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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1879 Session I, D-01

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1879. NEW ZEALAND.

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

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

SCHEDULE OF CORRESPONDENCE.

JUJI \J. NEW ZEALAND. EMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND. (LETTERS TO THE AGENT-GENERAL.) Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency. Schedule of Correspondence. No. Date. Sul.jeut. Page. i 1878. July 23 Forwarding letter from Chairman of the Canterbury College relative to the School of Agriculture ... Forwarding copy of circular re acceptance of nominations for free passages ... Acknowledging receipt of copy of Social Notes, and thanks Agent-General for his services in making known the resources of the colony Forwarding copy of Estimates for 1878-79 re vote for Agent-General's Department Eelalive to the proposed bonus for sugar beet Approves action in utilizing Baron de Router's Agency re additional emigrants Introducing Mr. JeH'reys to assist in promoting emigration Forwarding letter from Rev. C. S. Ogg relative to the introduction of Canadian axemen... As to inferior class of some vessels employed to convey emigrants Reporting wreck of the " City of Auckland " Acknowledging copy of a, letter from Mr. Hollo way relative to system of nomination Acknowledging coin' of a letter from Dr. G. J. Potts relative to obtaining emigrants from Canada With letter from Rangitikei Highway Board asking for 300 labourers To send additional emigrants... Forwarding extract from Taranaki Herald relative to demand for labour Relative to accepting nominations for foreign emigrants Forwarding supply of " Historical Sketch of Olago." Relative to employing steamer to convey 600 emigrants. As to shipping of rails ... Relative to remuneration of Surgeon-superintendents after five voyages Mr. G. M. Reed appointed Emigration Agent 2 3 August 7 August 12 1 1 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 u 12 August 12 September 11 September 30 October 2 November 1 6 November 8 November 1G November IS 2 2 8 3 3 3 4 4 7 18 M L6 L6 17 November 22 November 30 December 4 December 4 December 21 7 S S 8 9 IS 19 December 23 December 24 1879. January 4 January 13 January 29 January 29 February 4 9 10 11 20 21 22 28 84 Report on the ship " Hermione " Acknowledging letter reporting ship " Piako " having put into Pernambueo ... With letter from Rangitikei Highway Board re demand for agricultural labourers With letter from Westport Colliery Company asking for miners to be sent out Acknowledging letter re employment of lecturers, and as to giving information as to price of land in the colony Introducing Mr. Clements to assist in promoting emigration To send agricultural labourers selected by agent of Mr. Murray, M.H.R. ... Introducing Mr. Sutherland, to assist in promoting emigration ... Introducing Mrs. Hart, to assist in procuring domestic servants... Introducing Mr. Feger, to assist in promoting emigration To send increased nnmber of emigrants ... Further as to introduction of coal miners Further as to Rev. Mr. Ogg's suggestion to introduce Canadian axemen Introducing Rev. J. Skinner, to assist in promoting emigration ... With correspondence relative to the ship " Piako " ... With correspondence relative to the ship " Boyne "... Instructed to tako steps to prevent persons who have been in [the colony availing themselves of the regulations for free passages As to remuneration of Surgeon-superintendents (Telegram) To ship 1,000 emigrants during winter... To send 2,000 emigrants during next season Acknowledging letter relative to Mr. Simmons' visit to the colony Reporting arrival of s.s. " Stad Haarlem," and correspondence in connection with that vessel Mr. Clayden to be employed to lecture on emigration to New Zealand Relative to inquiry by Board of Trade as to official inspection of emigrants at Plymouth Relative to Mr. Clayden's expenses Further as to the introduction of coal miners Introducing Mr. G. Kennerley, to assist in promoting emigration Introducing Mr. J. Bathgate, to lecture on emigration to New Zealand Further as to remuneration of Surgeon-superintendents As to large sums still paid as commissions to local agents As to large number of applicants. Proposal for Mr. G. M. Reed to be Agent in the North of Ireland. To employ a shorthand writer Acknowledging letter relative to delay of New Zealand Shipping Company in providing cargo ships Approves Mr. G. M. Reed being appointed Agent in the North of Ireland ... 11 18 18 14 SB M 27 2S 21) 80 81 32 88 31 88 86 February 18 February 18 February 24 February 26 February 26 March 1 March 6 March 11 March 25 March 25 March 29 March 29 14 ir> 15 15 i:> 15 IB 16 16 17 17 2a 87 3S 39 40 41 April 7 April 8 April 18 April 24 April 26 25 25 25 25 25 42 48 M 45 ■1G 47 ■1S 49 50 May 2 May 5 May 7 May 9 May 15 May 15 May 21 May 21 June 2 25 28 » 2f> 29 30 80 30 31 51 June 2 31 ai 52 June 7

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1879. NEW ZEALAND.

IMMIGEATION TO NEW ZEALAND. (LETTERS TO THE AGENT-GENEEAL.)

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

No. 1. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. Sib— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 23rd July, 1878. Referring to my letter of the 12th instant,* in which I informed you that your suggestion as to sending young men to the School of Agriculture, about to be established at Canterbury, would be communicated to tho promoters of the institution, I have now the honor to enclose copy of a letter, dated the 16th instant, from the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Canterbury College, which affords full information respecting the proposed school. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. Macandrew.

Enclosure in No. 1. The Chaieman, Canterbury College, to the Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation. Sir— Canterbury College, Christchurch,N.Z., 10th July, 1878. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 12th instant, with the accompanying extracts from recent correspondence with the Agent-General in London, with reference to young men in Great Britain availing themselves of the facilities offered by the School of Agriculture at Christchurch, for acquiring a practical knowledge of agricultural pursuits in this colony. In reply, I beg to state, for your information, that a School of Agriculture is now being established in this provincial district, at which instruction will be given to young men desirous of engaging in agricultural pursuits. The Board has purchased a farm of 402 acres within fifteen miles of Christchurch, near the Lincoln Railway Station. The quality of the soil varies from rich swamp land to a light loam, being admirably adapted for an experimental farm. A gentleman has been engaged as director, who has had large experience in practical farming, aud is also well qualified to give the students the scientific instruction required. A plan has been prepared, and tenders called for the buildings. There will be accommodation for twenty students, with laboratory, lecture-hall, &c. The charge for boarding will be £50 per annum for each student. It is expected that the buildings will be completed and ready to receive students within twelve months. I nave» &c> The Hon. the Minister for Immigration. W. Montgomeey, Chairman.

No. 2. The Hou. the Ministee for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. Sib,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 7th August, 1878. Referring to your letter of the sth June last (No. 495), I have the honor to enclose for your information a copy of "a circular which has been addressed to Immigration Officers throughout the colony, respecting the acceptance of nominations for free passages. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Robeet Stout. *No. 26, D.-1., 1878. I—D. 1.

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Enclosure in No. 2. Circular Memorandum to Immigeation Officees. Immigration Office, Wellington, 27th July, 1878. By direction of the Hon. Minister for Immigration I enclose for your information copy of a letter dated sth June, No. 495, received from the Agent-General by the last mail, and I am to request you to be good enough to carry out the suggestions therein, with reference to the receipt of nominations for free passages to this colony. The Minister desires me to add that he is personally aware that nominations have been accepted which should have been refused, and I am to impress upon you the necessity of exercising the greatest care in accepting nominations for the future. 6 H. J. H. Eliott, Under Secretary for Immigration.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 2. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Ministee tor Immigration. Sic, — 7, AVestminster Chambers, London, S.W., sth June, 1878. I have the honor to inform you that, in some cases of persons nominated by their friends in the colony, the description given as to the age, occupation, &c, of the nominees, differs in one or more particulars from that furnished by themselves when they apply for passages, and, as a rule, in such cases I decline to entertain the application. I shall, as I have hitherto done, report each individual case to you. As the result of such mis-description causes, in some cases, much disappointment and some hardship, I think it right to draw your attention specially to the matter, in order that the persons who nominate may be cautioned to take care and give as precise and correct information as possible as to the ages, occupations, positions, &c, of their friends whom they wish to emigrate. I would venture, also, to suggest, that the persons nominating should be called upon to give some reason why they think their friends would benefit themselves by coming to New Zealand. For instance, they might state whether they can give them employment on arrival, or whether they consider that their friends would be certain to find employment in the district to which they are invited to come. In the case of parents, nominated by their children in the colony, the persons nominated should, I think, state whether they are prepared to receive and maintain them if necessary. This information might be given in the column headed " Remarks " in the nomination list. If the reasons for nominating arc thus noted on the nomination list sent to me, they would often, I believe, assist me materially in deciding cases where there happens to be discrepancies in the description given in the colony and that given to me by the intending emigrants. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Agent-General.

No. 3. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigration to the Agent-General. Sic,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 12th August, 1878. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th June, No. 511, and, in reply, to thank you for the copy of the periodical called Social Notes, which accompanies it. I take this opportunity of again expressing the thanks of the Government to you for your numerous efforts in bringing the resources of the colony prominently under the notice of intending emigrants and others who desire to make New Zealand their future home. The Library Committee will be recommended to have the periodical referred to supplied to the General Assembly Library. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Robeet Stout.

No. 4 The Hon. the Ministee for Immigration to the Agent-Geneeal. Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 12th August, 1878. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 18th June last, No. 517*, with reference to the expenditure of the Agent-General's Department in the United Kingdom, and, in reply, to transmit for your information copy of the Estimates for the financial year 1878-9, from which you will learn that it is proposed to obtain a vote of £1,000 for the purpose, that sum being charged against Consolidated Revenue, instead of Loan as heretofore. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Robeet Stout. *No. 2, D.-2b., 1878.

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No. 5. The Hon. J. Macandrew to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 11th September, 1878. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th June last, No. 500,* with reference to the proposed bonus on the manufacture of sugar-beet in this colony, and, in reply, to inform you that it has been printed and laid before the General Assembly. AVith reference to your remarks, I would observe that a proposal is now before tho Legislature for the reduction of the duty on sugar by one half-penny per pound, and, in all probability, before the close of next session the duty will be altogether remitted, and that article admitted free. There would also be no objection on the part of tho Government to modify the terms and conditions set forth in the advertisement, in the direction indicated by you, in the event of any bond fide application being made which would justify such modification. I have, &c, J. Macandeew, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (for the Minister for Immigration.)

No. 6. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic,— Immigration Office, AVellington, N.Z., 30th September, 1878. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter (No. 721), of the 15th August, aud to convey to you my approval of the action you have taken in availing yourself of Baron de Reuters Telegraphic Agency by causing information— re additional emigrants —to be inserted in the newspapers. I have, <fee, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Robert Stout.

No. 7. The Hon. the Minister for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic,— Immigration Office, AVellington, N.Z., 2nd October, 1878. I have the honor to enclose copy of a letter from the Under Secretary for Immigration to Mr. Julius F. Jeffreys, a settler of some thirty years standing in Otago, and I shall be obliged by you availing yourself of his services in promoting emigration to this colony. I have not thought it necessary to make any definite arrangements with Mr. Jeffreys as to the terms of his engagement, as I am of opinion that more satisfactory terms can be made by you after seeing him. I have, &c., The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Robeet Stout.

Enclosure in No. 7. The Undee Seceetaet for Immigeation to Mr. Jeffeets. Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 2nd October, 1878. As the Hon. the Minister for Immigration understands that you are about visiting the United Kingdom, and that you are desirous of aiding in promoting emigration to the colony, I am directed to inform you that the Agent-General will be requested by the next mail to avail himself of your services, upon such terms as you may mutually arrange. I have, &c, V H. J. H. Eliott, Julius F. Jeffreys, Esq., AVellington, Under Secretary for Immigration, or Box 150, Dunedin.

No. 8. The Hon. the Minister for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic,— Immigration Office, AVellington, N.Z., Ist November, 1878. I have the honor to transmit herewith, copy of a letter received from the Rev. C. S. Ogg, of this place, asking if a party of Canadian axemen and joiners would be provided with free passages from Plymouth to this colony, on their paying their fares to that port; and to request you will be good enough to grant passages from Plymouth to such Canadiaus (with their families, if any), of the right class, who make personal application to you. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Robeet Stout. *No. 3, D.-2a., 1878.

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Enclosure in No. 8. The Rev. Mr. Ogg to the Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation. Sir,— AVellington, 29th October, 1878. By the last mail via San Francisco I received a letter from a man, William Sinclair, a master shipwright, residiug at Miramichi, New Brunswick, Canada, stating that he and his family, and along with him a number of Canadian axemen and joiners, would like to try their fortunes in New Zealand, and inquiring if he and a party, with their wives and families, could have free passages to New Zealand from Plymouth, if they could pay their own way from America to that port. Mr. Sinclair is a man of great respectability, a native of the Island of Stronsay, Orkney, and possessed of considerable influence among the working classes in his locality. AVould the Government grant a free passage from Plymouth to Sinclair and a party from Canada, proper guarantees being given that the immigrants from that colony should be of the proper stamp. I have, &c, Ciiaeles S. Ogg, Minister of St. Andrew's Church, Wellington. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration.

No. 9. The Hon. J. Macandeew to the Agent-Geneeal. Sir,— Immigration Office, AVellington, N.Z., 6th November, 1878. Iv acknowledging the receipt of your monthly report for August, I have the honor to call your attention to the fact of inferior vessels being employed iv the conveyance of emigrants to this colony. I refer especially to the "Edwin Fox" and the"" Adamant," which are old, and not of the class of ships belonging to the New Zealand Shipping Company. The Government think that at present charter rates, and the large number of superior vessels available, you should not experience much difficulty iv securing vessels of a superior description to those above referred to. I have, &c, J. Macandeew, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (for the Minister for Immigration.)

No. 10. The Hon. J. Macandeew to tho Agent-Geneeal. Sic,-- Immigration Office, AVellington, N.Z., Bth November, 1878. I have the honor to enclose for your information copies of the under-mentioned documents relating to tho ship " City of Auckland," which was unfortunately wrecked at Otaki, on the AVest Coast of this Island, on the night of the 22nd October. 1. Report of Under Secretary for Immigration. 2. Report of Surgeon-superintendent. 3. Lists of births and deaths during the voyage. Tou will learn with regret that the immigrants by this vessel arc, as a whole, not very favourably reported upon, and that a great deal of trouble and annoyance was caused by the misconduct of many of the single men. It is needless for me to impress upon you again the desirability of the greatest care being exercised in the selection of immigrants, and that due regard should be given to their characters, as well as to their physical qualifications. With regard to the nationalities, 1 must refer you to Mr. Stout's letter of the 3rd October,* in which the proportions of persons to be sent from England, Ireland, and Scotland respectively, are given. And the Government desire that you will strictly adhere to those instructions, which I again repeat for your information : " Assume that the total number of emigrants to be sent is fourteen— then, if seven came from England and Wales, four from Ireland, and three from Scotland, the proportion would be fair." I find that the nationalities of the 215 immigrants by the " City of Auckland " were as follows : — English, 88 ; Irish, 118 ; Scotch, 28. I desire to call your attention to the necessity of greater care being exercised in the medical examination and inspection of the immigrants ; as in this vessel there was a dangerous lunatic amongst the single men. Ido not mean to say that each immigrant should undergo so minute an examination as though ho or she were being passed for life insurance; but it appears to me that, were tho agents, surgeons, depot masters, matrons, and others employed in tho selection and despatch of emigrants fully alive to their duties, many undesirable persons would be prevented from emigrating to this colony. I find that in one case, of S • R , who was to have come out in the " AVaitangi," the colony was saved the burthen of maintaining a girl reported to be "deficient in ordinary mental capacity," through the timely interference of the Surgeon-superintendent, Dr. Ross. Those cases of lunacy are alarmingly upon the increase amongst immigrants to this colony, and I must desire you to give the question your earnest consideration. Another case has occurred amongst the immigrants by the "Rakaia," which arrived at this port on the Bth ultimo, a single woman named B M having been committed to the Lunatic Asylum on the 31st ultimo. Another class of undesirable persons who take advantage of the Immigration Regulations is that of single women who come on board the vessel enceinte, and are confined before the voyage is over. It would appear that there should be little or no difficulty in detecting cases of this nature, if the * D.-la., 1878.

