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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1877 Session I, D-01

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1877. 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. Date. Subject. Page. 1876. June 20 Transmitting correspondence with reference to the subject of fire on board emigrant vessels at sea... Report from Immigration Officer on the subject of tobacco culture at Auckland Certain foreign nominations to be accepted. In future no more to be accepted except under special instructions To report with reference to shipping English emigrants from Glasgow To report upon Douglas's patent boat-lowering apparatus Telegram with reference to numbers of emigrants for several places, and stopping issue of certificates under Immigrants Land Act Transmitting correspondence with German Consul with reference to the immigrants by tho "Fritz Eeuter" With reference to demand for school teachers in Auckland With reference to broaching cargo on board the " Salisbury " ... Blackwall depot will not be required after time specified in the agreement ... To make inquiries with reference to the appointment of surgeon-superintendents through the agency of Mr. Moore New Zealand Shipping Company complain that undue advantage is given to Messrs. Henderson and Co.'s vessels ... Approving the arrangements made with referenco to the alterations in the dietary scale... Transmitting agreement with the New Zealand Shipping Company for conveyance of emigrants and cargo Information respecting Italian immigrants at Jackson's Bay Correspondence with Mr. Eolleston respecting demand for female domestic servants in Canterbury ... Mr. Cochrane should furnish information respecting Belfast agency a 3 Juno 26 June 30 1 2 4 5 6 July 26 July 27 August 4 3 3 3 4 7 August 24 4 6 G 6 8 9 10 11 September 20 September 20 September 21 October 18 7 12 October 25 7 9 18 11 October 26 November 16 15 IU December 13 December 14 9 9 17 December 14 1877. February 2 12 It 18 Forwarding memorandum by Immigration Officer, Christchurch, with reference to the instructions to captains, surgeons, and matrons of emigrant vessels (Telegram.) Eeduce expenses Emigration Department Concurring that claims of Messrs. Sloman, Mathei, and Kirchner should not go to arbitration (Telegram.) Cannot extend Prichard's time for forming special settlement in Auckland With reference to Mr. Galbrnith's declining to convey immigrants and cargo from the Clyde on the same terms as the New Zealand Shipping Company Explaining certain clauses in the contract with the New Zealand Shipping Company ... Transmitting copies of correspondence with the New Zealand Shipping Company with reference to the refusal of the Albion Company to take up the Clyde emigration ... (Telegram.) Approving settlement of Sloman's claim Forwarding £9,500 to pay claims of Sloman and Kirchner Approving of action with reference to liabilities of the Otogo agency Approving of action in submitting Captain Brown's offer to bring emigrants from New Brunswick to the Emigrant and Colonist's Aid Corporation... With reference to demand in the colony for trained hospital nurses With reference to demand in the colony for rabbit-trappers Approving of arrangements made with reference to Blackwall dep&t. Mr. Hill's offer is a liberal one ... Can exercise a moderate discretion in shipping emigrants from the Clydo The result of the inquiry into the complaint with reference to the improper use of Moore's agency for obtaining Burgeon-superintendents is satisfactory Thanks for return showing comparative cost of shipping emigrants from Ireland via London, Plymouth, and the Clyde respectively ... To make arrangements for Mr. Ottywell to conduct the Belfast agency Transmitting the emigration order for year 1877-78... Transmitting copy of letter from General Manager, New Zealand Shipping Company, with reference to certain statements made by Mr. Galbraith, Managing Director of tho Albion Company Transmitting correspondence with reference to the claims of tho New Zealand Shipping Company for extra stores. " Hurunui " extra expenses, &c. Approving of action taken for settlement of the claims of Messrs. Sloman and Co. and Mr. Kirchner Eeduce expense of London and Edinburgh Departments to £4,000 per annum, exclusivo of Sidary of the Agent-General Transmitting letter from General Manager, Shipping Company, accepting terms offered for settlement of their claims u It 19 20 February 9 March ' 3 81 88 March 9 March 10 16 15 23 M March 20 April 4 16 16 86 86 27 88 April 17 April 25 April 26 April 30 1(1 16 17 17 80 80 31 May ■ 4 May 16 May 18 17 17 17 88 33 May 19 May 19 IS IS IS 31 May 22 19 1!) 19 86 86 37 May 21 May 25 Juno 13 Juno 14 20 ss 21 88 Juno 20 24 40 June 20 84 41 July 3 21

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1877. 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. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 145.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 20th June, 1876. Eeferring to my letter No. 144, of 2nd June instant, in which I transmitted copy of reports relative to tho ship "Countess of Kintore," I have now the honor to forward, for your information, copy of correspondence with the General Manager of tho New Zealand Shipping Company, upon certain suggestions made by Dr. Davidson, the surgeon-superintendent of that vessel. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure 1 in No. 1. The Under Secretary for Immigration to the General Manager, New Zealand Shipping Company, Christchurch. S IE — Immigration Office, Wellington, 3rd June, 1876. I have the honor, by direction of Major Atkinson, to forward herewith, for your information, an extract from the report of the surgeon-superintendent of the ship " Countess of Kintore," lately arrived with immigrants at Port Lyttelton, having reference to the subject of fire at sea, and making certain recommendations in connection therewith. Dr. Davidson has made several voyages in charge of immigrants to this colony, and Major Atkinson feels assured that, in a matter of such importance as that dealt with, the suggestions of a practical officer will be read with interest, and receive due attention at the hands of the Company. I have, <fee., The General Manager, E. O. Gibees, New Zealand Shipping Company. (for the Under Secretary for Immigration).

Enclosure 2 in No. 1. Extract from Eeport of Surgeon-Superintendent, " Countess of Kintore." The next question on which I desire to speak is the all-important one of fire, and the means to be adopted for its prevention, its early discovery, and its extinction. What precautions are taken against the occurrence of fire on emigrant ships ? Many so far as the emigrants arc concerned, none as regards the crew. Locked lamps are provided for the emigrants' compartments, and smoking and the use of matches are prohibited there. For the officers, the crew, the apprentices, and the additional staff (baker, cook, and condenser-man), who are carried on these ships, no locked lamps are provided, and an inducement to burn naked lights is given by placing on board, under the charge most probably of one of the apprentices, who is called the storekeeper, a large number of emigrants' lamp candles, which very soon find their way into all the quarters occupied by the crew. Smoking also is permitted at all hours in their compartments. The additional staff to which I referred above are as a rule berthed with difficulty, the great probability being that no certified berths are provided for them previous to sailing. On board the " Countess of Kintore " these men were placed in the lower forecastle, an apartment on the lower deck, entered by means of a hatch from the upper forecastle, used mainly as a sail-room and general store-room, and into which no daylight could enter. It was lighted by naked oil lamps. On the morning of April 13th, when the ship was hove-to in a heavy gale, the fire-bell rang occasioning much

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alarm. Smoke was found to be issuing from the lower forecastle (tho apartment just described), and to be making its way through the partition into the quarters occupied by the single men, who were the first to give the alarm. It was discovered that some clothes and other materials were on fire in the lower forecastle. The burning heap was extinguished and thrown over-board, and providentially the fire did not extend farther. No cause for it could be ascertained. I visited the place and found it crowded with sails, coils of rope, and casks apparently of pitch. Standing upright on a piece of wood, its only apparent hold on which was its own grease, I found a naked emigrant's lamp candle half burned. Looking at the contents of the place, it is to be feared that had a fire occurred here at night it would have gained considerable hold before being discovered. In the next place there is no provision made for the use of locked lanterns in the hold, or in the ship's lazarette or store-room, although these places are being entered every day for the purpose of issuing stores. On the " Countess of Kintore," at my request, locked lanterns were from an early date of the voyage used below in getting up emigrants' stores, but not in the lazarette, where much straw and combustible material were lying loosely about. Lastly, the arrangements made for securing the hatches leading to the hold are very defective. Sometimes the hatches are not locked at all. Frequently, however, they are locked, but the locks used are of the most paltry make, and sometimes they may be found knocked away altogether by the passage of the emigrants over the hatch to the ladder leading to the upper deck. In the lower forecastle, in the " Countess of Kintore," a small hatch gave passage to the hold. This remained quite unprotected during the passage, no lock being placed upon it. A ship is thus sent to sea with its hatches protected by such locks that half a dozen are needed for a single hatch on the outward run to keep up even an appearance of its being secure; and, further, with part of its crew berthed in an apartment by which access can be readily obtained to the cargo, and it is wondered at when the ship takes fire! AVhy, to my mind, considering the well-known proclivities of ships' crews for broaching cargo, especially when aware that beer or spiritß are below, the marvel is that the ship does not take fire. It is at the least clear that considerably more care should be exercised in protecting the hold, and thus removing in the future one highly probable source of fire on ship board. * * * * * * * I have, &c, AY. J. Davidson, Surgeon-Superintendent.

Enclosure 3 in No. 1. The General Manager, New Zealand Shipping Company, Christchurch, to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. The New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited), Christchurch, Sir,— 7th June, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, annexing a copy of a part of the report of Mr. Surgeon-Superintendent Davidson, lately in charge of the ship " Countess of Kintore," while conveying emigrants from the mother country, bearing chiefly on the subject of the danger of fire, aud the want of precaution to prevent the occurrence of so dire a calamity in passenger ships. I am charged especially by my directors to convey to you their thanks for forwarding this document,, which has been perused with interest and concern, and the suggestions of so experienced an officer as Dr. Davidson are of value and duly appreciated. I am glad, however, to be able to inform you that the code of instructions regulating this Company's fleet, and adapted to the guidance of such ships as may be hired by us, embraces nearly all Dr. Davidson's precautionary suggestions ; and the arrangements of our vessels, and those insisted on by the Agent-General in such ships as we have chartered for emigration purposes, preclude the possibility of such irregularities as have apparently occurred on board the " Countess of Kintore." In all our vessels there is ample and proper accommodation for the extra hands which the necessities of the service compel us to carry with emigrants, and the masters are most especially charged to vigilantly guard against and prevent the reckless and careless use of unprotected lights, which is a highly censurable practice, and one never now permitted in a well-ordered and regulated ship. I shall not fail to urge on our masters the importance of continued care, and I earnestly hope none of our vessels, or indeed any ship, may be exposed to the danger of fire, from which it appears to me the " Countess of Kintore " escaped more by providence than from the care of those responsible for the safety of the lives of the passengers and crew confided to them. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, H. Selvvyn Smith, Wellington. General Manager.

