FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE AGENT-GENERAL, LONDON. II.-LETTERS FROM THE AGENT-GENERAL.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1872 Session I, D-01b

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FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE AGENT-GENERAL, LONDON. II.-LETTERS FROM THE AGENT-GENERAL.

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BY COMMAND OF HIS EXCELLENCY. WELLINGTON. 1872.

SCHEDULE OF CORRESPONDENCE.

o. Date. Subject. Page. 1 2 3 4 5 6 20th May, 1872 .. 20th Mav, „ 21st May, „ 21st May, „ 22nd May, „ 24th May, „ Arrangements with Messrs. Brogden for introduction of 6000 immigrants, finally settled The '' Friedeburg " has sailed from Hamburg with 241 emigrants Up to present time the immigration from United Kingdom is greatly in excess of that from Foreign countries Great increase in charges for freight. Suggests that it might be cheaper to send railway material via Melbourne The occupations, &c., of immigrants will be stated in future lists. Messrs. Shaw, Savill merely provide passages for immigrants, and have nothing to do with their selection ... Is pleased to receive telegram reporting liberation of emigrants ex " England " from quarantine, and Sir G. F. Bowen's journey through North Island List of eleven vessels laid on for New Zealand ... Owing to provalance of smallpox, Mr. t'eaton has been withdrawn from the Orkney and Shetland Isles, where he was endeavouring to procure immigrants. Remarks as to vaccination. Extract from Beport of Registrar-General of England enclosed Has concluded a satisfactory arrangement with Mr. Sloman, for conveyance of locomotives, bridge plant, Sec., to Otago Report from Mr. C. R. Carter, on the emigrants selected by Messrs. Brogden" ... 3 3 4 4 5 7 8 25th May, „ 25th May, „ 5 6 25th May, „ 6 9 .0 26th May, „ 10 10

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No. 1. Agent-Geneeal to Hon. Colonial Seceetaey. Sib ,— Hamburg, 20th May, 1872. I have the honor to inform you that the terms of the contract between the New Zealand Government and Messrs. Brogden, for tho introduction into the Colony by the latter of a number of emigrants, not exceeding in the whole six thousand souls, were finally settled only two or three hours before I left London, on the 15th instant, for this place. I have no doubt that Mr. Mackerell and Messrs. Brogden's Solicitor will have the deed ready for execution by ihe time I return. I will transmit it by the first mail, with such explanations as may seem to be required. I have, Ac, Hon. "W. Gisborne. . I. E. Featheeston.

No. 2. Agent-Geneeal to Hon. Colonial Seceetaet. Sic,— Hamburg, 20th May,- 1872. I have the honor to inform you that I arrived here late on Saturday, the 18fch instant, and that yesterday I inspected the emigrants on board the ship " Friedeburg," accompanying them afterwards some miles down the river, in company with Mr. Sloman, the owner of the vessel, and the members of the firm, with whom the contract for procuring emigrants has been made. Dr. de L. Temple and Mr. Priberg had by my instructions preceded me by some days for the purpose of inspecting the emigrants and the arrangements of the vessel, so that they might be in a position to make me a full report on my arrival. The " Priedeberg " is an iron vessel of 784 tons register, and is undoubtedly admirably adapted for the conveyance of emigrants, being equal, if not superior in many respects, especially as far as the space allotted to emigrants, the height between decks (Bft. or Bft. 6in.), ventilation, and the necessary conveniences are concerned, to the emigrant vessels that usually sail from the Thames. The arrangements, after a very minute inspection, appeared to me (with the single exception of the position of the store room, which I ordered to be changed) entirely satisfactory. The commander (Captain Kopper), who is highly spoken of, recently took out in the same vessel some 300 emigrants to Queensland, and landed them in a highly satisfactory state. The Surgeon Superintendent, Dr. de L. Temple, speaks German as fluently as a native, has already been in charge of an emigrant vessel (or vessels), is desirous of continuing in the emigration service of the New Zealand Government, and, so far as I can judge, possesses all the necessary qualifications in a very eminent degree. He found that all the emigrants had been vaccinated with the exception of a few of the very young infants, and these he vaccinated before the vessel sailed. Mr. Friberg speaks in the highest terms of the manner in which the emigrants were treated during the three or four days they were in lodgings or barracks. Every suggestion made by Dr. Temple seems to have been cheerfully complied with. Mr. Sloman (the owner of the vessel, and, in reality, the contractor,) is, as I believe I have already informed you, the largest shipowner in Hamburg, and stands at the head of the commercial community. He seems so desirous, feeling that his own reputation is at stake, that the whole emigration contract, for which he has made himself personally responsible, should be carried out faithfully, successfully, and to the entire satisfaction of the New Zealand Government, that he is prepared to incur any reasonable extra expense. The usual return of emigrants on board the " Friedeburg " will be sent by the mail after my arrival in London. In the meantime I give you the following analysis, prepared by Mr. Friberg :— On board the " Friedeburg," Captain Kopper, are — 200 persons above twelve years ... ... ... ... = 200 adults 82 persons between one and twelve years ... ... ... = 41 ~ 10 persons under one year 292 persons ... ... ... ... ... ... =241 „ Of these there *c— 61 single females ... ... ... ... ... = 61 ~ 33 single men ... ... ... ... ... ... =33 „ 53 married couples ... ... ... ... ... = 106 „ 92 children and infants ... .. ... ... ... = 41 ~ Nationalities — Total ... ... ... 241 „ Germans ... ... 102 persons above 12 years, 68 children, 5 infants Norwegians ... ... 51 „ „ 5 ~ 3 „ Danes ... ... 47 „ „ 9 „ 2 „ 200 „ „ 82 „ 10 „

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9£ adults have paid full passage, 230J have given promissory notes for £5 per adult, 1 has paid £5 The passage money, (this does not include the agency fee) will be at the rate of £10 lis. per adult' The emigrants, as a body, seem to have been well selected, and will, I have no doubt, form a valuable addition to the population of Canterbury, to which Province I have, in the absence of instructions to the contrary, directed the " Friedeburg " to proceed. • I have, &c, The Hon. W. Gisborne. I. E. Featiiekston.

