ought to have been none had a Collector of Immigrants’ Bills been appointed years ago. This not having been done, the bills now considerably overdue are so numerous, the acceptors are so scattered, that the collection of the bills has become somewhat difficult.

35. You consider that there would be great difficulty in collecting outstanding bills?—Yes. I think a heavy per centage of the present outstanding bills will not be paid.

36. Do you consider that there will of necessity attach equal difficulty to the collection of any further bills of a similar character?—No. I think that if the Collector displays energy and firmness, there ought not to be the same difficulty in collecting immigrants’ bills within a reasonable time after the arrival of the acceptors.

37. Do you consider that the effect of a large amount of such bills outstanding would be of an injurious tendency as affording grounds for political agitation of a mischievous character?—I do not see why it should. There ought never to be so many bills allowed to remain overdue as would materially do so.

38. Do you consider that advertising periodically the names of defaulters would have a good effect?—Yes, I do.

39. Mr. John Logan.—You acted as immigration agent, so far as collecting the immigrants’ bills, for some time, did you not?—Yes, to within 3 years ago.

40. When you ceased to act, was the amount of overdue bills large?—Not very large, the great proportion of the bills being for the term of 3 years, not being at that period due.

41. Did you make much exertion to obtain payment of the bills as they fell due?—Yes, considerable.

42. Did you generally succeed in communicating with the parties?—Yes, as respects immigrants from Britain, but a considerable number of the later immigrants from Australia were lost sight of; those selected by Mr. Reynolds mostly paid.

43. When you succeeded in communicating with the parties, did you generally find any inclination to avoid the obligation?—No, not altogether, but merely to defer.

44. When pressed, did they generally pay?—I succeeded generally in getting payment by instalments.

45. Are you aware of the existence of any feeling among the assisted immigrants that the obligation of payment is not fully binding?—I am not aware.

46. Are you of opinion that there will always be difficulty in collecting such bills?—Great difficulty, which will increase as the numbers increase.

47. Have any means suggested themselves by which the collection might be facilitated? The appointment of sub-collectors in the several districts throughout the country.

48. Mr. Forsaith.—Have you had any opportunity of judging of the working of the free grant system in Auckland?—No more opportunity than what is usually enjoyed by a resident in the Province. I have never paid particular attention to the subject.

49. Do you consider it has been the means of bringing a valuable class of people to Auckland?—It has been the means of bringing a great many people into the Province, many of them very valuable settlers; but I believe it has been a subject of complaint, that a large proportion of those attracted by the regulations were not the class of people adapted for the Colonies, and a great many after arrival left the Province for other places.

50. It has not then been effective in fixing those who came out?—It has been of great service to many who were from previous habits adapted to colonial life, and who were fortunate enough in obtaining a good selection. I should hesitate, however, in declaring any belief that the system as a whole, has answered the expectation of the majority of those who left England in consequence of the advantages it seemed to hold out.

51. Have the circumstances of those who came out dependent upon their land orders been, on the whole, improved by the acquisition?—If you confine the question to those who came out wholly dependent on their land orders and without capital, I should say decidedly, that the circumstances of such persons have not been improved. In cases where the holder of a certificate had other resources, he may have done well with his land order, but as a general rule, I believe forty acres of land to a man without capital or experience is a very questionable boon.

52. Are you aware whether sections of land so granted, have, to any extent, been abandoned after the expenditure of labor in their attempted reclamation or improvement?