No. 2. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 153.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 26th June, 1876. Eeferring to your letter No. 249, of April Ist ultimo, I have tho honor to forward a report by the Immigration Officer at Auckland on the subject of tobacco culture in the Province of Auckland. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

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Enclosure in No. 2. The Immigration Officer, Auckland, to the Under Secretary for Immigration. Auckland, 9th June, 1876. In the matter of the Agent-General's letter No. 249, dated the Ist of April, on the subject of tobacco culture and manufacture in the Province of Auckland, I beg to report that the industry has been in operation here for the last four or five years, but, so far, has not attained to any considerable commercial importance. Not more than half a dozen hands are employed at present in the manufacture of the leaf into tobacco and cigars. I understand that the limited success of the industry is owing mainly to tho want of capital. Very high commendation has been called forth from competent judges upon the tobacco leaf grown in this province, and the tobacco and cigars made from it are stated to be unsurpassed by the average of imported articles. The only individual, however, who has attempted to practically develop the industry hitherto is not in a position, I believe, to raise the business from its present depressed condition, and under these circumstances there is no immediate prospect of employment for persons acquainted with the trade who may be desirous of emigrating to Auckland. H. Ellis, The Under Secretary for Immigration. Immigration Officer.

No. 3. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 158.) Sir,— Immigration Office, Wellington, 30th June, 1876. With reference to certain foreign nominations forwarded to you by this mail, I desire that you will, on the nominees presenting themselves at your office, furnish them with passages to the colony, using your discretion, however, as to taking promissory notes for their passages, should they appear unsuitable emigrants. As they are nominated by near relatives, they will be taken off the hands of the Government immediately upon arrival. I have now issued instructions that in future no foreign nominations are to be accepted except under very special circumstances. I enclose, for your information, copy of a letter having reference to one of the nominations above mentioned. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure in No. 3. Mrs. I Q to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sir — Molesworth Street, Wellington, 9th June, 1876. I find that free emigration from Italy is stopped, and previous to knowing this I had written to my mother and husband's brother, wife and three children, to come to Wellington. In the event of their not being able to come from Italy, I told them to proceed without delay to London and embark there. No doubt they are en route for London, or perhaps there by this time. They have no means of returning to Italy, and no friends in London. I beg of you to grant them a free passage to Wellington. I beg you will grant them this favour. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration. I Q •

No. 4. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 162.) g IB Immigration Office, Wellington, 26th July, 1876. It has been brought under my notice that several emigrants from England were shipped in the " City of Dunedin," which sailed from Glasgow, and I shall be glad to be informed of the circumstance under which this arrangement was made, and the expense, if any, which was incurred in sending the people up to Glasgow. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 5. . The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 173.) Sir,— Immigration Office, Wellington, 27th July, 1876. It has been stated by an honorable member of Parliament that Douglas's patent for boatlowering apparatus is superior in every way to Clifford's now in use, in accordance with the terms of the charter-party, in ships conveying emigrants to New Zealand. I shall be glad if you will cause inqniries to be made into the matter, and report fully to me at an early date. I desire especially to know whether, in your opinion, it is advisable to substitute Douglas's

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patent for Clifford's, and, if so, whether any difficulties would be likely to arise with the Imperial emigration authorities should it be considered better to do so. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 6. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 4th August, 1876. Send no emigrants Jackson's Bay special settlement. Six hundred Napier instead four, and one hundred Taranaki instead of two. Issue no certificates Immigrants Land Act after September. "Bebington," stop emigration Nelson, except single women. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 7. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the A gent-General. (No. 193.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 24th August, 1876. In enclosing copies of the correspondence which has taken place re the ship " Fritz Eeuter," and the passengers who have arrived in the colony by her, I desire to point out that the Government have been placed at a great disadvantage throughout the proceedings in connection with this vessel, owing to the want of information from the London office with regard to the question at issue between the late Agent-General and Messrs. Sloman aud Kirchner. It was only through the courtesy of the Consul for the German Empire that the Government obtained a copy of the agreement of 11th May, 1874, signed by Mr. Sloman, and approved by Dr. Featherston, for the conveyance of 4,000 statute adults from Hamburg to New Zealand, a document of considerable importance, which certainly should have been sent to the Government. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure 1 in No. 7. The Consul for the German Empire, Wellington, to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sir, — Consulate of the German Empire, Wellington, 26th July, 1876. Eeferring again to the subject of German emigration, and to the complaints made by Messrs. E. Sloman and Co., commented upon in your letter dated Ist June, I have the honor to inform you that Messrs. E. Sloman and Co., at the instigation of Mr. C. A. Mathei, the sub-agent representing Mr. Kirchner, the duly authorized Continental Agent for New Zealand, despatched on the 16th April last the ship " Fritz Eeuter," from Hamburg for this port, with 421 statute adults, of which number 416 have been granted free passages. Mr. Kirchner submitted to the captain, as well as to Dr. Uterhart, a certificate duly signed by the late Agent-General, and thereupon Mr. Mathei transmitted as usual his account to the office of the Agent-General in London for one-half of the passage money —viz., 208 adults at £14, £2,912 ; payment to single girls, £18—total, £2,930 ; leaving £2,912 to be settled in the usual course upon arrival of the ship at Wellington. The Agent-General then referred Mr. Mathei to his lawyers in London, and there the matter ended. Mr. Mathei forwarded his account to the solicitors mentioned, but no answer was received up to the 11th May, my latest advices. Mr. Kirchner made a declaration on oath before the British Consul at Hamburg, stating the particulars of the case —viz., that he was authorized to arrange for the shipment of emigrants, and that until the Ist February, when a telegram putting a stop to emigration was received by him from the Agent-General, he had actually engaged 600 adults for New Zealand, and that with many more in view he had, in the month of January, in the exercise of his powers as Emigration Agent conferred upon him by the late Dr. Featherston, ordered Messrs. E. Sloman and Co. to have two ships ready, and that the " Fritz Eeuter" was then chartered to sail on the 10th April to convey 475 adults, and the " Humboldt" to sail on the 25th April with 310 adults. I have in my possession a press copy of this document, which, if required, I shall be happy to forward for perusal, though it is unfortunately rather illegible in parts. The Government have, doubtless, received full particulars of this correspondence, and are aware of the reasons by which the late Agent-General was influenced to take such sudden and unexpected action, without, apparently, due regard to the possibility of any complication arising, such as has in this case resulted. If Mr. Kirchner was a duly authorized Agent of the New Zealand Government, I presume that his action in that official capacity must be acknowledged as binding up to the receipt of his instructions not to arrange for the shipment of any more emigrants, and sincerely trust that the matter may be dealt with in a liberal spirit, and that upon the arrival of the " Fritz Eeuter" the balance of £2,912 previously referred to may be paid to me on behalf of Mr. Mathei or Messrs. E. Sloman and Co., that amount being considered justly and fairly due to them. As the " Fritz Eeuter" may arrive at any moment, I have the honor to request that steps may be taken to land the immigrants without any unnecessary delay; and sincerely trusting that no difficulty may arise, I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, F. A. Krull, Wellington. Consul for the German Empire.

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Enclosure 2 in No. 7. The Under Secretary for Immigration to the Consul for the German Empire, Wellington. Sir,— Immigration Office, 28th July, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th instanf, in which you inform me that the ship " Fritz Eeuter " sailed from Hamburg for Wellington upon April 16th ultimo, with 421 adults on board. The Government has been advised by the late Agent-General that the passengers by this ship are not emigrants selected with his approval, but have been sent out against his distinct orders. I cannot, therefore, admit of any responsibility on the part of the Government in respect to these people, but presume that you, as Consul for the German Empire, which I am informed have compelled Messrs. Sloman aud Co. to send them out, will take such steps as you may think necessary to protect their interest. With regard to the other matters referred to in your letter, I must decline to enter upon their consideration, as they are questions which must be determined in Europe between the Agent-General and Messrs. Sloman and Kirchner. I have, &c, F. A. Krull, Esq., Consul for the German Empire, C. E. Haughton. Wellington.

Enclosure 3 in No. 7. The Consul for the German Empire, Wellington, to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sir, — Consulate of the German Empire, Wellington, 4th August, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated the 28th July, informing me, in reply to my letter dated the 26th July, that you decline to admit any responsibility on the part of the Government in respect to the 421 statute adult immigrants daily expected to arrive by the " Fritz Eeuter " from Hamburg, as you have been advised by the late Agent-General that the passengers by this ship are not emigrants selected with his approval, and that they have been sent out against his express orders. With reference to your suggestion that I, as Consul for the German Empire, should take such steps as I may deem necessary to protect the interest of these people, of course whatever action I may deem it expedient to take will be without prejudice to the question at issue between the German contractors and the late Agent-General, as that question must be decided elsewhere upon its merits. In conclusion, I have the honor to request that you will be good enough to make the arrangements necessary for the proper reception of the immigrants. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, F. A. Krull, Wellington. Consul for the German Empire.

Enclosure 4 in No. 7. The Under Secretary for Immigration to the Consul for the German Empire, Wellington. Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, sth August, 1876. I have the honor, by direction of the Hon. the Minister for Immigration, to acknowledge the receipt of yonr letter of yesterday's date with reference to the passengers by the " Fritz Eeuter," and in reply to the last paragraph, I am instructed, in accordance with the terms of my former communication, to inform you that as these persons are not Government immigrants, no steps will be taken by this department for their reception. I have, &c, F. A. Krull, Esq., Consul for the German Empire, C. E. Haughton. Wellington.

Enclosure 5 in No. 7. The Consul for the German Empire, Wellington, to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sir, — Consulate of the German Empire, Wellington, 7th August, 1876. I have the honor to ask your assistance in regard to the immigrants by the " Fritz Eeuter," which vessel arrived here on the 4th instant. I intend to have them landed to-morrow morning, and should like to know if the immigration barracks could be placed at the disposal of these people, and if the Government will assist me in having them located, and will provide for their maintenance at the expense of the Government until such time as they have found employment. I have, <fee, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, F. A. Krull, Wellington. Consul for the German Empire.

Enclosure 6 in No. 7. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Consul for the German Empire, Wellington. Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 7th August, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this day's date with regard to certain German passengers who have arrived by the " Fritz Eeuter," stating that you intend landing

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them to-morrow, and requesting that the immigration depot may be placed at their disposal, and that the Government will assist you in having them located, and provide for their maintenance at the public expense. In reply, I have to inform you that under the circumstances I will permit those of the " Fritz Eeuter " passengers who are not in a position to provide for themselves to temporarily occupy the depot upon their disembarkation ; but that, whilst desirous in every way to assist you in disposing of them, I am unable, on behalf of the Government, to accept the responsibility of their maintenance and location. If, however, you assure me that these people are unable to maintain themselves until they obtain employment, I will order rations to be issued to them for a few days at the expense of tho Government; but they must be made distinctly to understand that they have no claim on this department as Government immigrants. It will further be necessary that they should bo informed that whilst in depot they must conform to the ordinary regulations as if they were such immigrants. I have, &c, F. A. Krull, Esq., Consul for the German Empire, H. A. Atkinson. Wellington.

