IMMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND. (FURTHER MEMORANDA TO THE AGENT-GENERAL).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1873 Session I, D-01b

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1873. NEW ZEALAND.

IMMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND. (FURTHER MEMORANDA TO THE AGENT-GENERAL).

Presented to loth Houses of the General Assembly by command of His Excellency.

No. 1. Memorandum No. 170, 1873, for the Agent-General, London. With reference to your letter of the 13th May last, enclosing Messrs. Shaw, Saville, and Co.'s remarks on the subject of the complaints of Edwin Major, Charles Jones, and Simon Fraser, passengers by the "Jessie Readman," I have the honor to inform you that the Government accept their remarks as disposing of those complaints. With regard to the complaint of Mr. Heape, a passenger by the " Agnes Muir," the Government will refund to Mr. Heape the amount of his deposit (£3), and request you to recover the same from Messrs. Shaw, Saville, and Co., as has been agreed upon by that firm. AVith regard to allowing passengers other than Government emigrants to be conveyed in vessels chartered by you, I have only to repeat, that although representations adverse to doing so have been made in the Colony, I feel that you are the best judge of what should be done in this matter. I have, &c, Immigration Office, Wellingtonj 2nd August, 1873. G. Maurice O'Rorke.

No. 2. Memorandum No. 174, 1873, for the Agent-General, London. Referring to my memorandum No. 160,1873,1 forward herewith copy of the final report of the Immigration Commissioners upon the ship " Halcione," with enclosures. I would desire to call your attention to the remarks of the Commissioners that " in some cases a closer medical inspection of tho emigrants" before embarkation would have been desirable. I have, &c, Immigration Office, Wellington, New Zealand, G. Maurice O'Rorke. 19th August, 1873.

Enclosure in No. 2. The Immigration Commissioners, Wellington, to the Under Secretary. Sir,— AVellington, 4th August, 1873. We have the honor to report that we visited the Quarantine Station on the 16th July for the purpose of inspecting the immigrants landed from the "Halcione,*' and as the day was exceedingly wet, we mustered the people in their several compartments. On closer inspection, the immigrants proved to be a much better class of people than we expected, judging from what we saw of them when we first went alongside the ship, and the Surgeon-Superintendent informed us that they had wonderfully improved in health and spirits in landing, consequent no doubt on their being able to obtain fresh provisions, and having more light and air than they had on board the vessel. On the 19th July we again visited the Island, for the purpose of superintending the embarkation of such of the immigrants as had to be forwarded to Picton, Nelson, and other adjacent ports. This was done without difficulty, the steamer " Wellington" having proceeded to the Island after taking on I—D. 18.

