Index	LU=9Jan05	Contact: Dawn Chambers		email: d.chambers@paradise.net.nz

John MORRISON 1860-1869


Archives NZ Wellington Reference: TP 5/10 (Taranaki Province)
Letter written by John Morrison to the Superintendent of Taranaki 
19 Jan 1861 Address: 3 Adelaide Place, King William  Street, London

Sir, I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 
12th November 1860 transmitting to me a copy of a letter addressed by 
yourself to the Agents of the Province of Taranaki, Messrs John 
Gladstone & Co., and I beg to assure you that my careful attention 
shall be given towards carrying out the views therein expressed.



Archives NZ Wellington Reference: TP 5/10 (Taranaki Province)
Letter written by John Morrison to the Superintendent of Taranaki 
15 Mar 1861 Letterhead: Office of The New Zealand Government Agency, 
3, Adelaide Place, King William Street, London

Sir, The Colonial Secretary New Zealand has permitted me to apply to 
you for any official documents issued by the Provincial Government of 
Taranaki, in order that the same may be kept in this Office for 
record, and general information; I beg leave therefore to annex a list 
of the documents required, and to request, that at your earliest 
convenience you will be so good as to forward them to me. I shall feel 
obliged if you will also forward, at the same time, a few copies of 
the Land Regulations, at present in operation in your province.

Official Papers of the Province of Taranaki required for the Agency of 
the Government on New Zealand, London. 
Gazettes: All previous to No. 1 Jany 31st 1860, also No. 8 between 
dates of June 20th, 1860 and August 24th 1860, last received No. 10 
Nov 13th 1860.
Votes & Proceedings of Provincial Council - all wanted
Provincial Ordinances - all wanted
Also any Maps &c of the Province


Southland Gazette 1861 p16
Colonial Secretary's Office Auckland 5 Aug 1861

His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to nominate John Morrison 
Esq., of 3, Adelaide Place, King William-street, London, as Agent to 
communicate on behalf of New Zealand with Her Majesty's Commissioners 
in connection with the International Exhibition proposed to be held in 
London in 1862.


Historical Southland by F. G. Hall-Jones
The Province (The Menzies Period) p139

Regarding Dr Menzies address 13 Aug 1861.
The address combined an optimistic confidence in the future of 
Southland with practical considerations for its achievement. Population 
was the first necessity, and direct immigration to the Bluff was to be 
set in hand. The services of John Morrison as Immigration Officer were 
secured, and the first immigrant ship, the Robert Henderson, arrived in 
September, 1862. In 1862-63 2795 settlers arrived from overseas, and 
nearly as many from other parts of New Zealand. The Southland 
population grew from 1820 in December 1861 to 3455 in 1862 and 9545 in 
1863. Since Southland lacked the attraction of Otago's goldfields, this 
was a gratifying increase, which, with Otago's long standing hostility 
towards Bluff immigration, could not have been achieved without 
separation.


Archives NZ Wellington Reference: TP 5/10 (Taranaki Province)
Letter written by John Morrison to the Superintendent of Taranaki 
17 Aug 1861 Letterhead: Office of The New Zealand Government Agency, 
3, Adelaide Place, King William Street, London

Sir, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 8th 
May last, in reply to one which had been addressed to you by Mr Hall 
as chairman of a Meeting of Colonists, requesting the opinion of your 
Government as to the desirability of raising a subscription in England 
for the relief of the Settlers of Taranaki and for such particulars, 
as to the losses resulting from the War, as would enable the facts of 
the case being laid before the British Public. In reply, I have to 
state that the letter was read to the Colonists at their last Monthly 
Meeting, and I can assure you, that they truly sympathised in the 
misfortunes of their fellow Colonists at Taranaki, which you so fully 
described. At present, as you are already aware, no steps have been 
taken to raise a subscription in England, the matter is held in 
suspense. Should the original intention and wish of the Colonists be 
carried out, I shall have pleasure in advising you of it. I beg that 
you will have the goodness to favor me, at your convenience, with any 
further information on the subject, which in your opinion is of 
importance to be known, and assuring you of my desire to aid in every 
possible manner the interests of your Province.


Archives NZ Wellington Reference: TP 5/10 (Taranaki Province)
Letter written by John Morrison to the Superintendent of Taranaki 
19 Sep 1861 Letterhead: Office of The New Zealand Government Agency, 
3, Adelaide Place, King William Street, London

Sir, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 6 
of 1st June last intimating that you had been so good as to forward by 
the Mail, as complete a file of the Official documents issued by your 
Government as it is in your power to supply; and I have the pleasure 
to inform you, the same have been duly received, and to state that 
they are recorded in this office for the use of the Public. I beg to 
offer you my thanks for your prompt attention to my request and for 
the promise that copies of the Maps of your Province, when completed, 
shall be forwarded also.