Enclosure 7 in No. 7. The Consul for the German Empire to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sir, — Consulate of the German Empire, Wellington, 7th August, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this date in reference to tho immigrants by the "Fritz Eeuter," and I have to thank you for the assistance you intend giving mo in regard to the immigrants, by providing for them at tho immigration depot, and maintaining them for a short period, until they find employment. From what I learn from Dr. Uterhart and Captain Peyn, I can give the assurance that these immigrants, with very few exceptions, are unable to maintain themselves. I understand that about fifty or sixty of the immigrants have relations here, and have come out to them and by their advive. The immigrants will be landed to-morrow morning, and Mr. Eedward will be furnished with a list of the passengers for his guidance. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, F. A. Krull, Wellington. Consul for the German Empire.

No. 8. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 205.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 20th September, 1876. In reply to your letter No. 465, of 26th June, I have the honor to inform you that the Secretary to the Auckland Education Board, to whom the matter was referred, reports as follows : — " Appointments are made by the Local Committees of the various schools, subject to the approval of the Board. It is therefore impossible that any assurance of employment could be given to Miss M . At the same time, no good teachers are out of employment iv this province, and the demand for their services is likely to increase rather than fall off." I have, &c., The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 9. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 206.) Si E , Immigration Office, Wellington, 20th September, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 461, of 26th June, with regard to the reports upon the ship " Salisbury." I have to remark that as, notwithstanding the explanation of the Despatching Officer, the fact remains that the stores were pillaged, it appears to me that the precautions taken to prevent such an occurrence could not have been satisfactory. I would a^ain urge that it is a matter of the greatest necessity that all spirituous liquors upon emigrant ships should be so placed and secured as to render pillage of them impossible. lam glad to learn the steps which have been taken to insure the carrying out of boat and fire drill upon all emigrant vessels. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 10. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 210.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 21st September, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 573, of 27th July, transmitting copy of a letter from Mr. Hill, with regard to a renewal of the agreement in connection with the Blackwall depot, and to inform you that tho Government are willing to abide by tho agreement of 10th March, 1874, and pay the sum of one shilling per adult for any emigrants short of the 30,000

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who may not have passed through the Blackwall depot within the three years ending 25th March next, as stipulated in the agreement in question. I take this opportunity of informing you that the depot will not be required after the time specified iv the agreement. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 11. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 226.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 18th October, 1876. Numerous complaints having been made by gentlemen who have been engaged as surgeonssuperintendent of emigrant vessels, as to their having to employ aud pay a fee to a Mr. Moore, of St. Mary Axe, as agent, before they can obtain their appointments, I shall feel obliged by your causing a thorough investigation into the whole subject to be made upon your arrival in London. I attach copy of a letter from Dr. Eussell, who recently came out in charge of the " Bebington." Tou will learn from the printed papers noted in the margin* that the Agent-General has been previously communicated with upon the subject, but I do not feel satisfied with the result of the inquiry which he made. I am of opinion that there should be no difficulty in selecting a surgeon, whenever one is required, from those who have already satisfactorily performed their duties to this colony, without the intervention of an agent. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure in No. 11. Dr. William Eussell to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sir,— Wellington, 21st September, 1876. In reference to the delay which occurred between the date of my reporting myself at Westminster Chambers and my re-appointment, I have to offer the following statement of facts —premising first, that after my entering the service as surgeon-superintendent of "La Hogue" through Mr. Moore's agency, for which I paid him a fee, I did not further seek his assistance ; and, secondly, that Mr. Moore desired payment of such fee ere I sailed, on the representation that he had to share it at " No. 7." There can be but one rendering of this expression, which, however, implicates no individual. I make this statement in consequence of Mr. Moore's letter casting doubt on the assertions of Dr. N , a gentleman I know to be incapable of falsehood. On tho 10th October, 1874, I applied for re-appointment, and eventually was nominated to the " Hannibal," which sailed March 12th, 1875—that is, after five months' delay. Now, I beg you note Mr. Moore's reply to the AgentGeneral above cited, wherein he says, referring to September, 1874, " Just at this time you were short of surgeons, and asked me to recommend some ready to sail immediately on appointment," and yet, on my applying as above recorded, on October 10th, 1874 (within a month of this " dearth "), five months elapse ere re-employment —but I did not apply through Mr. Moore! Again, on my last application, October Bth, 1875, a delay of four months occurred ere appointment to the "Bebington;" but here, again, I did not avail myself of Mr. Moore's assistance. It is not for me to suggest an inference, but to assert fact, and, as I purpose returning shortly, I shall be prepared to substantiate anything I have here or elsewhere stated. Finally, that the intervention of an agent is necessary to secure able men is not true, and it is a fact that an advertisement in either medical journal would insure ten times the number of applicants your medical service could engage, so admitting of selection by the merit their testimonials evidenced. I have, &c, William Eussell, Formerly Surgeon-Superintendent of " La Hogue," " Hannibal," and " Bebington." The Hon. the Minister for Immigration.

No. 12. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 234.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 25th October, 1876. I have the honor to transmit copies of letters from the New Zealand Company's Manager, representing that that Company has been placed at a disadvantage owing to emigrants from Ireland being despatched from the Clyde, and I shall feel obliged by your causing me to be furnished with a return showing the comparative cost of despatching Irish emigrants from Plymouth or London and the Clyde. I have also to request that I may bo furnished with a report respecting the statement contained in the last paragraph of Mr. Smith's letter, dated 24th June last, as to emigrants being actually sent from Belfast and England to the Clyde for Messrs. Henderson's ships, when the Shipping Company had vessels availablo for their conveyance from nearer ports. The Manager of the Shipping Company also states that the privilege has been allowed the Albion Company of conveying single men as private passengers in emigrant ships, while it has been refused to them. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

* D. 1, 1875, pp. 22, 23 ; D. 2, 1875, p. 6.

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Enclosure 1 in No. 12. The General Manager, New Zealand Shipping Company, Christchurch, to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. The New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited), Christchurch, Sir,— 24th June, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of, and to thank you for, Mr. Haughton's telegram intimating the instructions you have sent to the Agent-General to guide him in despatching emigrants from the United Kingdom to this colony under the contract we have entered into with the Government. My advices from our London office, dated the 4th May, five days subsequent to the receipt of Dr. Featherston's instructions from you, inter alia, say, "The Agent-General is disposed to send all the Otago emigrants from the Clyde till further advised." In reference to this, I take the liberty of drawing your attention as well to the terms of our tender as to clause 13 of the Articles of Agreement evolving from it, and deferentially to submit that if the Agent-General does as he is or was disposed, the spirit and terms of the contract will be infringed. Clause 3 provides that " all emigrants and cargo shall be sent by this Company's ships," &c. The exception in clause 13 is limited thus : the Queen may contract with the Albion Company for the conveyance, &c, of " emigrants and cargo from any port on the Eiver Clyde to the Province of Otago." It was not intended by either party to the contract that emigrants from England or Ireland for Otago should be drafted off to the Clyde for shipment thence; but it was meant in fact that the Scotch emigration from the Clyde to Otago alone was excepted from our contract. lam well aware that, owing to the unfortunate interruption of the cable, the Agent-General has probably not received your detailed instructions until within the last day or two ; but I presume thus early to ask you to give the necessary instructions by the outgoing mail to prevent any misunderstanding or occurrence under this contract of what occurred under the last, when emigrants were actually sent from Ireland to the ship " Jessie Osborne " at the Clyde, when our ship " Conflict," ordered to Ireland by Dr. Featherston, was despatched thence with about thirty less emigrants than she could carry and was fitted for ; and I observe also, from the public papers, an extract from which I enclose, that emigrants have been sent from England to the Clyde, and are coming to this port by the " City of Dunedin," which emigrants we would have gladly brought by our new ship " Wairoa," sailing to this port direct about the same time as the first-named vessel, which, like the " Jessie Osborne," was despatched by the Albion Company. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, H. Selwyn Smith, Wellington. General Manager.

Extract from " European Mail." The ship " City of Dunedin," 1,084 tons, owned by Messrs. Patrick Henderson and Co., left the Clyde on March 25th for New Zealand, with 276 passengers and a general cargo. The emigrants were of a superior class, and a considerable number of them were young women from Durham and the northern counties of England.

Enclosure 2 in No. 12. The General Manager, New Zealand Shipping Company, Christchurch, to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. The New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited), Christchurch, Sir— 28th July, 1876. In deference to the suggestion of Mr. Haughton, I write again regarding that portion of my letter of the 24th ultimo which remarked on the fact of the Agent-General sending emigrants from Belfast to the Clyde for shipment to the colony. lam quite aware that this course was pursued under the old contract, or rather, as we respectfully submit, in contravention of it j and it is in the hope of preventing a repetition of it under our present agreement that I have the honor now to address you, and to recall to your mind that in our preliminary negotiations we discussed the question, and in limiting the ports of embarkation decided that the expense of bringing intending passengers from Belfast to Plymouth would be less than the extra amount per head we should require if called upon to send a ship to Belfast to embark them. It was never contemplated by us, and Ido not think it was by you, that Irish emigrants were to be included in those " from the Clyde;" and I beg that you will be good enough by the outgoing mail to issue such instructions as will prevent the possibility of such a course being pursued. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, H. Selwyn Smith, Wellington. General Manager.

Enclosure 3 in No. 12. The General Manager, New Zealand Shipping Company, Christchurch, to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. The New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited), Christchurch, Sir,— 23rd August, 1876. I have the honor to inform you that owing to the wording of your telegram to the AgentGeneral of the 21st April, the ships " Waitangi" (carrying 240 adults, 81 children, and 75 infants) and the "Waimea" (carrying about 225 adults) were victualled on the full scale instead of the

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amended scale, and I request that you will, in pursuance of the promise you made at the time in anticipation of such a contingency, give the necessary instructions to enable us to recover payment at the contract price tendered at, under the scale which we subsequently adjusted and amended. I beg also to say that I am informed that the ship " Invercargill," despatched by the Albion Company from the Clyde, is bringing a large number of emigrants from Ireland, who have been sent over thence to the ship, as well as some from England ; and I respectfully submit that this is in contravention of our contract; and I trust you will so advise the Agent-General by the outgoing mail. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, H. Selwyn Smith, "Wellington. General Manager.

