I).—2d

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Kennedy. In reply, I beg to state that the usual notice was sent to the nominee in December last. I will again write to Jessie Kennedy, and urge her to complete her arrangements in time to proceed by the " Celestial Queen," to embark passengers for Napier by the 4th Juno. It frequently happens that the nominee receives the passage order from his friends in the Colony several weeks prior to the arrival at this office of the Government advice respecting it; and I respectfully suggest that it might be convenient to indorse the warrant with a recommendation that the applicant should write to this office if he does not receive a nomination within a week from the date of the receipt of advice from the nominator. I havo, Ac, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, AVellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 109. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (No. 73.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.AV., Sir,— llth May, 1873. I have the honor to advise the sailing of the ship " Mary Shepherd," on the 12th instant, for Canterbury, with 360 assisted emigrants, equal to 290 \ statute adults. I send enclosed the certificate list of the passengers, and the originals of the promissory notes. In accordance with the instructions of the Hon. tho Minister of Immigration (Lands and Immigration Memo. No. 26, 1573, of 13th February), that the ship's books are not to be transmitted via Brindisi, the detailed accounts of this vessel will be sent via Southampton on the sth June, twentyfour days after the departure of the ship. The gratuities payable on the recommendation of the Inspecting Officers, indorsed by the Government, are the following, viz. : —To Captain Carolan, £25 ; to Dr. McGowan, £50, and 10s. per adult on tho number of emigrants landed; to the chief officer, £10; to the officer who serves out the provisions, £5; to the matron, Miss Burton, £5 ; to one or two assistant matrons, if appointed, £2 each. Mr. AY. 11. Comerford was appointed schoolmaster, and a free passage was promised to him if the Government should be of opinion that his duties had been properly discharged. As Mr. Comerford paid £5 on account of his passage cost, the Government will no doubt return him that sum. As a larger number of emigrants than the " Mary Shepherd " could take were desirous of proceeding at the date fixed for the despatch of that vessel, I arranged with Messrs. Shaw, Saville, and Co. to lay on tho " Columbus," to embark passengers on the 15th inst. That ship will therefore sail for Canterbury during the present week. The number engaged is 134 } adults. The " Mary Shepherd" embarked emigrants at Plymouth. The " Columbus" receives her passengers in London, the contract rate being £16 per adult. I have, Ac, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, AVellington, N.Z. Agent-General. P.S.—The sum of £20 was advanced to Dr. McGowan in aid of the expenses incident to his embarkation. A similar sum should therefore be deducted from the amount payable to him on the report of the Inspecting Officers.

No. 110. The Aoent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. (No. 632.) 7, AVestminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir— 14th May, 1873. I have tho honor to acknowledge receipt of Lands and Immigration Memorandum No. 32,1873, of 15th February last, and I thank you for the copy of the minutes of the Board of Health, Dunedin, with reference to the ships " Christian McAusland" and "Palmerston," lately in quarantine at Port Chalmers. I have, Ac, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, AVellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 111. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. (No. 633.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, AVestminster, S.AV., Sir,— 1 llh May, 1873. Referring to Lands and Immigration Memorandum No. 13, 1873, of 23rd January, respecting the alleged " inadequate supply of stationery and other requisites oil board the ' Pleiades,' " and to the fact that "no instructions were given to Mr. Coker as to the performance of his duties as schoolmaster," — I have the honor to state that the number of children who proceeded iv the vessel being small, it was not intended that any schoolmaster should be appointed during the voyage. Hence no instructions for schoolmaster were issued, and no books or other materials provided.