IMMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND. (LETTERS TO THE AGENT-GENERAL).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1876 Session I, D-01

D.—l

1876. NEW ZEALAND.

IMMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND. (LETTERS TO THE AGENT-GENERAL).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the A gent-Geneeal. (No. 180.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 3rd August, 1875. I have the honor to request that, in the selection of the emigrants ordered to be despatched to Otago during the current financial year, you will arrange that one-fifth of the total number be for disposal in the Oamaru District; and that, in the case of those so set apart, you will direct that their destination (Oamaru) be indorsed on their contract tickets. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 2. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the A gent-Geneeal. (No. 184.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 19th August, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 387, of 28th May, in which with reference to the request of the Superintendent of Westland for 100 single women for that province, you state your intention to endeavour to carry out the wishes of His Honor, but at the same time point out the increasing difficulty of obtaining the classes required. I have submitted your letter to Mr. Bonar, who has requested me again to urge the very great need of the portion of the colony he represents iv this matter ; and I trust you may be able, to some extent at least, to give effect to the resolution of the Provincial Council without delay. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson. ___——_————_p__B_a__M_a_M_RH_________a_H________

No. 3. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-General. (No. 191.) Sib, — Immigration Office, "Wellington, 27th August, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 430, of 24th June, upon the subject of the certificates bearing the signature of Messrs. P. Henderson and Co.'s agent, which have been tendered in the colony for the purposes of " The Immigrants Land Act, 1873." In reply, I enclose herewith the only one of these certificates at present available ; and I shall be obliged if, when you have made use of it for the purpose of identification as proposed, you will be good enough to return it to the colony. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, Loudon. H. A. Atkinson.

No. _. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 214.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 28th September, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 410, of 11th June ultimo, in which you request that the Government will reconsider their decision in the matter of tho erasure from the records of the department of your letter No. 5, of 10th January ultimo. I—D 1.

D.—l

2

In reply, I have to inform you that the subject has received very careful consideration at the hands of my colleagues aud myself, but we are unable to see that anything in the correspondence between yourself and the lato Premier justifies a reversal of the course adopted with regard to the letter No. 5. It only therefore remains for me to return the copy forwarded, and to express my regret that I am unable to allow the letter to be recorded, and my desire that this communication may terminate the correspondence upon the subject. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London, H. A. Atkinson.

No. 5. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-General. (No. 228.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 25th October, 1875. I have the honor to transmit herewith copy of a letter from the Secretary to the Education Board of this province, relative to free passages being granted to trained and certificated teachers; and to inform you that, upon inquiry, I am satisfied that a few persons of this class, due regard being had to judicious selection, may be advantageously introduced as free immigrants into this province. I have therefore to request that you will give this matter your attention, and also recommend to your favourable consideration the particular case of Mr. Johnston referred to. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. - H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure in No. 5. Sir, — Education Board, "Wellington, 19th October, 1875. . I have the honor, by direction of the Education Board, to bring under your notice the advisability of your department granting facilities for the immigration from the United Kingdom of certificated and trained teachers, as there is a considerable demand for such persons at the present time. A Mr. Lawrence Johnston, from Shetland, having made application to the Agent-General for assistance in bringing out his family to this province, has been refused, evidently on the assumption on the part of the Agent-General that such a class of immigrants is not wanted. I have to request that you will be good enough to instruct the Agent-General to give a future application from Mr. Johnston his favourable consideration. I have, &c, Charles C. Graham, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Secretary.

No. 6. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) 12th November, 1875. Extension time, Smith, Cunningham, Katikati, granted. " Zealandia," " Auckland," " Herschell," " Howrah," " Mataura." Italians by " Herschell " very unsuitable class. Eeatherston, London. Atkinson.

No. 7. The Hon. E. Eichardson to the Agent-General. (No. 250.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 17th November, 1875. I have tlie honor to forward herewith, for your information, copy of correspondence with the Commissioner of Crown Lands at Auckland, relative to the location of Mr. Stewart's party of special settlers upon their land at Katikati. You will be glad to hear of the exceedingly satisfactory manner in which all the arrangements have been carried out. No dissatisfaction of any kind has been expressed, or, I believe, exists. Tou will observe that certain members of the party were unprovided with certificates under your" hand upon arrival, but, under the circumstances stated by Mr. Tole as accounting for this, authority was given to allow them the same privileges as the rest. I have, &c, E. Eichardson, (in the absence of the Minister for Immigration). The Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

Enclosure 1 in No. 7. The Commissioner of Crown- Lands, Auckland, to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (Telegram.) Auckland, 10th September, 1875. The following case is respectfully submitted for decision of Government :—Ten members of

3

D.—l

Stewart's Special Settlement party have brought with them relatives, numbering in all fifteen adults, none of whom are provided with certificates from the Agent-General; nor do I find their names among the duplicate certificates furnished to me. Mr. Stewart informs me that some time prior to their embarkation certificates had been issued to them in proper course, but that on the eve of their departure, and on board the " Carisbrook Castle," Dr. Featherston had evidently recalled the certificates of all passengers on board the ship, on the ground, as is alleged, of the acreages having, subsequently to their issue, and without his authority, been inserted in the documents. In the re-issue, at moment of starting, certificates of persons referred to were, it appears, omitted, and hence, whilst having been accepted as eligible to form members of the party, and as such having paid the requisite passage money and embarked, they have arrived without a " certificate from the Agent-General or some person appointed by him in writing," as expressly set forth iv clause 4of agreement. In the absence of such certificate, I find myself, in strict adherence to the terms of the agreement, unable to recognize officially the claims of the above persons, whilst at same time, from the explanations of Mr. Stewart, I am convinced of the infliction of a hardship in such an event. The quantity of land required to satisfy the claimants is about 600 acres. The question therefore is, whether under the circumstances such persons are to be permitted to select, and otherwise to be, equally with those of the party possessing the AgentGeneral's formal certificate, admitted to the advantages of the agreement. An early reply requested. D. A. Tole, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Commissioner of Crown Lands.

(Reply.) (Telegram.) Government Buildings, 10th September, 1875. If you are satisfied that the facts are as Mr. Stewart represents, as to the members of the party being without the Agent-General's certificate you may allow them the same privileges as the others. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland. H. A. Atkinson. i

Enclosure 2 in No. 7. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland, to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sir, — Crown Lands Office, Auckland, 9th October, 1875. I have the honor, in further reference to the subject of my telegrams of the 15th and 28th ultimo, re location of the Stewart Special Settlement part3 r at the Katikati, to forward, for your information, the accompanying schedule, showing the order of selection of each member of that party as determined by lottery in terms of the agreement; also a lithographed plan of the block indicating the precise position of each allotment selected in the order of choice above referred to. The actual quantity of land absorbed by the members of the party up to the present date is 7,780 acres, thus leaving an unappropriated area of 2,049 acres available for selection by any further members of the party who may, as provided by section 23 of the agreement, arrive before the Ist day of January next, but not afterwards. I am here again induced to refer in terms of pleasure to the universal satisfaction, not only experienced, but unhesitatingly expressed, by the party at their selections, and also at the ministration of the agreement. Under these circumstances I may be permitted to say that it is a matter for congratulation to the Government that such general satisfaction is felt, and that in no way, so far, have the interpretation and procedure under the agreement led to the slightest disappointment; and to this desirable position of affairs your prompt and considerate removal of the grievance, reported in my telegram of the 10th ultimo, greatly contributed. I have, &c, D. A. Tole, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Commissioner of Crown Lands.

No. 8. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-General. (No. 272.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 14th December, 1875. I have the honor to inform you that a complaint has been made to me by a Mr. J. Stevenson, a registered immigrant under the Immigrants Land Act, of the representations as to the prospects for persons of his class in this colony, which were made to him by Mr. J. G. Forbes, your local Emigration Agent at Glasgow, and by which he was induced to throw up his employment at home and emigrate. I also enclose copy of a letter which he has written upon the subject. Mr. Stevenson states that he held an appointment in connection with the postal service, and was given to understand that that would be quite sufficient to insure his finding immediate employment out here; whereas, being a man totally unfitted for any active occupation or for any work except of the nature of a light porter or messenger, &c, I need hardly say his chances of satisfactory settlement are but few. I shall be glad if you will make inquiry into this matter, for it is undoubtedly of the greatest importance that over-sanguine accounts of the colony, which are likely to be productive of much disappointment and discontent, should not be allowed to go abroad. No doubt you have issued instructions to your Agents to be very careful in not offering inducements to persons to emigrate which are not likely to be realized, but it would seem desirable that you should especially warn them not to hold out hopes of Government or other clerical employment, of obtaining which there is little or no chance even for highly qualified persons. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

D.—l

4

Enclosure in No. 8. Wellington, sth December, 1875. This is to certify that Mr. John Gilbert Forbes, Immigration Agent, Gordon Street, Glasgow, told me (both him and the man in his employment) that I would be sure to be taken into consideration when I arrived here at New Zealand, and I would be better looked to by paying my own passage, which I did. Likewise I would be sure of getting some light situation when I arrived. So I have been sadly disappointed, besides, having my land grant, it was quite sufficient for to be taken into consideration. James Stevenson.

No. 9. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Asent-Genebai. (No. 273.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 13th December, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 626, of 20th September ultimo, transmitting list of persons nominated whose applications for free passages you have for various reasons rejected, and informing me of your decision not to entertain applications from families which include over four children under the age of twelve. 2. With the view of preventing an undue proportion of children to adults, it may be well, as a general rule, that families including the number of children above designated should not be accepted for free passages, but this rule should not bo absolute, but relaxed at your discretion in the case of very desirable emigrants, and certainly should not extend to persons nominated from the colony. This class of immigration has been so successful, that I feel strongly the impolicy of hampering its continuance and development in any way not absolutely necessary. lam not aware that in any single instance has any difficulty been found in providing for nominated immigrants upon their arrival in the colony, and they seldom cost the Government anything beyond their passage money, proceeding to their friends in most cases without entering a depot. I would also further remark that, in the case of this class of immigrants, a large family growing up is a very great advantage; the majority of them are country people and proceed and once into the country here, in which sort of life, as you are aware, boys and girls under twelve are able to make themselves useful in a variety of ways, and grow up into the best sort of settlers. 3. I have to request, therefore, that persons nominated from the colony may not be rejected on account of the number of their children, but in all other respects I leave you to exercise full discretion. Tou are aware, from my previous communications on the subject, that I have issued very strict instructions to the Immigration Officers to use the utmost care in accepting nominations, and to refer all cases in which they may have any doubt to myself personally; and with respect to old people, I have made it a rule that these should not be accepted except on payment of. the whole passage money. 4. I remark with satisfaction the care which is being exercised in your department in the supervision of nominated emigration, and express my desire that the scrutiny by the officers in the colonywill not iv any way interfere with the discretionary power of rejection which the Government, with great confidence, leave in your hands. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson. P.S. —The rejection of the nominations on this account advised in your letters Nos. 639 and 717 has not been communicated to the nominators, and you will of course under the foregoing instructions considered them renewed.