No. 13. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 231.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 26th October, 1876. Eeferring to your letter of 6th July last, No. 519, upon the subject of the arrangements made with the New Zealand Shipping Company for the conveyance of emigrants to this colony, I have the honor to inform you that in the case of the ships " Waitangi," "Waimea," and " Invercargill," which were despatched prior to the receipt of the instructions respecting the amended dietary scale, it has been decided to allow passage money at the rates mentioned in my telegram of the 21st April —namely, £13 17s. 3d. for adults, and £7 16s. for children. I have also to convey to you the approval of the Government of the steps taken by you to keep faith with the emigrants who had taken their passages prior to the amending of the dietary scale, and, if you find it necessary, to place extra stores on board the ship's sailing prior to August last. I have to request that the quantities of each article so placed on board may be furnished me for each vessel, with a statement of the cost. I shall be glad to receive the promised report of the Despatching Officer upon the alterations in the charter-party. With regard to the items "suet" and "raisins," the quantities taken off will be replaced in the contract, so as to comply with the requirements of the Passenger Act. I may mention that the medicine list was carefully revised by two medical gentlemen —namely, Dr. Johnston on behalf of the Government, and Dr. Newman on behalf of the Company, and they informed me that they only erased the medicines which in their opinion were obsolete, adding such as they considered necessary. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 11. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 244.) Sir, Immigration Office, Wellington, 16th November, 1876. Eeferring to my letter No. 127, of sth May last, I have now the honor to transmit twenty-five copies of the agreement with the New Zealand Shipping Company, which has this day been executed.* You will please hand a supply of these to the Director of the Company in London. 2. You will observe that the contract commences from the Ist May last, and will be in force until the Ist November, 1877; and that the Government have the option of further extending it until the Ist August, 1878. 3. The rate of passage has been fixed at £13 lis. 6d. per adult and £7 lis. per child. As payments have been made on the ships already despatched at the higher rates of £13 17s. 3d. and £7 165., according to tho first draft of agreement, an adjustment of account will be made in the colony. 4. The dietary scale has been altered in respect of the articles of suet and raisins, bringing the allowance to the quantity required by the Passenger Act. 5. The list of medicines according to the old charter-party has been substituted for the revised list in the draft of agreement already forwarded to you; this has been done to conform with the requirements of the Board of Trade. 6. As Messrs. P. Henderson and Co. have agreed to continue the Clyde business upon the terms arranged with the New Zealand Shipping Company, an adjustment of account with that firm will also be made in the colony. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 15. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-Genral. (No. 251.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 13th December, 1876. I have the honor to transmit, for your information, further reports and correspondence with regard to the Italian immigrants at Jackson's Bay. You will be glad to see that upon the whole these people appear satisfied with their condition and prospects. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson. *D. No. 3, 1877. 2—D. 1.

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Enclosure 1 in No. 15. The Italian Consular Agent to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sir,— Wellington, 21st October, 1876. I have the honor to request that you will furnish me with information respecting the Italians located at Jackson's Bay—i.e., as to their employment, how they are progressing, their probable prospects, and any other particulars that might be useful to the Italian Government. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, C. Johnston, Wellington. Consular Agent.

Enclosure 2 in No. 15. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to His Honor the Superintendent, Westland. Sir — Wellington, 25th October, 1876. I have the honor to transmit copy of a letter from the Italian Consular Agent in this city, requesting information respecting the Italian immigrants who have been forwarded to Jackson's Bay, and I shall feel obliged by your Honor causing me to be furnished with the required particulars. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent of Westland, Wellington. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure 3 in No. 15. The Immigration Officer, Wellington, to the Acting Under Secretary for Immigration. Sir,— Immigration Office, Wellington, 30th October, 1876. I have the honor to forward the result of careful inquiries amongst the Italians of Wellington. I have been assisted by M F , who speaks English very well, in making up the attached list. I add the following, which I have heard from the Italians during my present inquiries : —l. One of the Italians, a grainer by trade, who left here for Melbourne, has returned, saying that he could not find work there. 2. The three engineers who arrived here per " Fritz Eeuter," and have since gone to Melbourne, have written to some of their countrymen here asking for information upon the state of the Italians in Wellington. 3. A letter has just been received from L F , Jackson's Bay, wishing his wife and child sent to him. 4. C V informs me that some of his countrymen who have been sent out to Queensland by Mr. Glynn have written to him inquiring if there is a chance of their getting work if they came on to Wellington. 5. B tells me that he has heard from Livorno that the workmen in the arsenal are giving two or three hours every Sunday morning to build a vessel which they intend sending to New Zealand to take home any of their countrymen who are destitute. 6. A letter has been received from D I and wife, who were sent back to Italy by the " Hurunui," Baying that they had arrived all well, and had been kindly treated on the voyage. I have, &c, The Acting Under Secretary for Immigration, James B. Eedwaed, Wellington. Acting Immigration Officer, Wellington.

Enclosure 4 in No. 15. J. A. Bonar, Esq., to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 966.) Sir, — Government Buildings, Hokitika, 16th November, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st of October, transmitting copy of letter from Italian Consul, and asking to be furnished with a report as to the Italian immigrants at Jackson's Bay. As you are already aware, the Italians were located on the Okura Eiver, about sixteen miles from Jackson's Bay, in accordance with the suggestions of the representatives sent down to examine the country previous to their settlement, and the most reliable information I can send you as to their progress and condition will be extracts from reports from the Eesident Agent from time to time both to myself and the Provincial Engineer. I have therefore the honor to enclose extracts from the Eesident Agent's letters of 22nd July and 7th August to myself, also letter to Provincial Engineer dated 2nd September, and memorandum from that officer of 14th November. I likewise enclose copies of four letters received by friends residing in Hokitika from some of the Italian settlers, which will give you their own testimony. On the whole, I may say that they appear to be getting on satisfactorily; and as their cottages are in course of erection, and they are working on their own land now, any little discontent which at first may have arisen is disappearing. . I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, J. A. Bonar, Wellington. Officer Administering the Government.

Sub-Enclosure 1 to Enclosure 4 in No. 15. The Eesident Agent, Jackson's Bay, to J. A. Bonar, Esq. Sir, — Eesident Agent's Office, Jackson's Bay, 22nd July, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 10th June, as also the safe arrival of the s.s. " Waipara," with consignment of Italian immigrants. After discharging cargo at

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the Bay we proceeded to the Okura, and crossed the bar on Saturday evening. The women and children were accommodated in Mr. C 's house, who kindly placed it at the disposal of the Government; tents were put up for the men, in which they passed the night. The survey and Haast Track party were landed the same evening, and the balance of the cargo was landed next morning; the steamer leaving in the afternoon for Big Bay. The Haast Track party left on Monday morning, leaving the five families at the Okura. By Tuesday night we had everything fixed, and all the families under cover. They will remain where they are for a few weeks until the allotments are laid off and houses put up, the timber for which is being sawn; in the meantime they will be employed in roadmaking. Wo were fortunate in having fine weather, and around the blazing camp fire, during the night, the part-singing of tho Italians was very fine. Every one seemed pleased and happy, and Mr. C not the least so. I have, <&c, D. Macfarlane, His Honor the Superintendent, Westland. Eesident Agent.

Sub-Enclosure 2 to Enclosure 4 in No. 15. The Eesident Agent, Jackson's Bay, to J. A. Bonar, Esq. Sir, — Eesident Agent's Office, Jackson's Bay, 7th August, 1876. The two Italian families from Greymouth go to the Okura, where the rest of their countrymen are already located and engaged in road-making; eight of the single men belonging to the same party are at work on the Haast Track until the land is open for selection. The surveyors are busy at work, and lam promised a selection map in a few days. Mr. Smythe, the surveyor in charge, speaks very highly of the land both as to extent and quality, the soil being very good, easily cleared, and abounding in cattle feed. I have, <fee, D. Macfarlane. His Honor the Superintendent, Westland. Eesident Agent.

Sub-Enclosure 3 to Enclosure 4 in No. 15. The Chief Surveyor, Westland, to J. A. Bonar, Esq. Sir,— Chief Surveyor's Office, Hokitika, 14th November, 1876. In answer to your inquiries, I have the honor to state that the latest advices received from Jackson's Bay concerning the Italian settlers at Okura aud their doings are very satisfactory. The immigrants landed at Okura in the beginning of June, and owing to the non-completion of the surveys at Turnbull and Okura Eivers, the allotment among them of the rural sections had to be postponed for a few months. All of the unmarried men and several of the married ones were then sent to the Haast to work there at the Haast Pass Eoad under Mr. Snodgrass; the rest of the Italians remained at Okura, and were employed at the construction of a pack track up Turnbull's Eiver. Those working at Haast Pass Eoad, although new to that description of work, gave general satisfaction, whereas those employed at the Turnbull Eiver made but indifferent progress, and gave a deal of trouble. These people have evidently been led to expect too much of the good things of this life. They objected to eating salt beef, to getting their feet wet, to living in tents for a few months, &c. I append an extract from the Eesident Agent's letter of September 2nd, as a sample of the difficulties which arose in connection with the Italians. It appears, I am happy to say, that the discontented ones are all satisfied now, and it is just possible that the necessary delay which took place in allotting the land amongst the Italians has been at the bottom of most of the troubles with them. The Eesident Agent as well as the overseer of works, in their October report, speak well of most of them. The former, after stating that they are busy with their land, says, " Some of the Italians are shaping very well, but they have the advantage of light timber land, and as a matter of course they can make a better show," &c. The overseer states that the Italians can work if they like, and that if they had worked on the road as they do now on their land they would have given the greatest satisfaction. The few unreasonable ones among the Italians have evidently seen the error of their ways, and I do not anticipate any further trouble with them, but rather look forward to their proving themselves settlers of the proper stamp. I have, &c., The Hon. J. A. Bonar, G. Mueller, Officer Administering the Government. Chief Surveyor.

Sub-Enclosure 1 to Enclosure 4 in No. 15. The Eesident Agent, Jackson's Bay, to the Provincial Engineer, Hokitika. g IB Eesident Agent's Office, Jackson's Bay, 2nd September, 1876. I have just returned from Okura, having had to go down to put matters right with the Italians, some of them having refused to work. I found that they were dissatisfied about not getting on to their land, and with having to live iv tents, &c. Having been down about teu days before, aud Mr.

