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exception of one married couple, the whole have found employment at current rate of wages. A far larger number of mechanics could havo been disposed of, this class being in great demand throughout the district, and also for good general female servants. I regret to report several complaints have been made with reference to the class of domestic servants, some of whom have misconducted themselves (since they havo found employment) in a most disgraceful manner, and, through their intemperate and immoral behaviour, have already lost their situations, and are not at all likely to obtain others. I might here mention many of the single men have not given the satisfaction one would have desired. The married couples have found permanent employment in town and country. Those in town are quite unable to obtain cottages for themselves and families, and I have allowed them to remain a few days in depot. I hope during tho week to report their securing houses. There is still a large demand for labour, English or Scotch preferred, throughout the district, and a class of able-bodied and willing to work would easily find permanent employment. I have, Ac, G. G. Oebell, The Immigration Officer, Wellington. Sub-Immigration Officer.

No. 48! Tho Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 139.) Sic,— Immigration Office, Wellington, 28th May, 1874. Herewith I havo the honor to forward the following documents having reference to the immigrants by the ship " Surat" :— 1. Correspondence with His Honor the Superintendent of Otago, with respect to arrangements for the recovery of the immigrants' effects from the wreck. 2. Report by the Immigration Officer of the measures taken for the relief of the shipwrecked people. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.

Enclosure 1 in No. 48. The Hon. J. Vogel to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Otago. Sic,— Immigration Office, Wellington, 12th March, 1874. I have the honor to enclose a petition, presented to His Excellency the Governor and Executive Council, by certain passengers per ship " Surat," praying that they may be granted relief in the matter of the loss of their personal effects through the wreck of the said ship, and have to inform you that it was approved in Council that the petition be referred to your Honor, with authority to give such aid towards the recovering of the luggage, and such compensation where the luggage cannot be recovered, as may seem to you desirable. I have, Ac, His Honor the Superintendent of Otago. Julius Vogel. Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 1 in No. 48. Petition of John Outeed and other Immigeants per " Surat." To His Excellency Sir James Fergusson, Baronet, Governor of Her Majesty's Colony of New Zealand, and to the Honorable the Executive Council thereof. The Petition of the undersigned Immigrants per ship " Surat," from England to New Zealand: Respectfully Sheweth, — That your petitioners arrived at New Zealand on the 31st December, 1873, when the ship " Surat" struck at a place named by the captain of the ship as " Chaslin's Mistake." That your petitioners, through such wreck, lost all their clothing, bedding, and effects, and consequently were reduced to the greatest distress. That afterwards the ship and cargo, together with your petitioners' clothing, bedding, and effects, were sold by pubic auction, despite the protest entered by your petitioners against the sale of their said effects. That much of the said property has been landed, and possession thereof refused to be given to your petitioners, although they are the owners thereof. That an injunction was obtained restraining the purchasers of the said wreck from selling your petitioners' said effects, which effects are now rotting in Dunedin. That although the married portion of your petitioners were the only persons who received relief through the funds kindly subscribed on their behalf, yet, on the distribution thereof, it did not averago £3 (three pounds) per head, whilst the unmarried persons not only lost everything they possessed on board, but were excluded from the distribution. Under the circumstances above stated, your petitioners, whose signatures are hereunto attached, being duly authorized on behalf of themselves and the other immigrants per " Surat," respectfully submit to your Excellency and the Honorable the Executive Council that their case is worthy of consideration, and they pray that they may have such relief in the matter as to your Excellency and your 7—D. 2.