D.—l

No. 45. Memobandum No. 17, 1873, for the Agent-Geiteeal, London. I fobwabd herewith for your information copies of the under-mentioned correspondence : — 1. Eeport of Immigration Officer, Canterbury, on immigrants per ships " Pleiades" and " Crusader." 2. Certificate by Immigration Officer, Canterbury, of numbers of immigrants landed from the ships " Lady Jocelyn," "Pleiades," and "Crusader." 3. Letter from Immigration Officer, Canterbury, pointing out that clause 22 of contract with Messrs. Shaw, Saville, and Co., relative to stowage of immigrants' luggage, is not properly carried out. Immigration Office, G. Maueice O'Eoeke. "Wellington, New Zealand, 21st January, 1873.

Enclosure 1 in No. 45. Immigeation Officer's Eepoet on Immigrants per Ship " Pleiades." Date of Arrival.— 2Bth December, 1872. Number Landed. —16 families = 45^ statute adults. 22 single men = 22 „ 33 single women = 33 „ Total, 120 souls = 100J „ Number Engaged. —All who were open for engagement were immediately employed, with the exception of two married men, one of whom had met with an accident on board which prevents his working at present; the other, Arthur Petersen, a Norwegian, came out with the understanding that he was to receive an appointment as schoolmaster in the North Island among his own countrymen. Character of the Immigrants. —Good. What Wages were given. Married Couples — Earm servants, £52 to £60 per annum and found. £70 and house. Single Men— Farm servants, £50 per annum. Bakers, 40s. to 455. per week, with bread. Single Women— General servants, £20 to £30. Nurses, £25. Sick nurse, 30s. per week. Present Demand of the Labour Market. The demand for farm labourers is always much greater at this season of the year than at any other, and consequently many employers were disappointed in obtaining men. The number of applications received at this office before the arrival of the ship was for 61 men and 119 single women. The number actually for engagement was very small—namely, 9 men and 12 single women, the others had friends here and went to them on arrival. There is a very large demand for all classes of labour. The building trade is very brisk, and a number of carpenters by each ship would find ready employment. J. E. Maech, Immigration Office, Christchurch, 17th January, 1873. Immigration Officer.

Enclosure 2 in No. 45. Immigration Officer's Eepoet on Immigrants, per Ship " Crusader." Date of Arrival. —sth January, 1873. Number Landed. —26 families = 71 statute adults. 40 single men = 40 „ 37? single women — 37-J- „ Total, 175 souls = 148-J- „ Note.—ln addition to the above, the ship brought 6 married men with their families, and 3 single men, in all 22 souls, equal to 19 statute adults, under engagement to Messrs. Brogden and Son. These immigrants were not landed at Lyttelton, but were forwarded by steamer to the Bluff, the expense being shared equally by the Government and Messrs. Shaw Saville. Number lingaged. —All who were open for engagement found situations immediately, with the exception of one married man, a soldier. The two men with their families, from the last ship, " Pleiades," are also still in barracks. Character of the Immigrants. —Good. Note.—l must except the matron to the single women, whose character appears to be very indifferent, and' who was altogether unfitted for the duty.

39