D.—2.

14

Enclosure in No. 24. The Agent-G-eneeal to tlio Hon. the Peemier. (Telegram.) London, 21st November, 1878. Kent and Sussex labourers have struck ; seems splendid opportunity obtaining immigrants. Could send several hundreds by steamer ; arrive February, or later by sailing vessels, lleply. Premier, New Zealand. Vooel.

No. 25. The Agent-Gejs'ebal to the Hon. the Minister for lihiigeation. Sin, — 7, AY restminster Chambers, London, 22nd November, 1878. I have the honor to attach copy of a telegram* received from the Hon. the Premier, by which I understand that he desires me to take advantage of a proposal made by Mr. George J. Potts, that he should take out a number of emigrants from Canada. As 1 know nothing of Mr. Potts, it would not be possible to leave the whole arrangements in his hands. I could not, for example, send him a credit of £5,000, and tell him to select the emigrants and the ship, and, in short, leave the entire responsibility in his hands. I would have no difficulty in sending over an officer to co-operate with Mr. Potts, and see that proper shipping arrangements were made and suitable emigrants selected. This I will be prepared to do, but there is no reason for haste, as the emigrants cannot leave Canada for some months. Under these circumstances, and seeing that delay will not prejudice the matter, I venture very respectfully to urge the reconsideration of the question. lam certain that the Government and people of Canada will think the proposed step a very unfriendly one, and that it will arouse a very great deal of hostile criticism. Mr. Larnach, whom I have consulted, has strongly advised me to refer the matter to you again. Should you still wish the arrangement carried out, I shall understand the code word " Canada " to have a meaning to that effect. I have, &c, Julius Vooel, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, "Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 26. The Agent-Genebal to the Hon. the Ministee for Immigbation. Sib, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, 29th November, 1878. Referring to your letter No. 150, enclosing copy of reports from the Immigration Officers in the colony, and to that portion of the report of the Immigration Officer at Invoreargill, in which he states that the single women who arrived in 1877 by the ships " Marlborough" and " Oainaru " were not servants, but principally factory girls, 1 have the honor to inform you that, as the emigrants proceeding in those vessels had been selected principally through the Agency at Edinburgh, 1 referred the report to Mr. Ottywell for his remarks. I herewith attach copy of his report thereon, from which it would appear that, judging from the testimonials sent in, the single women in question were all either domestic servants or accustomed to such service at their parents' home. I have, however, informed Mr. Ottywell that I consider his definition of the description of young women required for the colony too broad, and that he must in future not entertain applications from single women (going without their families) unless there is proof aft'orded that they have had some actual experience in domestic service. 1 have. &c, Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 20. Mr. Ottiwell to the Agent-Gteneeal. Memorandum. New Zealand Agency, 3, Hope Street, Edinburgh. I hate carefully examined the papers of all the single female emigrants by the ships " Marlborough " and " Oamaru," and I find that one person, C 8 , who sailed by the first-named vessel, worked for some time in a factory ; she appears to have been also engaged as a domestic servant. On the sth June, 1877, I wrote the .Agent as follows : " The young women who receive free passages should be accustomed to domestic service, or should be sufficiently domesticated to be able to take service," &c. The applicant appears to have furnished the necessary evidence of her ability, as no less than five testimonials were, on the sth September, 1877, sent to London for transmission to the colony. They were the following: From W. Gibson and Co., W. Huterman, and Mrs. "Wallace, employers; Mrs. "White, householder ; Ecv. J. Browne, minister. C —— S was twenty-six years of age, and belonged to Dunfermline, and she has a brother in Otago. 2. A young woman who sailed in the " Oamaru," E H , was described as a machinist. She was nominated in Otago, No. 3315. • See Enclosure iv No. 12, D.-L, 1879, page 8.