IMMIGRATION. (REPORTS OF IMMIGRATION OFFICERS FOR YEAR ENDING 30TH JUNE, 1878.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1878 Session I, D-09

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1878. NEW ZEALAND.

IMMIGRATION. (REPORTS OF IMMIGRATION OFFICERS FOR YEAR ENDING 30TH JUNE, 1878.)

Presented to both Souses of the General Assembly by Command of Sis Excellency.

No. 1. The Immigration Officer, Auckland, to the Under Secretary for Immigration. Sir, — Immigration Office, Auckland, 22nd July, 1878. I have the honor to report for your information that 528 Government immigrants arrived in Auckland during the year ended 30th June, 1878; equal to 460! statute adults. 498 came direct from England, and 30 forwarded to other provinces and transhipped to this port by steamers. All the adults found employment in a few days after their arrival. There is still a great demand for good general servants, tailors, shoemakers, plasterers, and potterymen. I have great pleasure in reporting the general good conduct of the immigrants, and the prosperity of many who have in so short a time acquired property for their families by their steady industry. Eighty of the above immigrants were nominated in the Provincial District of Auckland ; and 578 souls, equal to 496 statute adults, have been nominated during the year. I enclose a return showing the arrivals and nominations for the year. The Immigrant Barracks in Auckland and Quarantine Station at Motu Ihi are in a good state of repair. I have, &c, Edward Brophy, The Under Secretary for Immigration, Wellington. Acting Immigration Officer.

Enclosure in No. 1. RETURN OF IMMIGRANTS arrived at AUCKLAND during the Year ending 30th June, 1878.

Ships. Bate of Arrival. Adults. j Children. M. F. Infants. 7 Iot, al Souls. Total Adults. M. F. Australia Columbus Otaki... City of Auckland Mataura Waitara Wairoa 1877. July 28 Aug. 17 Nov. 4 „ 19 3, 20 „ 29 Dec. 10 1878. Jany. 28 „ 28 March 18 2 9 95 1 1 4 1 1 7 84 2 "i 1 3 18 2 6 13 3 i 4 1 6 26 214 6 1 6 1 4! 20! 194! 4! 1 5 1 Apelles Hereford Gainsborough ... 99 3 2 84 4 5 25 5 32 3 6 246 15 7 211! 11 7 Total ... 217 188 52 59 12 528 460! Nationality ¥■ English .rish Scotch Channel Prussian 108 96 11 1 1 2 98 71 15 1 44 5 4 39 10 7 8 2 1 297 184 38 2 1 6 i "i 2 xerman Total 219 186 54 58 11 528 Edw. .RD BE' Acting (PHY, Immi rration O: icer.

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No. 2. The Immigeation Officer, New Plymouth, to the Under Seceetaey for Immigration. Sir, — Immigration Office, Napier, 30th June, 1878. In accordance with your Circular of the 29th May, I have the honor to forward a report upon the subject of immigration to this port for the year ending 30th June, 1878. I attach a return showing the number of immigrants who have arrived during the year. As regards labour the supply has been equal to the demand, except single women, for which there is still a great demand. The Commissioners had to place the ship " Eenfrewshire " in quarantine. The number of nominations for the year was 207 souls, equal to 181! adults ; the number that arrived was 78 souls, equal to 61! adults. I would suggest that immigrants signing promissory notes in England for their children in excess of the number allowed by the regulations should be disallowed, as there is very little chance of the promissory notes being paid. The amount of money collected on account of promissory notes during the year is £185 6s. Od. The sum of £46 15s. 6d. was received for rent on account of Government cottages at Napier and Waipawa. I have, Sec, T. Eox, The Under Secretary for Immigration, Wellington. Immigration Officer.

Enclosure in No. 2. NUMBER of IMMIGRANTS who arrived at Napier from June, 1877, to 30th June, 1878.