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board her passengers and cargo at the Queen's Wharf, and we were thus enabled to send the immigrants to their destination without landing them in the town. On Monday, 21st July, the English portion of the immigrants were brought over in the Government steamer " Luna," all the washing, &c, having been finished on the Island. As the Danes were to be forwarded to the settlement in the 70 Mile Bush, we deemed it advisable to leave them on the Island until we had an opportunity of landing them at the Hutt, and thus be enabled to start them on their journey without bringing them into town. AYe regret that owing to the long continuance of south-east weather, which detained all the steamers on the coast, we were unable to land these people until Monday, 28th July, when they immediately started for Masterton, in charge of the Immigration Officer. On the whole, we consider the immigrants introduced by the " Halcione" to be a desirable addition to the population, but in some cases a closer medical inspection than appears to have been exercised would have been desirable. To mark this more definitely, the following are cases of such a nature that a more thorough examination would have prevented their passing as fit subjects for immigration:— Married woman, aged 29 years, suffering from Phthisis Pulmonalis. Single woman, aged 17 years, suffering from Phthisis and scrofula, with exfoliation of a portion of the Fibula. Single woman, aged 16 years, Scrofula, with ulceration of nose. Married man, aged 21 years, advanced disease of the heart, after an attack of rheumatic fever two or three years ago—this man will never be fit for a day,s work. AYe attach notes and memoranda by the Surgeon-Superintendent, Dr. Besly, who appears to be a gentleman specially qualified for the medical charge of Government immigrants. AYe have, &c, Alexander Johnston, M.D. H. J. H. Eliott, John Holliday, The Under Secretary for Immigration, AVellington. Commissioners.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 2. E. B. Besly to the Board of Health, Wellington, New Zealand. Ship " Halcione," AVellington, New Zealand, Gentlemen, — Ist August, 1873. I beg to forward you my report of the last voyage made by the vessel from London with emigrants. Everything was arranged as well as possibly could be managed for their accommodation and comfort. AYe had one case of entric fever break out soon, indeed, only a fortnight after leaving England, and from that time we were troubled with a great deal of diarrhoea, and low feverish symptoms. I believe this, to a great extent, to be due to the depressing effect of tropical weather upon persons unused to such extreme heat , and the fact that afterwards, instead of the bracing southerly wind so much needed, we had northerly wind, and close, humid weather, which soon brought about great depression, and I found it very difficult to induce the people to take exercise. If they came on deck, they immediately sat down, and many of them never would rise from their seats again until they were going below. Captain Bishop and I did all we could to keep the 'tween decks clean, as well as the people, but the trouble we had with some who were personally disposed to be dirty was something dreadful. Indeed, it was only after a daily disturbance with one or another, that rules of cleanliness were attended co. This, no one could help. I must except the single women's compartment, for it was really kept so clean that one might have eaten food from the deck. I have to thank Captain Bishop for ably supporting me in carrying out the orders under which I had to act. I have, &c, F. B. Besly, The Board of Health, Wellington, New Zealand. Surgeon Superintendent.

No. 3. Memorandum No. 175, 1873, for the Agent-General, London. Referring to my Memoranda No. 150, 1873, and No. 137,1873, 1 herewith transmit copy of a letter from the Immigration Officer at Christchurch covering the report of the Surgeon-Superinten-dent of the ship " Edwin Fox" and other documents. I have, &c, Immigration Office, AVellington, New Zealand, G. Maurice O'Rorke. 19th August, 1873.

G. Maurice O'Rorke.

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Enclosure in No. 3. Memo, for the Under-Secretary for Immigration. I BEG to forward herewith a report by the Surgeon-Superintendent of the ship " Edwin Fox," also my usual report on the engagements, &c, I have, to., J. E. March, Immigration Office, Christchurch, 11th August, 1873. Immigration Officer.

Sub-Enclosure 1 in No. 3. Ship "Edwln Fox." —Report by the Surgeon-Superintendent. The between deck fittings of this ship are deficient, particularly in regard to ventilation. The store-rooms between the different compartments ought not to have been placed there, but a system of ventilation by means of Venetians, jalousees, or such like system would have greatly conduced to the health and comfort of the emigrants. Medicines, cfc. —Sweet camphor compound, insufficient; spirits ether, nit., not sufficient; syrup of squills, allowance rather small. The sponges, too few and much too small. The corks on board tho " Edwin Fox," of very inferior character. The gentian root although ordered to be cut up was not so. The supply of oiled silk quite inadequate to the demand. The carbonate of magnesia might have been increased with advantage. The air or water-cushion was perfectly useless as it leaked upon the first occasion of attempting to use it. I suggest that a small slipper bath be added to the hospital utensils in which children may be bathed or sponged as may be required. The supply of coke or charcoal is much too small; four times the quantity being necessary, particularly for vessels arriving in New Zealand during the winter months. This was very much needed in this ship. The supply of sand inadequate. Fortunately Capt. Johnston shipped a quantity of saw-dust at Brest, which was of immense advantage, which I fancy would be of advantage in all emigrant vessels. The supply of lime entirely too small. I have nothing to suggest with regard to the regulations. The victualling (after having years of experience) lam in a position to state was excellent. I would suggest that you would add to your lists of medicines, chlorate of potass, say one pound, cinchona coarsely powdered, say one pound. I have, &c, E. J. Walshe, 9th August, 1873. Surgeon-Superintendent of the ship " Edwin Fox."