Archives NZ Wellington Reference: WP 3 Box 10 1862/103
Letter from John Morrison of 3 Adelaide Place, King William Street,
London dated 24 Feb 1862 to The Superintendent Wellington.

Sir, I have the honor to acquaint you that I have shipped by the
"Triton" Captain Baunbeck for Wellington two cases containing 3 Red
Deer (1 Stag and 2 Hinds) and to request you will have the goodness to
direct some one on arrival of the vessel to take charge of and retain
the animals until instructions are received from the Honble the
Colonial Secretary respecting their disposal.

The Deer are the gift of His late Royal Highness the Prince Consort who
was pleased, on my application, not only to present several to the
Colony, but instructed that all should be carefully prepared for the
voyage. In distributing the animals to different parts I have been
anxious to forward some of the Red Deer to Wellington believing the
district to be well adapted for them, and I trust in time the province
will benefit by their importation. An abundant supply of Provender has
been put on board for the animals during the voyage, and I beg to
enclose to your Honor the letter which Capt Baunbeck has addressed to
me agreeing to deliver them, and to land any surplus food on arrival
at Wellington. I have endorsed on the back of it an authority to
deliver all to your order, I have the honor to be, Sir, Your very
obedient servant, John Morrison.


Southland Gazette 1862 p120
Colonial Secretary's Office Wellington 6 Sep 1862

The following Despatch and letter, relative to the disposal of 
articles contributed by New Zealand to the International Exhibition, 
are published for general information; and the several Commissions 
appointed by his Excellency the Governor in August, 1861, on behalf of 
the Provinces, are invited to communicate to the Government for 
transmission to the Home Authorities, their views respecting such 
disposal. Alfred Domett.

Office of the New Zealand Government Agency, 3, Adelaide Place, King 
William Street, London 19 May 1862

Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, No. 
60 of 15th February last, informing me my proposal for the continuance 
of this office would be subject to the General Assembly at its next 
Session. Should the Governor decide in favour of it, I beg to direct 
your attention to a matter that if carried out would, I believe, 
greatly tend to promote the interest of the Colony.

As the specimens forwarded by the Provinces to the International 
Exhibition are for the first time brought together and show so 
distinctly the large resources of the Colony, I venture to submit for 
the consideration of the Government the propriety of securing them 
after the Exhibition is over, and of arranging them in one collection. 
Such a step would enable manufacturers and others to have access to 
specimens at all times, - the want of which is at present a great 
drawback. The expense of so doing would be nominal, should the 
Government retain these rooms, the one at present used for the 
Government maps, official documents, papers and use of colonists being 
upwards of 35 feet long could be arranged to contain all, without 
interfering with its present use. The cases now in service at the 
Exhibition, which must be paid for, would serve without further cost, 
for the preservation of the various articles; under these 
circumstances I believe I am justified in stating the expense would be 
trifling, while the opinion that it would be of an advantage to the 
Colony, is based on the remarks made to be by practical men who have 
seen the various articles at the Exhibition.

Learning that other parties were desirous to rent the present rooms 
upon my relinquishing them on the 30th proximo, I have thought it 
advisable to retain them until informed of the decision of the General 
Assembly and of the Government, respecting the present suggestion. If 
it is practicable and convenient to let me have this by return mail it 
would be of service... John Morrison


AJHR 1865 Section D3 No. 1 p1
Correspondence relative to the Despatch of Emigrants to New Zealand

The NZ Emigration Board to the Colonial Secretary, Auckland; Office
of the NZ Emigration Board, 3, Adelaide-place, London Bridge, London, 
E.C., 26 Sep 1864

Sir, We have the honour to inform you that, in accordance with the 
authority received from the Hon. Reader Wood before leaving England, 
we have applied to the Crown Agents for the Colonies for the sum of 
£10,000 in bonds on account of Emigration Expenditure; and we beg to 
enclose herewith copies of Mr Sargeant's letters to us on the 
subject, dated 19th and 26th curt., from which you will observe that 
only £5800 in debentures have been retained for emigration purposes, 
which the Crown Agents are prepared to deliver to us on application, 
and for the balance they are prepared to pay us in cash, say £3780, 
about the latter end of November. We have not received the additional 
sum of £20,000 from the Bank of New Zealand, and no positive 
assurance is held out to us by the Bank that they will be in a 
position at any future time to comply with Mr Wood's request to pay 
us over the amount, notwithstanding the sale of the first million of 
bonds. We have therefore the honor to request that you will make such 
financial arrangements as are required for the vigorous prosecution 
of the Emigration Scheme, if it is the wish of the Government that it 
should be carried on. We purpose despatching a vessel from Ireland 
about end of next month, and another from England about the middle of 
November. Mr Clark will also have a second ship from Scotland in 
November. Wm. S. Grahame, John Morrison.


