D.—6,

4

amongst the settlers. Should any more of that nationality arrive at Wellington, I would suggest that some might be despatched to Patea. In September, a further shipment of immigrants ex " Eodney " arrived at Patea, consisting of families numbering 43 \ adults, who soon found employment in the district. During the year two additional cottages have been erected by the Provincial Government, and a want thereby supplied for accommodation at Kakararnea, three families being located there. In your letter No. 113, of the 29th April last, you informed me that, in consequence of the great reduction in immigration which has been decided upon by the Government, my services as Immigration Officer at Patea will not be required after the 31st July; and I shall therefore be prepared on that date, if necessary, to hand over the Government buildings, and other property appertaining to immigration, to whomsoever you may appoint. I would, however, take this opportunity of expressing a hope that it is not the intention of the Government to discontinue entirely the introduction of immigrants to this district. The settlement of the fertile country lying between the Waitotara and Waingongoro Rivers, as you are doubtless aware, is of but very recent growth, and, owing to this and Native difficulties now daily vanishing, the settlers have until lately been in many cases struggling for a living, and have not been in a position to employ much labour at the high rates which have been ruling. Latterly, however, owing to the high price obtainable for cattle, and to the fact of the Patea country being especially adapted for grazing purposes, the settlers are daily growing more prosperous, and turning their attention to the permanent improvement of their farms, thus creating an increased demand for labour. The continuation of the immigration policy must necessarily tend to decrease the rate of wages, and thus still further increase the demand for labour, and I am therefore of opinion that it would be extremely inopportune to check suddenly a judicious system of immigration. I am credibly informed by settlers that plenty of employment is open to immigrants who are willing to work for reasonable wages; but where, as at present, labourers expect to earn eight to ten shillings per day, the farmers have had no option but to defer improvements until wages are lowered. I understand that at New Plymouth labour is plentiful, and to be had for very much less than in this portion of the province ; and, as an illustration that this is the case, I may mention that a Government contract lately advertised at both places, for felling bush in the neighbourhood of Kakaramea, has been given to New Plymouth men, who tendered at little more than one-half the rate for which the work would have been undertaken by Patea bushmen. From these facts, I consider that, so far from discontinuing immigration, the favourable conditions for introducing a steady stream of labour are now only commencing, and should be carefully fostered in the interest of the progress and speedy settlement of this portion of the colony. Nominations of immigrants have been made by settlers in the district, but none have as yet to my knowledge arrived. I have, &c, C. A. Wbat, The Under Secretary for Immigration, Wellington. Immigration Officer.

No. 5. The Immigration Officee, Napier, to His Honor the Superintendent. Sib, — Immigration Office, Napier, 30th June, 1876. In accordance with instructions, I beg to report to your Honor as follows for transmission to the Hon. Minister for Immigration. Having already recently reported on the labour market, supplemented by your Honor's remarks, I do not perceive any necessity to further enter upon the subject than to give a return of ships arrived, which is herewith annexed. Mr. Friberg has been requested to report separately on the Danevirk and Norsewood Settlement. The matter of " nominated immigrants " exists in the same state as stated in former reports. I regret it has not been more taken advantage of, a very small proportion of nominated people accepting the proposal of their friends' recommendation to immigrate to this colony. Me recovery of promissory notes, I have already reported upon. I have, &c, GEOEGE TIIOHAS FaNNIN, His Honor J. D. Ormond, Superintendent. • Immigration Officer. Memorandum. In forwarding the report of the Immigration Officer, I would represent the great scarcity of labour in Hawke's Bay, wages being higher than for years. The number of immigrants ordered for Hawke's Bay will not, lam sure, anything like meet the requirements for the coming year. I wish much that four ships, each to bring 200 immigrants, could be sanctioned. J. D. ObmonDi

No. 6. The Immigration Offices, Wellington, to His Honor the Stjpeeintendent. Sib,— Immigration Office, Wellington, 3rd July, 1876. I have the honor to forward a report upon immigration to this port for the year ending the 30th ultimo. During this period I. find that twelve vessels arrived, with 3,326 souls : 1,047 of these were, however transhipped to other provinces, having embarked ibr this port on the understanding that they would be forwarded to whatever part of the colony they wished to be sent to.