11

D.—G

No. 14 The Immigration Offices, Kiverton, to the Undee Seceetaet for Immigbatioit. Sic, — Immigration Office, Eiverton, Bth July, 1876. I have the honor to report that the immigrants introduced into the Western District during the last year have been absorbed at generally remunerative wages. There has been within the district a considerable drawback to the profitable constant employment of unskilled hands owing to the irregularity of the works on the Western District railways, amounting, for some considerable time, to the near cessation thereof. The hands employed have mostly betaken themselves to farm labour of some kind or other, and wages have not suffered much diminution. There is still a large demand for female servants, at high rates of wages, the recently-arrived single female immigrants having, as a rule, got married immediately on their arrival. I give it, as the result of my own observation, that the class of immigrants introduced under the free system have not been equal either in respectability of character or physical capability to those introduced under the nomination system. I have found a large proportion of the recent arrivals who have landed almost destitute of anything like suitable clothing for the colony, the articles brought out with them being altogether useless. These persons have generally complained to me that matters were considerably misrepresented to them by the Home Agents; and, judging from the style of clothing (such as it has been) which they have brought out, they appear to nave been under the impression that the colony was much farther advanced than it really is. The impression seems to have been that all classes could be readily absorbed at something or other; and I take it as a convincing proof of the capabilities of this district that the really unsuitable hands which have arrived have so readily been taken up, and that so little difficulty has arisen. I venture to suggest that, in any further effort in the way of immigration, it will be wise for the Government to return to the nomination system. If the stream be not so abundant for a short time, the value of the new-comers will sensibly operate here. The effect of a return to the nomination system will be, that instead of drawing our immigrants from the towns, with the probability of encumbering ourselves with hands comparatively useless, for at least a year or two after arrival, we shall receive them from the country districts of the old country. The duty falling upon the immigrant on liis arrival will thus not be sensibly difficult from that which he has been used to at home. If .any exception be made in favour of town hands, it should bo confined to workmen of real handicraft trades, —blacksmiths, stonemasons, wheelwrights, and carpenters, will be welcome for years to come ; but as to those who are of no trado and have not thorough physical capabilities for labour, it is a cruelty to themselves to introduce them. I have, &c., C. E. Haughton, Esq., . Theopuilus Daniel, Under Secretary for Immigration, Wellington. Immigration Agent. By Authority: Geoege Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.^-1576. Price 9d.]