AJHR 1865 Section D3 No. 2 p2
Correspondence relative to the Despatch of Emigrants to New Zealand

The NZ Emigration Board to the Colonial Secretary, Auckland; Office 
of the NZ Emigration Board, 3, Adelaide-place, London Bridge, London, 
E.C., 26 Sep 1864

Sir, We have the honor to enclose you herewith copy of correspondence 
we have had with Mr McElroy, of Manchester, on the subject of a 
special settlement in the Province of Auckland. A block of land set 
apart in the Waikato district, would, we imagine, be accepted. We beg 
you will give the proposal favourable consideration; and if acceded 
to under certain conditions, please instruct us on the subject. Wm. 
S. Grahame, John Morrison.


AJHR 1865 Section D3 No. 3 p5
Correspondence relative to the Despatch of Emigrants to New Zealand

The NZ Emigration Board to the Colonial Secretary, Auckland; Office
of the NZ Emigration Board, 3, Adelaide-place, London Bridge, London, 
E.C., 26 Oct 1864

Sir, We have the honor to forward under another copy by this mail 
copies of correspondence with H.M. Emigration Commissioners with 
regard to furnishing Surgeons from their lists for the NZ Government 
Emigration Ships we from time to time despatch. We have up to this 
time appointed three of their nominated surgeons, and we find the 
Commissioners in this and other matters at all times ready to assist 
us. We have also forwarded copy of letter from Mr Jonas King, 
Surgeon-Superintendent of the emigrant ship Matoaka previous to that 
ship's final departure from the Channel on the pilot leaving her, and 
is the last communication we have had from the vessel. Upon the 
whole, it is satisfactory no farther cases of sickness had occurred, 
and we trust she will reach her destination without any farther 
casualty. Since addressing you on the 26th ultimo, we have received 
the amount of the bond therein referred to - viz., £5800; and the 
money-payment of £3780 we are to receive from the Crown Agents next 
month. Beyond these amounts we have received no additional funds for 
the purposes of emigration. The £20,000 expected from the Bank of New 
Zealand has not been received, and at present there appears little 
prospect of it being paid. The ship Ganges will be despatched from 
Cork with about 400 Irish emigrants on the 2nd November, and we 
purpose despatching the Bombay from this port with English emigrants 
on 22nd November; and Mr Clark has engaged the ship Viola to sail 
from the Clyde about same time. The Bombay will carry about 340 
emigrants. To equalise as far as possible the sexes, we forward a 
considerable number of unmarried females, per Ganges. The great 
majority of these intend remaining in Auckland, and it is with this 
understanding that we give them free passages. We have no difficulty 
whatever in getting any number of young men, unmarried; and probably 
we shall in future have to send a greater number of these in every 
ship. It is almost impossible in taking families to confine the 
children under ten years to a reasonable number; in almost all cases 
they exceed the limit of two in each family under that age. We take 
the liberty of suggesting that some previous arrangement should be 
made for facilitating the unmarried females per Ganges in obtaining 
situations as soon as possible after arriving at Auckland. There are 
seventy in number going by that vessel, and if a committee of 
Auckland ladies would interest themselves in this matter it would be 
of very great importance. Wm. S. Grahame, John Morrison.

Nelson Provincial Council Proceedings: Copy of Correspondence Relative
to the Introduction of Immigrants by Bishop Suter
Copy of a letter from Bishop Suter to J. Morrison Esq.
All Saints, Spicer-street, Spitalfields, N.E., February 22nd, 1866

My Dear Sir, I am expecting in the course of a few months to go out to
Nelson, and in accordance with a suggestion, write to ask you to
communicate with his Honor the Superintendent of Nelson on the 
following proposal. I am informed that a moderate immigration is
desired, and that female servants are much wanted in the colony.

As there are many who wish to go, but are deterred on account of the
want of some known person to accompany them, it has struck me that it
might be an opportunity, when I went out, of taking some of that class
with me, and also a few others who might be carefully selected for the
colony.

My time is a little uncertain, and I expected to have been in Nelson
long before this, but I think I shall be in England long enough to
enable me to receive an answer to this proposal. I shall be willing to
take steps to find out as many suitable young persons as the
Superintendent might authorise to come on the usual terms, and Mrs
Suter would assist me in this selection, and on taking an oversight of
them during the voyage. I should therefore be glad to know whether the
plan meets the approval of the Government of Nelson, and that they
would wish to avail themselves of it and to what extent.

