2

D.—2e

In accordance with this instruction it has been the practice in the Emigration Department to make special efforts to complete the ship's book in time for transmission by the mail first made up after the date of the departure of the vessel. I have, <fee, I. E. Featheeston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 4. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (No. 58.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir— 19th May, 1873. Referring to the Hon. Mr. Waterhouse's Memorandum of 9th December (No. 37, 1872), informing me that his attention has been called by the Superintendent of Canterbury to the desirability of despatching ships for that Province so as to arrive if possible in the spring and summer, and instructing me " to arrange, so far as possible, that the departure of the vessels may be timed so as to insure their arrival in New Zealand during the season indicated," I beg to state that I fully recognize the desirability of the emigrants being landed in the Colony at the time when labour is most in demand, and especially in the Province of Canterbury previous to harvest time. But considering the large number of emigrants that it is proposed to introduce during the current year, it is absolutely essential, in order to keep pace with the requirements of the Colony, that I should ship them off whenever they can be procured. At the same time I will endeavor, in accordance with the suggestion of the Superintendent of Canterbury, to time the arrival of the emigrants as far as possible for tho spring and summer months. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 5. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (No. 759.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sib— 3rd June, 1873. I have the honor to advise the sailing of the ship " Allahabad," on the 31st ultimo, for Otago with 275 assisted immigrants, equal to 229 adults. I send enclosed the certified list of the passengers, a copy of the ship's book, and the originals of the promissory notes. The gratuities payable on the recommendation of the Inspecting Officers, indorsed by the Government, are the following, viz.:—To Captain Crispin, £25 ; to Dr. Gibson, £50, and 10s. per adult on the number of emigrants landed ; to the chief officer, £10 ; to the officer who serves out the provisions, £5 ; to the matron, Mrs. Bull, £5 ; constables, ordinary, £2 each ; for water-closets, £5. The Rev. Mr. Glasson, who proceeds as cabin passenger in the ship, has undertaken the duties of chaplain and schoolmaster, and in consideration of his discharging the duties of these offices, I have promised to pay to the ship-owners the sum of £25 towards the cost of his passage. I have, &c., W. Buller, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. (for Agent-General.)

No. 6. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (No. 760.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 3rd June, 1873. I have the honor to advise the sailing of the ship " Columbus," on the 19th ultimo, for Canterbury, with 151 assisted emigrants, equal to 1301 statute adults. 1 send enclosed the certified list of the passengers, a copy of the ship's book, and the originals of the promissory notes. The gratuities payable on the recommendation of the Inspecting Officers, indorsed by the Government, are the following, viz.: —To Captain Irwin, £25; to Dr. Dunkley, £50, and 10s. per adult on the number of emigrants landed; to the chief officer, £10 ; to the officer who serves out the provisions, £5 ; to the matron, Mrs. Lawrence, £5 ; constables, ordinary, £2 each ; for water-closets, £5. I have requested the surgeon-superintendent to select a suitable person from among the emigrants and appoint him to be schoolmaster, promising him a free passage in return for his services, if the Government should be satisfied that his duties have been efficiently discharged. I have, &c, W. Buller, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. (for Agent-General).