57

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The closets had acted satisfactorily, with the exception of that in the single women's compartment. The escape pipe from this had not sufficient fall, and was connected with the outfall pipe from the bath; in consequence of this, in the rolling of the vessel, the contents of the closet pipe frequently were forced up through the valve into the bath, causing great annoyance and discomfort. The Commissioners have to cnll attention to an irregularity which they consider very unadvisable; namely, that three of the able seamen of the ship were berthed in the single men's compartment. The immigrants expressed themselves satisfied with the treatment they had received on the voyage from the captain, surgeon, and officers of the ship. Feedk. D. Gibson. John T. Eotjse. Lyttolton, sth March, 1873. J. Edwin Maech.

No. 58. Memoeandttsi No. 42, 1873, for the Agent-Geneeal, London. Heeewith is forwarded copy of a letter from Mr. March, Immigration Officer at Christchurch, having reference to the bedding supplied to emigrants. Complaints have reached the Government from Auckland and Wellington to much the same effect; substance of very offensive character having been found in the mattrasses. The suggestion of Mr. March, I think, therefore, is worthy of consideration. Lands and Immigration Office, G. Matjeice O'Eoeke. Wellington, New Zealand, 14th March, 1873.

Enclosure in No. 58. Mr. J. E. Maecii to the Undee Seceetaey for Ihmigeation. Sib, — Immigration Office, Christchurch, Canterbury, 11th March, 1873. As several complaints have been made to me from time to time respecting the bedding which is provided for emigrants under the present contract, I think it would be desirable to bring under the notice of the Agent-General.the advisableness of modifying to a certain extent the existing regulations. It appears that, under the present arrangements, emigrants are required to pay a certain sum for bedding, whereas in many instances they have bedding of their own, which they are obliged to part with, often at a sacrifice. Another complaint is that the quality of the bedding supplied is very inferior. I would suggest, therefore, that emigrants should be allowed to provide their own bedding, under proper inspection, and that only those should be compelled to purchase who are without. I have, &c, The Under Secretary for Immigration, J. E. Maech, Wellington. Immigration Officer.

No. 59. Memoeandum No. 43, 1873, for the Agent-Genebal, London. Heeewith is forwarded an extract from a letter written by the Eev. Charles Ogg, of Wellington, to the Eev. James Barclay of Tell, Shetland, with reference to forwarding fifty single women from that neighbourhood to Wellington. Tou will be good enough to send a copy to whoever may now be acting as your agent in the north of Scotland, requesting him to make it public, and also to afford the Eev. Mr. Barclay every assistance, especially in arranging for the transmission of the emigrants to the port of departure. Their expenses you are authorized specially to defray, taking promissory notes for the amount bo advanced. Immigration Office, Wellington, New Zealand, G. Matjeice O'Eobke. 14th March, 1873.

Enclosure in No. 59. Exteact from Letter from Eev. Chas. Ogg, Wellington, to Eev. J. Baeciay, Shetland. One of my reasons for writing to you at present is to ask you to interest yourself in getting some of your parishioners to improve their position by emigrating to this Colony. I especially ask you to bring the matter of emigration under the notice of the young women of Tell, as we are greatly in need in New Zealand of girls who would take the position of domestic servants, with farther prospects to which I need not refer. I want you to try and send us here, from Yell, fifty girls between the age of sixteen and thirtyfive. That number can obtain situations at once in this town. We could easily at a day's notice place in good situations in Wellington and the neighbourhood 100 girls, if we could only get them; but I mention fifty that I may not exaggerate, and because fifty are probably as many as could be obtained from your island. 2. The wages paid in Wellington to servant girls vary from 10s. to 15s. a week, with board and lodging, of course. B.— D. 1.