Sub-Enclosure 2 in No. 3. Immigration Officers' Report.—Canterbury portion of Immigrants, Ships " Edwin Fox " and " Cospatrick." Date of Arrival. " Edwin Fox," 28th Juno. " Cospatrick," 10th July. Number Landed. "Edwin Fox"— 12 Families ... ... ... „, ... =34 Statute Adulcs 17 Single Men ... ... ... ... ... =17 „ 29| Single AVomen... ... ... ... ... =29^ „ " Cospatrick " — 3 Families ... ... ... ... ... =10 Statute Adults 5\ Single Men ... ... ... ... ... =5j „ 3 Single Women... ... ... ... ... =3 „ Totals. 15 Families ... ... ... ... ... =44 Statute Adults 22i Single Men ... ... ... ... ... =22J „ 32i Single Women ... ... ... ... ... =32^ Number Engaged. The whole of the above, with the exception of five families and five single men, were disposed of the first day the Barracks were open for engagement. The remainder found suitable employment within a few days. Two families, two single men, and two single women, included in the above number, were booked for Dunedin, but preferred to remain in Canterbury; they obtained situations at good wages immediately.

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Character of Immigrants. Fair. The behaviour of the '■ Edwin Fox " immigrants, while in Barracks, at Christchurch, and Quarantine, has been very good. They are not, however, on the whole equal in physique to previous shipments; one man was suffering from a disease in the ankle joint of many years standing which renders him a complete cripple. What Wages were given. Married Couples, farm servants ... ... £60 per annum and found Single Men... ... ... ... ... £36 to £50 and found Boys ... ... ... ... ... £10 per annum Carpenters ... ... ... ... ... 10s. to lis. per day Bricklayers... ... ... ... ... 10s. to lis. per day Single Women — General Servants ... ... ... £20 to £25 Nurse Girls £12 Present demand of the Labour Market. There is a steady and increasing demand for farm and general labourers. The demand for carpenters, plasterers, stonemasons, plumbers, painters, tailors, and shoemakers is still very active, and wages are higher. Domestic servants are in as great demand as ever. J. E. March, Immigration Office, Immigration Officer. Christchurch, 9th August, 1873.

No. 4. Memorandum No. 179, 1873, for the Agent-General, London. Herewith is forwarded a copy of a memorandum by the Immigration Officer at this port, and I have to request that you will be good enough to give such instructions as will ensure that all nominations and other particulars respecting emigrants are correctly noted in each ship's book. I have, &c., Immigration Office, AVellington, New Zealand, G. Maurice O'Rorke. 22nd August, 1873. Enclosure in No. 4. Mr. Haughton,— I wish to draw attention to the fact that this department is likely to be greatly embarrassed if accurate information is not furnished in the ships' books received from the Agent-General's Department respecting each immigrant. It frequently happens that single females who have been nominated in the Colony for free passages have signed promissory notes in England for £5, but this does not cause much difficulty when the nomination is properly entered in the column of remarks in the ship's book, but if it is not, great inconvenience and annoyance is caused. I will instance the case of a single female passenger by the " Bebington" last year. This immigrant had signed a promissory note and refused to pay it, not stating the reason why she refused. After repeated applications for payment had been made without success, authority was granted to me to proceed against her in the R.M. Court, and I now ascertain that she was a nominated passenger to this port. As it is impossible for Immigration Officers to remember every nomination which passes through their hands it is apparent that mistakes will occur unless the ship's hook contain a correct record of each passenger. Another immigrant, by the same vessel, has also signed a promissory note for £5, but being struck with the peculiarity of the name I was enabled to remember that she was a nominated passenger, although no note to that effect appeared in the ship's book. I have, &c, H. J. H. Eliott, Immigration Office, AVellington, 21st August, 1873. Immigration Officer.

No. 5. Memorandum No. 180, 1873, for the Agent-General, London. The following is copy of telegram forwarded to you on 20th instant. Featherston, London. First day each month telegraph number immigrants sailed previous month in each ship, and port of destination. Immigration Office, AVellington, New Zealand, Vogel. 23rd August, 1873.