No. 3. Agent-Geneeal to Hon. Colonial Seceetaey. Sic,— Hamburgh, 21st May, 1872. I trust that the apprehension which has apparently been excited, if not in the mind of the Government, at any rate in that of many of my fellow colonists, by the arrangements I have entered into for the promotion of emigration from Germany and Scandinavia, will have been completely allayed by tho advices you will have subsequently received of the prospects of emigration from the United Kingdom. During the three months, commencing on the lßt of April last, and ending the 30th June next, there will (I estimate) have been despatched from the United Kingdom a number of emigrants equal to at least 2,000 statute adults, and from Germany and Scandinavia not more than 700. The contracts or agreements for the sending out of Germans and Scandinavians to the number of 6,000 adults will determine at the expiration of two years from the date at which they were entered into, when emigration from Germany and Scandinavia and all other foreign countries may be altogether suspended, should the Government deem it advisable or expedient to do so. I myself should deeply regret such a step, not only because I regard New Zealand as afield capable of profitably absorbing any amount of immigration, but also because I am satisfied that many industries, such for example, amongst many others, as the culture of the vine, the manufacture of sugar from beet, and of paper from wood, and the preparation of dessecated milk, can only be successfully established in New Zealand by means of emigrants from the countries in which those industries are thoroughly understood, and have been long carried on. It is recognised on all sides by its opponents, equally as by its supporters, that the present policy of the Government can only be carried out successfully by an immediate and large influx of population. To limit emigration to the United Kingdom might render it impossible to supply the Colony's urgent demand for labor; might indefinitely delay the execution of the great public works to which the Colony is committed ; might enormously increase their cost, and, as a necessary result, render the payment of the interest on the borrowed money, by which these works are undertaken, an intolerable burden. At the same time, it will, I trust, be clear from the strenuous efforts made to promote emigration from the United Kingdom, and from the stream already flowing, and which is daily assuming larger and larger dimensions, that it is neither my intention nor desire to flood the Colony with Foreigners to the exclusion or detriment of our own countrymen. I have, &c, The Hon. "W. Gisborne. I. E. Featjjeeston.

No. 4. Agent-Genebal to Hon. Colonial Seceetaey. Sic,— Hamburg, 21st May, 1872. I would venture to suggest to you the expediency of your ascertaining the rate of freight at which railway plant could be conveyed from Melbourne to the chief ports in New Zealand, as I am inclined to think that it could be conveyed more cheaply from London to New Zealand via Melbourne than if shipped direct. Dead weight has usually been taken to Melbourne at about 10s. a ton. Eailway plant regarded as measurement goods at from 17s. 6d. to 20s. or 255. per ton. At present, owing to the great supply of dead weight, the freight for it to Melbourne is considerably higher than for railway measurment plant, being for the former 17s. 6d. a ton, for the latter 125., but this is an exceptional state. Messrs. Shaw, Saville, & Co. are, I understand, at the present time charging merchants from 30s. to 355. a ton for dead weight, and from 455. to 50s. for measurement goods ; and they are already threatening to charge the Government similar rates, or rates approaching them. I have, in anticipation of this, for some time been endeavoring to come to some arrangement with Mr. Sloman, of this city, for the conveyance of our railway plant in his vessels either from London or Hamburg. In the tenders I recently invited for 3,200 tons of rails, the tenderers were required to state the prices at which they would deliver the rails free on board at Hamburg, as well as at the usual ports in the United Kingdom. The tender (which I accepted yesterday) was £11 10s. a ton, delivered at London and other ports in England, and £11 15s. delivered at Hamburg. The difference is so small that it materially assists me in my present negotiations. Mr. Sloman has my proposals under consideration, and I am in hopes that I may be able to communicate the result by the present mail. I have, &c, The Hon. W. Gisborne. I. E. Featheeston.

THE AGENT-GENERAL, LONDON.

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No. 5. Agent-Geneeal to Hon. Colonial Seceetaey. Sic,— Hamburg, 22nd May, 1872. In reply to the Honorable Mr. Ormond's memorandum of the 21st February, No. 28, I beg, in the first place, to express my regret that tho occupations of the emigrants in the " England" were omitted, as I fully recognise the advantage, both to the Government and the emigrants themselves, that the employment to which they have been accustomed should be made known in the Colony previous to their arrival. I believe, however, that this is the only instance in which the occupations of the emigrants have not been given. With reference to Mr. Ormond's remark, that although owing to his " not having received copies of the agreements alluded to in my letter of the 16th November to the Colonial Secretary, he is unaware of the steps I have taken to approve the emigrants selected by the various Continental firms with whom I have contracted, but that it seems to him, however, that it would have been better, and more likely to have secured the class of emigrants desired, had the shipping firms provided only the passage, and other means been adopted for selecting the emigrants, and that should it be in my power to amend the contracts in this respect he thinks it would be very desirable to do so." lam happy to inform you that the course thus recommended by Mr. Ormond, in entire ignorance of the contracts into which I had entered, is precisely the one that has been adopted, and that therefore there is no occasion to amend the contracts in the direction referred to. 1. My contract with Messrs. Shaw, Saville and Co. is simply for the conveyance of the emigrants, with the selection of whom they have nothing whatever to do. The emigrants, as a general rule, apply first to the local agents; if they are deemed eligible by the local agents they fill in the required forms, their applications are then forwarded to my office, and are only after a very careful scrutiny accepted or rejected. 2. In my German contract (though I admit that this does not clearly appear on the face of the contract itself, but may be clearly inferred from Mr. Sloman's letter appended to it), Messrs. Louis Knorr and Co. are tho parties to select the emigrants, but the shipping firm is that cf Messrs Sloman and Co.; besides this it will be found that the description and class of emigrants, the districts from which alone they are to be taken, &c, are all specified and embodied in the contract. It is further provided that all emigrants so selected are subject to the approval either of myself or an officer appointed by me. That this approval is not intended to be a sham but a reality is, I submit, sufficiently proved by my having personally inspected the emigrants on board the " Friedeburg"—they having been previously inspected by Mr. Friberg, and by my being now on my way to inspect the emigrants which will sail in the " Hodvig," from Christiania, about tho first of June. These emigrants will also have been inspected (as well as the arrangements of the vessel) by Mr. Friberg previous to my arrival. In short, it is not my intention to allow any emigrant ship to sail from a foreign port without the emigrants and the arrangements of the vessel being inspected either by myself or by an officer in whom I can thoroughly rely. I hope to engage the officer who has for some years been employed by the Queensland Government to superintend the arrangements, fittings, &c. of their emigrant ships at this port, to act in a similar capacity for the Government of New Zealand. 3. The Norwegian contract makes no provision for the shipment of the emigrants direct from Norway ; it is simply an agreement with Messrs. Winge and Co. to procure and select a specified number of emigrants in conformity with certain conditions and regulations laid down in the agreement. My contract for the conveyance of emigrants in the " Hodvig " direct from Christiania is not with Messrs. Winge and Co., but with a Mr. Bull (the owner of the vessel), and between whom and Messrs. Winge and Co. lam not aware that there exists any connection. A copy of this contract cannot, I am afraid, be transmitted b} r this mail, as the counterpart executed by Mr. Bull will only be handed me probably on my arrival at Christiania. 4. The contract with Mr. Horneman, of Copenhagen, is precisely the same as that with Messrs. Winge and Co. I have gone into these details for the purpose of satisfying the Government that the contracts into which I have entered are not open to the objections raised by the Minister for Public Works, but if additional guarantees for the due and proper selection and approval of emigrants can be devised I shall only be too glad to adopt them. I have, &c, Hon. W. Gisborne. I. E. Featheeston.

