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have no doubt, however, that after a little time we will be able to place them in country service, for which they may perhaps be more suitable." It is to be regretted that these six girls should not be fit for household service in town ; but I find nothing to sustain the grievous imputation which had evidently, from the concluding paragraph of Mr. Vogel's letter to me, been conveyed to the Government as to their moral character. With reference to the case of the alleged <: Whitechapel boys," I have already written specially by this mail. 5. I have only to hope, in conclusion, that under the extreme pressure now put upon this office to supply the colony with so largo a number of immigrants within so short a space of time, I may continue to find the reports of the Commissioners in as considerable a proportion, bearing testimony to the good order of our ships and the good character of our immigrants. I confess it is with a feeling of surprise and thankfulness that I find so very few grave faults as those I have noted above have occurred in the course of an enterprise so vast and so rapidly pushed forward as the immigration policy of the Government. • I have, &c, I. E. Featheeston, Agent-General.

No. 54. The Agent-Genebai* to the Hon. the Mxntstee for Immigeation. (No. 1677.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sic,— Ist October, 1874. Referring to your letter of the 11th February, No. 3S, in which, in connection with the services rendered on the occasion of the wreck of the " Surat" by Captain Jacquemart, of the French navy, you direct me to convey to the President of the French Eepublic the thanks of the Government of Now Zealand for the services rendered by the ship "Vire" on that distressing occasion, I have the honor to report, for the information of the Government, as follows: — 2. On becoming aware that the testimonial intended for presentation to Captain Jacquemart, referred to in your letter under reply, had arrived in England, I applied for and obtained, through the Colonial Office, the permission of the French Minister of Marine for that officer's acceptance of it. Having next consulted as to the proper course to be pursued in conveying your thanks to Marshal McMahon, which I desired to do at the same time that I forwarded the testimonial of the Otago Government, I was advised to communicate directly with the French Ambassador accredited to Her Majesty. But, as you are doubtless aware, about the date of which I speak, the month of June last, in consequence of a vote proposed in the National Assembly at Versailles, by the then Ambassador the Due de Eochefoucauld Bisaccia, which was regarded as contravening the policy of the Marshal's Government, his resignation promptly followed, and the vacancy caused thereby, though from week to week a new appointment was expected, was only actually filled about a month ago by the appointment of the Count de Jarnac. 3. Immediately on becoming aware that His Excellency had assumed charge of the Embassy, I requested that he would accord me the' honor of an interview; and I have to acknowledge the courteous promptitude with which he received me, and the cordial interest which he at once took in the subject of my mission. It was my intention simply to request him to convey to the President of the French Eepublic the letter of which I enclose you copies in French and English. He willingly undertook to transmit my letter to his Government, if Iso desired; but as I had stated to him that I was willing to proceed in whatever way he might consider most acceptable to the French Government, and most in accordance with their official usage, he said he believed it would greatly enhance the expression of the good-will of the Government in New Zealand if, as Agent-General, I were to convey the expression of your thanks to the Marshal President, or in his absence to the Due Decazes, Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the same time depositing the testimonial intended for Captain Jacquemart with the Minister for Marine. He further offered to exercise his good offices with the different departments to facilitate my mission; and I therefore decided to proceed to Paris, and hope to be able to communicate to you the result of my mission by next mail. , I have, <&c, I. E. FEATnEESTON, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 54. The Agent-General to the Peesident, Fbejtch Eepublic. 7, Westminster Chambers, Westminster, S.W., Moxsiette le Maeechax, — le 25 Septembre, 1874. J'ai l'honneur de prevenir votre Excellence que je viens de receToir une depeche de l'honorable Jules Vogel, Premier Ministre de la Nouvelle Zolande, par laquelle il me charge de faire agreer a, votre Excellence les vifs remerciments dv Gouvernement de cette colonie pour les secours importants accordes par le batiment de guerre " La Vire " (capitaine Jacquemart), de la Marine Francaise, a l'occasion dv naufrage dv navire " Le Surat," charge d'emigrants sur les cotes d'Otago, dans la matinee dv ler Janvier, 1874. 2. "Le Surat" avait quitte le port de Londres au mois d'Octobre, 1873, ayant a bord 270 emigrants; son voyage fut heureux jusqu'au moment ou il approcha dcs cotes de la Nouvelle Zelande ; mais, le 31 Decembre, il donna contre un recif pres de l'embouchure de Catlin's Eiver. Dos le matin le vaisseau commenca a couler et fut echoue sur le plage de Catlin's Bay, oil les emigrants furent