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No. 6. Memorandum No. 181, 1873, for tho Agent-Geneeal, London. Referring to your letter of the 15th May last (which will be found amongst the papers presented to Parliament, p. 17, D. 2 A., 1873), I wish to observe that twelve ships are enumerated in the list enclosed with your letter to sail with emigrants during the months of May and June last; but charter parties have not been forwarded for four of them, namely:—The " Columbus," " Douglas," " Peter Denny," and " Merope." Charter parties without covering letters have been received for the " Otago," for Dunedin, and the " E. P. Bouverie," for Wellington, both dated the 26th April, 1873; but I have not been able to learn from your correspondence any particulars respecting the number and description of emigrants—the latter vessel, indeed, is not even named therein. It must be evident to you that the absence of information with regard to immigrant ships whose arrival is expected, places the Government in a position of considerable embarrassment. Immigration Office, Wellington, New Zealand, G. Maurice O'Rorke. 23rd August, 1873.

No. 7. Memorandum No. 182, 1873, for the Agent-General, London. The following question having been asked in the House of Representatives, on the 19th instant' viz.:—" AVhether a reply has been received from the Agent-General to a letter dated sth December* 1872, No. 35, and written by Mr. Waterhouse, when Premier ?" to which I was obliged to answer in the negative. I must request you to furnish me, even at this late period, with a full reply to the communication referred to, which will be found at nage 21 of the Parliamentary Papers D.—No. 1, 1873. Immigration Office, Wellington, New Zealand, G. Maurice O'Rorke. 23rd August, 1873.

No. 8. Memorandum No. 186, 1873, for the Aoent-General, London. Herewith is forwarded copies of correspondence between the General Government and the Superintendent and Executive Council of Canterbury relative to the appointment of an Agent to select emigrants at home for that Province. The letter of the Hon. Colonial Secretary to Messrs. Kennaway and Beswick, dated 10th July, 1873, fully explains the position taken up by the Government in this matter, and in now advising you of the appointment of Mr. Andrew Duncan, who proceeds to England by this mail as special agent for Canterbury, I have to request that you will in every way facilitate the object of his mission so far as is consistent with the terms of the letter referred to. I have, &c, Immigration Office, AVellington, New Zealand, G. Maurice O'Rorke, 30th August, 1873.

Enclosure 1 in No. 8. The Superintendent, Christchurch, to the Hon. Colonial Secretary. Superintendent's Office, Christchurch, Sir _ 28th May, 1873. I have the honor to forward a copy of resolutions passed by the Provincial Council, having reference to immigration to this Province, and I have to express a hope that the Government will give them their immediate and favourable consideration. I have, &c, W. ROLLESTON, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Superintendent.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure No. 1 in No. 8. Provincial Council Chamber, 27th May, 1873. Resolutions passed— „ . . . , • -n • j xv That this Council, seeing that the amount of immigration to this Province under the present system has, up to this time, been inadequate to meet its requirements, are of opinion— 1. That the Province should be represented in the United Kingdom by an Agent nominated by the Provincial Government, whose chief duty shall be to collect emigrants for Canterbury. 2—D. Ib.

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2. That instructions as to the number and description of emigrants required, and other matters relating to emigration, should be given to such agent by the Provincial Government; such instructions to be, nevertheless, subject to the approval of the General Government. 3. That the salaries and other necessary expenses connected with this agency should be defrayed out of the Immigration Loan. 4. That the system of free passages should extend, not only to emigrants selected by the English agents, but also to those who are nominated by persons already settled in the Province. 5. That His Honor the Superintendent be respectfully requested to place on the estimates a sum not exceeding £20,000, to be used for the purpose of promoting immigration to the Province in case arrangements cannot be made with the General Government in accordance with the above resolutions.