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matron in charge of the depot were even an ordinarily intelligent person, even though they escaped the medical inspection. Knowing, as I do, the great interest which you take in the future welfare of the colony, I feel assured that it is only necessary to point out these cases to you in order to insure their receiving your gravest consideration and attention. A case of a singlo woman being confined occurred also in the " Rakaia," as well as in the " City of Auckland." You will be pleased to learn that the Natives and Europeans behaved in the most liberal manner towards the shipwrecked immigrants, rendering them such comfort and relief as it was in their power to afford. And the Immigration Officer at Napier informs me that in a few hours the sum of £150 was subscribed iv that town, for the purpose of providing necessary articles of clothing until the immigrants' luggage, which it is anticipated will all be saved, reaches there. This appears to me to be a fitting opportunity for bringing the conduct of the Natives prominently under the notice of the British public, as it will tend to set right the misconception existing amongst the working classes at Home with reference to the Native character, and which must have been greatly increased lately by the absurd report as to missionaries being killed and eaten by Natives in New Zealand. You will observe that the Surgeon-superintendent is not again recommended for re-employment should he apply for a ship, aud that special inquiry as to the appointment of the matron is suggested. I have, &c, J. Macandrew, Tho Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (for the Minister for Immigration.)

Enclosure 1 in No. 10. The Under Seceetaet for Immigration to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sir,— Immigration Office, AVellington, 28th October, 187 S. I have the honor to report my arrival from the scene of the wreck of tho " City of Auckland," at Otaki. I left Wellington by the " Hinemoa " on AVednesday last, and arrived at Otaki that evening. Finding it impossible to communicate with the shore, the steamer proceeded to Kapiti, and there anchored for the night; before daylight next morning the steamer again proceeded to the wreck, and as it was still too rough to effect a landing she rau down to the southward of AVaikanae, about fourteen miles from the wreck. Captain Fairchild then landed the party who wished to proceed to the wreck, and after a walk of some four or five miles we reached a Native village, where AVi Parata's son kindly placed a buggy and horses at our disposal. I arrived at Otaki about twelve o'clock, and soon after two o'clock all the immigrants had left the village. My first difficulty was experienced at the Otaki River, which was flooded, and which delayed the departure of the immigrants for upwards of two hours, and completely frustrated all the arrangements I had made, as, by the time the drays arrived at the Waikanae River, the tide was near its full, and instead of the people crossing in the drays and other conveyances they had to be ferried over in a boat, which caused another long delay. It was thus after twelve o'clock at night before the last of the immigrants arrived at the spot selected for their embarkation. Fortunately the few sick persons that were on board the " City of Auckland," and a dangerous lunatic, reached the steamer before dark, but the majority .of the immigrants had to remain on the beach until daylight, as about 9 p.m. it became too rough, owing to the change of the tide, to go on with the boating. AVork was resumed before daylight next morning, and by eight o'clock all had safely reached the steamer, excepting thirty-three men and eleven women. These numbers would have been much less had it not been for°the insubordinate conduct of a number of the single men, who completely rushed one of the boats, which was nearly swamped, and had to bo beached, at no little risk to their lives. AVhen Captain Fairchild found that tho boating had ceased he steamed away, after blowing the whistle two or three times. This is to be regretted, as, had he remained until the tide turned —namely, about four hours, all the people could have reached the steamer. From the moment the steamer left I was beset with difficulties on all sides. There were nearly sixty people left upou an open beach, all of whom were more or less wet —all having been exposed in the open air the whole night without anything to eat. Fortunately, Mr. Thomas Gilbert, a settler who lives about two miles down the coast, came to me while the immigrants were embarking, and expressed his regret that he was not aware we were on the beach during the night, otherwise he would have endeavoured to accommodate the people in his woolshed and stable ; and it was to this kindlydisposed person I had to go in my difficulty. He at once expressed his willingness to take all the people to his house and do what he could for them, but, unfortunately, his cooking accommodation was limited and his stock of provisions small. However, he set to work with a will, and at six in the evening, when I visited the immigrants, they were all partaking of a hearty meal. I here desire to brin<* before the Government the very great kindness displayed by Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert, for had they not acted as they did, I fear the result would have proved fatal to some of the immigrants, who were completely exhausted. The immigrants left Mr. Gilbert's on Saturday morning to meet the conveyances, which had been sent from AVellington. which, instead of proceeding to where tho people were, remained at Paikakariki, some nine miles distant. It is to be regretted that means of conveyance were not provided for a larger number of people, and that more suitable vehicles were not provided, as those which were sent cut so deeply into the sand that it was impossible to carry any of the people. At Paikakariki 1 had a great deal of trouble with a number of the single men, who refused to walk any further, and demanded that I should find accommodation for them at tho wayside public-house. Not only did the men refuse to proceed themselves, but they declined to let those who were willing to walk do so, and a band often or twelve of them completely took possession of the road ; their conduct was so riotous that 1 found it necessary to take proceedings against two of the ringleaders, who were this morning brought before the Resident Magistrate and sentenced to seven days imprisonment with hard labour.

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This brings me to the character and description of the immigrants, and, after making allowances for the unfortunate circumstances under which I saw them, I must say that as a whole I was not favourably impressed with their appearance. Amongst the married people I observed several who were old and physically weak, aud who appeared to be quite unfitted for colonial life. The ninety-six single men were all strong and healthy, but there appeared to be a large number of undesirable characters amongst them, they being selfish, sullen, and evincing a strong desire for intoxicating liquors. Of course, it must be "understood that I am not condemning the whole of the single men ; but I maintain that the colony will be in no way benefited by a largo proportion of them. On the other haud, lam pleased to state that the single "women were cheerful and contented, and contrasted very favourably with the men. The matron, however, was not suitable for her position, aud her conduct with one of the sailors, who deserted the ship, was not such as to justify her receiving her gratuity ; probably she was selected more from her appearance than from her qualifications for the appointment. The surgeon-superintendent was, in my opinion, not at all a suitable man ; he had not the slightest control over the immigrants, and had no consideration for their accommodation and comfort; still he was very popular with a large number of the people. AVithout making any iuquiries of a prying or captious nature, I should say that his popularity was procured at the expense of the medical comforts. I should recommend that be be paid the usual gratuity and head-money here, as there is no necessity for his proceeding to Napier, and that the Agent-General be instructed not to re-employ him again should he apply for a ship. Special inquiry should also be instituted as to how the lunatic, M , came to be passed as a suitable emigrant, and also as to the appointment of the matron. • I desire to bring specially under the notice of the Government the valuable assistance which Dr. Chilton, of the " St. Leonards," rendered me. This gentleman volunteered his services, and accompanied me in the "Hinemoa," and when he found the unsatisfactory position of affairs at Otaki he at once undertook to direct and assist the immigrants —in fact, he performed the duty which properly appertained to the surgeon-superintendent of the wrecked vessel. And I have much pleasure in recommending that his exertions be recognized in some substantial manner; probably the Hon. Mr. Sheehan, who requested Dr. Chilton to proceed to Napier in the " Hinemoa," would name the amount of gratuity which he would consider that gentleman should receive. The second officer, Mr. Lewis, and boat's crew of four men from the ship " Rakaia," should also receive some remuneration. These men were strenuous in their exertions, and, as they destroyed their clothes, and lost their knives, belts, &C, in the surf, I consider that the officer should receive a gratuity of £3, and each of the men £2. In making arrangements for the removal of the people I consulted with Captain Rose, the representative of the Shipping Company. I thought it desirable that he should be acquainted with what I was doing, as I do not know whether the expense will ultimately be borne by the Government or by the Company. In conclusion, I desire to bring under the notice of the Government the very valuable assistance rendered by the Natives and Europeans, both at Otaki and along the whole road. In fact, had it not been for the readiness with which the Natives came forward with their bullock-drays, buggies, brakes, and other conveyances, I should have not have able to have moved the people as expeditiously as I was enabled to. AVhere all displayed so much zeal in affording relief and assistance to the shipwrecked people it would be invidious to particularize individuals ; but I think that special letters of thanks should be written to Dr. Chilton, Mr. Morgan Carkeek, AVi Parata, jun., of AVaikanae, Mr. Ransfield, the acting constable at Otaki, Mr. Smith, at Paikakariki, aud, above all, to Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert, of Whare Moki, whose services I have before alluded to. The thanks of tho Department are also due to Captain Johnston, for his services in directing the boating arrangements from tho shore; as I feel assured had he not been there some accident would have occurred, as it could not be expected that seamen would act under my orders where boating was concerned. I omitted to mention that the last of the immigrants were safely lodged in the depot at half-past three on Sunday morning, having travelled all night, and that no accident of any kind occurred during the journey. I have, &c., H. J. IL Eliott, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Tinder Secretary for Immigration. P.S. —Since writing the above I have been informed that Mr. Jenkins, of Otaki, rendered very great service iv heading a boat's crew to land the passengers from the ship. He also should receive a letter from the Government. —H. J. H. E.

Enclosure 2 in No. 10. Dr. Andrews to the Immigration Commissioners. Gentlemen, — AVellington, 30th October, 1878. Subjoined is a classified summary of the principal events which occurred on board the ship " City of Auckland," and of the observations which I have to bring under the notice of the Immigration Commissioners. Left Plymouth on the. 25th July, and nothing of any particular moment occurred during the voyage. On the whole the health of all was remarkably good ; only one death —a child three years old, from gastric fever—happened. I found it necessary, a short time after sailing, to discharge the baker supplied by the ship, as he was totally unfit for the appointment, placing in his stead one of the single men (Immigrant George Bradley), who performed his duties to my entire satisfaction. I cannot speak iutoo high terms of the way in which Mr. Dimsdale (the schoolmaster) performed his duties, and the valuable assistance he rendered mo in every way in preserving regularity and good order among the emigrants.

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Also of Harry Beaumont (single man), my assistant, especially the night on which the ship stranded; the presence of mind and energy which he displayed in pacifying all the emigrants, and the assistance which he rendered the officers of the ship every way in his power. On the 17th October, M M (one of the' single men), first showed symptoms of insanity, and the next day was a raging lunatic, so much so that I was compelled to have a straight-waistcoat put on him (which I had made on board), and have a constant guard of two of the single men over him. Ho was landed in this state, aud sent to the Asylum at AVellington. On the whole the passage was a most favourable one, until the night of the 22nd instant, when she ran ashore about 300 yards north of the Otaki River. It is unnecessary for me to describe the cries and excitement of the emigrants when the ship struck; but, after a time, I appeased their minds by telling them to remain as quiet as possible until daylight, when they would most probably all get safely ashore. lam thankful to say this was accomplished on tho following day, without accident, though their luggage had to be left behind. The ship's life-boat was" sent on shore : Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Carkeek, Mr. Anderson, Maaka (Native), and Tom Seymour manned the boat, and, through their united exertions, landed the emigrants. Too much praise" cannot bo accredited to them for tho part which they took in saving the lives of all on board. The emigrants were lodged in the Maori College at Otaki, the night on which they disembarked, where they received every attention and kindness from Mr. AY. H. Simcox, J.P., and Mrs. Simcox— from Mr. and Mrs. Christie, of the College; and Mrs. Death, who assisted Mrs. Christie in administering to the wants of all, as far as lay in their power; and Mrs. McAVilliam kindly received into her house two sick girls. The following day the Immigration Officer from Wellington arrived, and that afternoon they proceeded down the coast to a place called AVaikanae, where they were embarked on board the Government steamer for AVellington, with the exception of thirty-nine, who could not be placed onboard, on account of the sea getting too rough. The following day they proceeded by road to AVellington. Those in the steamer went direct to Napier without landing, and the latter were forwarded from AVellington by steamer, with the exception of a few who preferred to remain. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert, of AVhare Moki, near AVaikanae, deserve praise for their extreme kindness and hospitality by receiving into their house, at great personal inconvenience, thirty-nine of the emigrants who were unavoidably left behind on the beach. Owing to the stranding of the ship, and our having necessarily, in our hurried disembarkation, to leave all baggage behind, I regret I am unable to hand in to you the medical journal, diary, and medical comforts indent book, as they were left on board, and, up to the present time, have not reached me. I have made three voyages with Government emigrants. I have, &c., R. F. Andeews, Surgeon-superintendent, ship " City of Auckland."

No. 11. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 16th November, 1878. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 31st August last, No. 761, transmitting copy of a letter from Mr. Holloway respecting the system of nomination. In reply, I have to state I agree with you that great care should be taken that the benefits to be derived from the nomination system are not abused. And I would point out that, if immigrants are nominated who are not, in your opinion, suitable for the requirements of the colony, you have full power to refuse to grant them passages. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Robeet Stout.

No. 12. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. Sir,— Immigration Office, AVellington, N.Z., 18th November, 1878. The Government have considered very carefully the proposals of Dr. G. J. Potts, of Belleville, Ontario, —made in his letter to you, dated 3rd September, and enclosed in yours of September the 24th (No. 827.). The offers made by Dr. Potts, and the circumstances as a whole, seem to the Government to remove the case out of the class contemplated by you when replying to Dr. Potts, and, it having been determined to obtain a number of emigrants from Canada, if satisfactory arrangements could be made, a telegram (of which a copy is enclosed) was despatched to you on the 16th instant. 2. It is desired that you should arrange with Dr. Potts to select about three hundred immigrants of the best possible class, mainly small agriculturists or farm labourers, and to take general charge of them during their shipment and voyage to this colony. He should be required to give a promissory note for the passages of himself and his family, the amount being fixed by you ; but an assurance being given that, if the immigrants selected are satisfactory to the Government, the note will be cancelled, and an allowance per head will be made to him. 3. Dr. Potts writes of the preliminary expenses in Canada as being necessarily heavy, but this refers to the establishment of a permanent agency. It is assumed that such expenses will not be large in connection with the proposed shipment, and you will best be able to decide what should reasonably be allowed.

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4. I think that a first-class ship should be obtained in Canada at the rate of about £16 per adult for about 300 immigrants, it being an essential condition that the dietary shall be equal to that provided on board our English ships. 5. The port of destination will bo best fixed by the cargo which the ship would bring, but if it cannot be determined by cargo, then, I think, as the emigrants come from a forest country, part should be sent to Dunedin, and part to Wellington. From Dunedin they could be distributed to forest lands in Southland and South Otago ; and from AVellington to the forest lands on the west coast of this Island. If they wish to go to the forest lands of Auckland, or any other part of the colony, provision will be made to send them to the nearest port by steamer. 6. Letters have been received here from persons in Miramichi, who are willing and anxious to emigrate. And it is believed that in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick there are many persons, well suited for a colonial life, anxious to come to New Zealand. Possibly Dr. Potts might communicate with persons in those provinces, so that the best possible selections might be made. I need not add that this is an experiment, and it will depend on the class that comes here whether any assistance will in future be granted to persons desiring to emigrate from Canada to New Zealand. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Robeet Stout. P.S.—lt is believed that Mr. AVilliam Sinclair, of Chatham, New Brunswick, a shipbuilder, would also be willing to form one of the party, and assist in selecting suitable persons. —R. S.