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Smythe having the sections ready, 1 then told F , S , and F to go and get a place cleared for their houses, and that the others would require to wait until the men came down from the Haast. I also put two pair of sawyers at work to cut timber for the houses, but when I went down I found that neither of the three above-mentioned parties had done anything towards clearing a space for their houses, and the reason given was that they did not understand about their boundary pegs. Of course that matter was easily settled, but I also found from M McP , the man in charge of the books, that their reason for refusing to work was that they objected to get their feet wet, and so put on their coats and left the work. 1 afterwards looked at the piece of ditching they were at, and really if it did go over their water-tights it is about all it would do. lam afraid they will make but indifferent settlers, and it is almost a pity that such good land should not have fallen into better hands. I have thrown open for selection twenty-eight sections besides the three already taken up, and I have appointed Monday, the 11th September, for receiving applications. By that time the others that live upon the Haast Track will be down, and they will then have no cause of complaint. lam putting up one uniform style of house —16 by 12, with 8-ft. wall, and shingle roof. Some of them wanted fourroomed houses; in fact, there appears to be no end to their wants, and with a happy indifference as to where tho money is to come from. Government at Wellington they appear to look upon as a special providence, and when any difficulty arises lam always referred to head-quarters. lam glad to report that Mr. Smythe has found nothing but fine country since he has been out. He is now camped up the Turnbull. I find that it will be necessary for me to visit the different points of settlement as often as I can, as a number of those people are almost like children. I have, &c, The Provincial Engineer, Hokitika. D. Macfarlane.

No. 16. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 258.) Sm Immigration Office, Wellington, 14th December, 1876. I have the honor to transmit herewith copy of correspondence forwarded to me by Mr. Eolleston, with regard to the great demand for female domestic labour in Canterbury. Notwithstanding the completion of the emigration order for the year, I shall be glad if you will forward to Canterbury as many single women of good character who are suitable for domestic service as you can procure. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure 1 in No. 16. The Town Clerk, Christchurch, to W. Eolleston, Esq. Sir, City Council Office, Christchurch, Ist December, 1876. I have the honor, by direction of his Worship the Mayor, to ask you if you can say how many domestic servants are expected to come to Canterbury during the current year ? The want of female servants is grievously felt, and the supply hitherto has been wholly inadequate to meet the demand ; and his Worship would be glad to find that the Government have made liberal provision for the introduction of this class of immigrants. I have, &c, W. Haskins, W. Eolleston, Esq. Town Clerk.

Enclosure 2 in No. 16. The Immigration Officer, Christchurch, to W. Eolleston, Esq. Sir, — Immigration Office, Christchurch, sth December, 1876. Eeferring to the Mayor's letter to you on the supply of domestic servants, I think it right to mention that in every report of mine on the supply and demand of the labour market, 1 have prominently brought this subject forward. In my last quarterly report I stated, " Domestic servants are very much wanted, the supply being considerably short of the demand. I have applications now for over one hundred." From the letter I sent yesterday from the Agent-General, you will observe that there is great difficulty even at Home in obtaining good female domestic servants. It is true this letter was written some time since, but lam not aware that the difficulty has in any way diminished. Moreover, of the single women who do emigrate, only a small percentage are really domestic servants. I think it is well to look at these'facts, because I do not believe that the supply of female servants from Home is at all likely to be equal to the demand. A question often arises, what becomes of the large number of female servants introduced yearly ? No doubt a very large proportion of them marry and settle; this I proved some years ago from the Eegistrar's books. I ascertained then that for the three previous years 90 per cent, of the marriages had been from this class. I believe that a similar result would follow if the books were again examined. I have now applications for over 150 servants, and of those to arrive by the next ship (sixty in number) a large proportion are going to friends. I have entered somewhat fully into this subject, because I desire to lay before you the following points:— 1. The improbability of obtaining a supply of female servants from Home at all equal to the demand. 2. The necessity that exists for providing a supply. I need say nothing further on the first point. As

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regards the second, I desire respectfully to urge the advisability and necessity of having domestic work taught in some of the public schools. lam quite sure that the carrying out of the necessary details to accomplish this would not be half so difficult as might at first sight appear. I would moreover draw attention to the fact that at present a very small percentage of the girls who leave school accept service ; they have a distaste for it, and having only been taught needlework, embroidery, &c, the majority seek to obtain situations at dressmaking or work of that description. If domestic work was made a part of the duties the elder girls had to learn, there would not be that disrelish for domestic service that there is at present, and I need hardly dwell on the beneficial results that would arise from such a course of instruction. It follows therefore, I think, that as the supply of this very useful class of labour is urgently required, and as there is no prospect of obtaining such supply from Home, an endeavour should be made to provide the same in the colony. I have, &c, J. E. March, W. Eolleston, Esq. Immigration Officer.

Enclosure 3 in No. 16. The Town Clerk, Christchurch, to W. Eolleston, Esq. Sir, — City Council Office, Christchurch, 7th December, 1876. Eeferring to my letter of the Ist instant, written to you by direction of his Worship the Mayor, 1 beg to add that the matter of the want of female servants came before the Council at its meeting on Monday last, and resulted iv a resolution being passed to the effect that the Government should be communicated with in regard thereto. The Council wished me, in writing, to point out that there are a large class of persons in good positions in Canterbury whose domestic comfort is materially affected through the want of female servants, and the fear was expressed that unless that is remedied, those who are not tied by business to the place will be forced to sock elsewhere a home where the evil so bitterly complained of here does not exist. It need scarcely be pointed out that the loss of the class of residents mentioned would seriously injure the prosperity of Canterbury. As no one can be better acquainted than yourself, from your long official position, with this existing and growing want, the Council would ask you to make a strong representation to the Government to cause the Agent-General to forward to Canterbury a much larger number of domestic servants than it has hitherto received —if at all possible, such a number as shall be adequate to the requirements of the inhabitants of this portion of New Zealand. I have, &c, W. Haskins, W. Eolleston, Esq. Town Clerk.

Enclosure 4 in No. 16. W. Eolleston, Esq., to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (Memorandum.) There is no doubt a great demand for female servants. I have no reason to suppose that any effort is being spared to obtain as many as possible, but no greater mistake could be made than to bring women of loose character to be the mothers of the future colonists, for they will be married, if you bring them, most certainly. I have always been strong in favour of bringing growing families; it is the only way of settling a good class of colonists, and the only objections are departmental. We have depots, and we must make villages, and build respectable cottages. We cannot bring out too many of a good class of colonists, and at present the supply here is short of the demand. 10th December, 1876. W. Eolleston.

Enclosure 5 in No. 16. W. Eolleston, Esq., to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (Memorandum.) I agree with Mr. March that the practical and useful ought to take a more prominent place in our schools, bnt the school curriculum must move on simultaneously with the popular practice, and cannot very much precede it or guide it in a matter of this kind. If the people want a certain style of teaching they will have it, and they will not see the force of altering their ideas to meet the demands for useful servants. I believe the " fashion " may be set in a good class of girls' high schools, and that the future mistresses are the people to teach first. 10th December, 1876. W. Eolleston.

Enclosure 6 in No. 16. W. Eolleston, Esq., to the Mayor of Christchurch. Sir, — Government Buildings, 11th December, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the Ist and 7th instant on the subject of the scarcity which exists of female servants in the province. ' On the receipt of your first letter, I placed myself in communication with Ministers in reference to the inquiry made as to the number of female servants likely to arrive during the current year, and find that about 240 will

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probably arrive during the next three months. I may say, further, that the Government has for some time past been doing its utmost to supply the demand for this class of labour, but, as you are probably aware, there is very great difficulty in obtaining an adequate number to meet the growing demands of the colony, the demand in the Home country being greatly in excess of the supply. I have forwarded your letters to the Hon. Major Atkinson, who will no doubt press the matter upon the Agent-General's attention. I have, &c, The Worshipful the Mayor of Christchurch. . W. Eolleston.

No. 17. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 260.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 14th December, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 795, of 19th October, enclosing correspondence with Mr. S. Cochrane with reference to an account for travelling expenses. Mr. Cochrane should certainly furnish full information respecting the sub-agency at Belfast, without which his accounts cannot be passed for payment. Full power has, however, been given to Sir Julius Vogel to act with reference to all the agencies in the United Kingdom, and he, no doubt, will deal with the question of continuing the Belfast agency. I have, &c, Tho Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 18. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 14.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 2nd February, 1877. I have the honor to transmit copy of a memorandum by the Immigration Officer at Christchurch, drawing attention to certain facts which were stated during the inquiry into the conduct of the captain and surgeon-superintendent of the ship " Eangitikei," and I shall feel obliged by your giving instructions for Mr. March's practical suggestions to be given effect to. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. D. Eeid.

Enclosure in No. 18. The Immigration Officer, Christchurch, to the Under Secretary for Immigration. Immigration Office, Christchurch, Bth January, 1877. The Immigration Commissioners desire me to draw your attention to certain facts elicited at the inquiry in connection with the " Eangitikei," and although they have not deemed it necessary to allude to them in the report, they nevertheless think the Agent-General's attention should be called to them. In the first place it appears that the captain had certain special instructions from Mr. Keunaway with which the surgeon was not acquainted. The following extract from a letter to the captain was put in as evidence: —" Night watches are to be rigidly kept in tho different compartments between decks, and the watchmen will report every half-hour to the officer of the watch whether all is right below." The captain thought night watches were to be kept in the single women's compartment, and complained of this to the surgeon. Again, it is very desirable that matrons should be distinctly informed that they are in the first place to look for advice, instruction, and support in maintaining discipline to the surgeon. The printed instructions to matrons do not show this clearly, but, on the contrary, leave it optional to the matron to appeal to either the captain or surgeon. As experienced matrons are seldom obtainable, and as a rule persons are placed in the office for the first time in their lives, it becomes most essential that their position and duties should be most clearly defined. The Commissioners would also suggest that whenever it is found necessary by the Agent-General to place extra stores on board, a list of such stores, together with the quantity, should be forwarded with the Despatching Officer's report. Frequent difficulties occur on board immigrant ships from misunderstanding the rule for the issue of water. It should be stated definitely what quantity of water is to be issued for drinking and washing, and what quantity for soup, tea, porridge, &c., is to be deducted from the stated allowance. An increased supply of sand and holystones is desirable. J. E. March, The Under Secretary for Immigration, Wellington. Immigration Officer.

No. 19. The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) "Wellington, 9th February, 1877. Government anxious to reduce expenses Emigration Department much possible. Will approve reductions you consider advisable. Vogel," London. Atkinson.

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No. 20. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 45.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 3rd March, 1877. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Bth ultimo, reporting on the differences between the Government and Messrs. E. Sloman and Co. and Mr. C. A. Mathei, and the claims to compensation of Mr. Kirchner; and stating that you will write further on the subject after again seeing Mr. Mackrell. With reference to your remarks on the proposal to refer the matter to arbitration, I entirely agree in your opinion that this course is not advisable. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. D. Eeid.

No. 21. The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 9th March, 1877. Pritchard, time cannot be extended. Money now be paid or sale lapse. Vogel, London. Atkinson.