Enclosure 2 in No. 8. Sir,— AVellington, 3rd July, 1873. Referring to the interview which we had the honor of holding with Ministers yesterday in which the question of immigration to the Province of Canterbury was discussed, and in accordance with the wish then expressed, we have the honor to communicate with you regarding the proposals which the Provincial Government of Canterbury have made in accordance with the resolutions of the Provincial Council already forwarded to you by His Honor the Superintendent. AYe understand that the General Government are not prepared to meet out of the Immigration Loan the expenditure involved by the appointment of a Provincial Emigration Agent for the United Kingdom, but that if the Provincial Government appoints and pays such an officer the Agent-General will co-operate with him in sending emigrants to Canterbury. In making such an appointment the Provincial Government would have in view the desirability of the Provincial Agent being able to grant such extra assistance by means of Provincial funds as he may deem requisite in particular cases. The General Government having already intimated that any recommendation of the Provincial Government as to the number and description of immigrants which it would be advisable to introduce into any Province would meet with their favourable consideration it would appear that the duties of the Provincial Agent would be confined to the collection of the number and description thus agreed upon, and to his supplementing the assistance given by the General Government in such cases as he may think necessary. As intimated to us at the interview of Ministers yesterday we understand that subsequent to your telegram of 20th June the question as to whether the system of free passages should not be extended to nominated immigrants has been re-opened, and will be again considered by the General Government. The Provincial Government when making the proposal contained in His Honor the Superintendent's telegram of the 26th ultimo did so with the understanding that as stated in the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke's memorandum addressed to His Honor the Superintendent, of 22nd April last, free passages were being offered to emigrants by the Agent-General, and that the General Government's decision as regards nominated emigrants conveyed in your telegram of the 20th ultimo was final, it will therefore be understood that the Provincial Government on their part hold themselves free to re-consider their decision in case any alteration has been made in either of these points. Pending the final decision of the General Government we desire to give some further information on some points which were raised at the interview of yesterday relative to this proposal. It will be seen by reference to His Honor the Superintendent's telegram of 26th June that the Provincial Government submitted for the consideration of the General Government alternative proposals as to the mode in which their decisions to grant free passages to nominated immigrants might be carried into effect. In the first place, the Provincial Government asked that authority be given to the immigration officer at Christchurch to make such arrangements as would most readily meet their views. As was pointed out yesterday, it is obvious that some restrictions and limit must be placed on the number and description of such immigrants; and it is chiefly on that account, in addition to their wish to act in co-operation with the General Government, that the Provincial Government in dealing with the matter desire to avail themselves of the machinery already established in the Province of Canterbury for the purposes of immigration. AYe understand that the General Government give free passages to single females nominated in the Province, so that the extra assistance given by the Provincial Government would be confined to married couples and single men. If extra aid is therefore given through the Immigration Office, the Provincial Government would propose that it should only be finally granted to persons approved of by the Agent-General or the Provincial Agent, under similar conditions as regards age, character, health, and so forth, as may from time to time be in force, as regards assisted or free passages, granted direct by the Agent-General. Again, with reference to the construction that should be put upon the term " nominated" immigrants. We understand that under the present system it includes both those nominated by name, and those nominated by persons who merely specify the vocation of those whom they wish to bring out.

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The Provincial Government in taking any steps in the direction they have indicated, do not desire to disturb this classification, and would therefore be prepared within certain limits to extend the benefit of extra aid to both classes, giving as far as possible preference to those nominated by name. Again, in order to avoid the introduction of too large a number of any particular calling or trade, the Provincial Government would propose to furnish the Immigration Officer with a list specifying the maximum number of any one vocation to whom they would within a certain period grant extra aid. The Provincial Government will also take into their consideration whether it would be expedient to call upon those who nominate by vocation to enter into an undertaking to give the immigrants so introduced employment when they arrive, but we are at present of opinion that such restriction would not be necessary. In case the General Government adhere to their former decision not to grant free passages to any class of nominated immigrants, and would prefer that the Provincial Government should deal directly with persons wishing to nominate, we would merely remark that in doing so the Provincial Government would be prepared to make arrangements accordingly, and under such regulations as we believe would meet the views of the General Government. We have, &c, Walter Kennaway, Joseph Beswick, Members of the Executive Council of the Province of Canterbury. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary.