No. 3. The Immigration Officer, Napier, to the Undee Seceetary for Immigration. Sic, — Immigration Office, New Plymouth, 27th June, 1878. I have the honor to report on the immigration connected with this district for the yea? ending 30th June, 1878. Number of immigrants, free, assisted, and nominated (as per margin)* have arrived during the year. I am opinion that the immigrants sent to this district are on the whole satisfactory, and have settled down mostly to colonial life in its various phases, giving as a rule satisfaction to their employers, whilst their sobriety and general good conduct command the respect of all. There has been very little sickness amongst the immigrants during the year, and scarcely a crime of any description. Up to the present date there has been no dearth of employment for every one who is willing to work, at very good wages. The railway to Inglewood is a great boon to the settlers. They can obtain the necessaries of life at nearly the same rates as in New Plymouth ; as much as six pounds per ton has been paid for conveyance of goods to Inglewood, about twelve miles. Eoreign immigrants sent to this district are industrious and provident. I think in some particular cases it would be desirable to encourage a limited number of foreigners, especially where it is made clear that the nominators will undertake to arrange for the passages to London, and put the immigrants on board ship without trouble or expense to the Government. I have, Sec, A. Stapp, Bt. Major, The Under Secretary for Immigration, Wellington. Immigration Officef.

* Free ; Souls, 92; Adults, 80. Assisted : nil. Nominated : nil.

Married. Sin; :ic. Chili Iren. Name of Ships. Date of Arrival. Infants. Total Souls. Total Adults. M. F. M. F. M. F. lataura lenfrewshire Columbus* rainsboroughf ... 19th November, 1877 4th January, 1878 4th August, 1877 4th February, 1878 22 30 2 1 21 20 2 1 60 54 7 3 40 48 5 4 18 15 3 1 15 25 6 2 5 5 1 1 182 204 26 13 160! 179 20! 10! 55 54 124 97 37 48 12 425 370! * Via Auckland, f VI d Wellington. T. Fox, Immigration Officer, Na' iier.

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No. 4. The Immigration Officer, Wellington, to the Under Secretary for Immigration. Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 10th July, 1878. I have the honor to forward my report on immigration to this port for the year ending 30th June, 1878. I attach a statement showing the number of ships arrived during the year ; it also gives the manner in which the immigrants were disposed of. There has been little difficulty experienced in placing all the immigrants who arrived. Work has not been quite so brisk since the winter commenced, but Ido not think there have been many without employment. I am informed that the opening up of the railway between Foxton and Wanganui has caused a good demand tor labour in that district, and that with the commencement of spring work of all kinds will be abundant, both in town and country. The demand for single women is, I think, greater than ever. The number of nominations made during the year is 90L, being nearly double the number received last year. Only 188 nominated immigrants availed themselves of the passage orders sent home in their favour. This is a very small proportion to the numbers nominated. lam rather surprised that more do not come out, as in all cases the nominations made personally at this office are by people who state that their friends will be very glad to get passages to the colony. I anticipate that a good many nominated immigrants will come out during the ensuing season, as their friends are continually inquiring when they will be leaving England. The sum of £168 16s. 6d. has been received in advance for passages and outfits of nominated immigrants, and £109 7s. 2d. has been collected on account of promissory notes ; making a total of £1,776 14s. 2d. collected. The value of promissory notes now in my hands is £6,246 7s. 7d. The rent received from immigrants' cottages amounted to £253 lis. I have only one case of quarantine to report, viz., that of the "Zealandia," a private ship, for small-pox. The necessary steps were taken, and everything done to prevent the disease being introduced into Wellington. The measures taken, lam happy to say, were effectual. I have, &o, James B. Eedward, The Under Secretary for Immigration, Wellington. Immigration Officer.

Enclosure in No. 4. RETURN of IMMIGRANTS arrived in Wellington from Ist July, 1877, to 30th June, 1878.