No. 10. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Genebai,. (No. 274.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 15th December, 1875. I have the honor to inform you that the Government have decided upon restricting the introduction of immigrants to the amount of from 10,000 to 12,000 adults a year inclusive of nominated emigrants, which indeed they trust may, in the future, form a very considerable proportion of the whole. The class of immigrants which have recently arrived from Great Britain shows the result of the very careful selection exercised by your department, and the Government have every confidence that in the future, with the number of emigrants limited as indicated above, the emigration will continue of as satisfactory a character as at present. 2. I am glad to observe by your last monthly report that you see your way to effect certain reductions in your immigration staff by not filling up the vacancies occasioned by the retirement of Mr. Carter, Mr. Andrews, and two clerks. I feel sure you will co-operate with the Government in their endeavour to reduce as far as possible, consistently with the efficient carrying out of the public service, all departmental expenditure. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson,

5

D.—l

No. 11. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Genebal. (No. 279.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 15th December, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge tho receipt of your letter No. 701, of October, relative to the complaint by Dr. Nesbitt of certain difficulties he experienced in obtaining an appointment as surgeon-superintendent for your department, and enclosing copy of correspondence upon the subject between yourself and Mr. Moore. 2. I am not able clearly to understand the tenor of the enclosed correspondence, which does not clear up the important points raised in my letter of 15th February ultimo. I should wish, therefore, to he informed whether it is the case that all surgeon-superintendents receive their appointments through Mr. Moore, and whether in all or any cases it has come to your knowledge that they pay this gentleman a fee in consideration of his recommendation. 3. With regard to the special case of Dr. Nesbitt, it appears not to be denied that he did pay Mr. Moore £10 ; and his statement that he was kept waiting several months for a ship, whilst thirty-one were despatched, would seem to require explanation from the officer in your department with whom rests the selection of the surgeon-superintendents. 4. Dr. Nesbitt, in making the charges he did against the clerks in your office, acted altogether without justification in the absence of confirmatory evidence ; and I agree with you that, before again obtaining re-employment in the service of the New Zealand Government, he should be called upon either to substantiate or withdraw them. 5. I agree with you that under the circumstances of his first appointment, dating some time previous to the existing regulations coming into force, Dr. Nesbitt is not entitled to receive the sum of £50 in consideration of his having accepted a second ship to the colony. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 12. The Hon. Dr. Pollen to the Agent-Genebal. (Telegram.) 17_ December, 1875. " Waimate," " Avalanche," " Waitangi." Stop sending emigrants Hawke's Bay. Benew notice Diseased Cattle Act; fears foot mouth disease. Shippers stock should know law is rigidly enforced here. Featherston, London. D. Pollen.

No. 13. The Hon. Dr. Pollen to the Agent-Genebal. (Telegram.) 17th January, 1876. Stop Taranaki emigration, except nominated. Stop foreign emigration, except engaged and nominated " Nelson" " Waitara," " Caroline." Featherston, London. D. Pollen.

No. 14 The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal. (Telegram.) _ 26th January, 1876. Send no more emigrants Auckland, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, Nelson until June, except to fulfil absolute engagements to emigrants or ships. "Waitara," "Nelson," "Shakespeare," "Caroline," "Conflict," "Soukar." Featherston, London. Atkinson.

No. 15. The Hon. C. C. Bowen to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 18.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 13th January, 1876. I have the honor to enclose copies of correspondence with the Hon. Mr. Chamberlin relative to the proposed visit of his brother Mr. F. Chamberlin to Europe, for the purpose of engaging pottery workers for his property at Drury ; and I have to request that you will be good enough to afford Mr. Chamberlin every assistance in your power in facilitating the passage of the emigrants selected by him to the colony. I have, &c, C. C. Bowen, (in the absence of the Minister for Immigration). The Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

D.—l

6

Enclosure 1 in No. 15. The Hon. H. Chambeelin to His Honor the Stjpeeintenoent, Auckland. Sic,— Auckland, Bth July, 1875. As I have every reason to believe that your Honor is desirous of forwarding the general prosperity of the colony by every means iv your power, you will no doubt be of opinion that to encourage local industries is one of the surest means to effect the same ; I therefore beg to ask you to use your influence with the General Government to aid me in the establishment of pottery works, to be located upon my property at Drury, near Auckland. Tour Honor is aware that the Drury property contains nearly, if not quite, every requisite for the manufacture of the coarser and medium qualities of crockery, the clays being of a very fine quality, free from grit, of four or five different colours, besides a fine bed of white from five to six feet thick, within five or six feet from the surface of the ground, and in almost unlimited quantity. Fire clay is also there in great abundance, besides coal of the most suitable sort, also wood, and any amount of water power. The Waikato Railway runs through the property, and the Drury station is only two or three chains off. I neither ask for direct or indirect personal pecuniary assistance, nor for a bonus upon the manufactured articles, or protective duties, or for any land grant; but, on the contrary, am willing at once to locate as many as fifty families (of the right sort —viz., pottery workers from Sarguemines, in Alsace, Europe) upon my property, by giving them an acre for each family, they paying me £1 sterling per ton weight for the clays as used or sold by them (the Belgium and French charge being £3 sterling), and by guaranteeing fo the Government the sum of £ per family, if the Government fails after every effort to recover from the immigrants the amount of their promissory notes for their passages out, the Go vernment being at every cost to place them on the property. The people that I require are pottery workers from the manufacturing district named Sarguemines, in Alsace, Europe. From information that I have obtained, it appears that these people work in small parties of from twelve to twenty men, with and under a master-man (who would be called out here a " boss ") ; they all work on their own account, and are a very industrious, hard-working people; that their usual earnings, with twelve hours' hard work, does not exceed two shillings a day, owing to the great competition in Europe ; that if an agent of the right sort were sent amongst them, informing them of the advantages to be gained by emigrating to New Zealand (beyond the special advantages offered them by myself), naming the climate and the far superior earnings to be made, they would jump at the chance of being able to get out here as soon as possible; that they have to purchase the clay at about £3 sterling per ton weight, therefore they should do well out here, and the Government would run little or no risk of their failing to carry out any agreement for repaying it for their passages out, as they would be sure to keep together as one people, the community in the district living in fact as one family ; tfcat the present time should be taken advantage of as early as possible, as those poor people will only be too glad to escape from the military tyranny of their Prussian masters. Trusting that your Honor will be able to give this matter some small attention, I have, &c., To His Honor the Superintendent. H. Chambeelin.

Enclosure 2 in No. 15. His Honor the Sttpeeintendent, Auckland to the Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 12th July, 1875. Herewith I have the honor to forward, for the consideration of Government, the copy of a letter received from the Hon. H. Chamberlin, in reference to the establishment of pottery works on his property at Drury, in this province. I have, &c., The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. G. Geet.

Enclosure 3 in No. 15. The Hon. the Ministeb for Immigeation to His Honor the Stjpeb-Ntendent, Auckland. Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 30th October, 1875. In reply to your letter No. 2194, of 12th July last, in which you forward, for consideration of the Government, copy of a letter from the Hon. Mr. Chamberlin, asking for assistance in the establishment of pottery works on his property at Drury, I have to request that you will intimate to Mr. Chamberlin that the Government are not in a position to appoint a special agent for the selection of the emigrants he desires to have introduced, but that it is open to that gentleman to avail himself of the immigration regulations now in force for the conduct of nomination by calling. It will be necessary, however, for him to arrange through his own agents for the transit of the emigrants to London, and upon receiving intimation that such arrangements have been made, and other particulars as to number, &c, I will advise the Agent-General to facilitate in every way their passage to the colony. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure 4 in No. 15. The Hon. H. Chambeelin to the Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation. g IB Auckland, 14th December, 1875. In reference to my letter of the Bth July last, transmitted through His Honor the Superinten-

7

D.—l

dent of Auckland, No. 2194, of 12th July last, I beg to state that, in consequence of the Government not being in a position to appoint a special agent, I am about to obtain the assistance of my brother (Mr. F. Chamberlin, who is shortly returning to England) to act for me in Belgium and England, to do all things required to locate pottery workers at Drury. As of course it will be necessary for him to see the Agent-General, and being unknown to him, I hope that I shall not be asking too great a favour if I trouble the Government to give my brother a letter of introduction to the Agent-General. My brother will arrange for the transit of the emigrants to London. As -to their numbers, I could not possibly say, as it is impossible to say how many could he induced to come out; their names and ages it would also be almost impossible to give to the Government in New Zealand, without such loss of time as would completely interfere with the success of the project. I do not contemplate at present getting out more than twenty families or about one hundred souls. If the Government think that number too many, they will oblige by informing me of it; so I hope under the circumstances the Government will lose no time, and advise the Agent-General to facilitate in every way their passage to the colony. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. H. Chambeblin.

No. 16. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Genebal. (No. 28.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 9th February, 1876. In order that you may be kept fully informed of the rates of wages and prices of provisions ruling in the colony, I directed a circular to be sent to each Immigration Officer, instructing him to furnish the necessary information, and I now transmit the returns received from the officers as per schedule attached. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson. , (For Enclosures see page 9.)

No. 17. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Genebal. (No. 33.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 10th February, 1876. I have the honor to forward herewith, for your information, copy of report by the Immigration Officer for Invercargill, recommending the stoppage of immigration other than nominated and female domestic servants to his district. This report was received too late to countermand the ship appointed by you to sail about 15th January, but you will now be good enough, pending further instructions, to give effect to the recommendation of the Immigration Officer. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure in No. 17. The Immigeation Oppicee, Invercargill, to the Undee Seceetabt for Immigeation, WellingtonSib, — Immigration Office, Invercargill, 26th January, 1876. I beg to forward copy of a letter to His Honor the Superintendent of Otago, having reference to the further introduction of immigrants into the district, and in doing so would bring under the attention of the Government the fact that even already the labour market shows signs of being fully stocked, if not more than so. As the harvest gets gathered and winter advances the demand for labour will slacken considerably. I have, &c, Waltee H. Peaeson, The Under Secretary for Immigration, Wellington. • Immigration Officer.

Sub-Enclosure. The Immigeation Officeb, Invercargill, to His Honor the Sctpekintendent, Otago. Sib, — Immigration Office, Invercargill, 24th January, 1876. Referring to my quarterly report for the three months ending 31st ultimo, to prevent any misconception as to the future demand for labour in this district, I beg to state that from my personal experience, and the information I can gather, I am inclined to think that great caution should be exercised in the introduction of further supplies, for more than one reason. Although really good farm servants without encumbrances are in demand, I fear few such are to be obtained amongst the immigrants introduced. The majority of those describing themselves as such have proved on employment either to be very indifferently acquainted with agriculture in any of its branches, or, as more frequently is the case, to be entirely ignorant of it, having described themselves as agricultural labourers, believing such a designation to be the best passport. Though such men have up to the present found employment on the public works in progress, as these necessarily cease there will be

D.—l

8

a large margin between demand and supply, in which I fear the latter will show largely in excess —a sufficiency difficult from its inutility to be absorbed by the ordinary channels of colonial industries. I would therefore respectfully suggest that, at any rate for some months, free immigration should be confined to those nominated by friends or relations in New Zealand. These being alive to the position and requirements of the colony, will be careful not to advise their Home friends to emigrate, unless they have reasonable grounds for believing they would be benefited by the change, and would be sure to introduce only suitable and steady immigrants. Such a supply, though probably slower than that which has hitherto obtained, will I feel sure prove quite equal to the occasion, and be found more beneficial to all concerned. The above remarks, I may add, do not apply to domestic servants or single women, the demand being much in excess of the supply, though very few of those hitherto introduced can be called fair general servants; in their case the institution of matrimony acting on the market in an exhaustive manner. I have, &c, Waltee H. Peaeson, His Honor the Superintendent, Dunedin. Immigration Officer.