In order to carry this out, it would be desirable that I receive an
answer by the return mail, so that if the answer was to the effect that
they desired to accept the offer, I might be able to set about the
selection at once. I should be glad to find out that they are willing
that a certain number of young female servants, of artizans, and a few
married couples should be taken free on undertaking to repay the
passage in two years time.

The task of bringing them out after selection would be no easy one, but
if the colony were likely to benefit by it, I should be very ready to
give my services for the purpose.

I have had considerable experience in sending people out to the 
colonies, and from what I have heard of their respective success, have
been able to form some idea of the kind of Colonists wanted as
immigrants, and I know too, how hard it is to get many of the right
sort, nevertheless I am sure there are many who would willingly let
their daughters go, if it were under good superintendence, I may
therefore hope for an answer to this by the July mail, and remain &c.,
Andrew Burn Suter, Bishop designate of Nelson.

Nelson Provincial Council Proceedings: Copy of Correspondence Relative
to the Introduction of Immigrants by Bishop Suter
Copy of a letter from J. Morrison Esq., to the Immigration Secretary
London 26th February 1866

Alfred Greenfield, Esq., Immigration Secretary, Nelson
Sir, I do myself the honor to transmit herewith copy of a letter, which
the Rev. Andrew Burn Suter, Bishop designate of Nelson, has addressed
to me, upon the subject of emigration to Nelson. I beg you will have
the goodness to lay the same before the Commissioners, and inform me,
by return mail, whether they consider it advisable to avail themselves
of the proposal made by the reverend gentleman; and if so, upon what
conditions, and to what extent passages are due to be granted. I have
&c., John Morrison

Nelson Provincial Council Proceedings: Copy of Correspondence Relative
to the Introduction of Immigrants by Bishop Suter
Copy of a letter from the Immigration Secretary, Nelson to John
Morrison Esq., London

Immigration Office, Nelson 7th May, 1866
J. Morrison Esq.
Sir, I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 26th
February last, enclosing a copy of a letter addressed to you by the
Bishop designate of this Province, offering to bring out immigrants
to this Province.

In reply, I am directed to request that you will be kind enough to
convey to Bishop Suter the thanks of the Immigration Commissioners, for
his Lordship's very liberal and kind offer, an offer which they will be
only too glad to avail themselves of, and you will therefore be good
enough to inform his Lordship that the Commissioners will grant free
passages to not exceeding fifty (50) female servants, provided they
remain twelve months in the Province of Nelson; the Commissioners will
also advance the passage money, for say twenty five (25) young married
couples, on their giving bonds to repay the same by quarterly
instalments within two years after landing. The female servants should
give notes of hand to repay their passage money on demand, which will
only be enforced on their leaving, or attempting to leave, the 
province, before the expiration of twelve months.

As the Commissioners have no proper depot for the reception of
immigrants, I trust you will be able to let me know by first 
opportunity what number may be expected, and when, especially female
servants, as it will be necessary to ask a committee of ladies to
provide for them on arrival, either by getting them situations or
getting persons to accomodate them, until situations can be found for
them. Trusting that his Lordship will be successful. I have &c.,
Alfred Greenfield. Immigration Secretary.

Nelson Provincial Council Proceedings: Copy of Correspondence Relative
to the Introduction of Immigrants by Bishop Suter
Copy of letter from Bishop Suter to J. Morrison Esq.
All Saints, Spicer-street, July 24th, 1866

Dear Sir, I beg to thank you for informing me of the willingness of
the Nelson Government to avail themselves of my offer to take out some
suitable emigrants. I am not in a position to give any answer at all as
to my plans - it is possible that I may be delayed in this country till
another Session of Parliament. It is on the other hand possible that I
should go at an earlier period. I have done nothing yet to obtain
suitable persons on account of the uncertainty, and also because I
preferred to wait till I knew how the offer would be received.

I may add, however, that I expect always to be able to give you such
information in advance as to my prospects of going, that there will be
ample time to communicate with the emigration officers in Nelson,
before I am in a position to speak to you as to numbers, &c. At the
same time you will kindly remember that my offer was not a decided one
but conditional, and it might so happen that it would be desirable for
me to go by the new route more speedily, in which case, of course, I
could not take emigrants, but I do not expect it will be so.
Yours, &c., A. Suter, Bishop designate, Nelson, N.Z.

Nelson Provincial Council Proceedings: Copy of Correspondence Relative
to the Introduction of Immigrants by Bishop Suter
Copy of a letter from the J. Morrison Esq., to the Immigration 
Secretary London 24th July, 1866

Alfred Greenfield Esq.
Sir, I do myself the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter,
No.113, of the 7th May last, informing me that the Immigration
Commissioners will be only too glad to avail themselves of the proposal
made by the Bishop designate of Nelson, upon the subject of the
introduction of immigrants.