No. 22. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 54.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 10th March, 1877. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 39, of 12th January, enclosing a copy of correspondence with Mr. Galbraith, of the Albion Shipping Company. I would draw your attention to letter from your office of date 23rd May last, No. 396, in which you state that Messrs. P. Henderson and Co. had agreed to despatch vessels from the Clyde for Otago on the same terms as those from London, and as this is the same contract, I cannot see how they should now look on it in a different light. The Government reserved the Clyde portion of the contract in this Company's interest, and by reading clause 13 of the contract, I do not see why you should have expressed any doubt to Mr. Galbraith on the matter of the New Zealand Shipping Company having to provide ships from the Clyde on the same terms as those from London. Probably, Mr. Galbraith, imagining that they dealt rather hardly with him hitherto in not giving his Company a share of the London emigration, may wish to make up for it now that he has the opportunity. I cannot agree with Mr. Galbraith with regard to the rates of freight. The rates are the same as those offered by Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co., and were a fair freight at the time, but he looks at them in the light of the present ruling rates, while the companies are fighting, and consequently very low rates are ruling. The Government have no desire to see the shipping trade of New Zealand in the hands of one firm, and will not in any way seek to inflict an injustice on the Albion Shipping Company, who have conducted their business with the Provincial Government of Otago during many years in a way that was highly satisfactory, and for which great credit is due them. You may state that the Government will, before the present contract expires, submit the carrying of emigrants and freight to public competition, when all will be able to compete for it, and if the different companies fairly compete for the work, there is no fear of the Government showing any partiality; they will accept the offer most advantageous. Should, however, the companies combine together to tender at an unreasonable rate, the Government will be quite at liberty to pursue the course they may consider best under such circumstances. I have, &c, Geo. McLean, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (for the Minister for Immigration).

No. 23. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 55.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 20th March, 1877. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the Bth January last, in which you request instructions on a question which has been raised as to the interpretation of the agreement between the Government and the New Zealand Shipping Company, iv case it is desired to send out a smaller number of emigrants than 150. In reply, I have to inform you that the Government is advised that, under clause 3 of the agreement, all emigrants and cargo must be sent by ships of the Company (with certain exceptions which do not concern the present question) ; that under clause 7 the Agent-General cannot require the Company to provide a ship for the conveyance of a less number of emigrants than 150 (except in the cases provided for in clause 6); and that the power to charter a vessel not provided by the Company is only to be exercised in case the Company fails to supply the same when required. I have, &c, Geo. McLean, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (for the Minister for Immigration).

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No. 24. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 58.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 4th April, 1877. I have the honor to forward herewith, for your information, copy of correspondence with the New Zealand Shipping Company, with regard to the refusal of the Albion Company to take up the Clyde emigration. I have, &c, Geo. McLean, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (for the Minister for Immigration).

Enclosure 1 in No. 24. The General Manager, New Zealand Shipping Company, Christchurch, to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. The New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited), Christchurch, Sir,— Bth March, 1877. By the inward mail I received from our London manager a copy of a letter addressed to him on the 12th January last by the Agent-General, informing him that the Albion Shipping Company declined to take up that portion of the emigration contract which you reserved for them in the articles of agreement concluded between the Government and this Company on the sixteenth of November last. Sir Julius Vogel did not say anything in his letter about this Company's duty under the circumstances, and I have daily expected to receive from you an official intimation of the refusal of the Albion Shipping Company to carry the emigrants from the Clyde to the Province of Otago, and of the obligation which now rests on us to do so. But as it is very desirable that by the outgoing mail our manager in London should be in full possession of the views of the Government, and as we are most anxious in every way to meet them, I have the honor to inform you that by the mail now leaving I am instructing our manager to call on the Agent-General, and to intimate that, though this branch of the work is thrown on us both unexpectedly and inconveniently, we shall arrange to meet your demands and wishes in respect to it promptly. And lam instructed by my Directors to suggest, under the circumstances, that we may be permitted to bring the Clyde proper emigrants by rail to London or Plymouth for embarkation at our expense, the Government, as at present, bearing the expense of and transporting the Irish and other emigrants to either London or Plymouth, instead of to the Clyde, for embarkation. I venture to prefer this request because, as a matter of fact, a large number of the emigrants heretofore shipped from the Clyde have first been sent there from England and Ireland, and the course I propose will not entail any extra expense on the Government, while it will facilitate the despatch of our ships under the contract. If you approve my proposition, we shall much appreciate your prompt advices to the Agent-General. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, H. Selwyn Smith, Wellington. General Manager.

Enclosure 2 in No. 24. The Under Secretary for Immigration to the General Manager, New Zealand Shipping Company, Christchurch. Sir,— Immigration Office, Wellington, 17th March, 1877. I have the honor, by direction of the Hon. Mr. McLean, acting for the Minister for Immigration, to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the Bth instant upon the subject of the refusal of the Albion Shipping Company to take up that portion of the emigration contract which was reserved for them in the articles of agreement between the Government and your Company. I have to express to you the thanks of the Government for your remarks, and for the instructions you have so promptly forwarded to your manager in England. 1 have, however, to inform you that the Government cannot accede to your request that your Company should be permitted to bring the Clyde emigrants to London or Plymouth by rail for embarkation. I have, &c, H. Selwyn Smith, Esq., General Manager, J. Giles. New Zealand Shipping Company, Christchurch.

No. 25. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 17th April, 1877. Sloman's claim : Approve proposed settlement. Bank order next mail. Pollen.

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No. 26. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to tho Agent-General, (No. 69.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 25th April, 1877. With reference to your telegram of 17th instant to the. Hon the Premier, I have to inform you that the sum of £9,500 has been imprested to you to meet the payments you have agreed to make to Messrs. Sloman and Mr. Kirchner. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. D. Eeid.

No. 27. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 68.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 26th April, 1877. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th March ultimo, forwarding copy of correspondence with respect to the payment of certain liabilities of the Otago Home agency, and informing me of what you have done with regard to the payment of the salaries. I have to thank you for the information, and to state that the action which you have taken is quite satisfactory. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. D. Eeid.

No. 28. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 79.) Sir,— Immigration Office, Wellington, 30th April, 1877. Eeferring to your letters of the numbers and dates quoted in the margin,* I have the honor to inform you that I agree with you in considering Captain Brown's offer to bring emigrants from New Brunswick to New Zealand better suited to be entertained by a private company than by the Government. Your action in communicating with the Emigrant and Colonist's Aid Corporation upon the subject is accordingly approved. , I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. D. Eeid.

No. 29. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General, (No. 84.) Sir,— Immigration Office, Wellington, 4th May, 1877. With reference to your letter of the 9th January last, No. 16, asking whether there would be a reasonable prospect of employment in the colony for trained hospital nurses, I have the honor to inform you that with the view of giving you the information you desire, I have caused inquiries to be made in different parts of the colony. The general opinion of the medical officers to hospitals seems to be that for the men's wards in colonial hospitals, and for the class of patients generally located there, male attendants and wardsmen are more suitable; and that when trained female nurses are required it is better that they should be specially selected and sent out by some one requested to undertake that office by the hospital authorities. At only one hospital, Nelson, does it appear that this course has actally been adopted. On tho other hand, there seems reason to believe that a demand exists for skilled nurses in private homes, and that in any of the larger towns such persons might reasonably expect that the public would by degrees come to appreciate their services and give them employment. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. D. Eeid.

No. 30. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 89.) Sir,— Immigration Office, Wellington, 16th May, 1877. Eeferring to your letter No. 203, of the Bth March last, inquiring as to the prospect of employment for rabbit-trappers in this colony, I have the honor to transmit, for your information, copy of a memorandum by the Commissioner of Crown Lands at lnvercargill; also copy of a printed " Eeport of the Babbit Nuisance Committee " of last session. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. D. Eeid. * No. 177, 10th February, 1877; No. 198, 6th March, 1877. 3-D. 1.

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Enclosure in No. 30. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Invercargill, to the Under Secretary for Immigration. Crown Lands Office, Invercargill, Bth May, 1877. In reply to your memorandum No. 245, of 27th ultimo, re likelihood of employment for rabbittrappers in this district, I beg to state that if thought necessary I could write to the vaious runholders on the subject, but as I am aware that thousands of pounds are spent yearly by them in payments, at an average rate of 2d. a skin, to men to destroy them with dogs and traps, I think such information should be sufficient to induce any real hard-working trapper to emigrate from England. On the farms nearer Invercargill, or in country adjoining railway stations, the trapper could do well by sending rabbits to town for local consumption or export to Dunedin, 9d. or Is. a pair being obtainable. The best evidence to be adduced by the Agent-General to all inquiries would be the report on the Babbit Nuisance in Southland, by Sir John Eichardson and myself. I have, &c, The Under Secretary for Immigration, Walter H. Pearson, Wellington. Commissioner of Crown Lands.

No. 31. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 92.) Sir,— Immigration Office, Wellington, 18th May, 1877. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your leter No. 111, of February last, and in reply to intimate to you the approval of the Government of the arrangements you have made with Mr. Hill for terminating the lease of the Blackwall depot. I concur with you in thinking that Mr. Hill's offer to allow all the emigrants that may be sent from his Plymouth depot up to 31st March, 1878, to count in reduction of those deficient on the Blackwall contract, and to waive his claim on account of such deficiency until the period named, is a very handsome one, and I shall feel obliged if you will convey to Mr. Hill the thanks of the Government on this account. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. D. Eeid.

No. 32. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 91.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 19th May, 1877. Eeferring to your letter No. 114, of the 7th February last, relating to certain representations made by the New Zealand Shipping Company with respect to the embarkation of emigrants from tho Clyde, and forwarding a memorandum on the subject by Mr. Kennaway, I have the honor to inform you that the " moderate discretion for which Mr. Kennaway contends " appears to be quite consistent with the terms of the agreement between the Government and the New Zealand Shipping Company, and that the exercise of a similar discretion to that which appears to have been used in the case of the two ships " Conflict " and " Jessie Osborne " will meet with the approval of the Government. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. D. Eeid.

No. 33. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 93.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 19th May, 1877. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 174, of the 16th February last, aud to thank you for the careful inquiry which you have instituted into the alleged improper use made of Mr. Moore's agency in the engagement of surgeons for emigrant ships coming to this colony. After reading the papers forwarded by you, I concur with you in thinking that there is no reason to suppose that any officer of your establishment has been in any way improperly influenced by Mr. Moore, and I shall feel obliged by your informing the gentlemen concerned to that effect. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. D. Eeid.

No. 34. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 95.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 22nd May, 1877. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 181, of the 19th of February last, together with a return showing the comparative cost of shipping 150 emigrants from the North

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and South of Ireland, via London, Plymouth, and the Clyde, respectively, and to thank you for the same. This return shows that the Clyde is the most convenient port for emigrants coming from the North, and Plymouth the most convenient for those coming from the South of Ireland. I have therefore to request that you will arrange to send as many as possible from the South of Ireland by way of Plymouth, and from the North of Ireland by way of the Clyde, from which port most of the Scotch emigrants will no doubt also sail. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. D. Eeid.

