APPENDIX.

Superintendent’s Office,
Wellington, May 25, 1871.

Sir,—In compliance with the provisions of the 39th clause of the Public Works and Immigration Act, 1871, I have the honor to request that arrangements may be made for the introduction into this province, during the next twelvemonth of the immigrants enumerated in the memorandum enclosed herewith.

I have the honor to be,
William Fitzherbert,
Superintendent.

The Hon. the Minister of Public Works, Wellington.

Memorandum of the requirements of the province of Wellington with regard to Immigration during the year 1871-2.

1. 500 laborers, with their wives and families.—To be all able-bodied men, agricultural laborers or navvies, with a few mechanics, men who can be drafted off and settled in new country in the neighborhood of public works, on which many of them would find employment. These people should be imported not later than 1st March, 1872. They should be called upon to pay £5 per statute adult for their passage, or give a promissory note for 7 payable in twelve months after arrival in colony.

2. Unmarried females.—As many up to five hundred as can be induced to immigrate. Free passages should be given as an inducement, and all married couples applying for passages should have notice of the desire of the Government to bring out unmarried females under their protection.

3. Assisted Immigrants, say 400.—Friends or relations of colonists, work people sent for by employers of labor, nominated by persons residing in New Zealand. The number of these would depend on the demand, and they will be introduced on a prepayment of £5 per statute adult at the time of application being made for their passage.

4. 100 German and Scandinavian families.—To be all married couples, with as many single women as will come out under their protection. They should be all farm laborers and lumberers, as they would be introduced mainly with the view of locating them as pioneers in a bush country. To be introduced on the same terms as class one (1).

Manufacturers.—In order to encourage the introduction of skilled labor in connection with capital for the establishment of woollen, linen, paper, or other manufactures, offers should be made to introduce, free of charge for themselves or their families, skilled laborers under at least one year’s engagement to any house intending manufacturers bringing out the necessary plant for the establishment of a factory within the province.

It is contemplated to introduce proposals to introduce from two thousand to three thousand persons, within the period of the next twelve months.

Memorandum in reference to the public works in progress within the province of Wellington.

The General Government, by means of the sums voted during the last two sessions of the Assembly for the formation of roads in the North Island, have engaged in extensive operations within the province. On the West Coast numerous working parties have been engaged in forming the worst parts of the line, with the intention of gradually uniting them and forming a continuous line to Taranaki. That part of the road between Waitotara and Wanganui which was laid off some years ago by Mr Hogg, and formed by the province, has been adopted as the main line and will be completed, with bridge over the Kai Iwi and Oketu, in the early part of next summer. Between the town, however, and the commencement of the work undertaken by the General Government, is an unformed portion of the road, which is at present almost impassable. It will be necessary that this work (about 8 miles of formation and expensive metal) should be undertaken if possible by the Provincial Government, otherwise the settlement of the valuable districts lying beyond will be greatly impeded, and the growth of grain or any other produce-seeking outlet at Wanganui will be prevented. One other great work is the formation of an entirely new road from Foxton at the mouth of the Manawatu to the Ruataniwha plains, a distance of 70 or 80 miles, and running through Palmerston and the Gorge into that block of country just now acquired from the natives by his Honor Mr Ormond.

It is impossible to over-rate the importance to the future prospects of this province of this great work. The road opens up a magnificent country hitherto entirely unknown, or not favorably known in consequence of the want of means of communication. Palmerston, 25 miles from the Manawatu port, and 15 miles from the Gorge, is a fine open flat of about 1000 acres, surrounded by timber. A tramway will be laid to the township of Foxton as soon as the summer sets in, and high piles of sleepers of the finest totara now laid by the side of the roadway for some miles testify to the fact that abundance of material for the projected work will be ready when the ground is sufficiently dry for it being used. I attach very great importance to this tramway. There cannot fail to be an immense export of timber from Foxton immediately after its completion, and I have very good reason for believing that Manawatu will be called upon to find the chief part of the totara timber required for the public works in the other island as well as in the North. Palmerston is the centre of the bush country, and as the whole of the soil is of the richest possible description, I am confident that the crop of timber if judiciously husbanded will serve to find thousands of industrious men the means of making themselves comfortable and prosperous homes. Even now Palmerston, despite bad roads, displays quite a lively appearance. Houses are going up in every direction; and what is a most favorable