Immediately your communication was received I addressed a letter to the
Rev. Mr. Suter, expressing the thanks of the Immigration Commissioners
for the kind proposal he had made. At the same time I intimated that
free passages would be granted to not exceeding fifty female servants,
provided they remain 12 months in the Province of Nelson; and that the
Commissioners would also advance the passage money for twenty-five
young married couples on their giving bonds to repay the same by
quarterly instalments within two years after landing. I particularly
represented that I was directed to let you know by first opportunity
what number may be expected, and when. To-day I am in receipt of Mr
Suter's reply, copy of which is enclosed for the information of the
Commissioners, by which you will observe that the Rev. gentleman is
unable to take any steps towards collecting the people owing to the
uncertainty in which he is at present, as to when he may be in a
position to leave England, and by what route he may be required to
proceed to the colony.

I am given to understand it may be six months or more, before
arrangements are likely to be completed to admit of Mr Suter's
departure, in which case I hope to have ample time to advise you as to
the number of people who are about to accompany him. On the other hand
should Mr Suter select the emigrants, but afterwards find he is
compelled to take his passage via Panama, instead of with them in a
sailing ship proceeding direct to Nelson, I would seek to have the
permission of the Commissioners to forward them in the ordinary way,
notwithstanding Mr Suter does not accompany them - for I apprehend
the Commissioners have soley granted the privilege of free and
assisted passages upon the assumption that the people would be
accompanied by and under the charge of the rev. gentleman during the
voyage, and until you more specifically instruct me, I shall hesitate
to grant the passages unless that arrangement is carried out.

It is clear to me that there will be no occasion to take any steps in
the matter before your reply to this letter is received, but the
Commissioners may rest assured that no impediment on my part shall be
caused by which any delay or inconvenience is created. I have &c.,
John Morrison

Nelson Provincial Council Proceedings: Copy of Correspondence Relative
to the Introduction of Immigrants by Bishop Suter
Copy of a letter from the Immigration Secretary, Nelson to J.
Morrison Esq., London

Immigration Office, Nelson 13th October 1866
Sir, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the
24th July last, enclosing a letter from the Bishop designate of Nelson,
relative to the introduction of immigrants to this province.

In reply, I am directed by the Immigration Commissioners to inform you,
that it was only on the understanding that the immigrants should be
accompanied by, and be under the charge and control of, the Bishop and
his Lady, that the Commissioners agreed to the Rev. gentleman's
proposal, and they cannot, therefore, consent to the arrangement
suggested in your letter, viz. : that if the Bishop travels by the
Panama line, any immigrants he may select should be forwarded in the
ordinary way. I have, &c., Alfred Greenfield, Immigration Secretary.

Nelson Provincial Council Proceedings: Copy of Correspondence Relative
to the Introduction of Immigrants by Bishop Suter
Copy of a letter from Bishop Suter to J. Morrison Esq.
All Saint's Parsonage, October 30, 1866

Dear Sir, In regard to the proposition of my superintending the 
selection and passage of emigrants to Nelson, New Zealand, I write to
say that I am very glad that the Government of Nelson have so cordially
taken up the scheme, and I hope it may be carried out for the advantage
of the colony. My own wishes and convenience would have taken me by the
new Panama route, but as I consider the addition of such emigrants as
I shall endeavour to induce to come will be of permanent benefit to
the colony, I gladly underdake the responsibility which will then fall
upon me. As far as I see at present, my arrangements will not allow me
to leave before the second week in April, 1867, by which time I hope,
unless anything unforeseen occurs, to have the full number of 50 young
women for domestic service, and 25 young couples, artizans and
agricultural labourers. This will bring us to Nelson about July or
August, 1867, so that there will still be time for them to make
arrangements. I should, however, like clearly to understand from you,
that I should not be in any way responsible for the support of the
emigrants on landing in Nelson, and that they would have lodging and
board for a certain time, at least, after arrival. Perhaps you will be
so good as to convey this intelligence to the Government authorities.
I am, &c., A. B. Nelson [sic]

Nelson Provincial Council Proceedings: Copy of Correspondence Relative
to the Introduction of Immigrants by Bishop Suter
Copy of a letter from J. Morrison Esq., to the Immigration Secretary
London 30th October, 1866

Sir, For the information of the Immigration Commissioners, I do myself
the honor to acquaint you that at an interview which I had yesterday
with the Bishop of Nelson, his Lordship gave me to understand that he
expected to leave England for Nelson about the middle of April next,
and that it was his intention to proceed by sailing ship via the Cape.

