5

D.—J5

Six hundred and fifteen nominations have been received and forwarded to the Agent-General during the year, and 211. persons have availed themselves of nominated-passage orders ; 95 souls arrived for the Colonist's Aid Corporation, and were forwarded to the new township of Halcombe Town; 'which has been1 fieVftnfed in the Manchester Block. There has been no serious delay in disposing of the1 immigrants1 1 the past year, notwithstanding the large proportion of foreigners there were amongst them: of course, the latter class had to be kept on rations fora longer period than the British immigrants, but fbo'se' wlvo^howed any disposition to work were after a short time able to provide for themselves. At the* rtfefeeh't time there are some thirty-seven Prussians who are to be forwarded at their own request to Jackson's Bay, so soon as opportunity offers. Although I speak so favourably of the foreigners, I do Wot recommend that any more should be introduced for some time to come, for there is no disguising the fact that there is not nearly the general demand for labour that there was last year; this being'the case, the foreigners are not nearly so readily absorbed and provided for as the British. Above1 all, I wrnild strongly urge that on no account should any more Italians be introduced. Sonic few, T must own, have looked after themselves, and have been of little or no trouble, but the majority who have arrived here have shown not the slightest disposition to work, and seemed to think that it wan the duty' o!E the Government to provide for them for the rest of their lives. The disfavour into which the Italian's hive fallen generally throughout the colony is attributable, I believe, in a great measure, to their injudicious selection. There isa steady demand for a limited number of artisans of all descriptions connected with the building trades; and wages: generally are no lower than they were last year, but employers will only have good ifleii, 'aS they are now in a position to select for themselves : the consequence is, that there are a number of inferior'men of all classes out of employment, and who feel themselves aggrieved if they f;re offered less'wages than the best workmen. Agricultural labourers, who are really such, can readily find employment if their families are not too large, as the accommodation employers in the country are gerieFally able to provide is very limited. Female domestic servants seem to be in greater demand than ever. 1 have not the slightest doubt that 500 would readily find employment during the ensuing twelve months, if they are respectable girls willing to do general housework, at wages from Bs. to £1 per week and found. Owing Id the large contracts now going on in the vicinity of Wellington, I do not anticipate any difficulty iv providing employment for all persons who are willing to work, during the winter months. The buildings at the Depot, Moun.t Cook, are very old and dilapidated, having been erected many years ago for military barracks. Should a large number of immigrants bo introduced to this port it would be necessary to halve new buildings erected, which should be more conveniently arranged. The Quarantine Station is in a thorough state of repair, and well provided with every requisite for cleansing and disinfecting immigrants and vessels placed in quarantine. During the past year three vessels with 1,047 souls have been quarantined, two of these having typhoid fever of a virulent type; but I am pleased to be able to report that the disease was iv each ease effectually stamped out at the Quarantine Station. The depots in the country districts are all in good repair, and ready for the reception of immigrants. I attach a report from the Sub-Immigration Officer at Wanganui; and, so soon as reports are received from the officers in charge at the Wairarapa and Seventy-Mile Bush districts, they will be transmitted to you. I have, &c, H. J. H. Eliott, His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. Immigration Officer. . ifi ■ ■ ■■■

Enclosure lin jS to. 6. Mr. H. M. Bbewee to the Immi&uatton Officer, Wellington. Sic, — i Sub-Immigration Office, Wanganui, June, 1876. I have the honor to report that since forwarding my last report 1 have received and distributed 798 immigrants ill this district. This is exclusive of a number sent to l'\>xton and Palmerston : both these jVlaces1 are under my charge, but immigrants are sent direct from Wellington to these two places. All!tHe people received by me seem to have settled down, and are, with the exception of a few isolated cases, doing very well. Of course, amongst such a number there must be a few who, from physical or other causes, cannot get along without some assistance. Although the demand is not so great as it was twelve months "ago, there is still a good demand for farm labourers, especially sfrigle men, while the demand for single girls has never slackened. I have received nominations for 01 souls, and the nominators all seem in a position to take their friends at once off the hands of the Goverritneiijr on their arrival. With respect to the German immigrants I cannot speak so favourably, as'they remained a long time on hand, and caused the Government considerable expense. Many of them/ welfe a very suitable class of men, and no doubt in time will make good colonists ; but, if it is intended to bring any more of the same class out, I should advise the Government to make some preparation for them in the way of special settlement or otherwise. As far as morality is coneeriud, I am happy to say that the report I have to give is a good one, very few having been brought up before our local Resident Magistrate for anything more than an occasional case of drunkenness. The trades most in demand are carpenters, blacksmiths, and rough joiners who can do station or farm jobbing. In conclusion, I have the honor to state that I consider this district could comfortably absorb from five to six hundred during the ensuing year, provided they were the sort I have mentioned, together with a few other trades. •• •" ; , I have, &c, H. M. Brewer, oL { f '3J. J- H. Eliotfc, Esq., Immigration Officer, Wellington. Sub-Immigration Officer. 2—D. 6.