No. 18. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Genebal. (No. 38.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 11th February, 1876. I have the honor to call your attention to the fact that I have received no advice from you as to the steps you have taken to send out emigrants for the Jackson's Bay Special Settlement, upon which subject I addressed you in my letters No. 52, of 15th February, and No. 66, of 11th March, 1875, and to which reference was also made in Sir Julius Vogel's letter to you of 23rd June. His Honor the Superintendent of Westland is urgently pressing for immigrants to be sent there, hut I am unable to afford him any information as to when the families specially ordered are likely to arrive. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 19. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Genebal, (No. 44.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 11th February, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 848, of 22nd November, in which you transmitted lists of vessels you proposed to despatch to complete the orders for the various provinces for the year ending 30th April next, and intimated that, unless otherwise instructed, you should consider those orders to be applicable to the following twelve months. Since the date of your letter you have probably received my telegrams of 17th December and 17th and 26th January, copies of which have been duly forwarded to you, and I trust have been able to countermand in accordance therewith certain of your proposed shipments, and to determine finally the foreign emigration contracts. With regard to the number of emigrants to be despatched during the year beginning the Ist May next, the Government have this question now under consideration, and I will instruct you fully thereupon by the next mail. The Government attach great importance to the continuance of the regular stream of immigration you have established with so much trouble and success, but in order that this immigration may prove beneficial both to the colony and the immigrants themselves, it is absolutely necessary that it should be kept within the reasonable requirements of the labour market. Tho reports lately received from the officers of this department in Auckland, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, Nelson, and Invercargill show that for the present the safe limit of immigration has been reached in those districts. I have therefore to repeat the instructions given ,in the telegrams above referred to —viz., that no more emigrants are to be shipped to Auckland, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, Nelson, and the Bluff until next June, except those under actual engagement, nominated persons, or single women. I leave to your discretion the matter of deciding as to the best means of forwarding such persons to their destinations, feeling assured that, having regard to the great expense attendant upon transhipment in the colony, you will as far as practicable make use of direct ships. Tou will be good enough for the present to continue immigration to the provinces not named above upon the same scale as for the current year; but even in these cases it is desirable to delay shipments as much as possible, so as to prevent any large number of persons arriving in the colony during our winter months. There being still a great demand for female domestic servants in all parts of the colony, I have to request that nothing in this letter may prevent your accepting for any district as many of this class, provided they are of good character, as you can procure. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

D.—l

9

Enclosure in No. 16. TABULAE STATEMENT of the PRICES of PROVISIONS and RATES of WAGES in the different Provinces and Districts of New Zealand in December, 1875.

Tbadesmen peb Day op Eight Hottes. District. H a 9 s E ■ o x 1 __ o a __ _ iN <_ 5 Q _a _s o o I I ■ — ■ g to E '3 ■ ■ ■a A a 3 ■ A I gi i R - 9. 9.d. 6 to 8/4 8- 9 ID 5 ID m 1 o. 4 i 0_ i O ■o O H 00.2 S3 3 E _ 3 E .r. _5 -_l P, Auckland Thames s. d. 9. d. 7/ 6 to 8/4 7/6-10/ *$>■ week, found 20-30 found 6- 7 8-10 10 "$> week, found 25-40 s. a. 8tol2 8-11 10tol2 10-12 s. 3. d. 9 to 11/6 9. 9. 7 to 10 3/6- 6 week, found 25-30 found 6- 7 8-10 6-10 1> week, found 30-40 week, found 20-25 "ij>week 30-60 10-12 7- 8 9-10 ty week, found 25-35 week, found 25-40 y week, found 30-40 8. 9. 9 to 10 9-10 S. 9. 8 to 10 9-10 S. 8. 8 tO 10; 9. 9. 7 to 8 6- 8 9. S. j 9 to 10 s. s. 7to9 7-8 9. 9. 7tol0 7/6-10 8. S. 7 to 9 8- 9 10tol2 I 8. 9. 9 to 10 9-10 S. 9. 7 to 8 8 to 10 9-10 10tol2 11-12 B. 9. 7 to 9 8-10 8. 9. 8 to 9 6-7 7 to 13/4 9 - 12 j 8. 8. | 8 to 10 | S. 8. 6 to 8 6-7 Tauranga 6- 9 7-10 8-10 10-12 6- 7 7- 9 7- 9 10-12 7-10 6-8 piecework or 10 8-10 8-10 8 piecework or 10 10 - 12 8 5-6 New Plymouth Patea Napier 8-10 10-12 10 8-10 10-12 10 10_2 8-10 8-12 10-12 8-10 8-10 10-12 8-12 7 8-10 8 8-10 7-10 10-12 8-10 7- 8 10-12 8-12 8 8-io 7-9 8-10 8-10 8-10 7- 8 7- 8 8 6- 7 6- 8 6- 8 Wellington ... 10-12 8-10 10-11 10-12 6- 8 6-10 6-10 8-10 10-12 'ty week I 50-60 I 11-13 11-12 week 40 - 48 week 50 - 60 6- 7 110-12 ... ... Wairarapa ... Wanganui ... Blenheim Nelson Westland *$■ week 30-40 *$■ week 30-60 io-ia 10 8-12 8-11 8-11 10-12 10-11 12-16 8-10 11 10-12 12 14-16 10 10 10-12 8 11-14 6-11 10-12 10-12 10 10-16 ... 8-12 10-12 10 13-14 6- 7 7- 9 8-10 7-10 10-12 6- 8 6- 8 10-12 j 9-10 7-10 9-10 10-12 8-10 12-14 7-10 8- 9 10-12 8- 9 13-14 10-12 10-12 12-16 8-10 10-12 10-12 10 11-13 10 6- 7 8-10 10-12 7- 8 11-14/6 10 10-12 10 12-13 6-13 8-10 7- 8 8-12 7-8 "$• week 40-50 10 - 12 8/6- 10 ! 10 - 13 ! 7-8 f-week 30 - 60 10 - 12 8/6- 10 6- 7 7-io 7-8 9-12 10-12 12-14 9-10 10_2 8-10 Christchurch.. 8-10 *$■ week, found 30-35 8-10 7- 9 8-10 8-10 9-12 7- 9 8-10 7- 8 7-10 9-10 8-10 10 7- 8 8-10 8 piecework 1 piecework 5-8 Timaru 10-12 8-10 10-12 10-12 8-10 1> year, found £50-70 . year, found £60 8-10 50-60 9-11 9-10 10-12 10-12 8-10 9-12 8-10 10-12 10 - 11 j *$■ week 50-70 7- 9 10-11 8-10 Oamaru *$>• week 60-80 j 9-12 11-16 8- 9 Wweek 50-60 10-12 10-12 10-12 10-12 60-70 week 50-60 week 50-60 8- 9 ... Dunedin Invercargill ... 10-12 12-14 12-14 10-12 12-14 10 10-13 10-12 £3 10s. 10-12 ... , ;1>week 160-70 10-12 10-12 10-12 12-14 12-14 10-12 10-12 10-12 18-14 12-14 12 8-10 12-14 10 10-12 week 60 - 70 12 - 14 10/6 12 - 14 piecework 10-12 12-14 6-8 7-8 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

D.—l

10

'kicks of Peovisions and Rates of "Wages, i &c. — continued i.

Female Hands. j. aem and Station Hands. Domestic Sebyants. Pbices of Provisions. _ DlSTEIOT. 5 _ s OD p £ o .3 l-i '5 1 1 £ o r/i Tl _ _ o. 3 G a _ ._- _ 1 4 ■ 1 00 s o ■i. _> E 3 1 a -3.3 _ Pi d. d. _ d. d. _ a 3 d. d. 8 Si a s.d. s.d. _ _ s.d. s.d. 4 _ p. 3 d. d. 'it _T o _ - 5 o _ o -_ o bo _ 5 c c S. 6. B. S. 8. 3, s. s. '<_> week, found 15 to 20 S. 8. T> week, found 15 to 20 •• annum £40-£60 T_> week, found 15 - 20 8. 8. S. 8. *!_> week, found 10 to 12 8. 8. week, found 10 to 15 8. S. 1;> week, found 20 to 30 week, fouud 8 to 9 I 8. S. *[> week, found 5 to 6 8. S. Ip week, found 10 to 12 s.d. s.d. d. s. d. d. Auckland Thames ... Tauranga ... | ■j_> week 20 to 50 -|> day 5-10 "[> week, found 10-12 V day, found 3-4 :_> week, found 15-20 '{> day 5-7 \} week 12 to 20 _ day 5-9 1> week, found 8-9 .day, found 2-2/6 p>_> week | 18 to 30 ... 15-18 .day, found 2/6-3 17/6-22/6 15 - 20 °ty annum £60 to £70 £50-£75 f. week, found 20 8-10 15 - 20 15 - 20 10-20 20-30 8-10 8 5- 7 6 6-12 10 6 to 8 7-8 9 2to8 4-7 21 to 6 4-6 1/ to 1/3 1/ - 1/6 1/3- 2/ 2/ to 4/ 2/ - 3/6 2/6- 3/6 4to8 4J-6 l/6to2/3 1/6-1/10 1/6-2/ 8 to 1/2 1/ - 1/2 1/ - 1/2 i to l . - i i-i 20to25 40-50 15-20 4-7 3-6 4-7 Kew Plymouth 15 - 21 20 - 24 8-10 15 - 20 7-12 2/6- 5 ! 1 6- 8 8-5 3-5 /10 2/3- 3/ 41-6 1/6 1/ 11-2 10 Patea '|>'day 5 •|)'day 5-10 1l> annum £40-£50 W annum £40-£50 annnm £60-£75 *5_> annum £25-£35 1i_> annum £20-£30 *$■ annum £25-£35 "|i> annum £50 "J_> week, found 10-12 "3_> annum £20-£25 "Jj)' annum £20- £25 4-5 11/ - 1/6 2/6- 3/6 5-7 1/6-2/ 1/ " 1/6 i - l 35-40 9 4-6 Napier Wellington ... 1> week 20-40 '_> week, found 15-20 2/6-4 f week 30-40 £60 week, found 18 - 25 £50 £50-£60 'J_> week, found 20-25 £70-£80 £52-£70 £30 1> week, found 10-12 £50 "3_> week, found 15-20 £40 week, found 12-20 £26 week, found 8-10 £50 'IP' week, found 10-15 8 6 4 1/6 1/ - 1/6 3/ 2/ -3/ 61 1/6 1/4-2/ 1/ 1/ - 1/4 l "$> ewt. 5/ -8/ 20 15-20 6-8 3-6 3-5 4-6 Wairarapa ... 4-5 "|> week, found 10-15 "J_> week 36-40 , day, found 2/6-3/6 y week, found 40-50 .day 4-5 20 - 30 I £55-£80 10 - 14 15 - 20 15-18 10-12 8-10 10-15 8-9 5-6 4-5 75.- 2/6 2/6- 3/6 41- 61 1/10-2/ 1/ - 1/6 1-4 40-50 Wanganui ... 12-18 fJ_> week 36-40 1>day, found 3/6-4/6 %>■ week, found 40-50 20 - 25 ty annum £50-£60 20 - 25 *3_> annum £50-£60 1_> week 20 - 30 1> annum £65-£80 8-12 "3_> annum £25-£35 18-20 *fy annum £50-£65 10-15 "J> annum £40-£50 '[)■ week, found 10-20 8-10 p annum £25-£40 *ty week, found 8-10 5- 8 1> annum £20-£25 °ty week, found 7- 8 8-12 Ip annum £25-£50 *$■ week, found 8-10 1/ 2/8 1/9 1/ f ewt. 6/ 40 9 4 3 5 Blenheim p week 30 .- 8 5 4 1/ 3/ 5 1/9 1/ 1 50 Kelson ... .day 3-4 1> week found ■ 40-50 £45-£60 %> week found 20-22/6 'J_> annum £40-£55 £45-£50 £70-£80 T_> week, found 30 - 35 annum £55-£70 £25-£30 1> week, found 15 - 20 '(jl- milium £25-£30 ■p annum £50 "J_> week, found 20 6-8 4-6 4-6 1/ - 1/2: 2/6- 3/ 4.-6 2/ /10- 1/ I p-ewt. 10/-12/ eJ_> ton 70/-100/ 25-50 Westland 30-40 15-20 "Up annum £18-£25 8-12 "}_> annum £15-£25 15-20 1> annum £20-£30 6-8 4-8 4-8 1/6- 2/ ffl) - 3/6 5-6 1/4-1/6 1/ " 1/3 50-60 ChriBtchurch 18-20 week 50-60 20 10-20 '!_> week 30-40 14-15 18-20 T_> week 25-35 £l-£2 £50-£55 ■3_> annum £40-£52 "p. annum £30-£40 5-6 3-6 3 /10- 1/8 2/ - 3/6 4.-6 1/6-2/ /10- 1/ 25-33 Timaru Oamaru £45-£55 £50-£60 £60-£70 £50-£80 £60-£80 £60-£75 £20-£25 £30-£40 £50-£52 £45-£55 £25-£35 £40-£50 £20-£25 £30-£40 £15-£20 £20-£30 £20-£25 £35-£45 61-71 6 3-6 4-7 3-5 3-6 I 1 - 1/6 1/6- 2 2/6- 3/ 2/6- 3/ 5-7 5-6 1/3-1/9 1/6-2/ 1/ - 1/6 1/ 1 - . 1 p-ewt. 5/ -6/ 20-25 35-50 Dunedin 50 \> week, found 18-30 25-30 *t> week, found 18-30 25-30 f week, found 21-30 £55-£60 £55 £65-£80 £35-£40 £50-£52 £40-£45 £25-£30 £20-£30 £30-£35 5-6 5-6 4-5 1/3- 1/6 3/ - 3/6| 5-6 1/6 V 25 In-ercargill ... £55-£60 £60-£65 £70-£80 £40-£45 £45-£50 £35-£40 £30-£35 £25-£30 £30-£35 6 1/3 8/ - 3/6; 1/9-2/ 1/3 2 25-30 5-10 5-7 4-6

