who said this was his fourth day, which was, that if an emigrant had any money they wanted him to buy land, instead of giving him a government grant.  While they were talking the headman of the office walked past them, accompanied by a gentleman in military uniform, and went into the inner room.  Both gentlemen were speaking loudly.  ‘Yes,’ said the surveyor-general, ’we are building a future empire here, and would like more recognition from the Home government of our services.  We are doing a great work with imperfect means.’  ‘Ah!’ exclaimed the officer, ‘what do you need?’ ’We need more money and more officials to direct the stream of immigration.’  So they went on gabbling, while by this time there were over fifty of us in the waiting-room and round the door outside.  Getting tired, the master asked a clerk who was passing in to see the surveyor, to tell him there were a number of emigrants wanting lots and if he would be pleased to help them.  We heard the message given and the reply ’I am engaged with Colonel Rivers, and cannot possibly see them today; go and take their names and the places where they are staying.’  So we gave our names, said the master, and came away sick at heart.  While waiting in the tavern at a loss what to do a man came into the barroom and asked if he was Mr Anderson.  He had heard he wanted land and could introduce him to a party who would supply him at a reasonable price.  ’I have not come all the way from Scotland to pay for land; I expect to get a lot on the government’s conditions.’  You can get such a lot, replied the stranger, but when you see it you would not take it.  All the government lots are in the back country, and often wet or stony.  What you want is good land and near a market.  He talked on, trying to persuade the master to go with him and make a purchase, but he said he would take time to think over what he had told him.  The stranger pressed him to come to the bar and have a treat; the master said No.  After he was gone the master asked the tavern-keeper if he knew the man.  ’Oh, yes, he is a runner for the big bugs who have land for sale.’  ‘How came he to know I wanted land?’ ’Were you not at the surveyor-general’s office this morning and left your name?  There is a regular machine to get all the money out of you emigrants that can be squeezed.’  The landlord said nearly all the desirable land was held by private persons, who had got large grants under one pretence or another and who were selling it for cash, when the emigrant had any, or on mortgage if he had none, for if he failed in his payments they got the lot back with all the improvements the emigrant and his family had made.  After dinner the master took a walk, and passing along the street the thought struck him that he should call at the post-office, for there might be a letter from Scotland.  Asking a gentleman to direct him to the office, the reply was he was going that way and would show him.  ‘You’re a Scotchman,’ remarked the gentleman, ‘What