D.-6

1876. NEW ZEALAND.

IMMIGRATION. GENERAL REPORTS OF IMMIGRATION OFFICERS.

Presented to both Souses of the General Assembly by Command of Sis Excellency.

No. 1. The Immigration Officeb, Auckland, to the Hon. the Minister for Immigbatiost. Sic, — Immigration Office, Auckland, Ist July, 1876. I have the honor to report that eight ships in alt have arrived at this port during the year ending the 30th June, bringing 2,481 Government immigrants, equal to 2,149 statute adults. Sixtyfive German immigrants, originally shipped for Auckland, arrived coastwise, making a total of 2,546 souls and 2,19S statute adults received during the year. 2. This includes 179 persons nominated by friends in the colony. 3. Of these, 888 were English, 1,423 Irish, 115 Scotch, and 120 foreigners. 4. The number of single women included in the above is 471, single men 767, the remainder being made up of married persons with their families. 5. The classification of occupations, as nearly as can be ascertained, gives the following proportions, namely,—Mechanical tradesmen, 292 ; farmers and farm labourers, 443 ; general labourers, 213 ; miscellaneous, 110 ; female servants, 325. 6. No difficulty was experienced at any time during the year in finding employment for the newcomers. 7. The character of the immigrants as a body has, I believe, proved satisfactory. A large proportion of them (probably one-half) obtained engagements as mechanics and house servants in the neighbourhood of Auckland, the remainder being readily absorbed in the agricultural and timber districts of the province. 8. All the ships arrived in port in a very creditable condition in regard to cleanliness and good order, and were remarkably free from infectious disease throughout the voyage. The " Dover Castle "is the only vessel that had anything of the kind to report. This ship was placed in quarantine on her arrival, in consequence of several cases of scarlatina having occurred on board early on the voyage. On the observance of the usual precautions, she was admitted to pratique with all hands, after seven days' detention at Motu Ihi. The number of deaths from scarlatina on board the " Dover Castle" was two, being of children under six years of age. No deaths took place during the stay in quarantine. 9. The number of deaths at sea from all causes among the immigrants during the year was as follows, namely—29 infants, 9 children under 12 years of age, and 5 adults—total 43, divided into 23 males and 20 females. This gives If per cent, as the proportion of deaths on the number of immigrants originally embarked. 10. The demand for labour has been brisk throughout the summer and autumn, and the rate of wages in every department is fully maintained as compared with last year. 11. The following is the scale of wages which have obtained here during the quarter ended the 30th June, and the occupations named continue to be in fair request. A corresponding rate of wages, with very little variation, has been the rule throughout the province during the year:—Bakers, butchers, and brewers, 7s. 6d. to Bs. 6d. per day; blacksmiths, Bs. to 9s. per day ; bricklayers, Bs. 6d. to 10s. per day; carpenters and coach.build.ers, Bs. 6d. to 10s. 6d. per day; coopers, working engineers, stonemasons, millers, and millwrights, Bs. to 9s. per day; plumbers and painters, 7s. to 7s. 6d. per day ; plasterers, 9s. to 10s. 6d. per day ; ropemakers, 6s. to 7s. per day ; saddlers, shoemakers, and tailors, Bs. to 9s. per day ; ploughmen, gardeners, and general farm labourers, 12s. 6d to 225. 6d. per week, -with house accommodation and partial supplies ; 6s. per day is the nominal wages for ordinary labourers, but 7s. and Bs. per day, and even higher rates, have been paid for this description of labour during the past quarter. At the present date, there is a tendency to a decline in wages generally for all descriptions of out-door work, in consequence of the wet weather prevailing at this time of the year. Female servants' wages may be quoted at from 6s. to 12s. per week; cooks, housekeepers, and laundresses, at Bs. to 12s. per week. I—D. 6.