Enclosure in No. 12. The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-Geneeal. (Telegram.) AVellington, 10th November, 1878. Canadian immigrants—Arrange Potts select shipment three hundred. Cost not exceeding sixteen pounds adult. Details by next mail. A rogel, London. Geet. ___________________-*_—BMM^-amnmntmam-wMMX^Ms^a

No. 13. The Hon. the Ministee for Immioeation to the Agent-Geneeal. Shi, Immigration Office, AA'ellington, N.Z., 22nd November, 1878. Adverting to that portion of my letter of the 3rd ultimo* respecting the demand for labour, I have the honor to inform you that applications are still being received. The Rangitikei Highway Board, in a letter dated the 9th October, calls the attention of the Government to the great scarcity of labourers in that district, aud ask for 300 to be sent there. I have caused a reply to be sent, informing the Secretary to the Board that I would communicate with you upon the subject, but that the Government does not consider it advisable to further increase the number of immigrants ordered for the current year. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Robeet Stout.

No. 14. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigration to the Agent-Geneeal. S IE) Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 30th November, 1878. I have the honor to transmit copy of a telcgramf which was despatched to you on the 28th instant, requesting you to send additional immigrants to Port Chalmers, Lyttclton, AVellington, and Taranaki. As the demand for more labour for these portions of the colony is almost unlimited, judging from the repeated applications which arc made to the Government by the local bodies and individual employers of labour, the Government hope that you will be able to take advantage of the strike amongst the English agricultural labourers, and send a large number of immigrants from that class to the colony, so as to arrive before harvesting is over. I have, &c., The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Robeet Stout.

No. 15. The Hon. the Minister for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic, Immigration Office, AVellington, N.Z., 4th December, 1878. Adverting to previous letters respecting the demand for labour in tho colony, I have the honor to forward for your information an extract from the Taranaki Herald,X containing a report of a deputation which waited upon the Hon. Mr. Sheehan at New Plymouth, on the 25th ultimo, in reference to this subject. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Robeet Stout. . , ' — ■ —' —■ »i * Paragraph 4, D.-IA., 1878. t See Enclosure No. 2iu No. 17. % November 26th, 1878.

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No. 16. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. Sib,— Immigration Office, AVellington, N.Z., 4th December, 1878. I have the honor to inform you that the Government have reconsidered the question of accepting nominations of foreigners by their friends in the colony, and that it has been decided to allow passages on the following terms, viz.: — 1. They must bo nominated by their friends in the colony, and present themselves to you, when you will be good enough to grant them passages by an emigrant ship from Plymouth, provided they pass the required medical examination, and find their own way on board the ship through an agent who is acquainted with the English language, as well as the language of the nationality to which they belong. They must also sign an undertaking that they will conform to, and abide by, all regulations in force on board the ship during the voyage. 2. Foreigners who are nominated, and find their own way to the colony as ordinary passengers, without coming through your Department at all, may receive a refund of their passage-money, according to the contract rate for the conveyance of immigrants —viz., £14 7s. 6d. per adult, and £8 7s. 6d for each child between twelve months and twelve years of age. Due notice must, however, be given to the local Immigration Officer at the port at which they are to arrive. And they will be required to pass the Medical Officer appointed to inspect all immigrants arriving in the colony. The Immigration Officers in the several districts in the colony have been instructed in accordance with the above conditions. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Robeet Stout.

No. 17. The Hon. J. Ballance to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic, Immigration Office, AVellington, N.Z., 21st December, 1878. I have the honor to inform you that arrangements have been made to forward from 750 to 1,000 copies of an " Historical Sketch of Otago," published in Dunedin, which may be of value for distribution amongst intending emigrants, and your local agents. The bill of lading will, on shipment, be forwarded to you. Arrangements have also been made to forward a supply of copies of the book almanacs published at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, for the purposes of distribution amongst persons desirous of obtaining information regarding those parts of the colony. Be Steamer. From the telegrams which have been forwarded—copies herewith —you have been informed that the New Zealand Shipping Company have offered to charter a steamer to convey about 600 emigrants to the colony. The steamer was to leave in January, so that the late harvest would not be over before the immigrants arrived. The telegram of tho 13th instant, informing you of the offer of the Company, was crossed by yours of the 12th, stating that the time was so late, and that the agricultural labourers' strike in England was only partial. I hope, however, you will be able to arrange regarding the steamer, as immigrants are much required, and it may be the forerunner of steam communication between Great Britain and New Zealand. Be Hails, $c. The New Zealand Shipping Company have been urging the Government to direct you to have the rails, &c, ordered, shipped direct from Middlesboro', the Company offering to indemnify the colony against all loss. I have thought it best to leave the matter to your decision. You are on the spot— you know the whole matter, and are best able, therefore, to judge what course will be the most advantageous to the colony. I need not say that what the Government desire is, to get the freight, &c, as cheap as possible. If it will cast no additional burden on the colony, then there can be no harm in meeting the wishes of the Shipping Company. I leave the matter to your discretion, believing that you will so act as to protect the interests of the Government, and, at the same time, meet the requests of the Shipping Company in a reasonable manner. ******* I have, &c., J. Ballance, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (for the Minister for Immigration.)

Enclosure 1 in No. 17. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemiee. (Telegram.) London, 21st November, 18/8. Kent and Sussex labourers have struck. Seems splendid opportunity obtaining emigrants. Could send several hundred by steamer ; arrive February, or later by sailing vessel. * * Premier, New Zealand. Vogel, 2—D. 1.

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Enclosure 2 in No. 17. The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-Geneeal. (Telegram.) AVellington, 28th November, 1878. Labourers strike—Send additional emigrants Chalmers, Lyttelton, Wellington, Taranaki. Don't exceed present contract price, otherwise arrange discretion. Vogel, London. Geey.

Enclosure 3 in No. 17. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemiee. (Telegram.) London, 12th December, 1878. Company agreed to procure steamer, but now, instructed from colony, refuse. Time so late. Strike so partial. Perhaps better renounce idea sending season. Reply this. Premier, New Zealand. Vogel.

Enclosure 4 in No. 17. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. (Telegram.) AVellington, 13th December, 1878. * * * Government accepted offer Shipping Company here provide steamer 600 emigrants two pounds above contract price. Sail January, Chalmers, Lytteltou, Wellington. Vogel, London. Stout.

No. 18. The Hon. J. Ballance to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 23rd December, 1878. I have the honor to enclose for your information copy of a letter signed by Doctors Dunkley, Russell, and Ross, who recently met at Christchurch, after each of them had completed his fifth voyage to this colony in medical charge of Government immigrants. It appears to me that it would be highly desirable to retain these gentlemen in our immigration service, as it has been ascertained by practical experience that not only the Government, but the immigrants are greatly benefited by the continued employment of Surgeon-superintendents. And I venture to suggest that special consideration should be given to all surgeons who satisfactorily complete their fifth voyage in charge of immigrants, by allowing them, say, an extra 2s. 6d. per adult headmonev, for all subsequent voyages which they complete to the satisfaction of the Department. I have, &c, J. Ballance, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (for the Minister for Immigration.)

Enclosure in No 18. Drs. Dunklet, Russell, and Ross to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sic, — Canterbury Club, Christchurch, N.Z., December, 1878. AYe, the undersigned Surgeon-superintendents of the New Zealand Government emigrant ships, would beg to lay the following case before you, and ask your kind consideration of the accompanying suggestions. AYe have beeu in the service of the New Zealand Government for some six years, and have done our duty faithfully, and, we believe, efficiently. AYe find that the letters of appointment issued to us are not now nearly so favourable to us as when we were first appointed in the service. AYe have fewer emigrants, and therefore less remuneration from capitation fees, and are therefore worse off than we were years ago. AYe are paid nothing whatever for infants under twelve months old, and these invariably give us far more anxiety and trouble than adults, on a pecuniary equality with whom they stand in the Imperial and coolie services. The capitation fees amount only to 10s. per statute adult, and this, after so many years' service, is not increased. We find ourselves placed on exactly the same footing as very young practitioners just fresh from college, and who cannot possibly know anything of the management of emigrants at sea, either as to their special requirements during the voyage, or the peculiar discipline so essential to the successful carriage of them. Our average yearly income is certainly very small, and our expenses are considerable, both in the colony and at Home, while waiting for re-appointment. AYe would ask you to consider our position as professional men and old and tried officers, and to consider our remuneration as contrasted with that offered by all the other colonies, which is progressive, according to the standiug of the surgeons in the service : whereas our annual income is certainly less than that of ordinary clerks in good offices. AYe would ask you to consider how our position, as senior medical officers in the service, may be rendered fairly remunerative (by placing us on the same terms as are offered by other colonies, or otherwise) as we feel that, as experienced officers, the payment made to us is certainly inadequate, and

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that our being put on tho same footing as strangers is scarcely fair to us or advantageous to the service. We are, &c, AVm. W. Dunkley, Late Surgeon-superintendent ship "Hydaspes." (Formerly of ships " Columbus," " Eastern Monarch," " Tintern Abbey," Waimea," and " AVaitara.") William Russell, Late Surgeon-superintendent ship "Rakaia." (Formerly of ships " La Hogue," "Bebington," " Hannibal," and " Waipa.") W. G. Ross, Late Surgeon-superintendent ship " Waitangi." (Formerly of ships " Dilharree," "Rakaia," "Rangitikei," and " Opawa.") The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington.

No. 19. The Hon. J. Ballance to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 24th December, 1878. I have the honor to inform you that the Government have appointed George McCullough Reed, Esq., to be an Agent to promote emigration from Great Britain to this colony. The enclosed copy of a letter to Mr. Reed —which is forwarded for your guidance —will show you the terms and conditions of his appointment. I have, &c, J. Ballance, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (for the Minister for Immigration.)

Enclosure in No. 19. The Hon. J. Ballance to Mr. G. M. Reid. Sic,— Immigration Office, Wellington, 18th December, 1878. I have the honor to inform you that you are appointed an Agent to promote emigration from Great Britain to this colony. And the Government will be obliged by your reporting yourself to the Agent-General, at No. 7, Westminster Chambers, London, as soon as you can conveniently do so. Your salary will be at the rate of £600 per annum from this date, and your engagement is for two years, terminable after that period by six months' notice. _ You will be allowed such travelling expenses, while engaged on emigration business in Great Britain, as the Agent-General may consider reasonable and fair. The sum of £250 will also be allowed you for your passage to London, and you will be entitled to a similar amount on account of your return passage to the colony, at the termination of your engagement. Copies of parliamentary papers, and all necessary books and papers to enable you to make yourself acquainted with the nature of the immigration service of this colony, will be supplied to you from the Immigration Department. I have, &c. J. Ballance, G. M. Reed, Esq., Wellington. • (for the Minister for Immigration.)

No. 20. The Hon. J. Ballance to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic, — Immigration Office, AVellington, N.Z., 4th January, 1879. I have the honor to transmit the following documents relating to the ship " Hermione," which arrived at this port on the 15th ultimo, and was unfortunately placed in quarantine : — 1. Immigration Commissioners' Report. 2. Surgeon-superintendent's Report. 3. Certified list of births and deaths. You will observe that the vessel and officers are highly spoken of by the Immigration Commissioners, and it is difficult to understand how typhoid fever could break out under such favourable circumstances, after the vessel had been so long on her voyage. The surgeon attributes one possible reason to the clothing brought on board by some of the immigrants ; but I hardly think this is correct, and I am more inclined to suppose that the disease is to be traced to the water-channels in the 'tween decks. It is found that immigrants will use these for sewage purposes, under the supposition that all matter deposited in them finds it way overboard, instead of which it runs into the bilge, and forms a hot-bed for enteric fevers. It has frequently been pointed out that these water channels should be covered over, so that it would be impossible for the immigrants to get at them. And I shall be obliged by your giving positive instructions and have this done in future. Complaint has also been made by some of the immigrants that they were not allowed to draw flour, suet, raisins, <fee, instead of meat. It appears to me that it would be highly desirable to accede to the request of immigrants in this particular, which could be done with advantage to the contractors, as the articles applied for can be procured at a much less cost than meat.

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I am happy to inform you that the immigrants are progressing favourably, and it is anticipated they will all be convalescent in a very short time. I have, &c, ■ J. Ballance, (for the Minister for Immigration.) P.S. —I desire to direct your special attention to the very practical remarks of the captain of the vessel, with reference to the faulty ventilation, owing to the bulk-heads between the compartments being fitted close up to the deck above. —J. B.

Enclosure 1 in No. 20. The Immigeation Commissioners, AVellington, to the Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation. Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, Ist January, 1879. We have the honor to report that, on Sunday, the 15th ultimo, the ship " Hermione " was signalled as being at the Heads, with typhoid fever on board. The captain having made arrangements with the " Hawea "to tow him in, we took the opportunity of going off in her. On arriving alongside it was decided to place the ship in quarantine ; which was accordingly done, and the single men landed. The next day all except the sick were put on shore, care being taken to pass everything through the fumigating house. Arrangements were completed for landing the sick next day, which was carefully done under the Surgeon-superintendent's aud Captain Roberts' directions. The agents were informed that the ship had been put into quarantine, and asked to provide all that was necessary for the seven lay days ; which they have accordingly done. Attached is a list of the immigrants who have arrived, also of the sick, and those who died during the passage or at the quarantine station. Extracts from the Surgeon's journal of the voyage, and the captain's log are also forwarded, relating to the breaking out of the fever, and what they consider the cause. The captain's remarks re the bulk-heads we think should be carefully thought over, and some other plan adopted, so that there may be a free current of air right through the ship. AYe visited the quarantine station nearly every day. On the 25th we inspected the ship, and found that Captain Roberts, who was most anxious to do all that was required of him by the Quarantine Regulations, had painted aud cleaned up every part of his ship. The fittings had been landed on the island, so that we could not inspect the arrangements for berthing the immigrants. Captain Roberts, however, chalked out on the deck the position of the different compartments, especially where the sickness broke out. We have every reason to believe that the ship had been kept clean, and everything done for tho health and comfort of the immigrants during the voyage. There were no complaints of any kind. It was decided to release the ship on the 27th, and, as there had been no fresh cases in quarantine, to bring over the Wellington portion of the immigrants ; which was accordingly done. They appear, on the whole, a very good class of people. The immigrants for Taranaki were brought over the next day, and transhipped into the " Taiaroa," leaving the same afternoon. Those who are on the sick list, with attendants to wait upon them, will have to remain for some time longer. A single woman named G , one of the family in which the fever first showed itself— died on the island. The others, we are pleased to say, are wonderfully better since being landed, and in a fair way of recovery. AYe desire to bring under your notice Dr. Marriner's anxiety to do his best for the sick, and the skilful way in which he has done it, and kept the fever from spreading through the ship. AYe have much pleasure in recommending him for re-employment in the Government immigration service, should he desire it. AYe also think that Captain Roberts and his officers have done all they possibly could to assist tho Surgeon-superintendent, and for the comfort and amusement of the immigrants. Fire-drill was carried out according to regulations. In conclusion we would recommend that all gratuities be paid. We have, &c, Alexander Johnston, M.D., *\ John llolliday, > Commissioners. James B. Redwaed, ) The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. P.S. —I omitted to mention that tho water-ways in this ship were the only objectionable point we noticed. J. B. Redwaed.