No. 5. The Immigration Officer, Blenheim, to the Under Seceetary for Immigeation. Sir, — Immigration Office, Blenheim, 4th July, 1878. I have the honor to forward my report for the year ended 30th June, 1878. The total number of immigrants introduced into this district during the past year is 96, beino3 46 by the " Waitara," on the 25th November, 1877, and 50 by the " Gainsborough," on the sth March 1878. They may be classed as follows : —Married men, 16 ; married women, 16; single men 23 • single women, 23 ; children, 18. Total, 96. The most of the men were farm labourers, and met with employment within a short time of arrival at a full rate of wages. This class of labour is still in demand, although it is now winter • more so than at the corresponding season in any former year since the settlement of the district. When summer comes it may be expected that there will be a scarcity of men for shearing and harvest. Eemale domestic servants are still much wanted, supply never being equal to demand. I have, &c, Cyrus Goulter, The Under Secretary for Immigration. Immigration Officer,

Total .rrived. Col< Nomi: snial lated. Emigre Colonic Corpo; tut and it's Aid ration. Forwai other •ded to Ports. Paid own Passage to] other. Ports. Renu aining in ugton. 1 Welli] Name of Ships. Souls. Adults. Souls. Adults. Soula. Adults. Souls. Adults. Souls. Adults. Souls. Adults. Jity of Madras Vaikato, to Christchurch Vaimate, to Christchurch Vairoa lurunui lereford, to Christohurch Jarnatic, to Christchurch t-ainsborough Vaikato, to Christchurch 34 7 48 199 186 5 4 99 4 24j 5 381 1741 171 41 3 871 4 2 3 Ii 21 32 23 34 7 48 191 181 5 4 02 4 24i 5 381 168 166 41 3 801 4 57 67 5 4 46 4 49| 591 4| 3 381 4 48 17 15 381 101 11 "3 "8 2 '"61 2 3 "e "5 '"7 "V Totals 586 5121 188 163i 118 88 10 10 10 81 566 494

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No. 6. The Immigration Offices, Nelson, to the Undee Seceetaey for Immigration. Sir, — I have the honor to report that, during the year, only two vessels arrived at this port with immigrants, viz.: The '• Waitara " with 214 souls, equal to 192 adults ; and the " Gainsborough " with 252 souls, equal to 219! adults ; making a total of 446 immigrants, consisting of 54 married couples, 130 single men, 141 single women, and 87 children. Of this number 108 remained in Nelson, and 358 were transhipped to other parts of the colony, as under: To Marlborough, 93; Westland, 141; Auckland, 6 ; Canterbury, 15 ; Wellington, 77 ; Wanganui, 9; Hawke's Bay, 17. With regard to future immigration, I have to report that there is no demand for labourers in this district. During the past year many men found it difficult to obtain sufficient work to maintain their families. I am, therefore, again obliged to recommend a discontinuance of free immigration to Nelson for a time, excepting nominated immigrants and female servants. -Of this latter class there is a great want, and I can strongly recommend the introduction of at least 100 or 120 during the next twelve months, say, 25 or 30 every three months. They would readily find employment at wages ranging from Bs. to 12s. per week. Immigrants' Land Act. The value of scrip registered in this office under the above Act is £700, and the holders thereof complain that they are unable to make any use of it, as there is no law in force here under which they can exercise it. I have, therefore, to repeat the suggestion made in my report of last year, that bond fide settlers, after a residence of, say, two or three years in the district, should be entitled to exercise their scrip as cash in the purchase of land within that district, either at auction or otherwise, and not be restricted to purchase under the deferred-payment clauses. Ninety-eight nominations have been received during the year. The rates of wages have not altered since my last report. I have, Sec, Alfred Greenfield, The Under Secretary for Immigration. Immigration Officer.

