D.—s

7

are available for such ports, a condition which should not exist as respects Auckland; and where a vessel, being about to sail without the proper complement of passengers, it would be desirable, in order to avoid payments on account of short shipment, to fill her up with emigrants for a port or ports other than that to which she is to proceed. This also is a state of things which should rarely occur. Substantially, therefore, instructions have already been given to the Agent-General to the effect you desire; but I will again write to him on the subject. I have &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. Julius Vogel.

No. 13. His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland, to the Hon. the Colonial Secretart. Sir, — Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 12th March, 1874. I have the honor to transmit, for your information, the enclosed copy of a report, by the Immigration Officer, in reference to certain French immigrants just arrived in Auckland, per ship " Queen of the Age," who have taken up their profession as ballet dancers. I enclose extracts from the newspapers, reporting their first appearance at the theatre last night. These immigrants were sent out to the Colony at the public expense, and the cost of their passage was nearly £225. I would request that the Agent-General bo advised of these facts, and instructed to exercise more discrimination in his selection of free passage emigrants for this Province at least. I have, &c., The Hon. Colonial Secretary, Wellington. J. Williamson, Superintendent.

Enclosure in No. 13. The Immigration Officer, Auckland, to His Honor the Superintendent. Sir, — Immigration Office, Auckland, 11th March, 1874. I beg to call your Honor's attention to the circumstance that a number of the immigrants by the " Queen of the Age," chiefly Frenchmen and their wives, who received a free passage to tho Colony in the professed capacity of mechanics of various kinds, a few days after arrival announced themselves as a Parisian troup of ballet dancers, and have duly advertised a performance, under that designation, in the Prince of Wales Theatre for this evening. As I assume it is not the intention of the Government to introduce persons of the profession referred to at the public cost, and who, in all probability, after a few weeks' sojourn here, will take their departure for some of the neighbouring colonies, I have felt it to be my duty to bring the matter, without loss of time, under your Honor's notice. I have, &c., H. Ellis, His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. Immigration Officer.

No. 14. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. (Circular.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 24th March, 1874. I have the honor to inform you that my attention having been dr.awn to vouchers which have been sent in for medical aud hospital expenses of sick immigrants after disembarkation, I propose, in order to prevent any difficulties arising in the adjustment of such claims, to authorize the payment by this Department of medical and hospital expenses for one month after arrival of the immigrants, after which period the immigrants to be considered as ordinary colonists, and dealt with in the ordinary manner by the local authorities. I shall be glad to have your concurrence in this proposal, which I have no doubt you will consider of a liberal nature. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. Julius Vogel.

No. 15. His Honor the Superintendent,. Auckland, to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sir, — Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 21st April, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated the 24th ultimo, asking for my concurrence in an arrangement by which the General Government undertake to meet the medical and hospital expenses of sick immigrants for the period of one month from landing, but after that time to consider them as ordinary colonists; and in reply, to inform you that such an arrangement is satisfactory to the Provincial Government. I have, &c, J. Williamson, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Superintendent.