11

D.—l

No. 20. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-General. (No. 55.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 7th March, 1876. I have the honor to transmit herewith, for your information, copy of correspondence, with his with his Honor the Superintendent of Westland, respecting immigration to that province. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure 1 in No. 20. His Honor the Supebintendent, Westland, to the Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation. (No. 34.) Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Hokitika, 22nd January, 1876. I have the honor to bring under your notice the fact that when tho special settlement at Jackson's Bay was first established, orders were sent home for one hundred and fifty families of English, Scotch, and Irish, but as yet I have received no advices of any of the above nationalities having been shipped, and, with the exception of the German families which were sent down, we have had scarcely any immigrants for the settlement. I strongly recommended sending some of the English agricultural labourers, but have received no advice as yet of any having been shipped. Mr. Holloway, who I understand is now acting for the Government in England, when he was in Westland, fully concurred in the desirability of establishing this settlement at Jackson's Bay, and promised to afford every assistance in selecting immigrants. The best season for locating immigrants is now commencing, and it will be a serious drawback to the progress of the settlement if no immigrants arrive. I would strongly urge that an effort should be made to insure our getting a supply of suitable persons as above indicated. If these cannot be obtained at once, I am quite willing that some more German families should be sent, and, as telegraphed by the Immigration Officer a few days ago, I shall be glad if thirty families from the " Shakespeare" can be forwarded. The German families already located are getting on very well. I have, &c, J. A. Bonae, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Superintendent.

Enclosure 2 in No. 20. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation to His Honor the Supeetntendent, Westland. (No. 15.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 15th February, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 34, of 22nd ultimo, with regard to the supply of immigrants for Jackson's Bay Special Settlement. I have received no advice from the Agent-General as to what steps he has taken to carry into effect the instructions to send out a number of persons specially selected for this settlement. I received a telegram in August last, which being incorrectly transmitted, conveyed the impression that he was executing the order, but upon the copy of the original coming to hand the error was made apparent. I accordingly communicated with him upon -the subject by the last mail, but should otherwise have taken an earlier opportunity of again urging his attention to the matter. I must express my regret that this delay should have occurred, hut I hope to be able to forward you a fair number of families from the ships expected shortly to arrive. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Westland. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure 3 in No. 20. His Honor the Stoeeintendent, Westland, to the Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation. (No. 35.) Sib, — ' Superintendent's Office, Hokitika, 22nd January, 1876. I have the honor to bring under your notice the fact that the number of immigrants who have been forwarded to this province has as yet been very limited, and that we would gladly receive at least fifty per month for Hokitika and Greymouth. I would also beg to bring under your notice that it is extremely undesirable that foreigners, such as the Italians last sent down, who are quite unable to make themselves understood in an English community, should be sent to this province. The class of immigrants that are required here should be, as near as possible, strong, able-bodied labourers, and the number of families should be limited. The demand for female domestic servants is still very great, as almost none of this class have as yet reached us. I shall be glad if this want could be supplied in some manner. I have, &c, J. A. Bonab, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Superintendent.

D.—l

12

Enclosure 4 in No. 20. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Westland. (No. 20.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, Ist March, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, No. 35, of 22nd ultimo, respecting immigration to your province, wherein you ask my attention to the fact that the number of immigrants you have received has been very limited, and at the same time express the opinion that foreigners, such as the Italians lately sent down, are very undesirable, and that the classes required are domestic servants and single labourers, and but a limited number of families. With regard to the number of immigrants you have received, I regret that the supply has apparently not been sufficient for your requirements, but I have to point out to your Honor that since the 30th April last—the date from which the last emigration order to the Agent-General took effect— fully 400 immigrants have been landed in Westland out of the 400 adults ordered for the year ending 30th April proximo, and that this number might have been larger had it not been for the apparent inability of the province to take more than a limited number at a time. Upon more than one occasion immigrants of a good description have been available, but have been declined by the Immigration Officer upon the ground of having previously received a supply. It is certainly to be regretted that the instruction to the Agent-General to endeavour to select a number of families specially for the Jackson's Bay settlement should have been attended with so little success, for which I am unable to account, but, as I informed your Honor in my letter No. 15, of 15th ultimo, I have recently brought the matter again to his notice. By advices lately received, I have reason to hope that the full number of 400 adults will have been dispatched for Westland before the expiration of the year above mentioned. I agree with your Honor that the Italians who arrived by the " Herschell" were an undesirable class of immigrants, the sending of whom to the colony has been a matter of great regret to the Government. I have telegraphed to the Agent-General to stop all such shipments for the future. These people, however, had to be disposed of, and as far as possible to places where there was most chance of their becoming absorbed, and with the accounts of the urgent demand for labour in Westland, it was reasonable to suppose that there would be no great difficulty in finding work for the number sent down. lam glad to observe, from the report of the Immigration Officer forwarded by your Honor upon the 16th ultimo, that they have all now left the depot, the presumption being that they have obtained remunerative employment. With regard to your representation as to the demand for female domestic servants and single labourers, I desire to repeat the assurance that I will take every opportunity of carrying your wishes into effect. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Hokitika. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 21. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Genebal. (No. 64.) Sib,— Immigration Office, Wellington, Bth March, 1876. With reference to memoranda by His Honor the Superintendent of Hawke's Bay upon the report of the Immigration Officer for the last quarter of 1875, and the Immigration Commisioners' report upon the " Hudson," copies of which are forwarded to you by this mail, I have to request that, in accordance with the wishes of His Honor, you will suspend immigration to Hawke's Bay, with the exception of nominated persons and single women, until November next; but that you will despatch, a ship with a complement of about 150 adults, so as to arrive early in each of the months of November, December, and January. The immigrants should, as far as possible, be of the classes described by His Honor—viz , single men and women, and married couples with small families. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Copies of Minutes eefeeeed to. 1. Minute upon Immigration Officer's Quarterly Report. Me. Fannin's report fairly states the condition of the labour market. I would recommend that immigration to Hawke's Bay from now until, say, next October, should be limited to nominated immigrants and single women, but that three full ships should be ordered to arrive at Napier, say, end of October or beginning of November, December, and January. These ships should bring a large complement of single men used to farm work, single women, and married couples with as small families as possible. Employment and good wages will be certain if the people arrive at the time I have named. 24th February, 1876. J. D. Obhond.

2. Minute upon Commissioners' Report on Ship "Hudson." The immigrants hy the " Hudson " appear to be generally of a good class, and the arrangements of the ship are reported as very satisfactory. As I anticipated, these immigrants have not been absorbed as quickly as former shipments. All the single girls (and many of them were mere children) found ready employment, and did not near supply the demand ; also the single men found immediate employment at good wages; also the married couples without families have been easily provided for, but a few large families still remain on hand. I think, with the exception of single women, who are

13

D.—l.

required, that immigration to Napier should stop for the present, but be continued in the spring. A full ship arriving early in each of the months of November, December, and January would suit the requirements of the district, and the immigrants would meet with ready employment and good wages 24th February, 1876. J. D. Obmond.

No. 22. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 67.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, Bth March, 1876. I have the honor to transmit, for your information, copy of a letter addressed by Mr. Thomas Johnson (patentee of the new plan for berths on board ship) to the Superintendent of Canterbury, and forwarded to me by His Honor. I believe the plan has been tried upon two or three occasions in our ships. In the case of the "Lady Jocelyn," mentioned by Mr. Johnson, I find that both the surgeon-superintendent and the Immigration Commissioners reported very favourably upon it. Without doubt you have given the matter some consideration previously, and I shall be glad to hear your opinion as to its more general use in our emigrant vessels. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure in No. 22. Mr. T. Johnson to His Honor the Stjpeeintendent, Canterbury. 38, Canton Street, Stainsby Eoad, Poplar, London, E., Sic,— 23rd November, 1875. I have the honor to forward, for your inspection and approval, my specification and drawings relating to a patent for improvements in ships' berths, granted to me in October, 1874. I beg to say last year the ship " Lady Jocelyn " had a few of my improved berths placed on board as a test, and on the arrival of the ship the report furnished to the Christchurch Press stated that, whilst there had been a good deal of sickness in various parts of the ship, there had not been a single case of sickness in any of my berths. On the return of Dr. Pearde a most favourable report was furnished to the Agent-General. Since that period one ship, the " Carisbrook Castle," sailing from Belfast, has been fitted with a few of the berths described in the specification forwarded. The Agent-General for South Australia is having all ships taken up by him fitted up with the improved berth_s, and the report from the colony is of a most satisfactory kind. I beg to enclose you a report of the sailing of the " Lady Jocelyn " and her fittings. Though there has been a great deal of opposition shown against the general adoption of my patent, and allegations made as to the extra cost, I have to say the extra cost, inclusive of royalty, amounts on the entire ship to Is. 6d. per statute adult over and above the price now paid by the brokers for the ordinary open berths. I shall feel obliged if you can supplement the previous recommendation from the colony to the Agent-General by urging the adoption of the improved berths, which give to the married people complete privacy, better ventilation, enforce cleanliness, and provide a greater area of deck space by day. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Canterbury. Thomas Johnson.

