47

D.—l

No. 51. Memoeandum No. 29, 1873, for the Agent-General, London. Immigration Office, "Wellington, 14th February, 1873. I hate had under consideration your letters received in the present month, of dates ranging from 14th November to 12th December ultimo, covering printed list of vessels, and detailing number of emigrants forwarded from 29th July, 1871, to 17th November, 1872. Prom this list it appears that you had despatched—

Vessels. Souls. Between 1st January, 1372, and 15th November, 1872, 29 containing 5,904 On 22nd November, " Himalaya," ... ... 1 „ 115 On 29th November, "Durham," ... ... ... 1 „ 75 On 11th December,"Euterpe," ... ... ... 1 „ 92 32 „ 6,1S6

Deducting from this number 2,000 sent out by Messrs. Brogden, it would seem that you have succeeded in forwarding about one-half the number which the Government thought requisite for the Colony when Mr. Gisborne's Memorandum of 25th November, 1871, was drawn up. The number of arrivals then fixed as being required for 1872, exclusive of those forwarded by Messrs. Brogden and Sons and of nominated emigrants, was 8,000. lam perfectly free to admit the difficulties you must have to contend with in re-establishing confidence in New Zealand as a field for emigration among the emigrant classes, and I am quite alive to the keen competition that is going on for emigrants throughout the United Kingdom. I feel it my duty, however, to note the circumstance, in consequence of the numerous complaints with which the Government are on all sides beset, with regard to the dearth of labour in all parts of the Colony at the present season. But before proceeding with that topic, I wish to express my gratification at two matters in your letters before me. In your circular of 10th December ultimo, addressed to the various sub-agents, you inform them that at that date you had five vessels under engagement to embark emigrants for New Zealand in the month of January, and four in the month of February. This forms a most agreeable contrast to the solitary vessel that was despatched in each of the respective months in 1872. I cannot but think that if you send out an average number of emigrants in those nine vessels almost in the depth of winter, that as the spring draws on you will be able largely to increase the supply. The other subject to which I shall look forward with interest, is such a report on emigration, matters as you appear to allude to in your letter of 12th December, 1872, when, in referring to the tender sent in by Patrick Henderson, and Co., of Glasgow, you state that upon that and other points you purpose addressing the Government at the end of the year. It is unnecessary for me to tell you with what avidity a full report upon the subject of emigration to New Zealand would be perused, not only by the Assembly, but by the Colony at large. I have also to request that you will furnish the Government with a report, to be laid before the Assembly when it meets, upon the results of your efforts to induce emigration to New Zealand, for the quarter ending 31st March next, and its prospects for the quarter ending in June next. I have already stated that the arrivals of emigrants in 1872 fell short of those ordered, by one half. In the Hon. the Premier's Memorandum of November last, he directed you to endeavour to have 8,000 emigrants landed during 1873 ; but taking into consideration the increasing demand for labour, and the deficiency of 4,000 on the arrivals expected last year, I have to request you to make good that deficiency this year by 2,000. In doing so, until further advised, increase the number allotted to the several Provinces by about 25 per cent. Early in December last a circular was addressed to the various Superintendents, requesting them to express their views on the amount of emigrants proposed to be introduced this year, and the distribution of them amongst the various Provinces. Copies of their replies are forwarded to you by the present mail, but I will briefly summarise the contents. To the Province of Auckland it was proposed to send 800 ; on which the Superintendent remarks that that number is entirely disproportionate to the number for the whole Colony, and that it is capable of absorbing a much larger number of a judiciously selected class of immigrants. To the Province of Hawke's Bay it was proposed to send 600, but the Superintendent prefers a claim for 800. To the Province of Wellington 1,000 were allotted; but, in expectation of certain works being undertaken, they desire to have the number increased to 2,000. Province of Taranaki, pending the acquisition of land, desires to receive 150 emigrants. Province of Nelson at present appiies for 100 young unmarried women. Province of Marlborough seeks to obtain 100. Province of Canterbury, to which is allotted 2,250, sends in a claim for 300 for Timaru. Province of Otago had 3,250 allotted ; on which the Superintendent remarks that the Province can absorb a much larger amount of immigrants than are likely to be obtained, provided they are ablebodied and willing to work. A promise has also been made to the people of Invercargill to send a ship direct there, with 300 immigrants, in the course of the current year. I think Invercargill and Timaru are entitled to get the amount of emigrants they desire, and I request you to supply them, deducting them from the number allotted to Otago and Canterbury respectively. In the cases of Nelson, Marlborough, and Taranaki, it is only right that these Provinces should participate in the immigration now going on to the Colony. Emigrants for Nelson and Marlborough might be sent in the same ship to Nelson, and those for Taranaki might be transhipped at Auckland. The details of management must be left altogether in your hands.