9

D.—l

Adults. Married couples ... ... 74 = 148 persons ... = 148 Single men ... ... 21 Single women ... ... 61 — 82 „ ... = 82 Children (between one and twelve years)— Male ... ... ... 76 Female ... ... ... 48 — 124 „ ... = 62 Infants (under one year) ... 25 „ ... ... 0 In all ... ... 379 „ ... = 292 One death took place during the passage, a male child one and a half year old ; while four births occurred, the four infants being included in above-stated number. Most of the single women have now obtained situations; as have also many of the single men. The married men started yesterday for the Seventy-Mile Bush, under Mr. Halcombe's guidance. I leave this place to-morrow to be up with Mr. Halcombe's party on their arrival at the bush. Lastly, I have to tender my humble thanks for the appointment as Interpreter, Collector of Immigrants' Promissory Notes, and Paymaster for the road parties in the Seventy-Mile Bush, contained in communications from the Public Works Office, dated 29th August and 9th September. I have, <fee, The Under Secretary, Public Works Office, Wellington. B. E. Feibebo.

Enclosure 8 in No. 8. Mr. A. P. Halcombe to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sib,— • Napier, Ist October, 1872. As I had the honor to report by telegram, the immigrant ships "Ballarat " and " Hovding " arrived in this port within a few hours of each other, on Sunday, the 15th September. The passengers by the " Ballarat" consisted of 159jr statute adults, English, Scotch, Irish, and Danish, assisted immigrants, for Napier, and 62£- for Auckland, workmen under engagement to the Messrs. Brogden. The " Hovding " brought 292 statute adults, Norwegians and Swedes, from Christiania, under the charge of Mr. Priberg. I have great pleasure in reporting that the passengers by both vessels arrived in excellent health, and that, with the exception of the.death of a female child (who had been brought on board in sickly condition), on board the "Hovding," no casualty or serious illness had occurred on the voyage. Notwithstanding that a portion of the outward voyage had been unusually rough, every care had been taken by the surgeon-superintondents and officers of both vessels to secure the comfort of the passengers; and I hare great pleasure in testifying to the ability and efficiency with which Dr. J. P. G-annon, of the " Ballarat," and Dr. Nowegaard, of the " Hovding," had discharged the difficult and important duties of their ofl"n'e. Not a single complaint of any kind was made to me by any of the passengers ; on the contrary, they all spoke most gratefully of the kindness and courtesy shown to them by the officers of both vessels. Dr. Gannon, especially, whose duties were necessarily rendered the more difficult on account of the mixed nationalities of the immigrants under his charge, deserves the highest commendation for the admirable order maintained throughout the voyage, and for the close attention to his duties, which was most gratefully acknowledged by the passengers themselves. The immigrants on board both vessels appear to be well selected, and are, I think, likely to prove good settlers, especially those from the ship " Hovding." With regard to the latter, I may say that themen are, with few exceptions, thoroughly workmanlike, hardy-looking fellows ; and the single women, of whom there were a large number (fifty-seven) on board, are far above the average of immigrants of that class who have hitherto been brought to the Colony, and I was most favourably impressed with their neat, cheerful, cleanly, and respectable appearance. While speaking of the " Hovding," I desire to direct especial attention to the valuable assistance rendered by Mr. Friberg, who had charge of the Scandinavian immigrants from Christiania, and of whose exertions to promote their comfort and welfare both Captain Berg and Dr. Nowegaard speak in the highest terms. I, of course, can only add my personal testimony as to the result of his efforts, which are most satisfactory. I have great pleasure in being able to report that, with the exception of some ten men temporarily engaged on the railway works here, and of the eighty-four families I am locating in the Seventy-Mile Bush, the whole of the immigrants have found employment suitable to them among the settlers and tradesmen in this neighbourhood. This result I consider as most satisfactory, when it is considered that a fortnight has not yet elapsed since these shipments were landed, and that the single women numbered seventy-nine, sixtyeight of whom were Scandinavians unable to speak any English. This fact may, I think, be held to justify and confirm the high tone in which I have spoken of these Scandinavian women, and I have great pleasure in learning from very many of their employers that they are giving great satisfaction as domestic servants. Their willingness to be taught, their aptitude to learn, their industrious habits, and their respectful manners, compensate in great measure for the disadvantage of their being foreigners. 2—D. 1.