No. 6. Aoent-Geneeal to Hon. Colonial Seceetaey. Sic,— Hamburg, 24th May, 1872. I have just received your telegram dated "Wellington, the 18th of April. I learn with very great satisfaction that the emigrants by the " England " had been liberated from quarantine, and that most of their complaints were apparently unfounded. I feel very certain that I shall procure at Copenhagen abundant proof that the statements of the Danish emigrants, that they were badly treated on the voyage from Copenhagen to London, are untrue. I receive with great gratification the announcement of the successful tour being made by His Excellency Sir G. Bowen through tho Taupo country. Such a tour speaks volumes, and cannot fail to produce a very favourable impression in England, as demonstrating the pacification of the country and the wisdom of the present Native policy. I have, &c, The Hon. W. Gisborne. _________________ ■'•• ■& Featheeston. 2

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No 7. Agent- Genebal to Hon. Colonial Seceetaey. Sib,— Hamburg, 25th May, 1872. I have the honor to enclose you a list of vessels at present laid on for the conveyance ox emigrants, with their ports of destination, and dates of sailing. I have, &c, The Hon. W. Gisborne, I. E. Featheeston.

Ships to be Despatched. For Auckland ... ... " City of Auckland" ... ... 28th May ~ do. ... ... " Bobert Henderson" ... ... 10th June do. ... ... A Ship ... ... 16th July „ Wellington ... ... " Lady Jocelyn" ... ... 29th June do. ... ... A ship (" Chile" ?) ... ... 24th July „ Napier ... ... "Ballarat" ... ... 14th June „ Nelson ... ... "Asterope"? ... ... 24th July „ Canterbury ... ... " St. Leonards" ... ... 19th June „ do. ... ... "Zealandia" ... ... 31st July „ Otago ... ... "Hydaspes" ... ... 21st June „ do. ... ... A Ship ... ... 13th July.

No. 8. Agent-Geneeal to Hon. Colonial Seceetaey. Sic,— Hamburg, 25th May, 1872. I have the honor to inform you that a short time previous to my leaving London I requested Mr. Seaton to proceed to the Orkney and Shetland Isles, for the purpose of inducing some of the fishermen there, with their wives and families, to emigrate, with the view of their being located in the special settlement contemplated by the Superintendent of Otago on Stewart's Island. The accounts previously rendered to me of the prospects of emigration from those islands were far from encouraging. Poverty, ignorance, and especially distrust of a proffered boon, were sad stumbling blocks in the way of persuading these people to move from a land of starvation to a land of plenty. But a new, and, lam afraid, to the minds of the colonists, a more serious difficulty or obstacle has arisen. Mr. Seaton, in a letter addressed to Mr. Morrison, and forwarded to me here, dated Portree, 16th May, says ; —" There seems to be good ground for the report I wrote you of, that smallpox is very prevalent in Stornway, and said to be of a very bad type. The fishing boats are not to be allowed to assemble there as usual, and it is also asserted that fever has broken out. A gentleman who came down from Strome in the steamboat with me, intending to go to Stornway, called this morning and told me that ho was going to return, as he had met a gentleman at the Portree Hotel, who informed him that it was dangerous for parties to visit the place, and he advised me to turn back also. I intend to see for myself, but in the meantime will you be kind enough to lay the matter before the AgentGeneral, and let me know his opinion on the subject, as I would be very sorry to act in such a case upon my own responsibility." Under ordinary circumstances I should have had no hesitation in instructing Mr. Seaton to carry out the mission entrusted to him, and to ignore the existence of smallpox, but after Mr. Seaton had declared tho disease to be of a virulent form, I felt that there was no other course open to me than to withdraw him from the field until further enquiries are made. But this raises the question —Is emigration to be prohibited from all countries in which smallpox is known to exist? I enclose you the Begistrar-General's last report, from which you will learn that smallpox has been raging for the last two years, and is still raging in every country of Europe —in country districts equally as in towns. But, in considering this question, I venture, as a medical man, to lay down the following propositions as incontestable: — 1. That vaccination is not an absolute, or anything like an absolute preventitive. 2. That, seeing that the incubation extends over a period of from twelve days to fourteen without, in many cases, any perceptible symptoms during a great part of that period, it is seldom, if ever, possible for a medical man to detect the disease at the incipiency of its incubation. If these propositions can be maintained, then it would seem to follow that by no possible precautions can you prevent the disease occasionally developing itself on board an emigrant vessel —it may be a few, or fourteen days after the vessel has sailed. The wonder is that the disease, when it is so prevalent as it at present is, does not break out on board every emigrant ship. It is urged by some that you can prevent this by establishing depots and keeping the emigrants there a certain time, but it is more than probable that the depots would prove mere hatching nests. Others urge, ship the emigrants from a port where the disease does not exist, but, unfortunately, no such port is to be found ; but, at any rate, why not revaccinate them all round before embarkation. The reply usually given to this suggestion is, that revaccination will have no effect upon the disease

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after incubation has commenced; and also, that revaccination often produces grave constitutional disturbance very undesirable in emigrants on the point of sailing. Let me not be understood in these brief and hurried remarks as ignoring the necessity of taking every precaution —as advocating a Laissez faire, a dolce far niente system —for I am really showing the absolute necessity of adopting all known precautions, while contending at the same time that no precautions you oan possibly take will always be effectual; a certain amount of risk is inevitable. I have, &c, I. E. Featheeston. The Hon. W. Gisborne.