It also affords me much satisfaction to report to you, that his
Lordship speaks most confidently about the emigration scheme, and that
so far as an opinion can be at present formed, he will have no
difficulty in procuring the full number of emigrants sanctioned by the
Commissioners. I have, &c., John Morrison
P.S. I beg to enclose copy of a letter just received from the Bishop,
and would crave the attention of Government to it.

Nelson Provincial Council Proceedings: Copy of Correspondence Relative
to the Introduction of Immigrants by Bishop Suter
Extract from Letter from the Immigration Secretary, Nelson to
J. Morrison, Esq., London 5th January 1867

Sir, The Commissioners are pleased to hear that Bishop Suter will in
all probability be able to bring out the number of immigrants
sanctioned by the Commissioners. Female servants are very much wanted
in this province, and a few agricultural laborers, will, I have no
doubt, do well here. You can assure his Lordship that he will be
relieved of all responsibility, the moment the ship arrives at this
port.

I purpose asking a Committee of Ladies to make arrangements for the
reception of the females, to avoid putting them in any Depot, which I
consider very objectionable. I think arrangements can be made, so that
each girl can be placed in a private house immediately on landing.

With regard to married couples, should they be unable to obtain
immediate employment, Government must endeavour to find them work, or
supply them with provisions, &c., for a time, but with a view to their
immediate employment. I have to request that you will at the earliest
opportunity after the selection has been made by the Bishop, forward
to me a list of the names, ages and calling of those selected.
A. Greenfield, Immigration Secretary.

Archives NZ Wellington Reference: SP 2/2 (Southland Province)
Letter written by John Morrison to the Superintendent of Southland on 
30 Sep 1867

Via Panama, Office of The NZ Government Agency, 3, Adelaide Place, 
King William Street, London

Sir, I do myself the honor to inform you of my intention to visit New 
Zealand, have been granted a leave of absence from the duties of this 
office by the General Government, for which I applied, to enable me 
to become personally acquainted with the material progress the Colony 
has made since I last visited it. I purpose leaving by the Steamer on 
the 2nd of November next via Panama and I shall take the earliest 
opportunity after my arrival at Wellington to visit Southland and to 
wait upon your Honor.

In announcing this arrangement it affords me satisfaction also to 
state that during my absence from London, which will not exceed eight 
months - I have made efficient provision by which the duties of this 
office will be carried on as heretofore. Whatever services your 
Government may require carried out will therefore continue to be 
attended to. I have the honor to be, Sir Your most obedt Servant John 
Morrison


The New Zealand Examiner 1 Jan 1868
Letter written by John Morrison on 6 Dec 1867

Office of the NZ Government Agency, 3 Adelaide place, King William 
street

Sir, I beg to inform you that I have by this mail received information 
from the Government of New Zealand to the effect that two acts, the 
"Public Debts Act, 1867" and the "Consolidated Loan Act, 1867" have 
been passed by both Houses of the Legislature. The object of these acts 
is the conversion and consolidation of the provincial loans into one 
loan, to be called 'The New Zealand Consolidation Loan', and all moneys 
borrowed thereunder are to form a charge upon the consolidated revenue 
of the colony of New Zealand. From the date of the passing of these 
acts, no act or ordinance which may be passed by any Provincial Council 
of any province in New Zealand for raising any provincial loan, or for 
the guarantee of the payment of any interest or subsidy, will be valid. 
I am, Sir, your obedient servant, John Morrison
Per pro Alexander Morrison, Joseph Sawyer.


Southland News 1 Feb 1868
Passenger list per 'Phoebe'
Cabin: Messrs Thornhill, Morison, M'Donald, Matheson, Lyon, Gibson,
Blair, Cunningham, Paterson, Kempthorne and Coates; Mrs Smith and 2
children; Miss Kirk, Miss Sinclair, Miss Gregg and eight in steerage.


