That up to the present time the scheme has proved a comparative failure no one ever thinks of denying, but numberless although Dr Feathek- STON's faults have been, it is unfair that he should be made to bear the whole burden of blame on his shoul ders. Nevertheless, for some time past, indeed, ever since it came to be generally recognised that the expecta tions of the Fox Ministry in regard to immigration were not being fulfilled, the Government newspapei-s have kept tip a running fire of abuse at the Agent- General, and have endeavoured to show that he, and he alone, is at fault. The latest attack upon Dr Featherstox is to be found in the Wellington Independent of Tues day, and, as usual, it has been made, not so much with the view of showing up his misdeeds, but with the object of putting the Independent's patrons right with the public in regard to a matter which has just come to light. It has been discovered that Mr Birch, Mr Seaton", and Mr Far> t all are each in receipt of a salary of .£7OO a year, and it is asserted that this rate of remune ration is being paid without the autho rity of the Government, and that Dr Featherstox ' has actually paid them at that rate for all the time they have been nominally or actually in the em ployment of the Government.' The In dependent talces him to task for this fresh transgression, and, in order that the of fence may be bi-ought home to him, it professes to give a sketch of the arrange ment by which the Colony was enabled to secure the services of the above named gentlemen. Unfortunately for the Independent, its statements are completely at variance with the account of the matter which may be gathered from the published correspondence be tween the Government and the Agent- General. 