Enclosure in No 8. Exteact frcm the Kepoet of the Begisteab-Genebae of England. State of the Public Health • Deaths. England.—ln the first or winter quarter of 1872, ending the 31st of March, 131,992 deaths were registered in England and Wales: after making duo allowance for increase of population this number was considerably below the average number in tho corresponding quarter of recent years, notwithstanding the epidemic of smallpox, which showed a somewhat increased and more general fatality. The annual death-rate was equal to 235 per 1000 of the estimate population, against 253, the average rate in the first quarters of the ten years 1862-71; the rate in the first quarters of those years ranged from 22T in 1868 to 276 in 1864. Temperature exercises a more direct influence upon mortality in the first quarter than in other parts of the year. A severe winter invariably produces a high death-rate. The effect of temperature, however, is partly disturbed by the varying fatality ot epidemic diseases. In the ten years, 1862-71, the temperature of the three coldest first quarters averaged 375 Fahrenheit, and the annual death-rate 270 per 1000; while in the three warmest first quarters the mean temperature was 418, and the average death-rate did not exceed 240 per 1000. The mean temperature last quarter averaged so much as 436, and but for the somewhat counteracting influence of the smallpox epidemic the death-rate would have been unusually low. In the 11 Eegistration Divisions of England and Wales the annual death-rate ranged from 192 and 208 in the south-eastern and south midland to 266 and 273 in the north-western and northern divisions. The deaths registered in each of the divisions were below the average number in the three previous corresponding quarters, except in Yorkshire and the Northern and Welsh counties ; the excess in these three divisions was principally due to the smallpox epidemic. In the principal town districts of the country, comprising all the large towns, and a population of about 13,000,000, the annual death-rate last quarter was equal to 254 per 1000. The remaining or rural population is about 10,000,000, among whom the death-rate did not exceed 20 9 per 1000. Tho urban rate was 2'o, and the rural rate 1;7 per 1000 below the average rates in the corresponding quarter of the 10 years 1862-71. If from the entire urban population be excluded 68 of the largest towns, it will be found that the death-rate in the smaller towns, last quarter was equal to 246 per 1000. Allowances being made for the excessive mortality from smallpox last quarter in town disticts, it will be seen that the remarkably mild weather which prevailed during the first three months of this year more favourably affected the town than the country death-rates. This result further confirms a fact which has previously been proved from these returns—namely, that it is town populations which suffer most from the rigours of a severe winter. The 134,992 deaths from all causes, at all ages, in England and Wales during last quarter included 31,123, or 230 per cent, of infants under one year of age, and 32,452, or 239 per cent, of persons aged 60 years and upwards. The infant mortality showed a slight increase upon that prevailing in the first quarter both of 1870 and 1871, which was 226 per cent., while measured by the proportion of deaths under one year to births registered it was 149 per cent, last quarter, against 158 and 149 in the two previous corresponding quarters. The mild weather exorcised a direct influence upon the proportion of deaths of elderly persons which as above stated, did not exceed 239 per cent., while in the first quarters of 1870 and 1871 it had been 26 3 and 25-6 per cent, respectively. To the seven principal diseases of the zymotic class 24,794 deaths were referred in England and Wales during the first three months of this year against 26,997 in the last quarter of 187 l ; these deaths were equal to an annual death-rate of 45 per 1000 of the estimated population, while in the first quarters of 1870 and 1871 the rate from these seven diseases did not exceed 36 and 3'B per 1000 respectively. The 24,794 deaths from these diseases including 7,720 from smallpox, 3,121 from measles, 3,385 from scarlet fever, 586 from diphtheria, 4,699 from whooping cough, 3,544 from different forms of fever, and 1,739 from diarrhoea. The fatal cases of smallpox were considerably more numerous than in any quarter since the present epidemic broke out in the latter part of 1870. The deaths from measles were 642 less than the number in the last quarter of 1871 but considerably exceeded the average in the seven previous quarters. The fatality from scarlet fever was lower than in any recent quarter, the deaths from this disease having showed a steady decline from 11,746 in the last quarter of 1870 to 3,385 in the first three months of this year. The deaths from diptheria have varied but slightly in the past nine quarters. Whooping-cough is usually most fatal in the winter quarter of the year, but was exceptionally fatal in the three months ending March last, causing 4,699 deaths, against 4,451 and 2,632 in the corresponding period of 1870 and 1871. The 3,544 deaths referred to fever, principally of the enteric or typhoid type, declined from the numbers in the corresponding quarters of 1870 and 1871, which were 4,177 and 4,073 respectively. The deaths from diarrhoea are never numerous in the first three months of the year. The continued fatal prevalence of the smallpox epidemic calls for more detailed notice. The deaths from this disease in the first three quarters of 1870 averaged only 450, but in the last quarter