No. 23. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Genebal. (No. 70.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, Bth March, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 921, of 23rd December, 1875, with reference to the case of three families by the " Helen Denny " to Napier, who upon arrival had to be sent to their friends in Taranaki. I cannot say that I regard your explanation as entirely satisfactory. I think that, upon the information being afforded that the applicant had several sons in the colony, some endeavour should have been made by your officers to ascertain the whereabouts of these, whereas it would seem the emigrants were put down, without much consideration, for Hawke's Bay. Neither do I think the fact of these people omitting to name a more definite destination than " New Zealand," can be held to be any justification of the course adopted, as it is impossible to expect any specific knowledge of the colony in persons in their class of life. It is evident that the immigrants must have had some correspondence with their friends out here before making application for passages, which, if it had been submitted to your office, would no doubt have been of service in determining the best port for shipment, under the certainty that they would wish to join their relatives upon arrival. I have to express the opinion that it is desirable you should impress upon your local Agents the necessity of obtaining full information from intending emigrants as to whether they have friends in the colony ; if so, in what province or district they are resident, whether they wish to join such friends, and other particulars of a like nature, which could be easily elicited upon the spot, and would enable you in many instances to make arrangements by which much after trouble and expense would be saved. It is quite clear to my mind, from the many cases similar to those in the correspondence now under acknowledgment, that not only the majority of the emigrants, but many of your local Agents also, have no proper appreciation of the different districts or provinces of the colony, or of the means of communi-

D.—l

14

cation between them; and it would follow, therefore, that not even a distinct application to be sent to a particular district should be accepted without satisfactory evidence as to the reasons for naming such district. In connection with this subject, I would direct your attention to the correspondence forwarded by this mail relative to certain immigrants by the " Caroline." I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 24. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Genebal. (No. 72.) Sib, — Immigration Office, "Wellington, Bth March, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 901, of 23rd December, 1875, with reference to the case of the matron of the " British Empire." "With regard to the remark therein that a properly qualified person going alone would not, in your office, be considered ineligible for an appointment as matron because she intended after her arrival in New Zealand to proceed elsewhere, I have to state that I entirely disagree with such a principle, and am of opinion that, except under very exceptional circumstances, you should avoid employing persons in such a position. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 25. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Genebal. (No. 73.) Sic, — Immigration Office, "Wellington, Bth March, 1876. I have the honor to transmit copy of a memorandum from the Immigration Officer at Dunedin, reporting that certain immigrants by the " Corona" complained that an indorsement to the effect that they were to be forwarded to Oamaru had been put upon their contract tickets without their knowledge, and refused in consequence to proceed to that district. I shall be glad if you will cause inquiry to be made into the matter. It is hardly necessary for me to point out that the instructions in my letter No. 180, of 3rd August, 1875, relative to obtaining a certain number of emigrants for the Oamaru district, did not anticipate the adoption of such a method of carrying it into effect. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure in No. 25. Mr. Colin Allan to His Honor the Supebintenhent, Otago. Sib, — Immigration Office, Dunedin, 17th February, 1876. In the ship " Corona," which arrived with immigrants from London on the 6th instant, there were forty-two individuals whose contract tickets were indorsed for Oamaru. The immigrants on their arrival were placed in quarantine by order of the Board of Health. On their being released last Saturday, the 12th instant, I intimated to those on the list for Oamaru that they were to proceed to their destination on the following Tuesday per steamer " Samson," and that I had made the necessary arrangements for this purpose. A number of those whose names appeared on the list refused to proceed thither, alleging as their reason that the indorsement was made on their tickets without their consent —in fact they were never consulted on the matter. Two females named X , whose names were down for Oamaru, never intended going there, as their brother, who sent for them, resided in Dunedin. I herewith attach a document presented to me by four single females whose tickets were indorsed for Oamaru. It would be advisable in future to obtain the consent of emigrants before indorsing their contract tickets for a certain place. As the Oamaru authorities may probably he inclined to blame me in this matter, I deem it proper that your Honor should be informed of the facts of the case as stated, and which I can prove if necessary. I have, &c, Colin Alla_ We, the undersigned, object to go to Oamaru. Our contract tickets were taken from us after we started for Dunedin, and Oamaru written on them without our knowledge. M H I M M S Caversham, 15th February, 1876. X D

No. 26. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Genebal. (No. 79.) Sib, — Immigration Office, "Wellington, 9th March, 1876. Eeferring to my telegram of 12th November, and to the correspondence which was forwarded to you with other documents relating to the immigrants by the ship " Herschell" in my letter No. 267,

D.—l

15

of 13th December,* I have now the honor to forward the following additional correspondence: — 4. Telegram from Dr. Johansen, the surgeon-superintendent of the "Herschell." 2. Statutory declaration of Italian immigrants. 3. Letter from the Superintendent of Westland thereupon. 1. Petition from five Italians to the effect that they may be sent home again. 5. Correspondence with the Italian Consul in Melbourne, and memorandum by the Immigration Officer for Wellington, with reference thereto. 6. Memoranda as to the case of the Italian I . I would also refer you to the enclosures to my letter No. 74, of 9th instant, relative to the man B , re-shipped to England by the "Avalanche." Tou will observe by the perusal of these documents that every possible exertion has been made by the Government through their local officers to locate and obtain employment for these immigrants, but that the greatest difficulty has been experienced in consequence of their almost universal unfitness for colonial life, owing to their inferiority of physique, and to the unsuitable character of the occupations to which they have been trained or accustomed. I do not know under what circumstances you considered it desirable to appoint an Emigration Agent at Leghorn, as such appointment was not advised to my predecessor in office or myself, but I think you will agree with mc that the arrangement has not been satisfactory, and that the appointment has proved especially unfortunate. Mr. Glynn appears to have exercised no care whatever in selection, and has not even taken the trouble to verify the statements of applicants for passages as to their occupations by tho official passport, which he must have been aware every subject of the Kingdom of Italy requires to obtain before he is allowed to leave the country. In several cases which were investigated by the Under Secretary of the department, the description in the passport is entirely different to that contained in the ship's book against the names of the immigrants, the passport being necessarily correct and the ship's book wrong. As you have no doubt, upon the receipt of my telegram referred to, and further instructions re foreign emigration, given up the Leghorn agency, I do not deem it necessary to go further into the matter, but must express the great dissatisfaction of the Government at a shipment of such very unfit persons being made to the colony under your agency. The arrival of these immigrants, notoriously of such unsuitable classes, mostly ignorant, puny indviduals of a very low social stamp, has, I may inform you, excited much unfavourable comment in the public press, and, as you may observe by the enclosures hereto, involved the Government in a correspondence with the Consul-General for Italy in Australia. I am not aware whether Mr. Glynn was under any bond to pay the return passages to Italy of emigrants despatched by him who might prove unfit and consequently be obliged to be sent Home again, but, if so, I desire that you will make arrangements for the recovery of the amounts disbursed for such purposes by the Colonial Government, respecting which I will inform you from time to time. Tou will observe, from the correspondence enclosed, that, in addition to the one advised herewith, probably several more of these immigrants will have to be sent back to Italy. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 27. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Genebal. (Telegram.) 31st March, 1876. Make no new contract for shipping, except from month to month. No objection to steerage-paying passengers, if approved by you. "Brodick," " Salisbury," "Wellington," " Terpsichore," "Gutenberg." Atkinson.

No. 28. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Genebal. (No. 86.) Sib, — Immigration Office, "Wellington, sth April, 1876. I have the honor to forward herewith, for your information, copy of a memorandum by the Immigration Officer at Auckland, reporting a breach of the 25th clause of the charter-party, in the case of the " Brodick Castle." I shall be glad to be informed whether it was with your sanction that Mr. H was allowed to go in the ship as a cabin passenger. I have, &c, The Agent-General of New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure in No. 28. The Immigeation Officee to the Undee Seceetaey for Immigeation. (Memorandum.) Immigration Office, Auckland, 24th March, 1876. I beg to state that there has been a breach of the 25th clause of the charter-party, in the instance of the " Brodick Castle," just arrived with Government immigrants. There is a single man, aged 23, among the saloon passengers, not related to any of the families on board. On making full inquiry, I was unable to ascertain that any exemption had been sought or obtained from any one in respect to the regulation on this subject laid down in the charter-party. My impression is that Mr. G H , the saloon passenger in question, was passed as a relative of one of the families on board; but by whom this was done there is no evidence. The young man does not claim to have any relations in the ship. I should not omit, however, to state that Mr. H 's behaviour is very highly spoken of by all on board. Please to inform me what course I shall adopt in this case under the circumstances. I have, &c, H. Ellis, The Under Secretary for Immigration. Immigration Officer. * D—3,1876, p. 19.

D.—l

16

No. 29. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 93.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 6th April, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 109, of 10th February, reporting the case of an emigrant by the " Countess of Kiiitore," named J M , who, at the final inspection of the ship, made inquiry concerning his claim under the "Immigrants Land Act," and your officer —it then being too late to refer the matter to you—advised him to make his application in the colony. As this person has no certificate from you, the Government will be quite unable to entertain his claim, seeing that the Amendment Act of last Session, as I have pointed out in another letter by this mail, only meets cases where the passage has been paid prior to the date of its coming into operation, viz., 21st October, 1875. I agree with you that this was probably a case in which you would have been justified in refusing a certificate had the person applied in the proper manner. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 30. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Genebal. (No. 94.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 6th April, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 77, of Ist February, wherein you state that you have decided to direct persons who apply for certificates under " Tiie Immigrants Land Act," but who do not sail from any part of the United Kingdom or from Hamburg, to make application to the Government in the colony upon arrival, under the Amendment Act of last Session. I gather from your letter that you do not intend to issue certificates to these applicants, but such being the case, I am at a loss to understand your action in this matter, as upon referring to the Act of 1875, you will see that action thereunder is limited to the cases of persons who have paid their passages prior to the date of its coming into operation, viz., 21st October, 1875. ■ I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 31. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 97.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington. Gth April, 1876. Referring to my letter No. 79, of 9th March ultimo, I have now the honor to forward a copy of a memorandum addressed by me to the Colonial Secretary for transmission to the Italian Consul at Melbourne, in reply to his letter with reference to the Italians by the "Herschell," a copy of which was forwarded to you. I regret to say the shipment of Italians by the " Gutenberg" is reported to me as equally unsatisfactory, upon which I shall address you more particularly in forwarding the Commissioners' report upon that vessel. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure in No. 31. The Hon, H. A. Atkinson to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (Memorandum.) Immigration Office, 29th March, 1876. With reference to the letters of the Italian Consul-General in Melbourne, I submit the following documents relating to the Italian immigrants lately arrived in this colony by the ship " Herschell." 1. Memorandam by the Immigration Officer at "Wellington upon the petition addressed to the Consul-General. 2. Report by the Immigration Officer at Hokitika with reference to the Italians sent to Westland. 3. Telegram to Dr. Johansen, surgeon-superintendent of the "Herschell," and his reply. 4. Statutory declarations taken from Italian immigrants in Wellington and Hokitika, with letter from the Superintendent covering the the latter. 5. Memorandum by the Immigration Officer at Wellington with reference to Italians, B , B , F , and I , re-admitted to the depot. 6. Petition of five Italians to be returned to Italy, with memorandum by the Immigration Officer thereupon. 7. Letter to the Agent-General. The prospects held out by Mr. Glynn were no doubt to a certain extent exaggerated, but I have not found that difficulty has arisen on this account where the men themselves have been able and willing to woi'k, for, notwithstanding the inconvenience caused by their want of knowledge of the English language, employment for such persons has been obtained at good wages. But a most deplorable want of discretion, to say the least of it, was displayed by Mr. Glynn in accepting as emigrants so unsuitable a body of men as the reports show these generally to be, unwilling or physically incapable to perform the work required in the colony. The Government have however stopped Italian immigration, finding the great difficulty of obtaining persons of a suitable class, and they are prepared to send back to Italy any of these immigrants who, having been really misled by exaggerated representations on the part of the Government Agent, express a desire to return, or who are evidently unsuited for colonial life. Arrangements have already been made for the return of five. The Immigration Officers' reports of the latest dates show that all the Italian immigrants have of their own free will left the depots where they were on maintenance, having, it is presumed, obtained remunerative employment, and, with the exception of two or three of the five mentioned above, there are none now on rations in any part of the colony. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. H. A. Atkinson.

