D.—2

38

The Committee are gratified to find that their efforts on behalf of the emigrants are appreciated and supported, and they request that their thanks may be conveyed to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration for his kind letter, and for the subscription to the Society. I have, &c, * I. E. Featherston, Esq., Maet A. Moobsom, Agent-General for New Zealand. Hon. Sec. B.L.F. Emigrant Society.

No. 69. The Agent-Gefebal to the Hon. the Mijtistee for Immigration. (No. 1876.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sib, — 25th November, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 239, dated 25th August, 1874, forwarding copies of the under-stated documents relative to the ship " Miltiades," w rhich arrived at Auckland upon the 23rd July:— 1. Immigration Commissioners' report. 2. Immigration Officer's report. 3. Certified list of births and deaths upon the voyage. 4. Correspondence relative to the disposal of a family named Joy, " who stated that they had shipped for Taranaki, although their contract tickets showed Auckland to be their final destination." I observe that the Commissioners report very favourably upon this vessel, and upon the character of the emigrants. The Immigration Officer remarks that there was a "deficiency" of fresh water throughout the voyage, but the context abundantly proves that the word " sufficiency " was intended to be used; the mistake is probably that of the copyist. I have examined the papers of Stephen Joy and family, and I find that the emigrants originally applied for passages to New Plymouth, and were approved for the ship " Conflict," which was fixed to sail for Wellington on the 29th April. The applicant paid his outfit deposit, £-1 10s., on the 18th April. The list for the " Conflict" was, however, made up prior to that date, and passages by the " Miltiades " were offered to Joy. It did not appear from the correspondence that the emigrant had friends resident in Taranaki, and he did not object to proceed to Auckland. Moreover, if room had been found for him in the " Conflict," he would have been required to pay the expense of his journey thence to Taranaki, for which place I was unable to fix any vessel. I have, &c, I. E. Feathebstoit, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 70. The A&ent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Ministeb for Immigbation. (No. 1877.) 7, "Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.~W\, Sib,— 25th November, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 241, dated 26th August, 1874, forwarding copy of a supplementary report by thelmmigration Commissioners upon the ship " Carrick Castle," in which the Commissioners remark upon the physical and moral character of the emigrants, and upon the action of the local agents and others who were concerned in their introduction and shipment. In reply to this further report of the Immigration Commissioners, I beg to submit the following remarks: — 1. Although very grave charges are made against the local agents employed by this office, and against H.M.s Emigration Inspectors at the port of shipment, no definite statements are furnished; no distinct act of any particular agent is detailed; not a single name is supplied of those persons who are described as "disqualified by physical ailments," &c; in short, no opportunity whatever is afforded to me of investigating the serious charges against persons supposed to be in the employ of the Government. 2. The second and fourth paragraphs of the Commissioners' supplementary report have been read over to Mrs. Howard, and she utterly denies that she represented to any of the pensioners who were engaged, that they would be employed by the Government either as military police or in any other capacity. On the contrary, she states that they were informed that they might expect to obtain employment as labourers at from ss. to Bs. per day, according to their ability. 3. With reference to the fourth paragraph of the report, I beg to state that certificates of character and health were furnished to this office in all cases, and I am assured that in very many instances personal inquiry into the character and antecedents of the intending emigrants was made prior to their acceptance. 4. I beg respectfully to suggest that in the event of similar statements being made respecting the emigrants by any future vessel, it would be convenient to request the Commissioners to furnish such detailed particulars as will enable me to institute a thorough investigation, as it is of the utmost importance that I should be made aware at the earliest possible moment of any system of misrepresentation practised by the paid agents of this office. I have, &c, I. E. Peathebston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.