Sub-Enclosure 1 to Enclosure 1 in No. 20. Exteacts from the Suegeon-Sueeeintendent's Jouenal of the A 7oyage of the " Heemione " from Plymouth to AVellington, with Government immigrants. ****** Tuesday, 19th November.—Mrs. G removed to the hospital on deck, suffering from a severe attack of diarrhcea. Diarrhoea very prevalent amongst the children. 4 p.m. —Found Mrs. G to be suffering from typhoid fever, had her isolated as far as possible. The means taken were as fellows : All the bedding which had been in her use, also the mess utensils, were either destroyed or taken to the hospital on deck. Wednesday, 20th. —Found to-day another suspicious case in John W , aged five years; also John G suffering from enteric fever. Thursday 21st.—After making all search for a possible cause of the typhoid making its appearance, I am unable to give any cause beyond the fact of the diarrhcea existing among the married people, and the difficulty of affording a sufficient ventilation in cold and damp weather in that part of the ship during the night. The floor aud bottom boards have been cleaned with the utmost regularity,

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and care has been taken to keep all the closets in good working order and regularly disinfected. The captain has inspected the ship with me daily (with two exceptions), and we have very rarely had to find any fault with the state of tho 'tween-decks ; two or three times a week lime has been thickly coated on the channels, and whenever any wet has beeu found sawdust or hot sand has been used. Saturday, 23rd. —A possible light has been thrown ou the outbreak of fever by the discovery of the fact that one of the G family had, a week or two before leaving England, been nursing a relation of the family, who was suffering from a "low fever." The boxes were last brought on deck on the 21st October; it seems possible that some infected article bad been kept there, and has given rise to tho illness, though it does not appear that any articles of dress belonging to the sick person were brought into the ship. Sunday, 24th.—Fever cases going on as before; kept up precautions for disinfection. December 3rd. —Found that three more immigrants were ill of typhoid fever: T and D married men; B , single man. December 4th.—E. B died. December 11th. —Mary G , single woman (one of the same family as tho mother and daughter sick of fever in the hospital), had her removed immediately. The occurrence of fever .amongst tho four different members of one family, in the different compartments of the ship, would point very strongly to a common origin of the outbreak in the members of it, as, since the first case occurred, there has been no communication between them. Sunday, December 15th. —Entered Wellington harbour, towed by the s.s. " Hawea " to Quarantine Station ; sent single men ashore. December 16th. —Sent all immigrants but the sick ashore. December 17th. —Sick landed. ******

Sub-Enclosure 2 to Enclosure 1 in No. 20. Exteacts from Captain Robeets' Loo of the " Heemione." November 20th.—There seems to be some sickness amongst the married people and children, which would seem to require some thinking out as to the cause, aud I place on record my views. The ship's deck ventilation seems to me to be all that could be desired, which has been proved by the fact of a larger number of people than now carried, viz., 461, iv first-rate health. There was this difference : the air had free course from one end of the ship to the other, instead of bulk-heads, which are now thought necessary in order to separate the different sexes ; but it by no means appears to me that on that account it is necessary that such free current of air should be entirely obstructed, as the bulkheads might be left a little space clear at the top and bottom as was done in times gone by. This seems to me to be the state of the case for perfect ventilation : What is required is means for a constant supply of fresh air, and also for the exit of foul air. Now the ends of the ship is where this is carried on principally, as shown by the fact that with the wind aft, and the after cowl-heads turned open forward, the foul air rushes up there, and also at the after shaft —which is shown by the feel, and by the dust collected in these places; with the wind forward the contrary takes place, nearly. In the present case the midship portion of the ship is bounded by two bulk-heads fitted tightly at the top and bottom. It does seem singular that in a ship so well ventilated (as proved), and whore the lower deck is kept so clean, that sickness should break out at this late period of the voyage. ******

No. 21. The Hon. J. Ballance to the Agent-Geneeal. Sib,— Immigration Office, AVellington, N.Z., 13th January, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 21st November last, No. 1027, transmitting correspondence respecting the ship " Piako," which put into Pcrnambuco with her cargo on fire, and, in reply, to convey to you the thanks of the Government for your exertion in securing the co-operation of Her Majesty's Consul on behalf of the immigrants. I have, &c, J. Ballance, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (for the Minister for Immigration.)

No. 22. The Hon. Colonel Whitmore tothe Agent-General. Sir, — Immigration Office, AVellington, N.Z., 29th January, 1879. I have the honor to transmit herewiih, copy of a letter received from the Secretary to the Rangitikei Highway Board, bringing under the notice of the Government the great demand which exists in that district for agricultural labourers. I have, &c. G. S. Whitmore, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (for the Minister for Immigration.)

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Enclosure in No. 22. Secretaey, Rangitikei Highway Board, to tho Hon. the Ministee for Education. Sic, — Rangitikei Highway Board Office, Marton, 7th January, 1879. I have again the honor, by direction, to bring before your notice the great scarcity of labour existing in this district, and to request you to consider tho wants of the settlers in this respect previous to the harvest setting in, otherwise severe loss may be occasioned to the farmers throughout the district for want of the necessary assistance to secure the crops. I would, therefore, urge upon you the necessity that exists for some steps being taken by the Government to introduce into the district, say, 500 immigrants, w-ithout unnecessary delay. I have, &c., Robt. L. Haeeis, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Secretary.

No. 23. The Hon. Colonel Whitmore to the Agent-General. Sic,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 29th January, 1879. Application having been made by the General Manager of the AVestport Colliery Company for immigrants, selected by their agents in Great Britain, to be allowed free passages to the colony, I have the honor to request you to be good enough to grant passages to such coal miners and others as may be selected by the Company, upon the same terms as free passages are allowed to persons eligible as ordinary immigrants to this colony. The immigrants intended for the Colliery Company should be forwarded in ships to the ports of Nelson or AVellington, as you find most convenient. I have, &c., G. S. AVhitmoee, The Agent-General for New Zealand, Loudon. (for the Minister for Immigration.)

Enclosure in No. 23. The Geneeal Manages, AVestport Colliery Company, to the Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation. Sir, — Westport, 17th January, 1879. Our Company, very shortly, will require a number of coal miners for the working of our coalfields here. It is desirable to import these miners from the old country from time to time as required. I have, therefore, to request that you will be pleased to grant free passages to such people as our British agents may select, from either the Clyde or Loudon to AVestport, upon the same terms aud conditions as granted to agricultural labourers and others ; we agreeing to engage these people for twelve months after landing at AVestport. I have, &c, A. J. Burns, General Manager, AVestport Colliery Company. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington.

No. 24. _The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation to tho Agent-Geneeal. Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 4th February, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 29th November, in reply to mine of the 3rd October, 1878.* lam glad to be informed that you will observe, to the best of your ability, the directions conveyed in my letter relative to emigration. You state that " it does not seem clear to you what will be the advantage of lecturers at a time whon you have no authority to send emigrants, except such as are nominated by their friends in the colony." I presume that you have written thus regarding the appointment of the Rev. Mr. Berry as lecturer, in anticipation of the advices which you will have subsequently received as to the appointment of Mr. G. M. Reid, part of whose duties it will be to lecture on New Zealand. I am disposed to think that you are mistaken, and that the effect of lectures by Mr. Berry and Mr. Reid will be to influence the emigration to New Zealand of those who will pay their own passages —" small farmers," who you say, " would go readily enough were they assured they would obtain land." It will be for the lecturer to point out to such the conditions on which land can bo obtained. You say that " the Government, in reply to more than one letter of yours on the subject, do not appear to think it desirable to authorize you to give any information on the subject of land, and that you are inclined to think that this is right, as, since the great demand for land iv the colony has set in, emigrants might be misled by the information you should be able to give them." I confess I am altogether at a loss to understand upon what grounds you have arrived at such a position. I am not aware of any communication to you, either from the present or the late Government, which debars you from giving every information on the subject of land, or which would discourage the emigration of farmers, both large and small. On the contrary, my predecessor in office, Mr. Macandrew, seems not to have missed an opportunity of pointing out to you the fact, that New Zealand now offers greater inducements than ever to the practical farmer from the mother-country; and, so far as regards the land laws, they are embodied in two Acts. * D.-la., 1878.

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The only possible ground upon which you could attribute to the Government a desire to withhold from you the authority referred to, was the non-agreement with your proposal to sell lands in England upon exceptionally favourable terms. In declining to accede to this proposal the Government did not consider that it implied the withholding of information as to land, or any relaxation in your efforts to induce small farmers to come to the colony and acquire land, as thousands now resident in the colony have done. I regret that you should have acted in any way that may have prevented farmers with capital— small or large—emigrating. I may add that I recognize your efforts for tho advancement of the colony, but, whilst I do so, I must say that many emigrants have been despatched that had better not have been sent. If the lecturers can promote a higher class of emigration, their expenses will be recouped a hundredfold to the colony. I have, &c, Robeet Stout. The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. —» ——— —

No. 25. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 18th February, 1879. This letter will be handed to you by Mr. Clements, who is about visiting the United Kingdom, and who is desirous of offering his services gratuitously in procuring suitable immigrants for this colony. I shall be glad to hear that you have availed yourself of Mr. Clements' offer, as I understand he is well acquainted with the classes and description of immigrants required in the northern portion of the colony. I have, <&c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Robeet Stout.

No. 26. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigration to the Agent-General. Sir,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 18th February, 1879. I have the honor to request you will bo good enough to grant free passages to such agricultural farm labourers to Auckland as may be selected by AY. A. Hunter, Esq., Royal Bank of Scotland, Dunse, as agent for Mr. AY. A. Murray," M.H.R. Of course the persons to whom passages are to be granted will be required to pass the usual medical examination, and conform generally to the rules and regulations of the Department. This appears to be a good opportunity of procuring suitable immigrants without incurring the expense of the agency fee ; and the Government will be obliged by your assisting Mr. Hunter, so far as you may be able, in sending out the persons whom he selects for Mr. Murray. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Robert Stout.

No. 27. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic Immigration Office, AVeliington, N.Z., 24th February, 1579. This letter will be handed to you by Mr. AY. Sutherland, of Livingstone, Otago, who is about to visit the United Kingdom, and is desirous of offering his services gratuitously, in procuring a number of shepherds, and men of that stamp, to emigrate to this colony. I shall be glad to hear that you have availed yourself of Mr. Sutherland's offer. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Robeet Stout.

No. 28. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. S IH , Immigration Office, AVellington, N.Z., 26th February, 1879. This letter will be handed to you by Mrs. Michael Hart, of Christchurch, who is about visiting Great Britain, and who is desirous of offering her services gratuitously in procuring suitable domestic servants as immigrants for this colony. I shall be glad to hear that you have availed yourself of Mrs. Hart's services. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Robeet Stout.

No. 29. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic,— Immigration Office, AVellington, N.Z., 26th February, 1879. This letter will be handed to you by Mr. J. AY. Feger, who is about visiting the United Kingdom, and who is desirous of offering his services gratuitously in procuring suitable emigrants for this colony. I shall be glad to hear that you have availed yourself of Mr. Feger's offer. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Robert Stout,

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No 30. The Hon. J. Ballance to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., Ist March, 1879. I have the honor to transmit the following copy of a telegram which was despatched to you yesterday, and I shall be obliged by your at once arranging for the despatch of this additional increase of emigrants:— (Telegram.) " Wellington, 28th February, 1879. —Immigrants. Increase number ordered for year by 2,000— Lyttelton, Chalmers, 575 each; AVellington, 550; Auckland, 100; Napier, 200, provided passagemoney there reasonable, otherwise ship Napier's number AVellington.— Geey.—A'ogel, London." I have, &c., J. Ballance, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (for the Minister for Immigration.)

No. 31. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. Sic,— Immigration Office, AVellington, N.Z , 6th March, 1879. Referring to my letter of the 29th January last, I have the honor to enclose herewith copy of a letter from the manager of the Westport Colliery Company, requesting that the Government will allow fifty coal miners to bo selected for the Company through your Department, and to request that you will be good enough to give effect to Mr. Burns' application. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Robert Stout.

Enclosure in No. 31. The Geneeal Manages, AVestport Colliery Company, to the Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation Sic, — AVestport, Ist March, 1879. I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, No. 54, of the 29th January, 1879. Referring to my letter of the 17th January, I think, on due consideration, that the selection of miners for our works should be made by the Agent-General, who has better means at his disposal for the selection of immigrants. I would, therefore, feel obliged by your giving instructions to select, say, fifty first-class coal miners, from some of the best coal-mining districts in either Scotland or England ; men of small stature preferred, and with families, as they are steadier as a rule when married. The wages at present aro 10s. per diem, or an equivalent in tonnage. The working hours are nine hours for five days a week, and all work ceases at noon on Saturdays; but, of course, we may have night shifts, but this will be arranged for as a tonnage rate on the same basis. It would be desirable that the Agent-General should make some inquiries into the character of the men, both as to their moral conduct and also as to their skill as workmen, as the late strikes have exhibited most melancholy traits of depravity and bad conduct in many of this class. This is another reason why it would be advisable that tho AgentGeneral should select these people, as his agents in the various centres of population will know all these things better than any private agent can possibly do. It is possible that our Company may have a ship or steamer coming direct from Britain to Westport ; therefore, before the Agent-General ships those miners, he had better put himself into communication with our agents, Messrs. Neilson and Maxwell, 88 and 90, Cadogan Street, Glasgow, to ascertain this; at any rate I trust you will land these miners in AVeslport, in the usual manner as you do for agricultural labourers, &c, in other parts of the colony. We will require many more miners than fifty, but these will be enough to start with. The local miners are now very hard to be got, and many of them very indifferent workmen. I have, &c, A. J. Burns, General Manager, Westport Colliery Company. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration.

No. 32. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 11th March, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th January last, No. 29, and, in reply, to inform you that it will be sufficient if you obtain the usual certificate of character and health of the Canadian axemen and others, whom tho Rev. Mr. Ogg is desirous should come out to this colony. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Robeet Stout.