Southland News 8 Feb 1868
The scarcity of labour we have of late remarked upon is increasing to 
an extent that promises to be productive of very serious injury to 
farming and other interests. From all quarters we hear of the 
difficulty of obtaining men to carry on pressing work in the field and 
on the roads. Yet, the wages offered are good - better probably than in 
any other part of the colony; and there is, as far as it is possible to 
speak with certainty on a matter so liable to be affected by unforeseen 
circumstances, every appearance of the demand being well maintained. We 
need not now attempt to deal with the abstract questions of the 
importance or desirabiltiy of keeping up a constant stream of 
immigration. Both have been definitely affirmed by public opinion. Our 
business is with the plain fact that there is a large amount of work to 
be done, and plenty of people ready to pay a fair money equivalent for 
it. By-and-by, no doubt, when the Government shall have perfected its 
immigration scheme, two or three vessels will be laid on with 
immigrants from the home country; but, in the meantime, the Province is 
likely to suffer an actual loss for want of hands to gather the harvest 
that, notwithstanding the unfavourable season, is gradually ripening. 
That one or two hundred able-bodied men would find immediate employment 
we can safely assert; and, judging by the activity with which the 
engineering survey of the Northern Railway has been carried on, there 
is every probability that by the time harvest is over, any surplus 
labor could be profitably engaged in the work of completing the line. 
Under these circumstances, we think the Government would be justified 
in devoting some portion of the money voted by the Provincial Council 
for immigration (£4000) to the purpose of defraying the passage money 
of, say, one hundred laborers from Auckland. We have, on a previous 
occasion, advocated this course, and feel confident that it would be 
favourably regarded by the public. It may be repeated that latest 
accounts confirm what has been already told respecting the prevalent 
depression in Auckland. Hundreds of men, it is said, are going about, 
anxious to get work, and too poor to leave in search of it in the other 
provinces.

Since the above was written, we have learned that the local Government 
has decided to authorise Mr Morrison (its London agent, now on a visit 
to this province) to lay on, direct for the Bluff, vessels chartered to 
convey cargo, passengers, and assisted immigrants - in fact to use the 
familiar term, "to resume assisted immigration." The first vessel, it 
is expected, will leave England in July. Mr Morrison has been on a tour 
of inspection through this province, and will be in the best position 
to afford information to those desirous of ascertaining somewhat of the 
resources and prospects of Southland. It may be not altogether out of 
place to point out the desirability of merchants and others taking 
advantage of the opportunity of obtaining direct importations of goods. 
This would go far to induce the establishment of a line of regular 
traders to the Bluff, and prove beneficial by increasing the revenue, 
and diminishing the selling price of most articles of ordinary use.


Archives NZ Wellington Reference: SP 2/2 (Southland Province)
Letter written by John Morrison from Invercargill 15 Feb 1868

Sir, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 
13th inst. desiring to be favored with a detailed statement of my 
proposal for carrying out a plan of direct immigration in Land 
payments. Before submitting my view I beg to explain that I am somewhat 
unprepared to do so. It arises in this way. When writing to 
Invercargill some months ago I ventured to remark to a gentleman upon 
the urgent importance of continuing the system of nominated 
immigration: I observed that should the Government be financially 
unable to resume the service purchasers might be got in London to 
purchase Land, provided the money paid for the Land be applied now and 
henceforth to Immigration. Until my arrival in Invercargill I was 
unaware the attention of Government had been directed to my suggestion 
or that the Council was desirous to carry it out. Although most willing 
to co-operate with your Government you will perceive from what I have 
stated that I am practically unable to do so; inasmuch as the action 
which has been taken is premature; I am not the principal in this 
matter and moreover I reasonably abstain, on account of the official 
position I occupy, from purchasing Land in New Zealand. However, so 
important a measure do I consider the resumption of immigration to be 
for Southland, and being desirous to give immediate effect to the 
wishes of the Council I beg to state to your Honor that rather than any 
impediment should arise to delay or stop a gradual flow of population 
to your Province I will undertake to provide funds for the passages of 
the Nominated Immigrants you send for to the amount of five thousand 
pounds until I obtain a purchaser for Land to the Extent of five 
thousand acres. In taking upon myself this position I beg the 
Government will not recognize me as the principal or buyer of the Land. 
I accept the personal liability merely to avoid disappointment to many 
of your settlers and inconvenience to your Government.


Australian & New Zealand Gazette p149 (7 Mar 1868) Wellington
Nearly twelve months ago, when Dr Featherston, at Parewanui, formally 
completed the purchase of the Manawatu-Rangitikei block and paid the 
purchase-money, a very interesting incident took place which is worthy 
of being revived in the minds of our readers. One of the gentlemen who 
accompanied Dr Featherston to Rangitikei was Howard Kennard, Esq., who 
had only recently arrived from Europe. Mr Kennard was present at the 
final meeting which took place in Hunia's own house. In bidding the 
Ngatiapa chief good-bye, Mr Kennard addressed him to the following 
effect:- "Governor Hunia, - I cannot leave this place without 
expressing to you the gratification I have derived from my visit to 
Parewanui. I have had an opportunity of studying the manners, habits, 
and characteristics of your race. I have listened to the oratory of 
your chiefs - I have heard their chants and songs - I have witnessed 
their hakas and other amusements; I was not here on the opening day, 
when the ceremony of the war dance was performed, but you were good 
enough, at the close of the meeting, to get up a grand war dance for 
the special entertainment of myself and friends. I beg to thank you for 
this attention, and I beg that you will also convey my thanks to your 
people. I shall carry home with me lively and very pleasing 
recollections of the Parewanui meeting, and in order to show you that I 
have not forgotten the leading chief of the Ngatiapa tribe, I shall 
immediately, on my return home, send out to you the fullest costume of 
a Scottish Highland chief. I shall select that of which the Queen 
herself is the nominal head, and I shall ask you to wear it on future 
occasions of this kind in remembrance of our short but friendly 
intercourse."