No. 7. The Immigration Officer, Christchurch, to the Under Secretary for Immigration. Sir, — Immigration Office, Christchurch, 30th June, 1878. I have the honour to submit for the information of the Hon. the Minister for Immigration the following report upon the immigration operations in the District of Canterbury for the year ending 30th June, 18787— 1. Labour Demand and Supply. —There has been a steady and increasing demand throughout the year for almost every description of labour required in the district. In the case of carpenters, ploughmen, and general farm hands the demand has been much greater than the supply, and I anticipate no difficulty in at once placing those to arrive during the coining season. Since Ist July last ten ships have arrived direct to Lyttelton with immigrants conveying 2,105 souls, equal 1,878 statute adults, as against 2,014 souls equal 1,738 statute adults introduced during the previous year. Tne total number of immigrants introduced into the district since the passing of the Immigration and Public Works Act has beeii 23,449 souls, equal 19,681 statute adults. The followiug is the return of the ships conveying immigrants during the past year, showing date of arrival, length of passage, number shipped, number landed, and the births and deaths on the passage : —

No. S: :ipped. No. Lauded. Name op Ship. Date op Aeeivae. DATS OUT. BlSTHS. Deaths. Souls. Adults. Souls. Adults. Waikato Waimate Waitangi Eangitikei Eakaia 1877. July 26 Sept. 3 Oct. 4 Nov. 9 Dec. 10 1878. Jan. 3 Jan. 19 Feb. 1 Eeb. 13 Mar. 12 82 88 81 89 93 143 48 258 277 294 127 38! 226 J 249! 273 145 48 260 278 292 127 38! 226*249! 271! 2 2 1 2 Opawa Hereford Carnatic Wanganui Loch Cree 98 80 88 80 98 290 336 195 241 23 252 300! 177 221! 15! 288 337 195 239 23 251! 300! 177 220 J15! 1 1 3 2 2,105 1,881 2,105 1,878 This number is classified as follows : — 215 families, comprising 833 souls Single men :.. Single women = 606 statute adults 663 609 Total 2,105 souls -1,878

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The following is a return of the trades and occupations of the immigrants introduced : — Males. —Farm labourers, 655 ; ploughmen, 19; gardeners, 7 ; general labourers, 36 ; shepherds, 15 ; carpenters and joiners, 57 ; blacksmiths, 4 ; dairymen, 3 ; coach builders, 3 ; grooms, 4 ; carters, 2 ; iron worker, 1; bricklayers, 7 ; engine drivers, 2 ; warehouseman, 1 ; joiners, 3 ; cooper, 1 ; painters, 2 ; plasterer, 1 ; woolsorter, 1 ; miller, 1 ; railway servants, 2 ; coachmen, 2 ; wagon smith, 1; millwright, 1; shipwrights, 2 ; plumber, 1; paper makers, 2 ; bakers, 3. Total male labourers, 838. Females. —General servants, 374 ; farm servants, 16 ; cooks, 26 ; housemaids, 53 ; dairymaids, 33; nurses, 24; nursemaids, 7 ; dressmakers, 5 ; kitchenmaid, 1 ; machinists, 2 ; parlourmaids, 5 ; housekeepers, 8 ; lady's maid, 1; laundry maid, 1; tailoress, 1; paper maker, 1; weaver, 1; teacher, 1. Total female labour, 560. The nationality is as under :■ —English, 971; Irish, 974 ; Scotch, 117 ; Welsh, 26 ; Channel Islands, 7 ; Germans, 6 ; Italians, 3 ; Dutch, 1. Total, 2,105 souls. 2. Character and Suitability of Immigrants. —The immigrants introduced have been (with two or three exceptions) of good character, and suitable for the requirements of the district. 3. Rates of Wages. —Married couples for farms and stations, £55 to £65 per annum, and found ; married men with families, ss. to 6s. per day, with cottage ; grooms and coachmen, £45 to £52 per annum, and found ; shepherds, £50 to £60 per annum, and found ; gardeners, £50 to £60 per annum, and found ; single men for farms and stations, £40 to £52 per annum, and found; masons, bricklayers, carpenters, plasterers, blacksmiths, coopers, pattern makers, wheelwrights, coachmakers, and plumbers, 10s. to 12s. per day ; shoemakers and tailors, Bs. to 10s. per day; general labourers, ss. to Bs. per day. Single women (domestic servants): cooks, £30 to £40 per annum, and found; general servants, £25 to £30 per annum, and found. 4. Nominated System. —The nominated system is working very satisfactorily. The total number of nominations taken in this district for the past year was 1,358 souls, equal to 1,218 statute adults, as against 954 souls, equal to 875 statute adults for the previous year. 5. Special Settlements. —No special settlements have been formed in this district during the past year. 6. Recovery of Bills and Promissory Notes. —The total amount collected on immigration during the past year has been £2,238 os. 9d., as under: —On bills and notes, £1,075 ss. 7d. ; provincial notes, £482 35.; passages in advance, £417 45.; rents, £240 Bs.; miscellaneous, £23 os. 2d. Total, £2,238 os. 9d. I have, Sec, J. E. Maech, The Under Secretary for Immigration, Wellington. Immigration Officer.