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No. 33. The Hon. J. Ballance to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic,— Immigration Office, AVellington, N.Z., 25th March, 1579. This letter will be handed to you by the Rev. James Skinner, who is about visiting the United Kingdom, and who is desirous of offering his services gratuitously in procuring suitable immigrants for this colony. I shall be glad to hear that you have availed yourself of the reverend gentleman's offer. I have, &c, J. Ballance, (for the Minister for Immigration.) The Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

No. 31. The Hon. J. Ballance to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic,— Immigration Office, AVellington, N.Z., 25th March, 1879. I have the honor to transmit for your information, copies of the undermentioned documents relating to the immigrant ship "Piako," which arrived at Lyttelton on the sth instant, after having put into Pernambuco, on fire: —1. Commissioners' report. 2. Extract from Surgeon-superintendent's journal. 3. Surgeon-superintendent's report. 4. Extracts from Christchurch newspapers. 5. Minutes of proceedings of Court of Inquiry as to cause of the fire. 6. Certificates of births and deaths. 7. Copy of letter to Captain Boyd. 8. Copy of letter to Dr. Green. 9. Copy of letter to Captain Conning, of the " Loch Doon." 10. Letter to be forwarded to Captain Conning. The Government consider that Captain Boyd, and Dr. Green the Surgeon-superintendent, acted in a highly satisfactory manner under the trying circumstances in which they were placed. Special letters have been written to those gentlemen conveying the thanks of the Government for their valuable services, and informing them that their gratuities, as well as those payable to the other officers of the ship, have been doubled. It has also been decided to pay the master of the " Loch Doon," who conveyed the immigrants from the burning ship " Piako," a gratuity of £50 ; and I have to request you to be good enough to communicate with him accordingly, and to pay the sum named. You will observe that an inquiry was held immediately after tho vessel arrived, but no information could be obtained as to the origin of the fire. It is gratifying to observe that the immigrants arrived in such a satisfactory state after the many hardships which they had to endure. I have, &c, J. Ballance, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (for the Minister for Immigration.)

Enclosure 1 in No. 34. The Immigeation Commissionees, Lyttelton, to the Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation. Ship "Piako" The Commissioners report the arrival of this ship on the sth instant, after a passage of 144 days, including a detention of 34 days at Pernambuco. The general health of the immigrants had been good throughout. The Surgeon-superintendent reported five births and three deaths. The Commissioners cannot speak too highly of the creditable condition in which this ship came into port, considering what she has passed through. The different compartments were exceedingly clean, and the light and ventilation ample. The provisions which had been placed on board in London were very good, but those sent to Pernambuco were somewhat inferior; no complaints of any kind were, how ever, made. The regulations respecting boat and fire drill had been carefully and regularly attended to, and the discipline on board the ship was highly satisfactory. Extracts from the Surgeon's journal, giving full particulars of what took place at the time of the fire, are attached to this report, together with the evidence taken on arrival at Lyttelton. All the immigrants, without any exception, spoke in the highest terms of the kindness and attention they had received from Captain Boyd, the Surgeon-superintendent, and the officers of the ship. They also expressed their gratitude to Captain Conning and the officers and crew of the barque " Loch Doon," for their kindness towards them. The Commissioners, in recommending that full gratuities be paid, desire to bring under the special notice of the Government the conduct of Captain Boyd, his officers, and the Surgeon-superin-tendent, Dr. Green. Through their courage, firmness, and assiduity, order and discipline were maintained throughout in a manner beyond all praise; and the Commissioners are of opinion that a substantial testimonial should be presented to them, with the view of showing that their services are justly and fully appreciated by the Government of New Zealand. The Commissioners recommend the further employment of the Surgeon-superintendent, should he desire it. John T. Rouse. H. Macdonald, M.D. Lyttelton, 12th March, 1879. J. E. Maech. 3-D. 1.

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Enclosure 2 in No, 34. Exteact from the Surgeon's Jouenal. Ship " Piako." Novembee 11th. — After breakfast, went on deck as usual till 10 a.m., when I went to single women's compartment, then to the dispensary, and attended all who came there, and afterwards went to those who were not able to come, &c; then, as usual, to single men's compartment, then to my cabin to write medical-comfort list for the day ; having done that, 1 put down tho temperatures in my table, and while doing so heard the fire-alarm sounding, but went on writing till I had finished, thinking it was only a practice without notice, to test the men in their efficiency; came up on deck and found it was real, and smoke was coming from the fore end of the galley. 1 saw the single men, some with blankets in hand, standing in a row on the port-side of the quarter-deck, others, about twelve in number, on the lee (starboard) side of the poop, talking to the single women. I w ras told that the captain was down the fore hatch in the 'tween decks or "hole." I sent all the single women to the after end of lee side of poop at once, asking them all to keep cool, keep their places where they were, and on no account to interfere with any of the men. I then sent one of the single women's constables to keep the girls from coming forward. Then the captain came aft and told me the fire was in the hold, aud flames in the 'tween decks. Sly time was then (soon after 11 a.m., I should say,) fully occupied in trying to pacify the single women, and, together with the constable, keep them in their places. I then went for the married women and children, and had them up on the poop with the single women, keeping them all as quiet as possible by trying to make them see the folly of interfering with their male relatives, who were working at the pumps, fastening down the hatches and covering them with wet blankets, plugging up cowl-heads aud other ventilators, &c, with wet blankets, &c, helping the crew, and working the ship, clearing the boats, and breaking up wood for the steam fire-engine, and generally making themselves useful for the safety of all on board, under the directions of the captain and officers. About this time I saw the captain standing on tho taffrail, on the port-side of the poop, and heard him asking a man whom he had sent aloft if there was a sail in sight; the man said " Yes," and pointed out where—namely, on our port bow. I then heard the captain give orders to the man at the wheel to change the course, so as to steer for the ship in sight. By this time the port and starboard lifeboats were almost in the water, and soon after I told off about seven or eight mothers, with their children, to each lifeboat. I heard the captain give orders that four seamen and one officer should go in each boat. There was some delay iv getting them in, owing to the swell at the time. I saw water put into each boat, and some biscuits into one or two. The sail was soon made out to be a homewardbound English barque. Our ensign was hoisted at the main with the Union down, and rockets were let off at frequent intervals, and the flags N M (I am on fire) I saw hoisted at the usual place on tho spanker gaff. The ship was stopped, or nearly so, some time before that, and before the boats went off. The other boats were lowered as quickly as possible, and all the women and children, except four or five single women, went off in the first five boats. These remaining single women went off in the last boat —viz., the forward boat on the port side ; with these last, the boatswain, sailmaker, emigrants' cook, two of the crew, and as many single and married men as were consistent with safety; I went myself. The barque, which proved to be the " Loch Doon," Captain Conning, from San Francisco to Liverpool, had by this time passed us on our port side, and was about half a mile astern of our ship. AYe reached her without accident, and went on board without delay. I saw the captain at once, ascertained, as far as possible, what provisions and accommodation there were on board, and went back for anything which 1 thought would be of use. I then camo off, having sent five sheep, and as much water, preserved meats, and soup, also as many blankets as I could get, some wine and brandy, and some of my own personal effects, together with the ship's medicine chest, on board the " Loch Doon." The captain of the "Piako " told me he intended to run for Pernambuco, and stay by the ship as long as possible, using every possible and available means to get the fire under. When I was last on board, the fire had made considerable way, and it was utterly impossible to go down even the afterhatch to the single women's compartment; smoke was even coming into the saloon through the lazarecte. AVhen I got on board the " Loch Doon " again I made arrangements at once with the captain for the suitable disposition of the people. The single women I had confined to the poop-deck, as in the " Piako," the married people on deck amidships under the skills aud boats, and the single men forward. I then spoke to each set separately, telling them that they must have tho same discipline here as on the " Piako," the single women to be under the matron, as usual, and the married and single men to be overlooked as usual by their respective constables. I then counted out the blankets, which were nearly all double ones, and divided them, making about thirty-nine single blankets, which 1 gave first of all one each to those women who were weak and ailing, and then to those who had infants and young children, after which I distributed the remainder equally to the single women. I then got some condensed milk from the captain, sent for the hospital assistant, and had it mixed with water and distributed to the infants and children. After that I had all the passengers arranged in their messes, and, having told off two men previously to get up biscuits, served them out from the poop to the captains of the messes, iv the proportion of two biscuits for each person, then about a pint of water for each person was served out in tho ship's fire-buckets, the emigrants using such vessels for drinking as they had brought with them or could find, such as cups, tins, empty meat-tins, pannikins, &c. A small tub of butter, too, was sent round among the women, but as the supply on this ship is small, the men did not get any. The next thing was sleeping accommodation. To meet this, the captain kindly placed at my disposal the after-bold, in which is stored wheat in bags, and in which there is an interval of about 4 feet 0 inches or 5 feet between the wheat and the main deck, with an area of some 20 square feet, or perhaps more, available for lying down ; the saloon, capable of holding ten or eleven people on the deck, seats, and table; the fore hatch, iv which is wheat again; the lower forecastle, and the top-gallant forecastle.

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The mode adopted for dividing the people was as follows: —Mothers with very young children in the saloon, as far as possible, then iv lower after-hatch (which was left off), on the wheat bags. All the married women with children managed to get in these two places. The captain then kindly allowed a sail to bo rigged as an awning, under the skids, and another sail spread on deck, under the awning. On this area all the single girls slept, except about ten, for whom there was not room, and these last went with the matron and sub-matron down on to the half-deck, where they slept in bunks vacated for them by the apprentices. The married men went forward to the lower forecastle, and the single men slept iv the fore-hold and top-gallant forecastle. I appointed two men for each four hours of the night, from among the married men, to keep watch, one on each side of the deck, from the poop to the forward deck-houses, so that they kept watch over the single women, and over the after-hatch, and reported to the officer of the watch as usual, every half hour. Particular instructions were issued to all constables, indeed to all passengers, to guard against any one using matches, &c, below. All emigrants were in their respective sleeping places before 10 p.m. I forgot to mention that, after the biscuits were given out, a small amount of tea was served round to all; owing to the small size of this ship's coppers, much could not be made at once. The women first had some, then the men. I then went on the poop, and lay down on deck till about 12.30 p.m., when the second mate came on deck and offered me his berth, which I was glad to accept. November 12th. —This morning I had some sago boiled for those who are weak, and the infants, and the hospital assistant prepared milk as usual. Left orders last night with Leach, one of the emigrants, to kill a sheep this morning, which was done. The captain informed me that we must reduce the amount of biscuit used to-day, as he had not enough on board to last two more days at that rate, so served out one biscuit each for breakfast to all emigrants, and tea, about half-a-pint each. After breakfast, served out 2 quarts of water for each adult emigrant, and 1 quart for each child ;_ had three large casks, in which the water was put —one for the single men, containing 52 J- gallons, one for the married people, containing 40^ gallons, and one for the single women, containing 35J gallons. All the sheep, except a leg which we had in the saloon, was made into soup, the meat being served with the soup, so that each person received nearly a pint. This evening I got another tin of milk from the captain, and had it distributed among the infants. Concerning our treatment on this ship, I can only say that we could not have been more fortunate, receiving at the hands of the captain and officers every possible consideration and assistance. They all seem to be most anxious to do anything at all, no matter what trouble, to add to the comfort of our passengers —cabin and emigrants. The " Piako " has not been in sight all day. With regard to the emigrants themselves, they are all, as far as 1 cau find out, contented and thankful, and are all pretty well. Some of the children are weak, and have taken colds. Mrs. Forbes' baby is still very weak, and Mrs. D. Randol is improving fast. As far as I have heard, the emigrants unanimously, and I consider very justly, applaud the cool and untiring energy of the captain and officers. The boats were got out in good time, order, and condition; the fire was speedily got at, and though not at once quenched, it was not for the want of energy on the part of the captain, or those under him, but rather from the impossibility of getting to the real seat of the fire, and from the insufficiency of the fire-apparatus, only three engines, two hand, aud one steam, being available.

Enclosure 3 in No. 34. Suegeon-supeeintendent's Repoet, Ship " Piako." Gentlemen, — Annexed is a classified summary of the principal events which occurred on board the ship " Piako," and of the observations which I have to bring under the notice of the Immigration Commissioners. 1. The Ship and its Accommodation. —As far as I able to judge, the ship is in every way satisfactory, but some of the accommodation, I think, might have been better ; eg., the bakery is too small for the requirements of so many people, and the oven accommodation is so limited that the bread is seldom as well done as it ought to be. It has to be made in small batches, and each batch has to be hurried out of the ovens to make room'for the next. This also reflects on the emigrants' cooking those raw materials which are served out to them, for, as the ovens are required for bread baking, it is impossible for them to have tho use of them more than once a week; they were, therefore, under the dietary scale with which I was supplied at Plymouth, unable to use the flour issued to them, so that, by their own consent and wish, I substituted the scale on their contract tickets—viz., 12 oz. of flour daily instead of 10 oz., and 8 oz. once a week instead of 11 oz. twice weekly. The berths in the single men's and single women's compartments are conveniently arranged, but the same cannot be said of those in the married people's quarters, which are so arranged as to render it necessary to have at least five lanterns burning in order that each row of berths may have a little light. The lying-in hospital is almost underneath the main batch, and an occupant of one of its berths more exposed to cold and draught than iv her own berth. This, in high latitudes, constitutes in my opinion an unnecessary danger to patients. The bathing appliances for single women are sufficient, but there are none for married people nor children, nor for the single men. The last-named, however, can manage on deck with tubs, hose, &c. 2. Officers of the Ship. —On this head I have nothiug to say, except that I am much indebted to them all for their ready help whenever I have required it. At Cocoanut Island, Pernambuco, Mr. Banks, third mate, and Donaldson, the emigrants' steward, were with me all the time, and, beside supervising the cooking and giving out stores, &c, were of the greatest use in the maintenance of discipline and the preservation of order. 3. Provisions and Water received in London were very good, but those sent to Pernambuco from