17

D.—l

No. 32. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 98.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 6th April, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 41, of January 21st ultimo, in which you enclose, with a favourable recommendation, a statement by the Rev. P. Barclay of the claims which he conceives he has for some further compensation over and above the amount of his salary, on account of the services rendered by him as Emigration Agent in Scotland. In consideration of all the circumstances of the case, as set forth in your letter, I have great pleasure in authorizing the payment to Mr. Barclay of a sum amounting to one year's salary ; and you will please convey to that gentleman the assurance of the full appreciation, by the Government, of the valuable services he has rendered in the cause of emigration. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 33. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 100.) Sic,— Immigration Office, Wellington, 6th April, 1876. I addressed you by telegram upon the 31st; March, relative to the question of allowing steerage paying passengers to come out in emigrant ships chartered by the Government, my attention having been called in the case of ships sailing from Glasgow, as set forth in the correspondence copy of which is enclosed. It would appear that you have entirely misconceived my instructions in this matter, transmitted to you in my letters Nos. 344, of 19th November, 1874 ; 377, of 22nd December, 1874 ; and 124 a, of 11th May, 1875; and acknowledged by you iv your Letters Nos. 126, of 9th March, 1875; and 446, of 9th July, 1875. It was never intended to prevent steerage paying passengers, who may indeed have taken advantage of the Immigrants Land Act, proceeding to the colony in our ships; but the stipulation was insisted upon that such passengers should be approved by you, with the view, inter alia, to their giving undertakings that they will comply with the ordinary regulations for emigrants on board ship. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 34 The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 101.) Sic, — Immigration Office, "Wellington, 7th April, 1876. "With reference to my letter No. 56, of 7th March ultimo, covering report, &c, re the ship " Otaki," I have the honor to inform you that the instructions to insist upon direct communication being provided between the single women's compartment and the poop in all vessels is cancelled, but you will be good enough to direct that this arrangement be made where practicable without cutting into the deck. I have, Ac., The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 35. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Genebal. (No. 102.) Sic,— Immigration Office, 7th April, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 107, of the 9th February, forwarding extracts from newspapers relating to emigration. "With regard to Mr. Grant's letter to the Belfast. News Letter of 19th January, I have requested the Superintendent of Otago to furnish me, so far as possible, with a history of this person's career in Otago, in order that, by its publication in Great Britain, the mischief which he seeks to do the colony may be counteracted ; and I forward by this mail copies of the Evening Argus, published here, the leading article in which deals with the subject very fairly ; and these might, if you think it necessary, be circulated. I also forward herewith half-dozen copies of the Immigration Statement delivered by me in the House last session, and would suggest that you send a copy to the Editor of the Belfast News Letter and any other newspapers in which you may observe that Mr. Grant's letter is republished. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 36. The Hon. Sir J. Vogel to the Agent-Geneeal. (Telegram.) 21st April, 1876. Emigeation.—Despatch five thousand adults during year ending March. Auckland, seven hundred ; Taranaki, two; "Wellington, seven; Napier, four ; Otago, thirteen; Canterbury, thirteen; Nelson, 3-D. 1.

D.—l

18

one; Blenheim, one; Westland, two. First ships arrive October. Glad you are willing reduce. Cabinet desire advertising and all branches of expenditure reduced, and instruct you not later than end July dispense with services all officers excepting Kennaway, Hoey, Mackellar, Smith at £400, two senior clerks not exceeding £200, three junior £130, cadet and boy ; Burton, Holloway, Cochrane, officers of Scotch Agency. Government accepted tender for London business New Zealand Shipping Company for year on terms present contract, except rates. Adults, thirteen seventeen three; children seven sixteen; freight, dead weight twenty shillings, measurement thirty. Single male passengers all classes allowed, subject your approval. Offer Galbraith Scotch business on same terms. Brodick, Waipa, Pomona, Wellington. Featherston, London. Julius Vogel.

No. 37. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal. (Telegram.) 28th April, 1876. Delay final agreement with Galbraith until you receive copy contract with Shipping Company. "Fernglen."Featherston, London. Atkinson.

No. 38. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 119.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 2nd May, 1876. In reply to your letter No. 11, of — January, 1876, I have the honor to forward herewith copy of a letter from the Secretary to the Wellington Education Board with regard to guaranteeing employment to Mr. W. Goudie. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure in No. 38. The Seceetaet, Wellington Education Board, to the Undee Seceetaey for Immigration. Sib,— Education Board, Wellington, 26th April, 1876. Beferring to my memorandum of 30th March, I have now the honor to inform you that the letter of the Agent-General, No. 11, of January, 1876, addressed to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration, on the subject of the introduction of teachers, was duly considered at a meeting of the Education Board held this day; and I am instructed to inform you that, although the Board are anxious that several more certificated teachers should be introduced into the province, and have not the slightest doubt as to their being provided with appointments immediately on arrival, still, in the present transition state of educational matters in the colony generally, the Board do not consider themselves justified in guaranteeing any such appointments prior to their arrival in the province. I forward herewith one dozen copies of the Board's Regulations, which I have to request that you will be good enough to cause to be forwarded to the Agent-General, at the same time conveying to him the thanks of the Board for the trouble he has already taken in the matter. I hare, &c, The Under Secretary for Immigration. Chaeles C. Geaham.

No. 39. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 120.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 2nd May, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 76, of 20th January, respecting the applications of certain persons for refund of passage money of servants brought out by them. Under the circumstances, the amounts claimed by Messrs. Kitchener, Eenwick, and Taunton will be paid; but with reference to the explanation you give as to your reasons for promising refunds of the full amount of passage, I would refer you to my predecessor Mr. Reeves's letter, No. 61, of sth June, 1872, and would point out that it is desirable that you should communicate with the Government before altering arrangements, as in this case, in matters upon which you have been specially instructed. I note with satisfaction that you are now acting in accordance with the terms of my letter of 6th May, 1875, with regard to all applications of this kind. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 40. The Hon. 11. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 124.) Sik, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 3rd May, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 192, of Ist March, in which you report the proceedings of your department during the month of Fehruary, and, in doing so, desire

19

D.—l

to thank you for the full information afforded. I may add that the regular receipt of these monthly reports is found to be of great service in the department. I have to express the satisfaction of the Government at the prompt action taken by you to carry out the instructions conveyed to you by telegram transmitted upon 26th January, by taking off the ships for Auckland and Hawke's Bay, and issuing directions to your Agents to accept only superior agricultural labourers and female servants. AVith the small amount of emigration ordered for the year, I am glad that you recognize the necessity for the very strictest selection, and I quite approve of the limitation mentioned, although, of course, in the case of nominations, persons suitable in other respects should not be rejected because they do not belong to those particular classes. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 41. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 12G.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 3rd May, 1876. I have the honor to transmit herewith report from the Immigration Officer at this port, forwarding original declaration sworn before and attested by the Consul for the German Empire by G H and E —— H——, immigrants by the " Gutenberg." I have no doubt that you will agree with me that the disgraceful proceedings set forth in these documents should not be allowed to pass without serious notice, and it may be desirable that steps should be taken to expose and punish, if possible, the person stated to be chiefly implicated—Mr. Herzog, of Aaran, Switzerland. You will observe that Mr. Eliott, in his memorandum to the Superintendent of Wellington, states that it has been reported to him that certain other immigrants by the " Gutenberg " were passiug themselves off as married people, they being neither civilly nor ecclesiastically married before leaving their homes, and that an immigrant, designated by name, was in an advanced state of syphilis. These cases all point to great neglect of duty, or even worse, on the part of your Agent in Italy; but as emigration from that country to this colony is now stopped, I need not now dwell any further upon the subject, but must again repeat what has already been conveyed to you with regard to the Italian immigration—viz., that it has been in every way unsatisfactory; the character, physical and moral, of the persons introduced has been such that they have proved utterly unfit for the work of colonization; and the expenditure entailed in the endeavour to locate, and in many instances to return them to Italy, has been a serious charge upon the funds available for immigration. In conclusion, I should be glad, for the satisfaction of the Government, if you will inform me under what circumstances it was thought desirable to organize emigration from Italy, as no record appears in this department of any ministerial instructions to that effect ; and, further, upon what recommendation Mr. Glynn, at Leghorn, and his several sub-agents were appointed. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure in No. 41. [Teanslation.] Sic,— Wellington, 27th March, 1876. I feel myself compelled to bring to your notice certain charges against Mr. Wirth Herzog, Immigration Agent in Aarau, Switzerland. Said charges are founded on the following facts:— On the 7th December, 1875, I called upon Mr. Wirth Herzog, the accredited agent in Aarau, with the object to obtain a free passage to New Zealand; but that gentleman gave me to understand that he had no vacancy for single men: should I feel disposed to give him 50 francs he might be able to manage the matter. On further inquiry, he explained to me that a single girl with baby, a Miss H . from Rohrbach, Canton Bern, Switzerland, had made a similar application, and that he could accommodate both of us, if I allowed him to enter our names on the ship's papers together. Miss H , who was to be sent away by her parish, had previously called on one of the subagents, a Mr. Ebner, teacher in Zofingen, Canton Aargau, who said that there was no objection in her making the passage by herself. In subsequently calling on Mr. Wirth Herzog, accompanied by my guardian, Mr. Jacob H , carpenter, in Sehoenewerd, Canton Solothurn, I repeated the statement made by Mr. Ebner to Miss H regarding her travelling alone ; but Mr. Wirth Herzog replied this could not be done, but that, if I agreed to sign as requested, it would be all right; that I had no cause for anxiety, as the whole was only a formality ; and that the moment on arrival in Wellington both of us were free, and any responsibility on my part was at an end. This statement was made in the presence of Mr. Urs Kuhn, President of the Orphan Institute, who further impressed upon us that we had better keep the particulars of this transaction from our fellow passengers. Miss H had made several attempts to emigrate, first with a family W , and afterwards with a Mr. M from Oftringen, a fellow-passenger by the " Guthenberg," also aided by Mr. Wirth Herzog. Placing full confidence in the statement of this unprincipled agent, I proceeded without him to Basel. I called upon Mr. Rudolph Werdenberg, the local agent. Miss H and her illegitimate child had already arrived, and I then discovered that Miss H was induced to leave home on the request