No. 8. The Immigration Officer, Hokitika, to the Under Seceetaey for Immigration. Sir, — Immigration Office, Hokitika, Bth July, 1878. I have the honor to forward, for your information, the following report of the Immigration Department, Westland District, for the year ending 30th June, 1878 : —■ The number of nominations received at this office was 220 souls, equal to 208 adults, being an increase of twenty-five adults on the previous year. The nominations are divided as follows:—Married couples, 17 ; single men, 81; widows, 3 ; single women, 77 ; widowers, 2 : the occupation of some of whom are as follows : —Tinsmiths, 2 ; carpenters, 3; labourers, 32; farm labourers, 51; domestic servants, 64 ; printers, 2 ; miners, 2 ; bootmakers, 3 ; cook, 1; dressmakers, 3 ; dairymaids, 3 ; housemaids, 3 ; nurses, 3. The number of immigrants who arrived in the district was 120, of whom 44 were nominated, who, with the exception of some foreigners for Jacksons Bay, immediately on arrival were taken away by their friends. Of the Government immigrants, all the single men and women obtained employment shortly after arrival, but there was considerable difficulty in obtaining situations for married couples ; and I would recommend that no married couples, unless nominated, be sent to Westland, as this not being an agricultural district employment of that kind is hard to obtain. Single men, and especially single women, can obtain employment easily, in fact, the latter are in great demand as domestic servants, nurses, Sea. I have to report the depots at Hokitika and Greymouth being in good order, although at the latter place the ground around the building requires draining. I have, Sec, Wm. Alexander Spence, Immigration Officer, Westland District. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington.

No. 9. The Immigration Officer, Dunedin, to the Under Seceetaey for Immigration. Sir,— Immigration Office, Dunedin, 30th June, 1878. I have the honor to furnish, for the information of the Hon. the Minister of Immigration, my annual report relating to immigration to this port, for the year ending 30th June, 1878 : — During the season seven immigrant ships have arrived, six being direct to Port Chalmers, and one o Bluff Harbour. The total number introduced has been 1,645 souls, equal to 1,488 statute adults; of his number 260 souls, equal to 233 statute adults, were introduced under the nominated system.

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I append a return of the ships conveying immigrants during the year, date of arrival, nationality of immigrants, and births and deaths on the passage. The demand for labour during last year was even better than in any former year of my experience in this part of the colony. The labouring classes of the community were fully employed, both in town and in the country districts. The immigrants introduced were of good character, and, upon the whole, suitable for our requirements. The rates of wages now ruling are as follows : —Married couples, for farms and stations, £65 to £80 per annum, and double rations ; ploughmen, £55 to £60 ; farm servants, £52 to £55 ; gardeners, £55 to £60; common labourers, 6s. to Bs. por day. Female servants: cooks, £10 to £50 ; general servants, £30 to £35. The nominated system continues to work satisfactorily. The number of nominations received at this office for the past year was 908 souls, equal to 797 adults ; at Invercargill, 423 souls, equal to 387! adults; and at Oamaru 110 souls, equal to 101 adults ; making a grand total for this provincial district of 1,441 souls, equal to 1,285! adults. The nominations taken have been chiefly confined to farm servants, general labourers, and female domestic servants. During the season two ships were placed in quarantine —one for scarlatina, and the other for typhoid and typhus fever. The health of the immigrants on the voyage was generally very good, and the deaths much below the average. The amount collected on account of promissory notes during the past year has been £200 17s. 6d., and received for passages and outfit, £375 7s. 2d. I have, &c, Colin Allan, The Under Secretary for Immigration, Wellington. Immigration Officer.

