D.—ld
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about the 24th July; but that he intended to despatch one to "Wellington on or about the 19th of June, and wishing to know whether I would take passage by that vessel for myself and friends, and pay our own fare to Nelson. 1 replied by telegram, "To avoid delay, we will go to Wellington." On our arrival at the East India Docks, London, we saw those beauties of ships belonging to Shaw and Saville, and were told that we had to get into the " Bebington," instead of the "Lady Jocelyn," for which we received contract tickets, and there saw a number of low, ignorant-looking individuals being served out with clothing and lunch. I really thought they were from the St. Pancras or some other workhouse; and as night approached, to see the drunken lot, men and women, swearing, blaspheming, and using indecent language —and this was in the presence of Brogden's agents —and such as never struck my ear before : in fact 1 seemed bewildered when I saw the lot with whom fate was to make mo a fellow for a long voyage ; and my surprise was more when, on going into my berth, I fouud no separation between myself and my neighbours at each side but a deal board nine inches high, so that with your head on your pillow, and with the help of the lamp, you could see the inmates of sixteen berths, which makes my blood often thrill since. To show you, Sir, how these favoured of Featherston, Brogdcn and Co., acted on the voyage would take up too much of your valuable time : but you will pardon me for a few examples. Men beating ■wives, and rice versa, was so common, that I can scarcely account for my remembrance of it as an incident ; women remaining up from their husbands and children, and going into corners with sailors, was an ordinary occurrence of the day, or rather night, and the doctor and captain scarcely noticed this. It was not an unusual thing for you to feel yourself minus your provisions, your money, clothing, or valuables ; and the doctor or captain took no heed of these complaints, but rather, by their action on the matter, put the thieves on their guard; and when the young men —the favoured Brogdenians— threw off all restraint, and were only kept quiet by threatening to take them into St. Vincent, in the Canary Islands, to be prosecuted, and appointing, or rather swearing in, twenty-six special constables, who figured as preservers of law and order. But the Irish, who were the respectable women, married and single, as testified by the captain and doctor —although the matron stated that the seven Irish females on board were put into one corner, as they were, before they would taint the rest; and yet we were known by no other appellation by these rejected Brogdenians than the bl y Irish. It is true that the entire Government immigrants were respectable, and looked on Brogden's crew with the same eyes and feelings as we did. and it is truly lamentable that respectable people should be obliged to associate with the scum of English society as was represented in them ; for among the ninetysix or so selected by his agents, the only real navvies were Irishmen working in Cumberland with a Mr. Dees, J.P., and who were all employed as special constables, the rest being, as far as I could/understand or see, gaol birds, militia men, discharged soldiers, carpenters by name, discharged mariners, probably with " 8.C." old sailors, Ac. I should have added tinkers. About the treatment the adults received on board I will not trouble you, merely because I do not now wish to report on a matter from which I deterred others, before coining into harbour, for several were to have their reports ready ; but 1 said, Leave it to me ; and so they did, but I disappointed them. The above deals, Sir, with three subjects, — First, Wishing you, in your official capacity, will urge on the Government to employ an agent in Dublin, with sub-agencies throughout the country, who may make known the conditions of assisted Government immigration to this Colony, and the inducements there are ; and further, that instead of the present practice of charging £2 for every pound left unpaid, that immigrants be obliged to sign promissory notes for the actual balance, and by so doing I have not a particle of doubt but that it would be largely availed of by my countrymen at home. Secondly, I would impress on your consideration the class of ships, the quality and quantity of provisions, and the mode of distribution thereof. Thirdly, That Brogden's navvies should not be brought in the same ships with Government emigrants. Apologising for this intrusion on your valuable time, I have, &C., C. E. Haughton, Esq., &c, Under Secretary for Immigration, Jeremiah Hubley. Wellington.
No. 26. Memokaxdim No. 40, 1572, for the Agext-Genekal, London. 1 HEREWITH return the original telegram received from you on the subject of immigration, dated, Melbourne Station, 24th November, 1872, and I have to point out that the form in which it reached the Government renders many portions of it of doubtful interpretation. Lands and Immigration Office, G. M. "WATEiraorsE. Wellington, New Zealand, Kith December, 1872. (for the Hon. Minister of Immigration.)
No. 27. Memorandum No. 42, 1872, for the Agext-G kxkhax, London. I have to inform you thai the " Jessie Hodman " arrived at this port on Sunday, the 15th instant. 1 have not yet received tlie usual reports from the Immigration Officer and Commissioners appointed to. board emigrant ships, but as soon as they are received copies shall be transmitted to you. The immigrants, who all arrived in good Health, were landed yesterday. So far as I have been ableto ascertain, Ihe" Jessie Headman " is the most suitable emigrant ship that has yet arrived at this port. G. M. Wateeuouse, Office of Lands and Immigration, (pro Minister of Immigration). "Wellington, New Zealand, 17th December, 1872.