No. 35. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 97.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 21st May, 1877. Eeferring to your letter of the sth February last on the subject of the Belfast agency, I have the honor to request that you will be good enough to make arrangements for conducting the Belfast agency under the directions of Mr. Ottywell, as proposed in your letter, and for shipping the emigrants from Ireland at the Clyde and at Plymouth respectively. I have, &c. The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. D. Eeid.

No. 36. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 103.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 25th May, 1877. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th April ultimo, .No. 302, enclosing extract from a telegram addressed by you on the same day to the Hon. the Premier, asking for instructions on the subject of immigration. In reply, I now enclose copy of that portion of a telegram sent to you by the Hon. the Premier on the 19th instant, which relates to the subject of immigration. I need not inform you that there is no more desirable class of immigrants to this colony than single women if judiciously selected. The demand for female servants is the one point upon which there is a generai agreement in the reports from all parts of the colony, and I hope you will do what may be m your power to supply to some extent this demand, by sending as large a proportion as possible of suitable single women. In addition to the particulars mentioned in the telegram already sent you, it maybe desirable that you should note some of the points referred to by the Immigration Officers in different places. In Auckland it is reported that there is some demand for bricklayers, masons, carpenters, painters, shepherds, and ploughmen, as well as for a few men accustomed to the coarse potteries. In Wellington difficulty has been found in disposing of married men with families. This no doubt arises partly from the want of accommodation for the families when the men are employed on road work; and it is desirable that as few families of young children as possible should bo sent to Wellington unless they happen to be nominated. In Hawke's Bay the demand is chiefly for single men and women, and it is recommended that the number for this part of the colony should be sent in two ships to arrive in the months of November and December. Iv Dunedin there is a good demand for farm servants, and to a limited extent for carpenters and bricklayers. It is desired that the first ship for Dunedin should arrive as soon after the middle of September as can be arranged. The Immigration Officer at Nelson asks for a supply of twenty-five female servants every three months. With regard to Canterbury, I enclose a copy of a careful statement made by the Immigration Officer there, showing the classes of immigrants that he recommends, and the times suggested for the sailing and arrival of vessels. This statement is based on an estimate of 2,000 immigrants ; but it will assist you in determining the proportions of the different classes. In conclusion, I wish to urge the great desirability of sending nominated immigrants in preference to all others. The suitability of the persons sent out seems more likely to be insured by this system than by any other means, aud I hope you will use every effort to obtain as large a number of nominated immigrants as possible in proportion to the whole number sent out. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Lealand, London. D. Eeid. P.S. —The times of sailing of the ships should be so arranged that none shall arrive in the colony later than February, unless the passengers are nominated.

Enclosure 1 in No. 36. Copy of Telegram, dated 19th May, 1877, Wellington, sent by the Hon. the Premier to the Agent-General. Wellington, 19th May, 1877. Send during year five thousand emigrants. Auckland, four hundred ; Taranaki, one ; Wellington, four ;

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Napier, four; Otago, seventeen, including about three fifty Invercargill; Canterbury, seventeen; Nelson one; Blenheim, one; AVestland, one. Each case large proportion possible single women; balance, ploughmen, farm labourers, shepherds, bricklayers, carpenters. Do not send largo families young children unless nominated. First ships arrive October, none after February. Nominated emigrants preferred. Five thousand total, inclusive Clyde. Atkinson.

Enclosure 2 in No. 36. Extract from Immigration Officer's Eeport, Quarter ending 31st March, 1877. #### # * * # ### The demand for labour at this season of the year is very slack, but I feel assured that this district can readily absorb at least 2,000 during the next twelve months, the majority of the men, however, must be thoroughly qualified farm labourers. If it is arranged that this district should receive that number, I would respectfully suggest the following as the approximate date of sailing and number of immigrants for each ship :—

No. 37. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 117.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 13th June, 1877. Eeferring to your letter No. 59, of the 12th January last, I have the honor to transmit, for your information, copy of a letter from Mr. Smith, General Manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company, covering copy of a letter which he addressed to Mr. Galbraith, Managing Director of the Albion Company, on the 3rd ultimo, respecting certain statements made by that gentleman with reference to the contract of the New Zealand Shipping Company for the conveyance of immigrants and cargo to this colony. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. D. Eeid.

Enclosure in No. 37. Mr. H. S. Smith, to the Hon. Major Atkinson. The New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited), Christchurch, Sir,— 31st May, 1877. After seeing you on the 21st instant, my time was so occupied with the master and passengers of the unfortunate ship " Ocean Mail," that I was unable, before leaving your city, to send you the copy of my letter to Mr. James Galbraith, Managing Director of the Albion Shipping Company, which I now enclose. It is unnecessary for me to comment further on my letter, or on the one addressed by Mr. Galbraith to the Agent-General, which originated it. I am of course sorry that under any circumstances Mr. Galbraith should have written as he has done, undoubtedly to shake your confidence in the Company I have the honor to represent. I have, &c, The Hon. Major Atkinson, Wellington. H. Selwyn Smith.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 37. Mr. H. S. Smith ±o Mr. J. Galbraith. The New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited), Christchurch, Sir,— 3rd May, 1877. In my accompanying letter of even date, bearing upon the general carrying trade between Great Britain aud this colony, I mentioned that I should address you separately on the subject of your letter of the 11th January last to the Agent-General of the colony in London, of which you have sent me a copy.

Ships. Approximate Date of Sailing. Due Date of Arrival. Equal Statute Adults. Single Men. Single Women. Total Statuto Adults. No. of Families. 1st Ship 2nd „ 3rd „ 4th „ 5th „ 6th „ 7th „ June 30 ... August 30 ... September 30 ... October 10... 20... 30 ... November 10 ... September 30 ... November 30 ... December 30 ... January 10 ... 20... 30... February 10 ... 60 120 120 120 120 120 50 80 80 100 100 100 100 80 100 100 80 100 100 100 70 240 300 300 320 320 320 200 20 40 40 40 40 40 20 2,000 The above to include nomii lated immigran ts. Immigration Office, Christ ihurch, 31st Mf irch, 1877. j. e. : i Iarch, [migration Officer.

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It would be unbecoming in me to comment on the portions of your communication which refer alone to your grievances against the Government for accepting the tender of this Company for the conveyance of emigrants and carriage of cargo from Great Britain to-this co'ony, or to the class of ships you have built, and the services you have rendered for and to the people of Otago, or to the manner in which you carried out your various contracts with the Provincial aud General Governments ; but my Directors feel bound to and do take objection to your statement in reference to our contract with the Government of New Zealand, that " the rates for cargo are about 30 per cent, in excess of those now ruling for general mercantile cargo," and that " the New Zealand Shipping Company, under their contract from London, conveyed thousands of tous of Government cargo at rates nearly double those current for general cargo," because it is contrary to the fact ; and I trust you will see well again to communicate with the Agent-General, and to confirm my statement that when the contract was made the rates of freight therein stipulated were considerably lower than those generally current, and that in freights to Otago alone —where, two months after our obtaiuing the contract, your own and Messrs. Shaw, Savill, aud Co.'s line, for a special object, to which I need not here refer, lowered freights beyond all precedent—was there a fall below* tho rates in the Government contract; and, further, that of the thousands of tons of cargo carried by us under the contract, by very far the largest portion was conveyed to Auckland, Bluff Harbour, Lyttelton, and Wellington,'to which ports freights remained in considerable advance of those obtained from the Government. In fact, a very small quantity of cargo has gone to Port Chalmers under our contract ; and yet, notwithstauding this, we have been able, with our " comparatively little connection in that quarter," to load out from London an equal number of ships with yourselves and Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co., though a " Company of recent origin." I am to add that this Company was and is quite prepared for the contingency of your declining the Clyde branch of the contract, and will cheerfully execute it if necessary. I shall feel at liberty to send a copy of this letter to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. I have, &c, James Galbraith, Esq., H. Selwin Smith, Managing Director, Albion Shipping Company. General Manager.

No. 38. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 119.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 14th June, 1877. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23rd of January last, No. 92, with reference to the claim of the New Zealand Shipping Company for payment for extra stores which they placed on board emigrant vessels to this colony. 2. I forward for your information copies of the correspondence noted in the margin with reference to the outstanding claims generally of the New Zealand Shipping Company, from which you will learn the nature of the settlement proposed by the Government after a personal interview with the General Manager of the Company, and a full consideration of the whole subject. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. D. Eeid.

Enclosure 1 in No. 38. Mr. H. S. Smith to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. The New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited), Christchurch, Sir,— 31st May, 1877. In reference to the various claims of this Company on the Government, under our contract for the conveyance of emigrants and cargo, to which I called your attention at our interview on the 21st instant, I have now the honor, as requested by you, to prefer our claim in writing, and I have thought the most convenient form to do so is in the enclosed account, which I submit for settlement, by payment to tho Company of the sum of £3,014 10s. 7d. Iv preferring our demand, I will, with your permission, urge your compliance with it on the following grounds : — 1. As to the stores supplied: There can be no doubt, on reference to the correspondence between the Agent-General aud our London office, that these were supplied at tho request of the former, and that they were in excess of the dietary scale on which our original alteration of the tender price was based, and that they were necessary to conform to the contract tickets previously issued by the AgentGeneral's instructions. I freely admit that our contract, though signed only in November, was retrospective in its operation to Ist May ; but I as confidently submit that if these extra stores, which are outside our contract dietary scale, and supplied as explained, are not to be paid for, the Company is entitled to the full rate per head at which the tender was originally accepted — i.e., £13 17s. 3d., because the reduction from that price to £13 lis. 6d. was made in consideration of our not having to supply what the Agent-General found it necessary to supply in order to keep faith with emigrants holding tickets on which the unrevised dietary scale remained; and I take leave to add that this was the distinct understanding between the Hon. Major Atkinson and myself. I however think that, in consideration of the extension of the term of the contract our maximum price per adult was reduced to £13 165., we are only entitled to the difference between this and the amount already paid to us. Ido not press for the £730 16s. lid., but Ido for the payment of the sum shown to be due in the account, say £586 13s. 9d. 2. Emigrants " Hurunui :" I have set out the items of our claim, and as you were good enough to assent to the justice of our charge for the full fare for those who did not or would not proceed on