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rose to 1,229 ; in the four quarters of 1871 they were successively 4,903, 7,012, 4,612, and 6,380 ; las quarter they further rose to 7,720, which considerably exceeded the number in any quarter of the past 32 years, and were equal to an annual death-rate of I' 3 per 1,000 persons living. Of these 7,720 deaths last quarter, 1,179 were recorded in the three Ridings of Yorkshire, 1,C75 in the northern, 900 in the Welsh, 862 in the West Midland, and 831, in the Metropolitan Registration Divisions. The epidemic first became fatally prevalent in London and in the large Lancashire towns ; here the numbers of deaths have shown a steady decline in recent quarters. The next most important outbreak occurred in the northern counties, especially in Northumberland and Durham, and apparently reached its climax in the latter part of last year, as the fatal cases last quarter had considerably declined, although again exceedingly numerous in many town districts of those counties. The deaths from smallpox showed a marked and general increase in each of the eight other registration divisions, especially in South Wales. It will be useful briefly to note a few of the places in the different division in which the epidemic was most fatal, or in which new outbreaks occurred during last quarter. In the southeastern counties 67 deaths from this disease occurred in Dover, and 43 in Portsmouth, while they had declined in Alverstoke. In the south midland counties the most notable outbreak occurred at Northampton, resulting in 157 deaths against 47 in the preceeding three months; Bishop Storbford, St. Alban's, Bedford, Biggleswade, Cambridge, and Wisbeach also suffered from the disease. The 611 deaths in the eastern counties included 53 in West Ham, 91 in Yarmouth and Mutford, 273 in Norwich, and 18 in Thetford ; the fatality in Norwhich showed a considerable decline in the latter part of the quarter. In the south-western counties, Plymouth and the surrounding districts formed the principal centre of infection, in which 233 fatal cases were reported ; the epidemic also prevailed in Bridport, Rideford, Redruth, Bridgwater, and Yevoil. Of the 862 deaths in the west midland counties, 263 were returned in Wolverhampton, which was the first important centre of infection in the division; these showed a slight decline from the number in the preceeding three months, and the violence of the epidemic had considerably abated during March and the early weeks of April ; the other towns of this division in which the disease most severely prevailed where Walsall, Dudely, Stourbridge, Coventry, Wellington (Salop), and to a less extent Bristol and Birmingham. Nottingham was the principle centre of infection in the north midland counties, in which town 170 of the 588 deaths from smallpox occurred, showing a considerable increase upon the previous quarter; the epidemic also became fatally prevalent last quarter in the neighbouring districts of Radford, Basford, Mansfield, and Worksop; and also prevailed in Chesterfield, Belper, and Ashby-de-la-Zouch ; towards the end of the quarter and during April the disease became epidemic in Leicester. In the north-western counties the deaths from smallpox showed a general decline last quarter, which was most conspicuous in Liverpool, Uirkenhead, and Manchester. In the Yorkshire division the deaths from smallpox, which had been 69, 98, 129, and 708 in the four quarters of 1870, further rose to 1,179 in the first three months of this year; of these 893 occurred in the West Riding, including 430 and 88 in the boroughs of Sheffield and Leeds, and 63 in Doncaster, 60 in Wakefield and 48 in Pontefraci districts; of the 169 deaths in the East Riding, 118 occurred in the borough of Hull and 20 in York district; the 115 in the North Riding, included 38 in Scarborough, 36 in Malton, and 18 in Guisborough districts, respectively. In the northern division the fatal cases which had been 1,566 and 1,546 in the two preceeding quarters declined to 1,075 in the three months ending the 31st of March last, of which 781 occurred in the county of Durham, 262 in Northumberland, 32 in Cumberland, while Westmorland was the only one of the English counties in which no deaths from smallpox occurred ; in Durham county the epidemic although still fatally prevalent in the mining districts, showed a general decline, especially in Sunderland, South Shields and Gateshead, but in Auckland districts the fatal cases rose from 105 in the last three months of 1871, to 199 last quarter; in Northumberland the decline was general, but most marked in Newcastle and Tynemouth; the deaths from this cause in Cumberland were principally confined to Cockermouth and Wigton, and showed a decline upon those in the preceding three months. In the Welsh Registration Division including the county of Monmouth the fatal smallpox cases which had been 141 and 539 in the two preceding quarters, rose to 900 in the first thee months of this year ; of these, 334 occurred in Monmouthshire and 420 in Glamorganshire, so that the number in the rest of South and North Wales did not exceed 146 ; Bedwelty and Newport districts in Monmonthshire and Merthyr, Tydvil, Neath, and Pontypridd, in Glamorganshire, suffered most severely from the epidemic; in other parts of Wales the disease was prevalent in Crickhowell, Holywell, St. Asaph, and Carmarthen. The annual death-rate from smallpox in England and Wales during the first three months of this year was, as before stated, equal to 13 per 1000 of the estimated population, against l'l in the last quarter of 1871. In the 18 largest English towns the 2,585 fatal cases were equal to an average annual rate of I*6 per 1000, while in 50 other large towns 1,290 deaths from smallpox occurred, or equal to2'l per 1000. In England and Wales, exclusive of these 68 large towns, which are now estimated to contain a population of 8,893,299 persons, the deaths from smallpox last quarter were therefore, 3,839, or equal to an annual rate of nearly 1 per 1000 of a population of rather more than 14,000,000. The following are a few of the highest death-rates from smallpox per 1000 persons living during last quarter: — Among the 18 largest cities and boroughs, 135 in Norwich, 93 in Wolverhampton, 77 in Nottingham, 7'o in Sheffield; amongst the fifty other large town districts 128 in Northampton, 9-8 in Newport (Monmouth), and B'6 in Dover; in other town registration sub-districts, 240 in Bideford, 152 in Tredegar, 149 Bridport, 14-5 in Bishop Auckland, 140 in Cadoxton, 135 in Radford, 128 in Castleford, 124 in Malton, 12-0 in Yeovil, and 11-9 in Llantrisiant. With regard to the distribution of the fatal cases of the other zymotic diseases it may be briefly remarked that measles was proportionately most prevalent in London, Staffordshire, Lancashire, and the West Riding of Yorkshire; the districts of Bolton and Cardiff showed excessive numbers. Although the deaths from scarlet fever were less numerous than in recent quarters, the disease was more or less epidemic in many parts of Staffordshire, Lancashire, the West Riding of Yo"kshire, Durham and South Wales, Wolstanton, Stoke-upon-Trent, Bury Burnley, Tadmorden, and Whitehaven were among the districts which suffered from exceptional prevalence of this disease. The deaths from whooping-cough were exceptionally high la3t quarter and the disease was especially fatal in London,

THE AGENT-GENERAL, LONDON.

