D.—2d

10

No. 28. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (No. 442.) 7, AVestminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.AV., Sir,— 4th October, 1872. Since writing my letter No. 470, 4th October, 1872, I have received from Messrs. Shaw, Saville, and Co. a certificate signed by the Immigration Officer at Wellington (copy of which is enclosed). From it I gather that the complaint made as to the quality of the provisions served out to tho emigrants in the " Halcione" has not been substantiated. I have, Ac, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, AVellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 28. AA rellington, New Zealand, sth August, 1872. I hereby certify that Government immigrants to the number of 2001 statute adults were landed in AVellington, ex " Halcione," on the 27th July, 1872, and that the conditions of the contract with the New Zealand Government were satisfactorily performed. A. Follett Halcombe, Immigration Officer, AVellington.

No. 29. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (No. 442.) 7, AVestminster Chambers, Victoria Street, AVestminster, S.AV., Sic,— 4th October, 1872. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the Memorandum of the Hon. the Minister for Public AVorks, No. 100, 1872, dated 3rd August, enclosing copies of the under-stated documents, viz.:— Immigration Officer's report on the ship " Halcione." Immigration Officer's report on the ship " AVilliam Davie." I observe that the " Celestial Queen" had arrived at Auckland; that you had not received the Immigration Officer's report, but that you were informed the voyage of this vessel also was satisfactory. I have, Ac, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, AVellington, N.Z. Agent-General. P.S.—The document relating to the complaints of certain emigrants on board the " Halcione," to which you refer, was not enclosed. Probably it will arrive by next mail.

No. 30. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. tho Colonial Secretary. (No. 471.) 7, AVestminster Chambers, Victoria Street, AVestminster, S.W., Sir,— 4th October, 1872. I have the honor to send enclosed a statement showing the number of emigrants despatched for tho Colony during the month of September. I forward also an estimate of the probable number of emigrants to be sent between Ist October and 12th November. I have, Ac, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, AVellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

NUMBER of EMIGRANTS Despatched between 5th and 21st September, 1872.

Ship. Tort. Date of Departure. Souls. Adults. " Agnes Muir" " Christian McAusland " "Pleiades" "Chile" " Jessie Eeadman " Auckland ... Otago Canterbury... Hawke'e Bay Wellington... 5th September, 1872 oth September, 1872 13th September, 1872 13th September, 1872 22nd September, 1872 78 320 120 212 309 67 288| 100 J109 V 266| Total ... I 1,049 892