Enclosure 3 in No. 8. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to the Members of the Executive Council of Canterbury. Colonial Secretary's Office, Gentlemen, — Wellington, loth July, 1873. I have the honor to convey to you the decision of the Government upon the important questions in relation to immigration raised by the resolutions of the Provincial Council, by the telegrams of His Honor the Superintendent, by your personal interview with the Premier and the Minister for Immigration, and by your letter of the 3rd July, addressed to the Colonial Secretary. 1. Upon the question raised by resolutions, the Government had no difficulty in coming to the conclusion already telegraphed to His Honor the Superintendent, viz., if the Province appoints and pays for an agent to select immigrants at home, the Agent-General will be instructed to give to the immigrants selected, subject to his approving the selection, passages on the ordiuary terms. Further than this the Government do not see their way to go, without involving the contingency of making the charge of immigration a Provincial instead of a General Government responsibility. The cost of immigration being now a Colonial charge, the General Government have to endeavor to apportion the immigrants to the various parts of the Colony in tho manner which appears to be at once beneficial to the Colony as a whole, and fair and equitable to the different portions of the Colony, the contributions from which make up the colonial revenue. Until the question was raised by the Province of Canterbury, the necessity for deciding between the claims of various portions of the Colony had afforded no practical difficulty, for the funds at the disposal of the Government, and the number of immigrants they desired to introduce, were such as to have induced them to invite from the Superintendents of the various provinces statements of the largest number of immigrants, the introduction of whom they were prepared to recommend, and in all cases the recommendations were accepted, in addition to liberal provision being made for nominated immigrants. The Province of Canterbury evinces a laudable desire to spend some of its very large means upon immigration, and in a very becoming spirit it invites the concurrence of the General Government in that expenditure. In dealing with the question thus raised, the Government have to consider how Canterbury may, without injustice to the rest of the Colony, expend the funds it desires to devote to immigration. Clearly, if it were permitted by the payment of a small sum to induce the General Government to contribute the major portion of the cost of the passages of a number of immigrants, in excess of the number that would otherwise be assigned to Canterbury, an injustice would be done to the rest of the Colony. Therefore the Government have come to the conclusion that they can only concur and sanction any expenditure on the part of Canterbury for immigration in one of two ways. Ist. As indicated in your letter, by such amount of money assistance as the Province may desire to render through its agent at home to secure for Canterbury the number of immigrants within the year, not exceeding the limit determined on by the General Government. 2nd. If the Province desired a larger number of immigrants than the General Government considered it fair to the rest of the Colony to bring to Canterbury at the cost of the Colony, the Government would only concur in the number being increased by the Province paying the total cost of such increase.

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From various causes, which it is not necessary here to refer to, there has been difficulty in speedily procuring the required number of immigrants, and very largo discretion has been given to the Agent-General with the view of overcoming this difficulty. It is possible that the representative of the Province in Great Britain might with funds at his command be able to judiciously give assistance to immigrants, otherwise desirable, but who may be unable to make the contribution to the cost of passage, or the provision for outfit, &c., required by the regulations under which the emigration business is for the time being conducted by the Agent-General. In regard to nominated immigrants two questions have been raised, namely: Whether the Government would grant free passages to nominated immigrants, or whether they would do so on the condition of the Provincial Government paying the deposit ordinarily charged to nominators. The Government gave very careful consideration to the recommendations of the Provincial Council that free passages should be given to nominated immigrants, and have come to the determination that it is not expedient to make any alteration in the present regulations for nominated immigration in the direction of reducing the contribution to the cost of passage required from the nominator. The object of the system of nomination is to enable persons resident and established in the Colony to bring out their relatives or friends upon easy terms. It is true that the persons nominated are not invariably of the class of immigrants best suited to the wants of the Colony, but the counter-balancing advantages of the system as at present established are great, and the Government desire to give it every reasonable encouragement. The rule with regard to nomination has been occasionally relaxed at the discretion of Immigration Officers to the extent of permitting persons resident who require servants or artizans of a particular class to designate them by avocation, leaving the task of selection to friends in Great Britain or to the Agent-General—such cases were exceptional. The general unfairness and possible abuse of such a privilege if it were unrestricted need not be insisted on. There remains to be considered the proposal to allow the Government of Canterbury to pay the deposit. To do so would be open to the objection that it would virtually infringe on the two conditions, under which as already stated the Government consider it would alone be right to allow the Province of Canterbury to contribute towards immigration. It would not be a payment to assist in procuring the number of immigrants allotted to Canterbury, nor would it be a payment in full for extra immigrants desired. It would on the contrary be a very small payment in proportion to the cost it would entail on the Colony. I regret to have to inform you that the Government, therefore, cannot concur in the Provincial Government directly or indirectly paying the deposits for nominated immigrants. You will permit me in conclusion to thank you for jour exertions on the subject and to express the hope that the money you expend in the United Kingdom will assist in procuring for the Province immigrants suitable to its wants. The Government recognize that the interests which the Government of Canterbury manifests in immigration proves their sympathy with the policy of colonization which it is the anxious desire of the General Government to give effect to with a proper recognition of the claims of all parts of the Colony. I have, &c, Messrs. W. Kennaway and J. Beswick, Daniel Pollen. Members of the Executive Council of Canterbury.