No. 10. The Immigration Officee, Invercargill, to the Undee Seceetaey for Immigeation. Sic, — Immigration Office, Invercargill, 3rd July, 1878. I have the honor to furnish, for the information of the Hon. Minister for Immigration, my annual report for the year ending 30th day of June, 1878, respecting matters in this locality, which I will touch on summarily in detail. 1. Shipment of Immigrants. —Two shipments of immigrants have arrived at the Bluff during the past season, the first the " Marlborough," arrived on the 4th day of November, 1877, bringing 182 souls, equal to 172! adults ; these were landed at the Bluff under the superintendence of Mr. Colin Allan, Immigration Officer for Otago, and handed over by that gentleman to me at the depot. They were a fair class, being apparently morally and physically healthy; the single women were not however servants, but principally factory girls, and those who had never been out to service ; among thirty-six women there were only three that could be classified as experienced servants. The " Oamaru" arrived on the 13th day of January, 1878; her people were landed under my charge, and were seventy-five in number, equal to 70 adults. There were thirteen single women, one of whom landed on the eve of her confinement; the same fault was observable with these as with the former shipment. 2. Nomination System. —The nomination system has worked well during the last twelve months. I have used my discretion in accepting nominations, rejecting many I thought unsuitable, or where I thought representation was not true. The amount nominated for the year ending 30th June, 1878, amounted to 378 souls, equal to 348 adults. 3. Revenue. —Eevenue received during the year has amounted to £95 125., passages of nominated immigrants over the prescribed age ; collected on promissory notes, £32 13s. 3d.; rent of immigrant's cottages, £2 6s. From this last source no more revenue will be derived, they having been sold.

Enclosure'in No. 9. Eetuen of Immigeants arrived in Dunedin for the y> iar endi ing 30th June, 1878. Name op Ship. Date Total Aeeived. Souls. Adults. Nominated. BlETHS. Nationality. Deaths. - English. Irish. Scotch. Abeivai. Souls. Adults. W. Fleming Marlborough Waipa Canterbury... Oamaru Piako Wellington ... Wild Deer ... Wm. Davie... 1877. Oct. 3 Nov. 4 „ 21 Doc. 29 1878. Jan. 13 Feb. 5 „ 6 April 3 June 21 248 183 212 202 261 166 297 6 10 218! 170! 191 239 240 145! 271 5 7^ ' 2 75 18 50 31 56 8 10 6 6 64! 15 43 27 47! 7! 9 5 4! 1 3 2 2 2 3 2 1 29 11 85 19 36 135 38 114 99 88 165 160 32 171 6 106 73 41 78 65 "2 86 6 4 Total 1,645 1,488 260 223 10 359 835 453 Colin Al: Im: ,AN, nigratii m Offii :er.

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4. Labour in the District. —The prospects of labour for the ensuing season are good compared with past times ; there is at present a great outcry for labour in the agricultural districts. It must however be borne in mind that this demand is fluctuating, and only at certain periods, but a steady stream of suitable immigrants well selected will be absorbed by this district for many years to come. Many respectable people who emigrate are unsuitable for the colony, in many cases from their want of physical strengthen others from their calling ; and to the difficulty which these parties have in finding and keeping employment is greatly owing the cry of want of work. In conclusion, I may state that I have no doubt we shall be able to absorb the proportion of immigrants allotted to the district this season by the Government. I have, Sec, H. Vernon Lillicrop, The Under Secretary for Immigration, Wellington. Immigration Officer.

By Authority: Geokiw, Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB7B. Price 6d.]