9

D.—No. Ib

Liverpool, Manchester, and West Bromich. The death-rate from fever was considerably lower than in recent corresponding quarters, but as usual, showed an excess in the manufacturing disticts of Lancashire and Yorkshire: in Nottinghamshire the deaths from fever had considerably declined from the high number returned in the last three months of last year, but they were again excessive ; the fatality from fever was exceptionally high in the borough of Sunderland and in Strood (Kent), Whitchurch (Hants), Badford Tarm, and Llanelly sub-districts. A considerable reduction in the death-rate from fever has occurred in recent years, and has been especially conspicuous in London. There is little doubt but that this result is directly due to an increased efficiency in sanitary supervision. When the whole country shall have been brought under the organised control of sanitary authorities we may hope for a still more strongly marked decline in the fatality from zymotic diseases. So long, however, as the appointment of health officers even in large towns, is optional, and so long as rural districts are not formed into organised sanitary districts, it is almost futile to hope for a more rapid decrease of the waste of life from these causes which is continually occuring around us. During the three months ending the 30th of March last, 6,193 deaths in England and Wales, or 4 5 per cent, of the total deaths, were registered upon the information of the coroners, being inquest cases, against 6,789 and 6,901 in the corresponding quarters of 1870 and 1871. The deaths referred to different forms of violence during last quarter were 3,885, and corresponding with the number in the first three months of 1871; the proportion to total deaths was 29 per cent. In the large public institutions of England and Wales, including workhouses, hospitals, and public lunatic asylums, 12,058 deaths were recorded last quarter against 13,394 in the corresponding period of 1871; the proportion was 89 per cent, of the total deaths, while in the first quarter of 1871 it was 97 per cent.; this decrease principally occurred in the deaths in workhouses, and was due to the mild weather which favourably influenced the death-rate among elderly people. Eighteen Laege English Towns. The information published from time to time in the Weekly Eeturn bearing upon the death-rates and the prevalence of zymotic diseases in these 18 towns renders it unnecessary to refer to them here in much detail; it will be useful, however, briefly to glance at the summary of the figures for the past quarter. The annual rate of mortality was equal to 257 per 1000 which but slightly exceeded the rate in the entire urban population of England and Wales ; exclusive of the rate from smallpox it would not have exceeded 24T per 1000. Among the 18 towns the death-rate from all causes was lowest, 212 in Portsmouth, 21*7 in Birmingham, and 234 in Leicester; while it was 305 in Manchester, 306 in Nottingham, 330 in Sunderland, 342 in Norwich, and 358 in Wolverhampton. The fatal epidemic of smallpox was the cause of the excessive rate in each of the last four towns. The annual death-rate from the seven principal diseases of the zymotic class averaged 51 per 1000 in the 18 towns, against 45 in the whole of England and Wales, and ranged from 34 per 1000 in both Birmingham and Portsmouth to 103 in Sheffield, 122 in Wolverhampton, and 148 in Norwich. The death-rate from zymotic diseases in Liverpool last quarter was but 4'o per 1000, or IT below the average rate in the 18 towns, and with the exception of Portsmouth, Birmingham, Leicester, and Bradford, was lower than in any of the 18 towns, including London. The death-rate from all causes also showed a remarkable decline from that which has prevailed in recent corresponding quarters. Infant mortality in the 18 towns, measured by the proportion of deaths of children under one to births registered, averaged 157 per cent, last quarter against 149 in the whole of England and Wales, and ranged from 128 per cent, in Portsmouth and 135 in Birmingham to 198 in both Oldham and Bradford, and 21T in Wolverhampton. The proportion of inquest cases registered in the quarter averaged 6'o per cent.; it was so low as 30 per cent, in Bradford, while it was 7T in Liverpool and 97 in Birmingham. The per centago of deaths referred to different forms of violence was but 2T in Bradford, while it was 4.4 in Birmingham, 45 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and 53 in Liverpool. The proportion of deaths in institutions, which was 14T and 159 per cent, respectively in the first quarters of 1870 and 1871, was 14-6 per cent, last quarter, and ranged from 5'S and 66 per cent, in Oldham and Bradford to 156, 177, and 19 5 per cent, respectively in Liverpool, London, and Nottingham ; the high percentage in the last-named town was due to the deaths caused by smallpox. Fifty othee laege Towns.—ln the registration sub-districts taken to represent 50 other large English towns, ranking in respect of population next in size to the 18 largest towns the annual deathrate last quarter averaged 26T per 1,000, or o'4 per 1,000 higher than in the 18 towns. The rate from the seven principal zymotic diseases was 56 per 1,000, which shows an excess of o's per 1,000 upon that in the 18 towns. The lowest death-rates from all causes among the fifty towns were : —Derby 192, Chatham 197, Lincoln 205, Eeading 206, Southampton 21T, Worcester 21:5, Colchester 217, and Macelesfield 21-8. The highest rates were: —Northampton 308, Newport (Monmouth) 3T9, South Shields 343, Bolton 35-4, and East Stonehouse 408 ; smallpox was severely epidemic in all these five towns, except in Bolton, where, in addition to the prevalence of smallpox, an excessive fatality was shown from both measles and scarlet fever. London. —The deaths registered among the three and a quarter millions of the population residing within the metropolitan registration division are each week classified according to disease and age, and it is therefore possible to consider the influence which the unusually mild weather of the first three months of the year exercised upon this important section of the nation. The death-rate from all causes was equal to 24"0 per 1000, against 254, 267, and 269 in the first quarters of the three years 1869-70-71. Exclusive of the deaths from the seven principal zymotic diseases, which are not influenced by temparature to the same extent as are other classes of diseases, the death-rate in London in the March quarters of the three past years has been successively 226, 2T2, and 195 per 1,000. In connection with these rates, it is necessary to bear in mind that the mean temparature in those quarters was 380 deg., 402 deg., and 436 deg., respectively. The death-rates from diseases of the respiratory organs, including phthisis, in the first quarters of 1871 and 1872 were respectively B'6 and 3