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Liverpool were inferior, especially the salt pork and preserved onions. The tanks, being rather rusty, tainted the water shipped at Pernambuco, and which was otherwise good. 4. Medical Comforts, with exception of port wine, were ample and good. The port wine was, I considered, of very inferior quality. 5. Medicines from London were ample aud good. Those procured in Pernambuco were not good, but were the best obtainable iv the place. 6. State of Health.— ln the early part of the voyage, before the fire, there was one case of scarlatina, of a very mild type, and two or three of chicken-pox. The former was at once isolated, and no one else had the disease. The latter were convalescent in due course. AVith these exceptions there have been no serious illnesses at sea, but while on Cocoanut Island diarrhcea, sometimes of a dangerous kind, prevailed more or less all the time. Since leaving Pernambuco various conditions, indicating depraved or impoverished state of blood, have been prevalent, generally remedied by the free use of hoematinics or other tonics. These I attribute partly to the inferior quality of food supplied by the Liverpool house, but chiefly to the six weeks' residence in an enervating climate. These conditions have shown themselves more among the single women than the married people or single men, I believe because the ventilation is least effective in their quarters. 7. Emigrants. —The general conduct of emigrants has been good. Among the single women discipline has been well observed, and, though I have had to interfere several times to support the matron in discharging her duties, with one exception I have no complaint to make. The exception refers to S B , who has throughout the voyage been very unruly and insolent, as will be seen on referring to the paragraphs in my diary. Among the single men, S was on the island persistently drunk and unmanageable. He and several others were imprisoned in Pernambuco for that offence, shortly after wo arrived there, in the hope that it would be a salutary warning to all. The others behaved very well on being released, but S got drunk on several other occasions. 8. The Begulations have been on the wholo well observed. Any breaches in their observation which have come to my notice have been checked at once. The constables have assiduously done their duty, and I may especially mention Smith and Osborne, the single women's constables, whose duties are the most arduous of all, as worthy of praise for the way in which they have carried them out. 9. School. —This was ably conducted and regularly attended, and there was also a well attended class among the single men, before the fire, in which the register aud books, &c, were destroyed. Since the fire there has been no school because no materials. 10. Water. —The distilling apparatus on board is that of " AVinchester," made by Starne, and is very inefficient. In a day of eleven hours, it requires 7to 8 cwt. of coal to produce from 200 to 225 gallons of water, working at a pressure of from 25 lb. to 30 lb. per square inch. It has no cooking apparatus attached to it. The water produced is of good and wholesome quality, but is insufficient for daily use, for, though the figures I give would nearly comply with clause 22 of the charter-party, still when it is worked for a whole day and night it does not give proportionate results. 11. Ventilation. —There was no definite apparatus on board, but cowl and mushroom-bead ventilators. On the whole, they were sufficient, but in the single women's compartment they were certainly not effective in purifying the atmosphere. The air-shaft opening on the poop is, I consider, badly constructed, having a hinge-lid on the top, which it is necessary to shut when raining, thereby closing the most efficient ventilator in the single women's compartment. 12. General remarks. —With regard to discipline, I have found it much more advantageous to divide the single men into two groups, English and Irish, and to have an English constable over the English group, and an Irish one over the Irish, instead of the usual arrangement; and to let each group understand that they are required to act under their own special constable only. 1 would suggest, also, that the single men and women be provided with some employment in which skilled labour is not requisite, such as making sacks, nets, dresses, &c., and paid small wages, according to the work done. This would, I think, tend to keep them more contented, and leave less scope for mischief-making and disputes. To insure the cleaning and sweeping being done efficiently, I made a rule that all the people, except those whose names were on the cleaners and sweepers' list for the day, and those'suffering from sickness, should be on deck, weather permitting, between the hours of 9 and 10 a.m., and have found it to answer exceedingly well, though sometimes have had a difficulty in carrying it out. I would suggest that a clause to that effect be printed in the regulations. I would suggest, also, that the hatches be made to open sideways, instead of fore-and-aft, so that the flaps on the weather-side could always be closed when any sea or spray was likely to come on board, and so prevent the wetting of the 'tween decks, which is constantly occurring from that cause. For the extinction of fire, I think it would be well, in all emigrant ships, to provide three large barrels or hogsheads of chalk, oyster shells, unburnt limestone, marble chips, or other carbonate of lime, one to be placed in the bottom of each hold—fore, main, and after—and from each of these to have a suitable leaden tube leading to the main deck, and a sufficient supply of hydrochloric or other acid, kept in a place at all times accessible, so that by pouring the acid on the lime, large quantities of carbonic acid gas would soon be evolved, and extinguish the fire. This is my first voyage with Government emigrants. I have, &c., T. Beaufoy Geeen, Surgeon-superintendent of emigrant ship " Piako." To the Emigration Commissioners, Port Lyttelton.

Enclosure 4 in No. 34. Minutes of Peoceedings of Covet of Inquiey as to cause of the Fiee on board the " Piako." Ship "Piako." Minutes of proceedings of Court of Inquiry held on board the ship " Piako," on Thursday, 6th March,

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1879, in compliance with instructions contained in Memorandum No. 49, dated 27th January, 1879, from the Under Secretary for Immigration. Present: Dr. Rouse, Dr. Macdonald, Mr. Superintendent Broham, Mr. J. E. March. Mr. George Harper appeared on behalf of the New Zealand Shipping Company. The Chairman of Directors, the General Manager of the Company, and Captain Boyd were also present. Dr. Rouse presided, and Mr." Superintendent Broham conducted the inquiry. Mr. Harper desired to say, on behalf of the Company, that an investigation had already taken place at Pernambuco, lasting four days, and the whole of the evidence had been transmitted to the Board of Trade. The Company, however, had no desire to raise any objection to the present inquiry, on the contrary, they were anxious that the fullest investigation should take place. Daniel Loons, the engineer, was called, and the following evidence was then taken : — Cornelius Mulcahy said :I am an immigrant by the ship " Piako." I know the engineer. All I can say is, that about a week preceding tho fire I was called by the engineer into the fore-hold to assist him to get some oil; while there I saw him take a naked light from the lantern, but not in such a way as to ignite anything, and hold it in his hand over the oil cases ; it was about two yards forward from the hatchway. The light was a candle, and I saw him put it back into the lamp. I can say that it was in no condition to set fire to anything. lam certain no fire could have proceeded from the light: it was a close lantern. The engineer took the candle out of the lantern as the light was not good enough in the lantern. I cannot say that he ever did so before, nor have I heard any person on board say so. The engineer was in tho store-room, and not in the hold. The engineer poured out the oil from the drum into a can ;he afterwards took it up with him on deck. lam not aware where the fire broke out. AVhile the engineer was pouring out the oil the candle was in the lantern. The Court then proceeded to the fore-peak of the ship —the store-room for oils, paints, &c, and the witness pointed out the exact spot where the engineer was standing when he went with him with the lantern. After which, Captain Boyd pointed out the spot where the fire originated, which was a distance of fully sixty feet from the store-room. In reply to a question, Captain Boyd said: No spirits of any kind are allowed forward. The despatching officer at Plymouth was very particular iv this respect. All the immigrants were then mustered aft, and Dr. Rouse addressed them, stating that, in consequence of reports having reached the Government that some of the immigrants could give them information respecting the fire, an inquiry had been instituted, and he now desired any one who could throw light on the matter to come fonvard and say what he knew. No one came forward, all remarking that they could not give any information on the subject. The Court unanimously concluded that there was no evidence to show how the fire originated. John T. Rouse, Chairman. H. Macdonald, M.D., Immigration Commissioner, Lyttelton. T. Broham, Superintendent, A.C. J. E. March.

Enclosure 5 in No. 34. The Under Seceetaey for Immigeation to Captain Boyd. Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 25th March, 1879. It affords me much pleasure to convey to you, by direction of the Hon. the Minister for Immigration, the special thanks of the Government of this colony for the very valuable services rendered by you to the immigrants by the ship " Piako," which put into Pernambuco on fire whilst on her voyage to Lyttelton. I am further desired to state that you will be paid double the gratuity ordinarily allowed, and the Immigration Officer at Christchurch has accordingly been directed to pay you an additional £25. I have, &c, . H. J. H. Eliott, Captain Boyd, ship " Piako," Lyttelton. Under Secretary for Immigration.

Enclosure G in No. 34. The Under Seceetaet for Immigeation to Dr. Geeen. Sic,— Immigration Office, AVellington, 25th March, 1879. It affords me much pleasure to convey to you, by direction of the Hon. the Minister for Immigration, the special thanks of the Government of this colony for the very valuable services rendered by you to the immigrants by the ship " Piako," which put into Pernambuco on fire, whilst on her voyage to Lyttelton. I am further desired to state that you will be paid double the gratuity ordinarily allowed, and the Immigration Officer at Christchurch has accordingly been directed to pay you an additional £50. I have, &c, H. J. H. Eliott, Under Secretary for Immigration. Dr. T. B. Green, Surgeon-superintendent ship "Piako," Lyttelton.

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Enclosure 7 in No. 34. The Under Secretary for Immigration to Captain Conning. Sir,— Immigration Office, AVellington, N.Z, 25th March, 1879. I am directed by the Hon. tho Minister for Immigration to convey to you the thanks of the New Zealand Government, for your gallant conduct in standing by the ship "Piako " while on fire, and conveying the immigrants from that vessel to the Port of Pernambuco. As a slight mark of the appreciation of the Government of your conduct, I am to inform you that the Agent-General of New Zealand has beeu instructed to pay you a gratuity of £50. And on your applying to Sir Julius Vogel, at 7, AVcstminster Chambers, Loudon, that sum will be at once paid to you. I have, <tc, H. J. H. Eliott, Captain Conning, barque " Loch Doon," London. Under Secretary for Immigration.

No. 35. The Hon. J. Ballance to the Agent-Geneeal. Sir,— Immigration Office, AVellington, N.Z., 29th March, 1879. I have the honor to transmit the imderuientioned documents relating to the ship " Boyne," which arrived at Port Lyttelton on the 26th ultimo : — 1. Commissioner's report. 2. Surgeon-superintendent's report. 3. Minutes of proceedings of an inquiry into the captain's selling spirits to immigrants. 4. Certificates of births and deaths. 5. Correspondence with captain and chief officer in re sale of spirituous liquors. You will observe that the Commissioners are unable to report favourably of the vessel, and that the light and ventilation were very imperfect. I must again direct your attention to the inferiority of some of the vessels employed on our emigration service, and request in future you will take care that none but first-class ships are passed; this, I am led to believe, will be the case, from the terms of your letter of the 27th January. It was not considered desirable to take proceedings against the captain for selling spirituous liquors contrary to the provisions of the Passenger Act, but the report of the Commissioners aud the minutes of evidence have been printed in the New Zealand .Gazette* so that publicity might be given to the irregularities which occurred during the voyage; and, lam to add, that the captain should not be allowed to proceed again in command of a vessel conveying immigrants to this colony. The recommendations of the Commissioners, that the captain's gratuity should be withheld, and that the sum of £25 should be deducted from the amount payable to the surgeon, has been given effect to. You will learn from the report that Mr. James Reed is not again recommended for employment as surgeon-superintendent. You will also regret to learn that the conduct of several of the single women is very unfavourably commented on by the Commissioners. I have, &c, J. Ballance, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (for the Minister for Immigration.)

Enclosure 1 in No. 35. Immigration Commissioners' Report on the Ship "' Boyne." The Commissioners report the arrival of this ship on the 26th of February, after a passage of one hundred days. The general health of the immigrants had been good throughout the passage. The surgeon reported four births aud two deaths during the passage, and one death (an adult) immediately after arrival. The Commissioners are unable to report favourably on the ship; the light and ventilation was imperfect, the dead-lights leaked badly, and consequently the decks were continually wet. The discipline on board the ship was very imperfect; this was partly owing to the bad conduct of several of the single men and single women, and partly to tho fact that a number of the crew, and also the baker of the ship, were only engaged for the run out at Is. per month. Frequent quarrels among the immigrants, and also among the ship's crew, are reported in tho surgeon's journal ; one great cause, doubtless, having been the sale of spirits, which has formed the subject of a special inquiry, the report of which is appended. The provisions had been served out in accordance with tho dietary scale, and the quality was good. The regulations respecting boat and fire drill had been carefully attended to. The bath in the single-women's compartment did not work satisfactorily, in consequence of defective plumbers' work. Tho Commissioners regret that they cannot report favourably of several of the single women by this ship ; their conduct during the passage gave a considerable amount of trouble, aud, on arrival, four of them immediately left their situations, and are about tho town with the sailors of the ship. Particulars respecting them are attached to this report. In consequence of the result of the inquiry held on the 14th of March, the Commissioners feel that they would not be fulfilling their duty did they not recommeud to the Government that the No. 35, 27th March, 1870.

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captain's gratuity of £25 bo withheld, and that a similar amount be deducted from that payable to the surgeon, whom they cannot recommend for further employment. J. T. Rouse. Lyttelton, 15th March, 1879. J. E. March. I was present at the inquiry, and concur in the last paragraph of this report. H. Macdonald, M.D.

Enclosure 2 in No. 35. Minutes of Proceedings of Inquiry into Selling of Spirits by the Captain of the Ship " Boyne." Minutes of proceedings of an inquiry held on board the ship " Boyne," on Friday, 14th March, 1879, to investigate a charge preferred by the Surgeon-superintendent (in his report) against the Captain, of selling spirits to the emigrants during the passage. Present: Dr. Rouse (Chairman), Dr. Macdonald, and Mr. J. E. March, Immigration Commissioners. Captain Kelly, Dr. Reed, Surgeonsuperintendent, and Mr. Skinner, chief officer, were in attendance. Dr. Rouse stated the reason why the inquiry was held, although no mention was made at the time of the inspection of anything improper taking place on board during the passage. It was not until after the Commissioners had received tho Surgeon-superintendent's report that they were first acquainted with the circumstances. The charge preferred against the captain and officers of the ship was contained in the surgeon's report, and was as follows : — " General Conduct of the Officers. —In the first place I feel it my duty to complain of the sale, by Captain Kelly, of spirits —such as gin, whisky, and rum —and this, of course, accounts for the cases of drunkenness "which have occurred amongst the passengers ; and spirits has found its way to the single women. I used my best endeavours to convince the captain it was a great mistake, but, the sale still continuing, I wrote him an official letter, but received no written reply. (Vide diary, 23rd January; 2nd, 6th, 11th, and 115 th February.) The matron reported the first officer, Mr. Skinner, for passing down rum-and-milk to Elizabeth Memory, and with holding a conversation with her through the watercloset ventilator on the poop. (Vide diary, 21st and 16th February.) I have, therefore, not received that amount of support from the officers of the ship which I was entitled to expect; and Mr. Reed, the second mate, has told me that he is not paid for looking after emigrants, and therefore does not consider it his duty. (Vide diary, 6th February.)" On receipt of this report the Immigration Officer had written to Captain Kelly, and also to tho chief officer, and the following replies had been received : — " Christchurch, 13th March, 1879. —Gentlemen, —In reply to your letter of 11th March, requesting to be informed if spirits were sold on board my ship, I respectfully state that previous to doing so I informed Dr. Reed, and asked if he had any objections to me selling my small lot of spirits ; if so, I would not dispose of any ; but he agreeably consented, and with his full knowledge spirits were sold, Dr. Reed proposing to sell by the glass, in order to guard against intoxication. To bis letter, 22nd January, I considered no reply necessary, as it was forwarded when my stores were done. lam pained to think that this matter should be found necessary to call up, after the very warm and most friendly manner all the immigrants parted from the " Boyne," all of thorn conveying to me their expressions of gratitude in many forms, to myself in particular ; and, as the class of immigrants were from those sections of people at home that are often found troublesome, I prize their feelings of friendship more highly. The wines and spirits came on board at Plymouth, and then I was only aware of the great displeasure I should incur by disposing of them. As I have been very largely employed in the passenger trade, carrying 400 to 1,200 persons per month, on a voyage averaging thirty-four days, I have always found the sale of spirits allowed on board by Board of Trade officers. —I am, &c, John Kelly, Master of ship 'Boyne,' of London.—To the Immigration Commissioners." "Ship 'Boyne,' 12th March, IS79.—Gentlemen, —Having received your letter this morning referring to Dr. Reed's report to you of my conduct during the passage in passing spirits down to the single women, and likewise failing to give him that support to which he was entitled; with regard to the first complaint: I solemnly deny that I, on any one occasion, passed spirits down to the single women ; and I can assure you that this complaint is entirely without foundation, as Dr. Reed cannot possibly showany proofs for this assertion. Referring to my not giving him the amount of support he was entitled to expect, I will leave it to you, gentlemen, to decide whether I did or not. I will quote two instances where, but for my support, serious results might have occurred, while Dr. Reed was lying apparently stupefied on one occasion while the colic was prevalent amongst the single women. Having charge of the deck, I was attracted by screams of agony coming from the single women's compartment. Hearing the matron calling out, I went to the hatch, when she implored me to call the doctor, as one of the girls was attacked with violent cramp. I immediately went to his cabin and endeavoured, by every means in my power, to arouse him ; but all I could get him to say was, ' Has not the matron got any brandy ?' I still persevered in shaking him, and thirty-five minutes elapsed before I could get him out. The circumstance is inserted in the ship's log-book, to which you can refer, if necessary. The other instance was of a similar nature, only I was obliged to call the captain as my attempts to arouse him were ineffectual, as the case required immediate attention, it being a woman in the pains of labour. These are but two instances of the many cases in which, had 1 been neglecting my duty in supporting him, serious consequences might have ensued ; and in the latter instance the child was born before he arrived at the hospital. And now, gentlemen, having, I hope satisfactorily, explained the matters referred to in your letter, —I have, &c, T. Skinner, First Officer, ship 'Boyne.' —To the Immigration Commissioners." The Chairman said he would first call ou Dr, Reed to substantiate his charge, and to reply to the letter he had just read.