Mr Kennard has not been forgetful of his promise to the Maori chief. By 
the last mail Mr Morrison, the agent of this province, brought out a 
case containing the full costume of a Highland chief for Governor 
Hunia, which we had the opportunity of seeing last week. Everything is 
complete and of the very best kind. The coat, the kilt, the sporan, the 
dirk, the hose, the skene dhu, and the brogues are all complete. 
Speaking from our old recollections of Highland gatherings, where 
Scotia's noblest sons have appeared in the "garb of old Gaul", we have 
never seen a finer, a more expensive, or a more complete costume. 
Everything has been selected with admirable taste. The hose, the 
buckles, the frosted silver thistles which ornament the belt, and the 
real cairngorms which decorate the dirk, are all of the best that 
Scotland can produce. In making this gift Mr Howard Kennard has done a 
graceful act, which its recipient will fully appreciate; and when 
Governor Hunia appears before the Duke of Edinburgh in the costume of 
the clan of which his royal mother is the nominal head, the compliment 
conveyed will be alike delicate and appropriate.


Australian and New Zealand Gazette p151 (7 Mar 1868) Nelson
Mr J. Morrison, so well known as the agent for the Government of New 
Zealand and several of the provinces, has paid the colony a second 
visit. Mr Morrison's visit has a special interest for Nelson, since his 
Honor the Superintendent has told us he trusts to be able, by Mr 
Morrison's agency, to bring our proposed railway under the notice of 
British capitalists, and, let us add, our long-talked-of dock or slip.


Nelson Evening Mail 2 Jun 1868 (Tue)
The Wellington Independent has the following: It has been stated that 
Mr John Morrison, of London (the agent for the Colony and for 
Wellington and Nelson Provinces) had been paid a commission 'in the 
face of a resolution of the Council declaring that the commission 
should not be paid.' This is not exactly correct. The Provincial 
Treasurer has, we hear - while the Superintendent was away - paid the 
said gentleman a sum to the tune of about 1160 pounds; but this sum was 
on the estimates; only it was by some understood that before any 
payment on this head was made, the matter was to be referred to the 
Provincial Council for revisal, many persons thinking that Mr Morrison 
should not be paid a commission on the cost of erecting the wharf 
(which he had nothing to do with) as well as a commission on the cost 
of materials delivered in London. Besides it was only reasonable that 
he should not be paid a commission on the slip until the present 
settlement is completed by an act which has to be passed by the 
Provincial Council at its next sitting. It is a very large sum that 
has been paid for a few days negotiating for a slip and a wharf; besides 
it is well known that all the hard and practical work of inspecting the 
material in the country and seeing it shipped in London, fell to the 
share of Mr C. R. Carter, who, as yet, has received no payment. It must 
be a profitable thing - in these hard times - to be agent for so many 
governments - to receive so many commissions, and to get leave of 
absence into the bargain to procure more.


Nelson Evening Mail 3 Jun 1868 (Weds)
Mr Mackay in a lengthy and able speech warmly advocated the same views 
and ended by proposing the following resolution:- 'That this meeting 
consider it expedient that his Honor the Superintendent should take the 
opportunity of engaging the services of Mr H. Wrigg, C.E. to proceed 
with Mr J. Morrison to London with the intention of forming a Joint 
Stock Company for the purpose of constructing a railway from Nelson to 
the West Coast. In which case it is presumed that Mr Morrison would 
confine himself entirely to the monetary arrangements of the business, 
and that Mr Wrigg would be at liberty to devote his time to giving all 
the requisite information in his particular department which the 
promoters of the undertaking may require.'


Nelson Evening Mail 5 Jun 1868 (Fri)
The Provincial Secretary submitted that it could not be shown that the 
Government had lost any time in the matter. The Superintendent had 
pointed out in his address to the Council in 1867 that it would be 
necessary to wait until Mr Balfour's report had been received, and the 
Council had unanimously agreed that no action should be taken on the 
harbor improvements pending the receipt of that report. The bill was 
not assented to until November 1867, and the report was not received 
until last April. Mr Morrison, the London agent of the province, was 
then in the colony, and the Government were waiting to consult him on 
the matter. They had, however now, altered their views, and proposed a 
scheme more likely to secure the construction of the dock without 
further delay.