D.—No. 1b

10

EURTHER CORRESPONDENCE WITH

8T per 1,000; from heart diseases, T4 and I' 2; from brain diseases, 3'o and 26; and from old age, TO and oB ; leaving 72 and 6'B per 1,000 as the rates from all other diseases. Of the 3,737 deaths from the seven principal zymotic diseases last quarter, 1,356 were referred to whooping-cough, S3l to smallpox, 635 to measles, 402 to fever, and 321 to scarlet fever. The fatal cases of smallpox in London reached their maximum in the June quarter of 1871, when 3,241 were returned, since which the quarterly numbers have declined successively to 1,255, 980, and 831. The weekly numbers last quarter ranged between 91 and 48. Whooping-cough was epidemic throughout the quarter, and the weekly deaths ranged from 92 in the first to 118 in the thirteenth weeks. The fatality both from scarlet and enteric fevers was unusually low. No less than 639 deaths in London were referred to different forms of violence, showing a slight increase upon the 621 ,a,o .seiarned in the first quarter of 1871. Health of Fobeign Cities. From official returns furnished from time to time by various authorities the following facts bearing upon the recent health of several Indian and foreign cities are compiled. Indian Cities. —'Weekly returns are now received from Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras, illustrating strikingly the sanitary condition of these three important cities in British India. These statistics will acquire greater value when the population figures obtained from the recent Census enumeration are received; at present they are only available for Madras, and showed that the population of that city had recently been far overestimated ; the populations which have been recently used for Calcutta and Bombay are also probably overstated. So the mortality of those cities is undoubtedly understated; but the statistical machinery at work is obtaining attention, and will no doubt soon be improved. In Calcutta, during the thirteen weeks ending the 16th of March, 2,862 deaths were returned, and the death-rate on the estimated population was equal to 27 per 1,000; the 4,959 deaths in Bombay during the thirteen weeks ending the 2nd of April give a death-rate of 24 per 1,000 on the population enumerated in 1864, and smallpox was fatally prevalent during the latter part of the quarter; in Madras, during the thirteen weeks ending the 22nd of March, the deaths returned were equal to an annual rate of 34 per 1,000 of the 395,440 persons enumerated in November, 1871. Foeiegn Cities.—ln Paris, during the thirteen weeks ending the 29th of March, 10,287 deaths were registered, and the annual death-rate calculated upon the provisionally estimated population, which is probably overstated, did not exceed 23 per 1,000; the city was comparatively free from epidemic. The death-rate in Brussels, after deducting the deaths in institutions of non-residents, was also 23 per 1,000, and the proportion of deaths from zymotic diseases was not excessive. In Berlin, during the thirteen weeks ending the 28th of March, 8,434 births and 6,912 deaths were registered ; the annual birth-rate was 41, and the death-rate 34 per 1,000; smallpox was again fatally prevalent in the city, and caused 931 deaths, or equal to an annual rate of 45 per 1,000. The returns from Vienna for the quarter are not complete. Weekly returns are now regularly received from three of the principal Italian cities—Borne, Florence, and Turin ; and recent enumerations of the population give additional value to the information they contain. In Eome, during the first quarter of the year, the birth-rate was 29 and the death-rate 43 ; the excess of the latter was due in great measure to the smallpox epidemic, which caused 403 deaths, or equal to a rate of 66 per 1,000; in Florence the birth-rate last quarter was 36, and the death-rate 31 per 1,000 ; in Turin the birth-rate was 33, and the death-rate 30, the proportion of deaths from zymotic diseases appearing to have been very low. In New York during the first 13 weeks of the year the deaths were at the annual rate of 32 per 1,000; both smallpox and scarlet fever were somewhat prevalent, and during the last few weeks of the quarter the new form of disease termed cerebro-spinal-meningitis became epidemic, and showed a rapidly increasing fatality.

No. 9. Agent-Geneeal to Hon. Colonial Seceetaey. Sib,— Hamburgh, 25th May, 1872. I have barely time, before starting for Copenhagen, to inform you that I have just concluded a very satisfactory arrangement with Mr. Sloman for the conveyance (in his vessel, which will leave in July) of locomotives, Waitaki Bridge cylinders, &c, to Otago. I have, &c, The Hon. W. Gisborne. I. E. Featheeston.

No 10. Agent-Genebal to Hon. Colonial Seceetaey. Sic,— Copenhagen, 26th May, 1872. I have the honor to forward a report by Mr. C. E. Carter, who was appointed by me to examine all the emigrants selected by Messrs. Brogden. I feel satisfied that he has discharged this duty with admirable judgment and discretion. I can, equally with him, bear testimony to the kind and cordial co-operation afforded by Messrs. Brogden. Should Messrs. Brogden contract for the railways mentioned in your telegram of the 18th April, they will be anxious to send out the whole number of emigrants they have undertaken to provide as rapidly as possible.

THE AGENT-GENERAL, LONDON.

11

B.—No. 1b

I only arrived here this morning, and start in a few hours for Christiana, having just been advised by telegram that the " Hodvig" will be ready to sail on the 30th inst., with, I understand a full complement of Norwegians. She will proceed direct to Napier. Mr. Moeller, of the firm of Messrs. Galbraith & Co., of London, will meet me at Christiana to make further shipping arrangements for sending the emigrants direct from Christinia. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. I. E. Featheeston. P.S.—Mr. Horneman is very indignant at the complaints of the Danish immigrants by the " England," and promises the proofs of their utter untruth, referred to in his note, of which a copy has been sent you by this mail.*

* let received.

