D.—2.

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land, for information as to the mode in which such application can be made. It appears to me that this is the most convenient way of dealing with all applications coming from countries such as Canada, United States, &c. I have, &c, I. E. Featheeston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 33. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Minister for Immigbation. (No. 108.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sic,— 9th February, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 249, dated 17th November, 1875, forwarding copies of the following documents relative to the ship " Howrah," which vessel, you inform me, arrived at Wellington upon the 9th November, 1875: —1. Immigration Commissioners' report, covering extract from the surgeon-superintendent's journal. 2. Certified list of births and deaths. I am glad to notice that the Commissioners reported very favourably respecting the general arrangements of the ship. A copy of the following extract from the journal of the surgeon-superintendent—namely, " All the eggs sent on board in cases of salt found to be rotten " —was forwarded to the firm who supplied the provisions to the " Howrah; " and I send, herewith, copy of Messrs. Finnis, Fisher, and Co.'s reply. I have, &c, I. E. Featheeston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 33. Mr. W. Hiitchinson to the Agent-General. The New Zealand Shipping Co. (Limited), 84, Bishopsgate Street Within, Sic,— London, E.C., 21st January, 1876. I now beg to enclose copy of Messrs. Finnis, Fisher, and Co.'s reply to your favour of the 18th instant, respecting the eggs in salt supplied to the " Howrah," from which you will gather they cannot account for their being in the condition reported on by the surgeon. I have, &c, W. Htjtchinson, The Agent-General for New Zealand. Assistant-Manager. Sub-Enclosure. Messrs. Finnis, Fishes, and Co. to Mr. 0. E. Steickland. Deae Sic, — 79, Great Tower Street, London, 20th January, 1876. We beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th instant, enclosing copy of a letter received by you from the Agent-General for New Zealand, quoting a passage from the journal of the surgeon of the "Howrah"—viz., "All the eggs sent on board incases of salt found to be rotten." This complaint is so sweeping in its character that we see in it its own condemnation, as we cannot account for all the eggs being bad unless they were not touched long after sailing, fresh eggs being intended for first use. The eggs shipped on board the " Howrah" on the 24th July last were of the same kind as supplied for daily use on board the P. and 0. and other large steamers, and to several of your Company's ships taking emigrants about the same period; and were from fresh eggs received twice a week. No complaint has been received from any other ship. We much regret the circumstance, but, the eggs being fresh when shipped, the bad out-turn must be attributed to a cause beyond our control. We have, &c, O. E. Strickland, Esq., Finnis, Fishee, and Co. Manager the New Zealand Shipping Company.

No. 34.. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Ministeb for Immigbation. (No. 84.) 7, "Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sib,— 10th February, 1876. I have the honor to inform you that the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice, having been appealed to on a special case submitted as to whether Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co. were not bound to refund to me a moiety of the passage money paid in respect of the emigrants embarked on board the " Cospatrick," unhesitatingly gave judgment in my favour. I forward, for the information of the Government, Mr. Mackrell's report on the case, with the shorthand writer's notes, and other papers to which he refers. I have, &c, I. E. Featheeston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.