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the voyage by the " Hurunui," and were at the Agent-General's request brought out in what we call short ships, 1 shall remark only on tho items of expenditure for outfitting the surgeons of the " Loch Dee" and " Carnatic," necessitated entirely by our compliance with the Agent-General's request; and I trust you will without hesitation admit these claims, which amount in the aggregate to the sum of £1,635 19s. 4d. 3. Demurrages deducted : I beg your careful perusal and consideration of the whole correspondence between our London office and the Agent-General on this subject, about which the AgentGeneral, deciding to exact the demurrage apparently because he thought he had no power to waive it, has left the Company to appeal to you for a reversal of his decision, which I solicit on these grounds : That the delay was not in any case the fault of the Company, but rather the result of a previous recognized and allowed relaxation of one of the clauses of the contract. That the Company has already paid every cost of maintenance of emigrants during the detention, and it cannot be equitable to mulct us in both ways —if we pay the demurrage, the maintenance should be defrayed out of it, or vice versa. I cannot "but hope that under all the circumstances you will remit these demurrage charges, and authorize the payment of the sum of £550. 4. Re "Hurunui," first voyage: To the explanation in the account of this charge, I can add nothing but a request for the payment of the sum actually disbursed by the Company, £241 17s. 6d.; and with great deference I submit and urge that the early payment of the items due to the Company is equitable, without any reference back to England of the matters which have, in pursuance of the agreement, been referred to you by the Agent-General. There is in the aggregate a large amount to be paid to tho Company. 5. Re "Hurunui," expenses in port: Of course, when all these are ascertained and apportioned by the average staters, I shall bring them under your notice. I have, &c, H. Selwtn Smith, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration. General Manager.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 1 in No. 38. The General Government of New Zealand in Account with the New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited). Re the Contract for Conveyance of Emigrants and Cargo, 16th November, 1876. For stores supplied to the order and request of the Agent-General in London to the following ships, and being in excess of the dietary scale prior to its revision at the date of signing contract, 10th November, 1876, but necessary to conform to the tickets issued by order of the Agent-General and to J.l_ _ Tl A _A

the rassenger Act: — Adults. Children. Extra Stores cost £ 8. d. Sept. 8. "Waitara" ... 146 ... 35 ... 49 16 3 „ 16. " Jessie Osborne" 176 ... 50 ... 59 15 6 „ 23. "Hurunui" ... 190 ... 66 ... 62 8 10 „ 30. "Cardigan Castle" 245 ... 69 ... 81 0 8 Oct. 22. "Leicester" ... 247 ... 77 ... 94 3 3 "Waipa" ... 221 ... 54 ... 73 10 6 Nov. 12 "Wiltshire" ... 226 ... 49 ... 84 13 10 „ 27. "Oxford" ... 180 ... 52 ... 61 15 9 Dec. 9. "Fernglen" ... 187 ... 57 ... 73 15 6 „ 17. "Northampton" ... 245 ... 75 ... 89 16 10 2,063 ... 584 ... £730 16 11

If the Government does not pay the cost of these stores, on the ground of the contract price being retrospective to Ist May, 1876, then, in lieu thereof, the Company seeks the then contract, or tender price of, for adults, £13 16s. ; for children, £7 15s. 3d. There has already been allowed on the above £ s. d. 2,063 adults, at the rate per head of ...£l3 11 3 ... 27,979 8 9 Ditto 584 children, at the rate per head of ... 711 Hi ... 4,436 11 6 Together ... £32,416 0 3 The Company then claims the difference £ s. d. £ s. d. between ... ... ... ... £13 11 3 and the first price ... ... ... 13 16 0 on 2,063 adults ... ... ... @ 0 4 9 = 489 19 3 and the difference between ... ... 7 11 11J and the first price ... ... ... 7 15 3 on 584 children ... ... ... @ 0 3 3| = 96 14 6 586 13 9 Carried forward ... ... ... ... ... 586 13 9

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£ s. d. £ s. d. Brought forward ... ~.. ... ... ... 586 13 9 Re Emigrants per " Hurunui: " — Shipped 190 adults, 66 children (one moiety paid in England), say 1,539 9 11 Landed 130 adults, 36 children (one moiety to be paid in colony) — Adults ... ... ... ... @ £6 15 9 882 7 6 Children ... ... ... ... @ 315 6 135 18 0 Per " Loch Dee," 12 adults (to be paid in colony) @ 13 11 6 162 18 0 4 children „ „ @ 711 0 30 4 0 Fitting up, aud cabin fare for surgeon ... ... ... ... 46 11 10 Per " Carnatic," 20 adults (to be paid in colony) @ 13 11 6 27110 0 9 children „ „ @ 711 0 67 19 0 Fitting up for surgeon ... ... ... ... ... 38 11 0 1,635 19 4 Re " Hurunui," first voyage: Emigrants for Taranaki: — This vessel was bound and went to New Plymouth, but owing to boisterous weather could not land the passengers there, and so brought all on to Wellington, to which port the Government had negotiated with the Company for their conveyance, and the Company had consented to bring them on if only Taranaki prices were paid. The actual head money if they had been so lauded would have given the £ s. d. Company ... ... ... ... ... ... 187 7 6 But the Government asked the Company to convey only 107^ adults to New Plymouth, and this service cost the Company actually the amount claimed ... ... ... ... ... ... 241 17 6 Re Demurrage deducted: — The Company seeks to recover the following deduction made by Agent-General: — £ s. d. "Waitara" ... ... 5 Sept. to 8 Sept.—4 days @ £25 ... 100 0 0 " Jessie Osborne" ...12 „ to 14 „ —3 „ @ £25 ... 75 0 0 !'Hurunui" ... ...19 „ to 22 „ —3 „ @ £25 ... 75 0 0 " Cardigan Castle" ...26 „ to 28 „ —3 „ @ £25 ... 75 0 0 "Leicester" ... ... 17 Oct. to 19 Oct.—3 „ @ £25 ... 75 0 0 "Waipa" ... ... 24 „ to 26 „ —3 „ @ £25 ... 75 0 0 "Wiltshire" ... ... 8 Nov. to 10 Nov.—3 „ @ £25 ... 75 0 0 550 0 0 £3,014 10 7 Christchurch, 28th May, 1877. H. Selwyn Smith, General Manager.

Enclosure 2 in No. 38. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to Mr. H. S. Smith. Si E) — Immigration Office, Wellington, 12th June, 1877. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st May, referring to certain unsettled claims of your Company for conveyance of emigrants, &c, and enclosing a statement of account amounting to £3,014 10s. 7d., and urging " that the early payment of the items due to the Company is equitable, without any reference back to England of the matters which have, in pursuance of the agreement, been referred to the Government by the Agent-General." In reply, I have to inform you that the Government has given full consideration to the claim of the Company in respect to the matters in dispute, and, in order to avoid the delay that would be caused by referring the matter again to England, has agreed to pay to the Company here the items which are found to be actually due to it. 1. Extra stores: In reference to this item, I have to state that the Government cannot agree to pay for the extra stores shipped, but seeing that contract tickets had been issued before the Ist of May to a large number of emigrants under the provision scale then in force, and that 2,647 souls were conveyed in your ships under the new contract who were supplied with provisions on the scale previously in force, the Government, considering the equity of the case, have agreed to waive its rights under a strict interpretation of clause 2 of the contract, and to allow the difference on the dietary scale which was supplied as stated in your claim —£586 13s. 9d. 2. Emigrants, " Hurunui: " The Government agree to pay the sums which have been held over iv this account, amounting to £1,635 19s. 4d., less amount of sustenance money payable in England on account of emigrants landed at Weymouth and Plymouth by order of the Board of Trade, and which sum, amounting to £115 19s. 9d., as per statement herewith, is due by the Company. 3. The item conveyance of passengers to Taranaki is agreed to —£241 17s. 6d. In regard to your request that the Government should agree to remit the demurrage charges, I have to inform you that, after full consideration of the arguments so ably urged by you, the Government see no reason to interfere with the decision of the Agent-General. H. S. Smith, Esq., General Manager, I have, &c, New Zealand Shipping Company, Christchurch. D. Eeid. P.S.—On receipt of your account for the items above stated as admitted, it will be at once passed for payment.

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No. 39. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 121.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 20th June, 1877. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th April last, No. 368, detailing very fully the arrangements made for the final settlement of the claims of Messrs. Sloman and Co., and Mr. Kirchner, against this colony. In reply, I have to state that tho negotiations appear to have been very carefully arranged and carried out, and I am pleased to observe that they were discussed in such a moderate manner by both sides. Your action throughout this matter is approved by the Government; and as you were informed by my letter No. 69, of the 25th April last, the amount required for the payment of the claims has been remitted to you. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. D. Eeid.

No. 40. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 122.) Sir,— Immigration Office, Wellington, 20th June, 1877. Eeferring to your letter No. 212, of Ist March last, and to the correspondence respecting reductions in your department, I have now the honor to inform you that while the Government approve of the steps you have already taken to reduce the cost of the department, and of the reductions you have already made therein, it is still of opinion that the expense of the staff is too great. After giving the whole question the most serious consideration, the Government has decided that after the Ist of January next, by which date it is expected that the greater portion of the emigrants ordered will have been despatched, and the work of that branch of your department consequently much decreased, your staff may bo materially reduced. While, therefore, leaving to your decision the alterations and arrangements which may be necessary to reorganize the office, I have to request that you will, as from the Ist of January, 1878, make such reductions as will bring the total cost of the London and Edinburgh agencies to a sum not exceeding £4,000 per annum, exclusive of the salary of the Agent-General. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. D. Eeid.

No. 41. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 127.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 3rd July, 1877. Eeferring to my letter No. 119, of the 14th ultimo, I have the honor to enclose, for your information, copy of a letter from the General Manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company, accepting the terms offered by the Government for the settlement of the claims of that Company against this department. I. have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. D. Eeid.

Enclosure in No 41. Mr. H. S. Smith to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. The New Zealand Shipping Company, Christchurch, Sir,— 22nd June, 1877. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th instant, and, in conformity with the decision of the Cabinet, I beg to hand in the following accounts : — 1. For conveying immigrants per " Hurunui," Wellington to New Plymouth, 1876 _ ... £24117 6 2. For conveying immigrants per "Hurunui" and other vessels to the colony, 1876-77 ... ... ... ... 1,466 410 3. For extra head money as agreed on, 2,063 adults @ 4s. 9d., and 534 children @ 3s. 3id. ... ... ... ... ... 586 13 9 Together ... £2,294 16 1 —for which I beg you will give instructions for the necessary immediate payment; and in accordance with your statement showing the amount of subsistence money paid by the Government on account of emigrants landed ex " Hurunui," at Weymouth and Plymouth, for subsistence money by order of the Board of Trade, I enclose you our cheque, No. 4559, on Bank of New Zealand, £115 19s. 9d. H. Selwyn Smith, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. General Manager. By Authority: Geoeoe Didsbubx, Government Printer, Wellington. —1877. Price Is.]