20

D.—l

of the parish, who agreed to pay 200 francs for that purpose. Mr. Wirth Herzog received 135 francs, and Miss H the rest of the 200 francs. I received from my property 10 francs in Basel, and a further 50 francs from Mr. Rotters in Bremerhaven. Through Mr. Werdenberg I was induced to sign the above-mentioned agreement; Mr. Wirth Herzog repeating, in the presence of Melchior and Carl Frei and another person, that he had only drawn the agreement in this way so as to accommodate both of us, and that he had sent many out in a similar way. Now, as I object to be taken for a husband and father, I made no secret of the matter on board ; I also told the captain and ship's doctor; nevertheless I was obliged to keep together with Miss H on the passage. I have had no carnal connection with her, which she will herself confirm. Further, without the brilliant representations made by the agent, I would not have left my country, and never, should I have conjectured the trouble at the time in which this agreement was signed. All my fellow passengers will bear me out that I have repeatedly asked the captain to place me along with the single men, but my pleading has been without avail. In the repeated quarrels I have had with Miss H she always stated that I should not trouble myself about herself and child. From the above facts you will observe that I am not a married man, and I believe therefore that it will not be considered unreasonable that I wish to be relieved from such involuntary charge. I am, respectfully, G H , Witnesses to the above statement — (from Schoenewerd, Canton Solothurn). C F . M T . J M . G H confirmed this day before me on oath, after being cautioned with the consequences of perjury, that the above document contains the truth only. Fe. Aug. Kbull, Consul of the German Empire. Wellington, New Zealand, sth April, 1876.

No. 42. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 127.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, sth May, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 123, of 18th February ultimo, having reference to various matters connected with the general conduct of emigration, more especially the termination of foreign contracts and tho reduction of the departmental expenditure in your office. 2. It is very satisfactory to the Government to learn that all agreements for emigration from Switzerland, the Tyrol, and Italy may be said to have been cancelled on 31st December last, and that there is every probability of your determining all the foreign contracts without payment of serious compensation. Your action in this matter meets with my entire approval, and I have little doubt that the negotiations now pending for a final settlement of claims advanced by the German contractors will result favourably in the interest of the Government. 3. Previously to the receipt of your letter, the Premier had instructed you by telegram, copy of which is forwarded by this mail, that the staff of your office should be reduced to a maximum therein set forth. It is gratifying to the Government to find that you have anticipated their wishes, and have, immediately upon hearing that the emigration would be considerably smaller for the next year, at once taken steps to materially reduce your establishment. With regard to the details of this reduction, and to the organization of the department upon the moro limited basis laid down as regards numbers, I leave the matter with entire confidence in your hands. 4. By telegram you have been instructed that the number of emigrants, inclusive of those nominated from the colony, to be despatched during the year ending 31st March, 1877, is fixed at five thousand (5,000), and that it is not considered desirable that any of these should arrive during the winter months. I notice with satisfaction that, under the circumstances of emigration to the colony being limited to so moderate a number, you have instructed your agents to accept for free passages only exceptionally eligible persons; and the Government trust that this principle will be strictly enforced in the case of all applicants for passages, whether nominated or otherwise. lam glad to see that you recognize the pressing want of female immigration, the demand for which is increasing rather than diminishing. 5. You have also been informed that the Government have entered into an agreement with the New Zealand Shipping Company to take the whole of their business, except the Clyde emigration to Port Chalmers and the Bluff, for the year commencing 30th April, 1876. I forward a draft of the formal agreement, which is not yet signed, but, having been initialled by the contracting parties, may be accepted for all business purposes. You will observe from this that the rates of passage have been still further reduced from the amount mentioned in the telegram to £13 lis. for adults, and £7 12s. lO.^d. for children. With regard to the business from the Clyde, your instructions by telegraph have probably long anticipated this letter, and you have delayed any positive arrangements until the receipt of the details of the agreement with the New Zealand Shipping Company. The Government, having most carefully considered the question, have decided that the business, so far as regards emigration from the Clyde to Port Chalmers and the Bluff, be offered to the Albion Company, at the same rates and under the same agreement as that settled with tho New Zealand Shipping Company ; and, in the event of the

21

D.—l

Albion Company declining to accept the contract, the New Zealand Shipping Company will have to arrange for the shipment of the emigrants and cargo from the Clyde to New Zealand. Referring to the wish of the Premier that the first ships should arrive in October, I have further to instruct you to arrange that all the emigrants ordered for the year should arrive in the colony not later than the end of February, and you will please make your arrangements accordingly, distributing them as equally as possible over the intervening months. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson. P.S.—Referring to the Ist section of the Conditions of Contract, copy of a letter from the Manager with regard to the minimum height of the ships between decks is enclosed.

No. 43. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 136.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, Ist June, 1876. In reply to your letter No. 245, of the 21st March, I have the honor to state that, as Mr. Adam's pamphlet was reprinted without the Government being communicated with in the matter, and in the face of the large circulation of the " Official Handbook of New Zealand," I am of opinion that the General Government should not be called upon to bear the expense. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 44. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 137.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, Ist June, 1876. I have the honor to inform you that the master of the " Pomona" has made a claim for an extra gratuity in consideration of having had to take charge of the emigrants after the death of the surgeon, and I have accordingly authorized the sum of £50 to be paid to him on that account. The death of the surgeon having occurred about midway on the voyage, it would appear that £61175. 6d., being half the sum payable to him had he landed, should be allowed to his representatives, I have, &c, The A gent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 45. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 139.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, Ist June, 1876. I have the honor to forward herewith, for your information, copy of documents handed in to this office by Mr. Pearce, one of the local directors of the Emigrant and Colonist's Aid Corporation, and of the letter addressed to Mr. Pearce in reference thereto. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure 1 in No. 45. Exteact from Letter of Seceetaey to Emigeant and Colonist's Aid Coepoeation to the Local Dieectoes in Wellington. Deae Sies, — London, 17th March, 1876. 2. With reference to the fifth paragraph of my letter of the 18th February, I am to advise you that, in a communication dated the 6th instant, addressed to me by Consul Kirchner, of Darmstadt, under cover to the Agent-General (for whom Mr. Kirchner has acted as agent for the selection of German immigrants), that gentleman informs me that he has a party of about 500 emigrants who would suit the Corporation well, consisting of families with grown-up sons and daughters, coming from the Ukermark and Pomeranian Provinces, celebrated for industry and saving. They are Lutherans, and wrould like to remain together, and they have means, as he is informed that they realized 85,000 m.c. (£4,250) for their landed property. 3. As, however, the Agent-General had indorsed the following memo, on Mr. Kirchner's letter, — viz.: "The Government of New Zealand having instructed me to discontinue emigration from the Continent, I have advised Mr. Kirchner by telegram that you have no authority to enter into the proposed engagement. —I. E. Featherston. March 14, 1876 " —I am instructed to send you at once the following telegraphic message in cypher, according to the code furnished to Mr. Halcombe : — " Featherston refuses Germans. Press Government wire Featherston to approve 105 Lutheran moneyed families for Corporation." A copy of the above I have posted to Mr. Kirchner, with a suggestion that ho should not break up the party until we have had time to hear from you. ' # * # # * * #

D,—l.

22

Enclosure 2 in No. 45. Mr. Kiechnee to the Seceetaey, Emigrant and Colonist's Aid Corporation. Sic,— Darmstadt, 18th March, 1876. In acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 15th instant, I have to regret that my respects of the 6th instant was so long detained in the Agent-General's office. I shall feel very greatly relieved indeed by a favourable reply to your telegram addressed to the Colonial Government, and I must only hope then that the Agent-General will act in accordance to the instructions. As your Corporation holds a large stake in the colony, and as you take an interest in German emigration, I am so bold as to confide to you the very painful position in which a number of my emigrants are placed at present, and to ask, for the sake of humanity and the reputation of the colony, if you can advise me in the matter. I have been acting for nearly three years as Agent for New Zealand on the Continent, and have despatched eleven ships, with upwards of 3,000 emigrants; and all reports from the Colonial Immigration Agents as to my selections have proved most favourable. The Agent-General is still under agreement with me for the selection, and, with Mr. Sloman, of Hamburg, for the conveyance, of 4,000 free passengers from Hamburg to New Zealand. On the strength of this agreement, I had accepted, by the end of January, about 500 emigrants, to be shipped from Hamburg to New Zealand on the 10th and 25th April next. Amongst them were the 100 Prussian families in question. I had advised already, on the 15th October last, to the Agent-General that I had accepted these people for the first ship in April: nevertheless, on the receipt of a telegram from the colony that free immigration was stopped, the Agent-General now repudiates all my engagements, wanting me to break faith with these poor people. I have represented already to him the misery and ruin that would be entailed on the people, who, on arrival in Hamburg, have no home to go to. I pointed out to him how that credit'and reputation of the colony would suffer, when the poor emigrants—German, Swiss, Danes, Scandinavian, and Italians —would appeal to their respective Governments for redress; that the Continental Press would not fail to express indignation at the treatment of the poor helpless people, and that such articles would be sure to find their way into English papers also. But all to no purpose. I mentioned, in my last letter to the Agent-General, that if only these 500 emigrants were forwarded, I did not intend to force any more emigrants on the colony until they might be wanted. The cost to the Government for their passage would not exceed £7,000, and surely the peoplo are well worth it. Nevertheless he informed Mr. Sloman, with whom he made the contract for the conveyance, that he would not pay for their passage, and that, if shipped, the people would be left at his risk. I would now most respectfully ask you and your directors' opinion how I could act in the matter to prevent the threatened crisis. If Mr. Sloman saw a probability that the Government of New Zealand would accept the passengers and pay for their passages after arrival, he might perhaps be induced to forward the emigrants to their destination. I have, &c, To Stuart Bailey, Esq., Secretary, M. Kiechnee. Emigrant and Colonist's Aid Corporation (Limited).

* Enclosure 3 in No. 45. The Undee Seceetaey for Immigeation to Mr. Peaece. Sic, — Immigration Office, "Wellington, Ist June, 1876. Mr. Kirchner's letter to the secretary of the Emigrant and Colonist's Aid Corporation of 18th March, 1876, and an extract from the letter of the secretary to the local directors of the Corporation, which you were good enough to place at my dispoal, have heen submitted, in accordance with your request, to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration, who directs me to inform } rou that, the whole matter of arrangements between the Government and the Colonist's Aid Corporation in England being in the hands of the Agent-General, the Government do not feel called upon to interfere with the discretionary power of that officer, esjiecially in a case where it would appear that he has acted in accordance with the spirit of his instructions and in the best interests of the colony in not offering any further encouragement to the emigration of foreigners, of whom there is little doubt that as large a number as can well be absorbed haye been introduced. I have, &c, E. 0. Gibbes, E. Pearce, Esq., "Willis Street, "Wellington. (for the Under Secretary).