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James Reed, Surgeon-superintendent, said : With regard to the captain's reply about the sale of spirits, I did, after several times being pressed, consent to the sale, provided tho spirits were drunk at the cabin door, and that not more than one wineglass should be allowed to one man. I superintended this myself, in the presence of the third mate ; but, the demand for spirits becoming so large, I foresaw the injurious consequences that would arise, and, therefore, withdrew my consent. The sale still continued, and, on one or two occasions of drunkenness occurring, I again represented the matter to the captain, and, finding it of no avail, I wrote the letter which you will find in my diary of 22nd January. The letter was as follows : " Ship ' Boyne,' 22nd January, 1879. —Captain Kelly, —Dear Sir, —I beg to remind you that the sale of spirits is still coutinued, and, as you are aware, it is w-itbout my consent, and much against my wishes. I therefore beg leave to state that I shall not hold myself responsible for any disturbance" that arises through it.—l am, &c, James Reed, Surgeon-superintendent, ship ' Boyne.' " To this letter I received no reply. Concerning Mr. Skinner's report, I can only say that the matron reported to me of the occurrence "of the rum-and-milk being passed down, and of the communication at the water-closet ventilator ; and that Mr. Skinner acknowledged both these facts to me afterwards. Concerning the charge mentioned first in the chief officer's letter, I may say that I had between fifteen and twenty of the single girls complaining of severe pains from colic, and that my time was fully occupied all day, and that on the day in question I did not leave the single women's compartment to go to bed till 3 a.m. AVith regard to the"second charge, it was her first case of confinement. I had seen the woman about 7 p.m. She did not know whether she was in labour or not, but I made arrangements to have her conveyed, with the nurse in attendance, to the lying-in hospital, if she thought it necessary. I retired that night at 10 p.m. She was not then in the hospital, and the first I heard of it was the call I had in the morning when in bed, between 6 and 7. Knowing it to be a first case I did not rise immediately, but at the expiration of fifteen minutes the nurse came to me, saying the child was partly in the world. I immediately attended, and delivered the woman of a living male child. The mother and child did well. That is all I have to say. Captain Kelly, in reply to the Chairman, said : I asked Dr. Reed merely once, if I could dispose of spirits, and then I did not sell any for some little time ; and finding from my attention being called by Dr. Reed to drunkenness having taken place amongst the passengers, I stopped the sale I should say for three weeks ; and from that period, up to receiving Dr. Reed's letter of 22nd January, spirits were not sold more than two or three nights out of six. The spirits sold were my own private stores, outside the ship altogether. I did not entirely cease the supply of liquors at Dr. Reed's request, but limited to two or three nights a week. The Chairman here read clause 62 of the Passenger Act, as follows : " If in any passenger ship any person shall, during the voyage, directly or indirectly, sell or cause to be sold any spirits or strong waters to any passenger, he shall be liable for every such offence to a penalty not exceeding twenty pounds, nor less than five pounds sterling." The captain said he was not acquainted with it before he left Plymouth; he looked through the Passenger Act after leaving port. By Dr. Rouse: In the Government regulations did you notice the following?—" The captain is, therefore, on no account to sell or permit the sale of wines or malt liquors, or spirits, to the immigrants." Captain Kelly: Ido not remember noticing the paragraph in question. This is the first time I carried immigrants to New Zealand, but I have carried passengers. In the Atlantic passenger trade the sale of spirits is permitted. Dr. Reed was asked if he had noticed section 44, on page 15 of Instructions to Surgeon-super-intendents ?—He replied :" I did notice it. I have been out with immigrants before." Mr. Skinner said : I stated to the doctor that I never passed down rum-and-milk, nor spirits of any kind; I acknowledge that I passed down one cup of coffee. The conversation at the ventilator was with one of the single women accused of stealing money ; she asked me to intercede with the doctor, and I said I would, and I told the doctor of the circumstance on the following day. Dr. Reed said : After the matron had reported the circumstance to me I told the captain I should enter it in mv journal. Then Mr. Skinner came and spoke to me about it, and hoped I would not report it. I told him that as the matron had reported it to me, it was my duty to enter it in my journal, but I think I said I would not specially report it. Mr. Skinner continued : On several nights I had occasion to call the doctor, and in many instances he was required while I was on deck, and I had great trouble to get him to attend to the patients ;it was difficult to wake him. He wanted to see the constable on one occasion before he would go. The captain said his attention was never called to the surgeon objecting to attend. Dr. Reed said : I had diarrhcea nearly the whole voyage, and I took regularly every night the pill opii, commencing with one grain of opium, and increasing to two grains or more. I took this as medicine, and not to quiet me. When lam at sea I suffer from diarrhoea always, and find it necessary to take medicine. In reply to the Chairman, the surgeon said : AVhenever I asked Mr. Skinner to do anything he did it, and never in any way encouraged insubordination amongst the immigrants. The Chief Officer said: I deny holding any conversation with the immigrants through the ventilator, as reported ; I merely listened to a noise that was going on, and reported it to the captain. Captain Kelly said : I remember the circumstance. Dr. Reed said : There was no noise at the time ; the captain and myself were sitting in the cabin ; the captain went on the poop, and when he returned he told me Mr. Skinner was on his hands and knees, with his head over the ventilator, and was listening. The inquiry then closed. The Chairman stated the Commissioners would report to the Government. John T. Rouse, Chairman. H. Macdonald, M.D., 7 n ■ • J.E.March, ' j Commissioners.

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No. 36. The Hon. J. Ballance to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 29th March, 1879. It having been ascertained that in some instances persons who have already been in the colony, and who have returned to their mother-country on business or pleasure, have taken advantago of the regulations under which free passages are granted to the colony, in order to save the expense of their return passages, I have to request that, in future, you will require each person who is granted a passage as a Government immigrant to sign an undertaking as to the truth of his representations, giving power to the Government to sue for the full amount of passage-money if it is afterwards ascertained that the representations were false ; and I shall be obliged by your taking steps to hare the necessary form of undertaking prepared under legal advice. I have, &c, J. Ballance, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (for the Minister for Immigration.)

No. 37. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 7th April, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th February last, No. 136, upon the subject of remuneration to Surgeon-superintendents of vessels conveying emigrants to this colony. And, in reply, to inform you that you are authorized to make such terms as you may consider necessary for securing the services of desirable medical gentlemen. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Robeet Stout.

No. 38. The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, Sth April, 1879. Telegeam 28th February cancelled. Ship one thousand immigrants, arrive winter months—proportion according cancelled telegram. Vogel, London. _________*_«„—__- Geey.

No. 39. The Hon. J. Ballance to the Agent-Geneeal. Sib,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 18th April, 1879. I have the honor to request that you will be good enough to make preparation for further immigration to this colony, but the Government is of opinion that the progress of the country should be watched for the ensuing two months before the definite number for emigration is named. You can, however, prepare for sending two thousand people for the next season ; more, however, will be required, and definite instructions will bo telegraphed to you in about six or eight weeks. These people Bhould be sent to the several ports of the colony according to the proportions given in Sir George Grey's telegram of the 28th February last. I have, &c, J. Ballance, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (for the Minister for Immigration.)

No. 40. The Hon. J. Ballance to the Agent-Geneeal. g IE _ Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 24th April, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd February last, reporting Mr. A. Simmons's departure for this colony by the steamer " Stad Haarlem." In reply I have to inform you that Mr. Simmons has duly arrived, and has been furnished with a free pass over all the railways to facilitate his seeing the country, and that when he wishes to return to England he will be granted a cabin passage by whichever route he may choose to take. I have, &c, J. Ballance, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (for the Minister for Immigration.)

No. 41. The Hon. J. Ballance to the Agent-Geneeal. g lE __ Immigration Office, AVellington, N.Z., 26th April, 1879. I have the honor to transmit herewith the undermentioned documents relating to the steamer "Stad Haarlem," which arrived at Port Lyttelton on the 15th instant:— 1. Commissioners' report. 4—D. 1.

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2. Surgeon-superintendent's report. 3. List of births and deaths. The "Stad Haarlem " arrived off Port Chalmers on the evening of the 13th April, having made a remarkably fine passage of fifty-nine days, including detentions of thirty-two hours at St. Vincent, and five days at the Cape. As, however, there was a heavy break on the bar at tho entrance to Port Chalmers, tho steamer, after waiting until the morning of the 14th, proceeded on her voyage to Lyttelton, under tho orders of the General Manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company. You will observe that tho Commissioners report favourably upon the vessel, and the immigrants whom she brought; it would have added to the comfort and convenience of the people, however, had a smaller number been despatched. Great credit is due to Captain de Boer and Dr. Gibson, the Surgeon-superintendent, for the manner in which—taking all the circumstances into consideration — the vessel arrived in port; especially as owing to the want of knowledge of the English language the officers of the ship could render but very little assistance iv maintaining discipline and cleanliness. Your attention is again drawn to the fact that single young men, who are not accompanied by their relations, are not desirable passengers to be allowed on board vessels conveying Government immigrants. In this case the annoyance caused by two passengers of this class terminated at the Cape, owing to the young men having left the ship there. In conclusion, it is a matter for congratulation to all persons concerned, that the experiment of sending emigrants by steamer should have proved so satisfactory. I have, &c, J. Ballance, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (for the Minister for Immigration.)

Enclosure 1 in No. 41. Immigeation Commissionees' Repoet on the s.s. "Stad Haaelem." The Commissioners report the arrival of the steamer " Stad Haarlem," on the 15th instant, after a passage of fifty-nine days, which includes a detention of thirty-two hours at St. Vincent, and five days at the Cape. The general health of the immigrants had been good throughout the voyage. The surgeon reported one birth and five deaths —namely, four infants, and a child two years of age. The cleanliness in all compartments was exceedingly creditable, the more so that in certain portions of the lower deck, which had been converted from the space intended for cargo, the lighting was verydefective. The arrangements for ventilation were as good as the vessel's construction would allow, but at the same time, it was very evident that in the lower section of the single women's compartment, and also in the corresponding one for the single men, the supply of pure air was very limited. The fittings generally were good, and judiciously arranged, except in those parts of the married people's compartment which were in bays, where there was not sufficient provision for privacy. The surgeon pointed out that, in case of sudden illness among any of the married women occupying berths in these places, there would be serious difficulties in the way of examination and treatment. The provisions had been served out in accordance with the dietary scale, the quality was good, and no complaints of any kind were made. The class of immigrants by this steamer appeared to be admirably adapted for the requirements of the colony, but it would be advisable, on future occasions, to avoid, if possible, the shipping of union and non-union men in the same vessel. On this occasion it did not lead to any mischief. This the Commissioners attribute mainly to tho judicious management of the surgeon aud captain. The matron appointed in England was found to be incompetent, and was accordingly removed from office, one of the married women being selected to succeed her, as, in the surgeon's opinion, there was no one amongst the single women capable of performing the duties. The Commissioners concur in the recommendation embodied in the surgeon's report, that, where large numbers of single women are carried, a thoroughly qualified and well paid matron should be engaged. The Commissioners would take this opportunity of again recommending to the favourable consideration of the Government the advisability of securing a staff of experienced matrons, for regular employment in tho New Zealand emigration service. The surgeon speaks highly of the assistance rendered him by the captain, but complains of want of support from the officers generally, and of misconduct, with reference to the single women, on the part of the third and fourth officers. Ho also mentioned to the Commissioners the confusion arising from the fact that, with the exception of the captaiu and purser, scarcely one of the ship's company understood or spoke English. This might have led to serious results in case of accident from fire, or stress of weather. The Commissioners here feel it necessary to remark upon the very insufficient deck accommodation on board the " Stad Haarlem," the numerous houses and offices on deck leaving, except in one place far forward, scarcely room for two persons to walk abreast, and even this narrow passage was obstructed by ventilators, &c. The only other available space for exercise, namely, the hurricane deck, was allotted to the single women, and had been enclosed with canvas for privacy and comfort. The surgeon reports having met with trouble and annoyance from the conduct of two young men, saloon passengers, who behaved in a most indecent manner, trying to attract the attention of the single women. He was relieved of their presence at the Cape. The inadvisability of allowing single men (except when members of families) as passengers on board emigrant ships, has been on former occasions Strongly urged by the Commissioners. Jhe regulations respecting boat and fire drill bad been attended to as well as the circumstances

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mentioned before would permit—namely, the inability of the crew and emigrants to understand each other, and the hampered state of the decks. AVith reference to the " Stad Haarlem " generally, the Commissioners cannot but remark that although the emigrants have arrived in good health, and without there having been any serious breach of discipline or accident, thii is mainly due to the excellent management of Dr. Gibson, the Surgeonsuperintendent, the shortness of the passage, and the fine weather experienced throughout. The Commissioners recommend that full gratuities be paid to the Surgeon-superintendent, whom they recommend for further employment, and to the captain, chief officer, and purser, and that the gratuity payable to tho matron be payable to Mrs. A . JonN T. Rouse. H. Macdonald, M.D. Lyttelton, 19th April, 1879. J. E. March.

