CO129-171 - Acting Governor Austin - 1875 [7-11] -- Sir Kennedy - 1875 [12] — Page 519

I certify that the passage of these men and all expenses attending their emigration are paid by me and that on no account this money will be charged against them, either on their arrival in Acheen or afterwards.

I have further promised to these men that the Government will supply them with work, with specified wages for every kind of employment and in all cases free food and lodging.

On or after their arrival in Acheen these emigrants will be free to accept or reject this employment, to work on their own account or for others already established there, or to leave the country.

I repeat that under these circumstances there are 600 men desiring to leave for Acheen in the British Steamer Abbotsford. But when my agent applied to the Harbor Master for permission to embark, they were refused to do so, and the ground given was "that there was a verbal contract..."

This result of the Harbor Master's inquiry, however, must be owing to some mistake; it is quite possible that the passengers, who were subjected to a sharp examination yesterday, may have...