Enclosure 4 in No. 8. The Deputy Superintendent, Christchurch, to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Superintendent's Office, Christchurch, Sir,— 21st August, 1873. Referring to previous communications with respect to immigration, I have now the honor to inform you that the Provincial Government have made arrangements with Mr. Andrew Duncan, of Christchurch, to proceed to the United Kingdom for the purpose of assisting in collecting emigrants for this Province, the remuneration for his services being paid by the Provincial Government. By your letter of the 19th ultimo, addressed to Messrs. Kennaway and Beswick, I note that the General Government, in concurring in the appointment of an Emmigration Agent by the Provincial Government agree generally to that officer acting in the manner indicated in the letter addressed to you by the members of my Executive on the 4th ultimo, and I have now to request you to advise the Agent-General in accordance therewith in favour of Mr. Duncan. I have intimated to you by telegram that Mr. Duncan proceeds to England by the next outgoing Suez Mail. I shall, therefore, be glad if you will, as soon as possible transmit to that gentleman such letters as you may consider desirable for him to present to the Agent-General, so that, on his arrival in England, he can immediately enter on the duties of his mission. I have, &c, R. J. S. Harman. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Deputy Superintendent.

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No. 9. Memorandum No. 188, 1873, for the Agent-General London. Herewith is forwarded copy of the Report of the Immigration Commissioners at the port of Lyttelton upon the ship, " Mary Shepherd." You will note the portions of that report which^ refer to the infringement of the contract, and the unsatisfactory working of the condenser. With reference to the statement that " one of the single women was confined during the passage, and another was far advanced in pregnancy at the time of arrival," I must again impress upon you the necessity of a strict medical examination of all single female immigrants before they embark. Immigration Office, Wellington New Zealand, G. Maurice O'Rorke. 20th August, 1873.

Enclosure in No. 9. Commissioners' Report.—" Ship Mary Shepherd." The Commissioners report that the arrangements on board were generally satisfactory. The immigrants, without exception expressed themselves grateful for the care and attention shown them by the Captain, Surgeon-Superintendent, Matron, and other officials. The cleanliness of the various compartments reflected great credit both upon the immigrants themselves and those in charge of them. The conduct of the immigrants was reported by the Captain, Surgeon-Superintendent, and Matron as having been good throughout the voyage. Six births—two of which were still—and three deaths had occurred on the voyage. One infraction of the contract has occurred, viz., that in the single men's compartment a hatchway existed from whence coals, &c., were obliged to be obtained, rendering it difficult to keep the compartment clean. The quality of the provisions and the service has been good. The condenser had not performed satisfactorily. As far as could be ascertained, the machine was an old one, and leaked from an early period of the voyage. The hospital, bath room, and closets were well arranged. The berths were arranged as well as possible, considering the height between the decks was less than usual. The lighting between decks was imperfect. One of the single women was confined during the passage, and another was far advanced in pregnancy at the time of arrival. The Commissioners remark with approval that none but immigrants being carried, the poop was available for them, and the arrangements generally showed that the suggestions which have from time to time been made have met with consideration. We have, &c, W. Donald, F. B. Gibson, John B. Rouse, J. E. March. Immigration Office, Christchurch, Commissioners. 26th August, 1873.