Enclosure 2 in No. 41. Suegeon-supeeintendent's Repoet on the s.s. "Stad Haaelem." Passage.—The passage has been, as regards weather, an exceptionally fine one, and we were consequently enabled to air the bedding and carry on washing operations ad libitum. The peculiar construction of the ship, and the hamper on the upper deck, prevented in a great measure the holding of concerts and amusements. Notwithstanding this drawback, three very successful entertainments were given during the last ten days. These and races, tug of war, and sports during the day, lessened in a great measure the dulness and tedium of the closo of the passage. The Emigrants in my judgment are a good shipment, breaches of discipline and regulations having been very few, and of comparatively venial character. Health. —Has been throughout the passage very good, no serious or contagious malady having visited us. Only one accident occurred —viz., the breaking of a thigh bone, caused by a fall down a companion-way. Our immunity from general sickness, diarrhoea, ship fever, &c.', I attribute to the fine weather, absence of rain, clean state of bilges, good water-supply, and the excellent arrangements for ventilation in the different compartments made by the despatching officer. The Matron was removed from office for general inefficiency on March 14th, and Mrs. A , a married woman from main hatch, appointed in her stead, none of the single women appearing to me to be fit for the post. Mrs. A , for ten days previous to her taking on of Miss S duties, had (notwithstanding that there were two sub-matrons) been detailed by me to assist the matron in getting the girls to clean, &c. I am disposed to advise that for the future, when largo numbers (50) of single women are carried, competent trained and properly paid matrons should be appointed. The present New Zealaud Government system of selecting some respectable well-recommended woman for that office i 3, in my judgment, mischievous, and likely to interfere with the maintenance of discipline, order, and cleanliness amongst the single women. As evidence against mere respectability, unassociated with previous training, governing the appointment of such an official, I can state that, after carefully looking over the large number of carefully selected women on board, I am forced to the conclusion that not one has the qualifications of a moderately effective matron. My reasons for displacing Miss S were, that she was wanting in tact, that she was lazy, requiring more to bo waited on than engaged in the active dischargo of her duties, and that her language to the girls was at times most objectionable. Tha captain fully concurred with me in the action taken in this matter. Constables. —Three had to be removed for misconduct towards the close of the passage. Stores, Medicines, §c. —Theso were of good quality, tho flour exceptionally so. As usual, the preserved potatoes were not appreciated, aud at the request of the emigrants rice was substituted. In my judgment parsnips ought to bo placed on the dietary scale instead of onions, as the latter smell most offensively on a tin being opened, and undergo rapid decomposition. The Condensing Apparatus worked well, the average amount of water made daily being 800 gallons, and the coal consumption for this purpose being lj tons. The water, except on three occasions, was sweet and clear. Boat and Fire-drill, Sfc, was held eight times during the passage, and the night watches in the 'tween decks were rigidly kept. Births. —Mrs. D J— —, of a daughter, 31st March. Deaths. —Thomas P infant, of bronchitis, on 19lh February, and Henry P infant, of bronchitis, on 21st February, at sea ; Victor C infant, of bronchitis, on 16th March, at Table Bay; Albert X infant, of marasmus, on Ist April, and G F T , two years old, of phthisis, at sea. The Officers s.s. " Stad Haarlem." —My relations with Captain de Boer throughout the passage were of a most pleasant nature. He displayed an anxious desire to do everything calculated to insure the comfort and welfare of the passengers, and was most courteous in attending to and carrying out any suggestions made by me. Notwithstanding the many and arduous duties devolving on him he gave me great assistance in looking after the single women. I believe him to be an upright, honorable gentleman, and, as far as my judgment goes, a good navigator. Senior Officers. —Unlike the captain, the officers had only a limited knowledge of the English language, and this, no doubt, interfered to a very large extent with their efficiency as emigrant ship officials. lam of opiniou that, apart from this drawback, they showed considerable want of observation, activity, and exercise of authority. Junior Officers. —As will be seen by reference to my notes, the third and fourth officers were not only absolutely useless but most annoying and troublesome —chiefly with reference to the single women.

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The Engineers were most efficient. I consider Mr. Srouter, an eicellent officer, no hitch having occurred with the engines, and the stoppages having been few. Beck-cleaning was carried out according (I suppose) to the Dutch system, but certainly fell very far short of what obtains on board English merchantmen, so much so that I was obliged to detail three men to supplement the action of the crew in the matter of washing decks —an operation on the latter's part that was frequently omitted for two or three days in succession. Saloon Passengers. —I am strongly of opinion that saloon passengers, especially young men, ought not to be carried iii emigrant ships. During the earlier part of the passage (vide notes February 27th and March sth) two of the saloon passengers gave great trouble by most objectionable and obscene pantomimic demonstrations, within view of and with the object of calling the single women's attention to the performance. These two gentlemen left at the Cape. Looking at the stress laid in the surgeon's instructions on the importance of keeping the single, and, indeed, all, men away from the single women, I consider that it is in tho highest degree unfair to the doctor and the parents of the girFs to plant aft young men of the better classes, who, in the present state of social education, are prone to look upon the domestic servant womau as fair game. In our case, the action of these young men gave me considerable trouble and anxiety, and added, in a crowded ship officered by foreigners, materially to responsibilities heavy enough without such a tax. lam bound to state that our other passengers throughout the passage kept strictly apart from the emigrants, and attempted in no wise to infringe the regulations. Steamers as emigrant vessels. —I am of opinion, notwithstanding the success of the present experiment, that steamers are unsuited for the carrying of large bodies of emigrants, and chiefly on the following grounds: —(1.) The large numbers that —from a paying point of view—would have to be carried, and the consequent increased risk of contagious disease breaking out. (2.) The necessity for calling at coaling stations, and the risk either of emigrants running away altogether, or returning to the ship and possibly introducing on board some contagious or other malady prevalent on shore. (3.) The bilges, and risk of diarrhcea and other gastro-intestinal affections from this source. (4.) The probability of saloon and other class passengers being carried, and the impossibility of keeping these apart from the emigrant contingent as the present regulations roquire. (5.) The dirt and filth caused by coaling arrangements. (6.) The want of adequate deck space, as contrasted with the room for exercise on sailing ships. On these, and other grounds, I am in favor of sailing ships for the carrying of Government emigrants. Trusting that the result of the passage may prove satisfactory to your Government. I have, &c, The Immigration Commissoners, Chas. H. Gibson, Lyttelton. Surgeon-superiutendent s.s. " Stad Haarlem."

No. 42. The Hon. J. Ballance to the Agent-Geneeal. Sib,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 2nd May, 1879. Herewith you will receive copy of a letter, the original of which will be presented to you by Mr. Arthur Clayden, who leaves for England iv tho " Stad Haarlem," and whose services while there may be turned to good account by the promotion of the emigration of the best class of colonists. From Mr. Clavden's connection with the agricultural interests in Great Britain, it is anticipated that his services will be of great advantage in disseminating information amongst tenant farmers, agricultural labourers, &c , and in inducing them to come out to a colony which offers so many and great advantages to persons of these classes. It is understood that Mr. Clayden's services will be available in any part of the United Kingdom, and of course there will bo no commission paid to local agents in respect of persons who may be influenced by him to emigrate, so that it is anticipated a considerable saving will be effected as compared with the present system of promoting emigration. I have, &c, J. Ballance, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (for the Minister for Immigration.)

Enclosure in No. 42. The Undee Seceetaby for Immigration to Mr. A. Clayden. Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 2nd May, 1879. In reply to your letter of the 18th ultimo, I have the honor, by direction of the Hon. the Minister for Immigration, to inform you that the Government will be glad to avail itself of your services as an Emigration Agent in Great Britain, in the way of delivering lectures on the resources of New Zealand as a field for emigration, and otherwise inducing suitable persons to emigrate to the colony. In consideration of your services, a saloon passage for yourself and your wife will be provided to Great Britain by tho steamer " Stad Haarlem," and the Agent-General will be directed to pay you the sum of £200, out of which you will hare to find your own travelling expenses in the United Kingdom. It will be for mutual arrangement between the Agent-General and yourself, whether the sum named will be paid in respect of tho whole of your services being devoted to the department for a period of twelve months, or in such other manner as the Agent-General may deem best in the interests of the department, it being distinctly understood that your services are available in such parts of the United Kingdom as the Agent-General may direct. I have, &c, H. J. H. Eliott, Mr. Arthur Claydcu, AVakefield, Nelson, Under Secretary.

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No. 43. The Hon. J. Ballance to the Agent-Geneeal. Sib,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., sth May, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 199, of the Ist March last, and to thank you for the information therein afforded, and I shall look forward with some interest to the decision of the Board of Trade regarding the inquiry as to tho unsatisfactory official inspection of emigrants embarking at Plymouth. Your action in this affair, as well as regards the Welsh emigrants, meets with approval. I have, &c, J. Ballance, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (for the Minister for Immigration.)

No. 44. The Hon. J. Ballance to the Agent-Geneeal. Sib,— Immigration Office, Wellington. N.Z., 7th May, 1879. Referring to my letter of the 2nd instant, I have the honor to inform you that Mr. Clayden, having represented that the expense of travelling in the United Kingdom would more than absorb the sum of £200, which it was proposed to allow him as remuneration for promoting emigration to the colony, it has been decided to increase the amount to £250, which sum you are requested to be good enough to pay Mr. Clayden, upon his fulfiling the terms of his engagement as reported to you. I have, e&c, J. Ballance, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (for the Minister for Immigration.)

No. 45. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-Geneeal. Sib,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 9th May, 1879. Referring to my letter of the sth March last, I have the honor to enclose copy of a further communication from Mr. A. J. Burns with reference to sending out coal miners to this colony, and to request that you will be good enough to give effect to Mr. Burns's wishes in this matter. I have, e&c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Robeet Stout.

Enclosure in No. 45. The Geneeal Manages, Westport Colliery Company, to the Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation. Sib,— Westport, 28th April, 1879. Referring to my letter of the Ist March, and your affirmative reply of the 6th March, I would suggest that you give instructions to the Agent-General that, in addition to the number of miners intended for us, that a small number, say ten or twelve miners, should be sent by every ship leaving London or the Clyde with immigrants, to Dunedin, Lyttelton, Auckland ; also to Wellington, for distribution to the Coast, or to Nelson for the same purpose. We have very great difficulty just now in getting these men to give a fair day's work for a fair day's wage, therefore, unless the supply be kept up, this difficulty will increase, and end in stoppage of works. Also the men are not to be had, if we require more than we have at present. Men are wandering about who call themselves coal-miners, but when given a trial, wo find they know nothing about the work, so they either leave or we are compelled to discharge them as useless. I trust this suggestion will be approved of. Plenty of men of this class will only be too happy to leave Britain just now. I have, &c, A. J. Buens, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. General Manager. No. 46. The Hon. J. Ballance to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 15th May, 1879. _ ' This letter will be handed to you by Mr. George Kennerley, who is about visiting the United Kingdom, and who is desirous of offering his services gratuitously in procuring suitable immigrants for this colony. I shall be glad to hear that you have availed yourself of this gentleman's services. I have, &c, J. Ballance, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (for the Minister for Immigration.)

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No. 47. The Hon. the Mintstee for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 15th May, 1879. I have the honor to enclose, for your information, copies of the correspondence with Mr. John Bathgate, Resident Magistrate of Dunedin, who has been granted twelve months' leave of absence on full pay, aud to request that you will utilize his services in the promotion of emigration to this colony in such manner as you may think best. You will observe that Mr. Bathgate's actual travelling expenses will be defrayed him, should he lecture at any place where he does not reside. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Robert Stout.

Enclosure 1 in No. 47. Mr. John Bathgate to the Hon. the Ministfe for Immigration. Sic Dunedin, 9th April, 1879. I have the honor to inform you that, finding it necessary to proceed to Europe on urgent private business, I have applied to the Hon. the Minister of Justice for the necessary leave of absence. I annex a copy of my application. Should my request be favourably entertained, I propose, with your sanction, to devote a large portion of my time, when in Britain, for the purpose of securing emigrants to the colony, of the best class, possessing capital. I have been repeatedly in communication with gentlemen of standing at Home on the subject, and believe that circumstances are favourable at the present time for obtaining a number of emigrants of the class suggested. Being well known, I have reason to believe my personal testimony in favour of the advantages offered by the colony would be acceptable and productive. If you concur with me in considering the proposal made of importance, I would not ask for any portion of my expenses going to or returning from Britain to be defrayed by the colony, but I would naturally expect to be protected against loss when engaged in the special service of the colony in Britain. I would undertake to give public lectures, and make a personal canvass in likely quarters, and I would expect that my reasonable travelling charges and outlay, when on such service, should be defrayed. The amount might be limited by you to such sum as you think proper, and I would be prepared to render detailed accounts of expenditure. I would also be ready to carry out any special instructions with which I might be honoured by you. . ... The Government may rely that no pains would be spared by me in furthering the object in view. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration. John Bathgate.

Enclosure 2 in No. 47. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 15th May, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th ultimo, offering your services in promoting emigration from the United Kingdom to this colony, in the event of your application to the Hon. the Minister of Justice, for twelve months' leave of absence, being granted; and in reply to inform you that the Government gladly avails itself of your offer, and the Agent-General will be requested to utilize your services, either by delivering lectures, or in such other way as he may consider best in the interests of the colony. Half your salary during the period of your leave will be defrayed by the Immigration Department, the other moiety being charged to the Justice Department. I have, &c, Robeet Stout. John Bathgate, Esq., Resident Magistrate, D unedin. p.S.—The Agent-General will bo informed to pay you your actual travelling expenses should he engage you to lecture at any place where you are not residing.—R. S. i urn i iiniM ■iiibi m ■■———1

No. 48. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigration to the Agent-Geneeal. Sir,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 21st May, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 247, of the 25th March last, in which you recommend a new scale of remuneration for medical men in charge of immigrants, and to inform you that your recommendation has been approved, and that the word " Waterloo" was transmitted to you by telegram on tho 15th instant, as you requested. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Robeet Stout.

No. 49. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 21st May, 1879. I have again to draw your attention to the large sums still paid by youaß commissions to local agents in tho United Kingdom for procuring immigrants for the colony, notwithstanding the opinion

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of my predecessor, which was communicated to you in his letter of the 23rd April, 1878 :* " That such commission might be done away with, now that the scheme has already been in operation for some time past, and looking to the number of nominations sent Home every month." Since that letter was written, you have had the assistance of several agents from the colony, as well as the services of returned colonists, in disseminating information respecting the colony, so that it appears to me there is less need than ever of paying local agents by commission. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Robeet Stout.

No. 50. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigration to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic,— Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 2nd June, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the 7th April, No. 269, and Ist April, No. 274, and, in reply, to inform you that it appears to me, from the large number of applications you are constantly receiving from persons who are desirous of emigrating to this colony, there should be no difficulty in selecting a sufficient number of suitable emigrants to satisfy our requirements for the ensuing year. lam not yet in a position to definitely inform you of the number that will be required, but I hope to be able to do so before the 2,000, which you were requested to prepare for, have been despatched. I am pleased to hear such favourable accounts of the gentlemen who are acting as lecturers, &c, and I cordially approve of your proposal to locate Mr. G. M. Reed as an Agent in the North of Ireland. I note that you intend, notwithstanding tho large number of applications which you are receiving from the South of Ireland, to act strictly in accordance with the instructions you have received with reference to the proportions to be sent from each of the nationalities of the United Kingdom. I desire that these proportions be adhered to. As the work of your department has increased so much lately, and your staff has been considerably reduced, you aro authorized to obtain the services of a shorthand reporter, until the pressure of work which now exists is removed. I shall be obliged by your informing me of the terms which you may make with the person you engage. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Robeet Stout.

No. 51. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic, Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 2nd June, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of tho 25th March last, No. 259. and to inform you that the Government is in communication with the Shipping Company with reference to your grave complaints as to the delay in providing cargo ships. When a reply to my communication has been received, I will further inform you upon the subject, but, from the information before me, I am of opinion that the Government would not be justified in at present cancelling the existing contract, as it seems to me that the Shipping Company could hardly have expected such a large demand for freight would have been made upon them by tho Government. Were a new contract to bo entered into, I think some provision should be made to enable tho Agent-General to charter vessels for such exceptional services as the conveyance of large quantities of railway material, &c. The difficulty, however, is, that if there is no contract with some shipping company the Agent-General would have very onerous duties cast on him, his staff would have to be very materially increased, and I do not know if this increase of cost would be productive of much benefit to the colony. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Robert Stout.

No. 52. The Hon. the Minister for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. S IE — Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 7th June, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd April, No. 316, transmitting copy of your instructions to Mr. G. M. Reed, whom you have appointed Immigration Agent for the North of Ireland. And to inform you that the Government entirely approves your action in this matter. I have, &?., John Ballance, The Agent-General for New Zealand, Loudon. (for the Minister for Immigration.) * No. 12, D.-1., 1878.

By Authority: Q-eobge Didsbcby, Government Printer, WelliDgton.<-^1879. Price, Is. 3d.]