Enclosure in No. 10. Mr. C. E. Caetee to Agent-Geneeal for New Zealand. 7, Westminster Chambers, Sib,— London, S.W., 22nd May, 1872. I have the honor to report to you my proceedings in various parts of England in the selection of emigrants from the laboring men who had sent in applications to be employed by John Brogden and Sons in New Zealand. There being a strike for higher wages amongst the agricultural laborers in Warwickshire, it was thought desirable that I should proceed to the head quarters of the agitation at Leamington. In conjunction with Mr. A. Brogden, I proceeded there, and attended the'great gathering of farm laborers which took place in the Town Hall of that town on the 29th March last, but the excitement about the " Union" was so great that, I regret to say, these sturdy and well behaved laborers could not be induced to attend a meeting we had called to explain to them the benefits to be derived from immigration to New Zealand. A Canadian lecturer, offering free grants of land, was equally unsuccessful. However, next day we made arrangements for a future meeting, and after all I was able to select twelve adults for the " Schiehallion." Two days after this, on the Ist April, in conformity with your expressed wish I visited Falmouth for the purpose of securing a further and larger number of emigrants to make up the complement required for the ship " Schiehallion," fixed to sail on the 9th April. Out of the number who applied at Falmouth I selected sixty adults, who were examined and passed on the spot by a thoroughly competent surgeon, engaged and paid by the Messrs. Brogden. I may be allowed here to remark that the men assembled had come from various towns and villages near Falmouth in Cornwall. The extreme poverty of the great majority of these people was apparent. They had been accustomed to receive such low rates of wages that, as they informed me, the majority of them were utterly unable to save money. They had food and raiment it is true, but in a very scanty degree. They could not pay £1 for their bedding and cooking utensils, nor provide an outfit and pay their railway fare to London. They and many more were willing to emigrate on the conditions laid down by the Messrs. Brogden if the latter would provide their " kit," outfit, and fare to London. This the Agent of the Messrs. Brogden agreed to do, and it was entirely owing to this pecuniary arrangement that I succeeded in obtaining the number of persons I did. From Falmouth I went to Plymouth, where the Agent had selected a few more under similar arrangements. I then returned to London, and a small number from there, with about a dozen from Staffordshire, made up the number required for the " Schiehallion." The Messrs Brogden being desirous of sending a number of men out in the " Halcione " to sail on the 26th April. I was instructed by you to return to Warwickshire, where at Leamington I selected fifty two-adults who sailed in the last named ship. A still larger number of men being required to proceed to Auckland under engagement to Messrs. Brogden I was directed by you to at once proceed to such places as they might indicate as stations where they would cause the men to be assembled. I accordingly left London on the 6th May, and arrived at Burslem in Staffordshire, where, in the evening of the same daylapproved of twenty adults, the first of the large party to sail in the " City of Auckland" for Auckland on the 28th May. On the same night I left Burslem and crossed the country to Plymouth, in which town I next day, the 7th May, selected fifteen married couples, thirteen single men, which with sixteen children, made a total of fifty-one adults. On the Bth I was in Falmouth and accepted thirty-two adults. During the evening of the Bth I went to Truro and arranged for a meeting in the Town Hall there. Next day, the 9th, I proceeded to Eedruth, a small country town, where I secured fifty-four adults. Late in afternoon of this day I returned to Truro, and in the evening held a meeting in the Public Hall, and was enabled to pass and accept twenty-six adults. The total number thus accepted was 183 adults. On the following morning, the 10th of May, I returned to London, having each day previously informed you by telegram of the daily results of my endeavors.. After my return from the last journey just named, I had your instructions to go to the North of England, and during last week I visited Ulverston, in Lancashire, and Whitehaven, in Cumberland. The result of this visit was that I approved of about sixty adults—the most of whom I have arranged should go in the June vessel to such port as you and the Messrs Brogden may decide on. In addition to these I have selected about thirty-two in London. I give below an analysis of the emigrants I have selected, arranged in a tabulated form.

No. 1b

12

EURTHER CORRESPONDENCE WITH

APPROXIMATE NUMBER of EMIGRANTS SENT OUT under BROGDEN'S REGULATIONS.

APPROXIMATE NUMBERS of ABLE-BODIED MEN and where engaged by the Messrs. BROGDEN.

By your consent, at each town that I have visited I have given a preference to men who have been brought up to farming work when they presented themselves. I have also encouraged the emigrants I have selected to take out their single female friends or relations under the regulations issued by you; by this means a few domestic servants have been secured for the Colony. It should be understood that the men I have herein enumerated and selected are entirely of the laboring class. I would therefore venture respectfully to point out that, though by recent advices tradesmen were but in little demand in the Colony, yet the arrival of so much unskilled labor as is now on its way to New Zealand may have the effect of materially altering and disturbing the old relations and relative proportions between unskilled and skilled labor, and cause a greater demand for primary tradesmen, many more of whom might be induced to emigrate from the United Kingdom under your present Government Emigration Eegulations. It is in some of the midland and southern counties of England where the laborers are still so poor and ill paid. It is to secure the strong and healthy men of this class that the Messrs. Brogden have had to advance each adult male or female from £3 to £8 in cash. In the northern counties I found a much different state of affairs. In Cumberland and Westmoreland good farm servants receive from £25 to £30 a year, including board and lodging. For the summer half-year many of them are paid £16, while common laborers receive from 3s. to 3s. 6d. per day, and laboring men employed in stone and iron mines boast of making their 4s. and ss. per day. A rise of wages is imminent all over Great Britain, yet, though the difficulty of procuring emigrants was hardly ever greater than it is now, if past experience is to be a gauge and a guide for the future, a great rise in prices and scarcity of labor is generally followed by an equally severe fall in the former and a great redundance of the latter. In a few instances, where the applicants were residing in isolated parts of the country, and unable to come to meet me, and also where, at the last moment, several declined to go, and their places had to be filled by strangers, I had to depend on the exceptional selections made by the agents of the Messrs. Brogden. In all cases a strict medical examination of each applicant was insisted on. In conclusion, I may be permitted to state that I received every facility from the agents of Messrs. John Brogden & Sons at the places where they had collected the emigrants together, and if I have felt it my duty to decline taking many of those whom they had selected or received applications from — particularly in London—it arose from a conviction that those declined, in my humble judgment, were unfit for the hard work of colonial life and the future requirements of New Zealand. I have, &c, C. E. Caetee. The Agent-General for New Zealand.

Adults. No. of Adults. Ship. Children. Infants. Souls. Male. Female. 122*51i 220* "Schiehallion," sailed April 12,1872 "Halcione," sailed April 26, 1872 "City of Auckland" 97 31 156 14 14 45 23 13 38 4 4 15 138 62 254 394 lay 60* 12* In reserve for next vessels Single women (sent out under Government Eegulations) 454 60 12 :otal 466* Total... 526 * ihe number! " City c ! marked * are subject to revision from short shipments t if Auckland" is the number given in the list of emigranl md other ca a furnished mses. The to Shaw, Si 220 adults for the vrille & Co.

Ship. London. Ulverston. Leamington. Plymouth. Falmouth and Eedruth. Truro. Burslem and Tipton. Total. ■■' Schiehallion " ... '■' Halcione" :'City of Auckland" 26 4 22 2 13 27 13 34 9 97 31 156 7 27 58 22 20 52 9 40 40 92 22 29 284