No. 46. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 143.) Sib, — Immigration Office, "Wellington, Ist June, 1876. I have the honor to forward herewith, for your information, copy of letter from Messrs. Sloman and Co. to the Consul for the German Empire in "Wellington j and of fhe letter of the Colonial Secretary to Mr. Krull, in reply thereto. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

23

D.—l

Enclosure 1 in No. 46. Messrs. Sloman and Co. to Mr. Keull. The undersigned beg most respectfully to bring to the knowledge of your Excellency tho heavy grievances under which they are suffering through your Agent-General, Dr. Eeatherston. After having exhausted all efforts for an amicable arrangement, we have been forced for our protection to resort to legal proceedings; and, as they will unavoidably involve the good faith of your Government, we are persuaded that it would not have come to tins position if the case and its following particulars had been properly represented to you. In May, 1874, Dr. Eeatherston concluded with us two contracts for the conveyance of emigrants from Hamburg to New Zealand: one for 1,615 emigrants—proceeding from a contract we had with the Queensland Government—and the other for 4,000 emigrants. The first 1,615 should be shipped within the first eighteen months, the 4,000 within four 3 rears from the above date. In both contracts Mr. W. Kirchner is represented as the agent of your Government, and as the person appointed to supply the emigrants and to attend to their proper shipment. The contracts further stipulate that "the date of sailing and the port of destination shall be named by Mr. Kirchner at least two months in advance, we having the privilege of fixing the exact date, within a period of twenty days before or after the time appointed." Accordingly, Mr. Kirchner shipped the emigrants, we supplying the ships, as ordered by him. At the expiration of the first eighteen months—namely, in November, last year—he had, however, shipped no more than 1,030 on the contract for 1,615 emigrants. He then gave us orders for a ship in December. "We expressed ourselves quite willing to extend the time for the entire execution of the contract, although not we, but Mr. Kirchner, had failed to complete it, and had unquestionably made your Government liable for damages. With this understanding we supplied our ship " Gutenburg." She was therefore despatched under that contract on the 18th December, with emigrants, Dr. Eeatherston confirming the agreement and paying the passage money according to that contract. Thus 440^ emigrants have still to be forwarded on the same. In January, Mr. Kirchner ordered of us two ships, and we fixed their dates of sailing respectively for the 10th and 25th April. We were informed at the time, by him and by his agents, that a large number of emigrants would arrive, and we consequently gave the ship " Fritz Ecuter," for 470 adults, and the " Humboldt," for 330, to fill his order. These ships are now still waiting their destination in our port. Although it had been rumoured that the emigration for New Zealand might be stopped—a circumstance which of course could not affect the mutual obligations of our contracts —still we had no information to that effect, neither from Dr. Eeatherston nor from Mr. Kirchner; neither had we any reason to suppose —in fact it would have been contrary to the terms of the contract —that the latter, by ordering the above two ships in same manner as he had before, was not acting entirely up to the wishes and intentions of Dr. Eeatherston: the more so as he received from him, as late as in the first days of January, a circular contradicting some reports which might check the flow of emigration from Germany. So the matters stood when, without any previous notice, the truth of which we can confirm by our oaths, we received from him the following telegram of 12th Eebruary:— " ' Shakespeare ' arrived. Free emigration stopped both from England and Continent. Applicants already accepted by Kirchner will be sent, but all others must pay their own passages. The German Government, in consequence of inquiries it is making, will be advised of this change.—Feathcrston." And as your Excellency will see from the correspondence, he later informed us that he would not hold himself bound to load the two ships ordered by your Agent, nor to the terras of our contracts generally. Our remonstrations against this proceeding, as well by letter as verbally (our senior proceeded, namely, to London for the sole purpose of seeing Dr. Featherston), have remained completely unheeded. He cannot charge us with the least neglect, or want of care, in the strict execution of our obligations, and we may, therefore, well say the faith of your Government cannot escape being called into question if contracts are thus broken, without even thinking it worth while to offer a compensation. We are confident that this is not your intention. It is contrary to the spirit under which your public affairs are carried on, and wc therefore would not fail to communicate the true state of the case to you. Independent of us, the agents who operated under the orders of Mr. Kirchner are comparatively suffering still more ; and worse than any, the poor emigrants who have been engaged by them, who have sold off their few chattels and given up their situations or their homes. They had all engaged bona fide their passages, aud paid their deposits, before Dr. Featherston's telegram of 12th February stopped the proceedings of these agents. We hardly know what will become of these emigrants: the German Government will, no doubt, order and oblige the agents to forward them, but it will be difficult for Mr. Kirchner and his agents to carry out these orders. Dr. Featherston will act contrary to every sense of justice and fairness, aud without auy consideration for poor innocent people who have been engaged before any instructions to the contrary were given by him. We have, &c, Rob. M. Sloman and Co.

Enclosure 2 in No. 46. The Hon. D. Pollen to Mr. Keull. Sic,— Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, Ist June, 1876. I have the hoiror to inform you that the letter of Messrs. Sloman and Co., complaining of an alleged breach of contract by the Agent-General, which you handed to the Under Secretary for Immigration, has been submitted to the Hon. Major Atkinson, who, upon careful consideration of the circumstances set forth therein, and of the communications lately received from the Agent-General

D.-l

24

upon the subject of the German contracts, is of opinion that the Government would not be justified, so far as their knowledge of the case extends, in interfering in any way with the discretionary power of that officer in a matter in which the whole arrangements have been originated and carried out by himself. A copy of the letter referred to shall, however, be forwarded to him by to-morrow's mail; but the Government feel certain that, when full information is received, his course of action will not be found to bear the construction put upon it by Messrs. Sloman and Co. I have, &c, E. A. Krull, Esq., Consul for German Empire, Wellington. D. Pollen.

No. 47. Memoeandum for the Ministee for Immigeation. As the letter to which the accompanying explanation refers was published with the Immigration Papers, I have the honor to ask that this, with its enclosures, be published with the next printed papers of your department. 24th April, 1876. Julius Vogel.

Enclosure 1 in No. 47. Mr. W. R. Malcolm to the Hon. J. Vogel. Sic, — Downing Street, 15th March, 1875. I am directed by the Earl of Carnarvon to transmit to you a copy of a despatch * which he sent to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand in the autumn of last year on the subject of a letter addressed by you to the Agent-General for New Zealand on the 24th of November, 1873, and laid before the New Zealand Legislature in its last session, in which grave charges of venality are made against the Emigration Officers appointed to carry out the provisions of the Passenger Acts in this country. I am also to enclose a copy of a despatch f which has been received by the last mail from the Governor of New Zealand, stating that, in consequence of your absence from the colony, he is unable to furnish the information asked for by Lord Carnarvon's despatch. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, Esq., C.M.G. W. R. Malcolm.

Enclosure 2 in No. 47. Mr. W. R. Malcolm to the Hon. J. Vogel. Sic,— Downing Street, Bth April, 1875. With reference to my letter of the 15th of March, I am directed by the Earl of Carnarvon to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Board of Trade respecting the charges of corruption brought by you against the Emigration Officers stationed at the out-ports of this country, and I am to request your attention to the subject. I am, &c, Julius Vogel, Esq., C.M.G. W. R. Malcolm.

Sub-Enclosure. The Boaed of Teade to the Colonial Office. Emigration. Sic, — Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, 6th April, 1875. With reference to previous correspondence on the subject of certain statements made by Mr. Vogel, First Minister of New Zealand, in a letter to the Agent-General of that colony in London, containing charges of corruption against the Emigration Officers stationed at the out-ports, I am directed by the Board of Trade to suggest, for the consideration of the Earl of Carnarvon, that it will be exceedingly satisfactory if Mr. Vogel, who, it is understood, is now in this country, be called upon to furnish the names of the officers referred to in his letter, and the evidence and authority upon which the accusation is based. * I have, &c, The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Thomas Geay.

Enclosure 3 in No. 47. The Hon. J. Vogel to Lord Caenaevon. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., My Loed ,— Bth April, 1875. I am in receipt of a copy of a despatch, with enclosures, forwarded to me by Mr. Malcolm, by your Lordship's directions, asking an explanation from me concerning passages affecting the Emigration Officers acting under the Board of Trade, contained in a letter addressed by me to the Agent-General for New Zealand, dated November 24th, 1873. « A.—2,1875, p. 10. t A.—1,1875, p. 18.

25

D.—l

2. In reply, I have to say that the latter was meant to be of a confidential character, and that its publication was a mistake. 3. The letter having however been published, I recognize that the responsibility devolves upon me of supporting by evidence the statements in the passages complained of, or of withdrawing them. 4. I am not in a position at present, so far as I am from the source of my information, to decide between these courses ; but immediately after my return to the colony I will either furnish the grounds upon which the statements were made, or I will explicitly withdraw those statements. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon, &c. Julius Vogel.

Enclosure 4 in No. 47. Mr. W. R. Malcolm to the Hon. J. Vogel. Sic,— . Downing Street, 10th May, 1875. With reference to your letter of the Bth of April, respecting the charges made by you against Emigration Officers stationed at the out-ports of this country, I am directed by the Earl of Carnarvon to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Board of Trade, to which department a copy of your letter was communicated. I have, Ac, Julius Vogel, Esq. W. R. Malcolm.

Sub-Enclosure. The Boaed of Tease to the Colonial Office. Emigration. Sic, — Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, 3rd May, 1875. I am directed by the Board of Trade to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th ultimo, forwarding the copy of a communication from Mr. Vogel respecting the charges made by him against the Emigration Officers at the out-ports, and in reply to state, for the Earl of Carnarvon's information, that the course Mr. Vogel proposes to take in the matter will be satisfactory to this Board. I have, &c., The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. J. F. Swanston.

Enclosure 5 in No. 47. The Hon. Sir J. Vogel to Lord Caenaevon. General Government Offices, Wellington, N.Z., My Loed,— April 7,1876. By a letter dated London, Bth April, 1875, I had the honor of informing your Lordship that on my return to New Zealand I would either furnish the grounds upon which certain statements referring to Imperial Emigration Officers had been made by me, as Minister for Immigration, in a letter dated November, 1873, and addressed to the Agent-General for this colony, or that I would explicitly withdraw those statements. 2. I have now the honor to state, for the information of your Lordship and of the Board of Trade, that, on applying to the officer upon whose authority I made the statements in question, I find not only that he is unable to supply evidence in proof of them, but that he asserts that I misunderstood the purport of what he said, and that he did not design to impute venality, in action or intention, to any Imperial officers. 3. I therefore retract, without qualification, the statements as to those officers made in my letter of November, 1873, which (as was stated in a previous communication) was only published through an oversight; and I shall feel indebted to your Lordship if you will, through the Board of Trade, cause to be conveyed to the officers affected the expression of my deep regret that I have been the means of giving them pain, and of reflecting on tho character of the very useful services they have rendered to the colony in years past. 4. As I have returned to the colony, this letter should have been forwarded to you through the Governor; but, as His Excellency is absent from Wellington, 1 feel that your Lordship will consider that I am justified in addressing you direct. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon, &c. Julius Vogel.

By Authority : Gt-EOBcra Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB76. Price Is.]