D.-2.

15

3. All the other persons are described as domestic, farm, or dairy servants. Some of them had been employed by their parents. In all cases, the necessary testimonials as to their ability were furnished. These were sent to the colony after the departure of the vessels. Albert 0. Ottywell, The Agent-General for New Zealand. Secretary.

No. 27. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Ijiiiigration. Sic, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, 29th November, 1878. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 186, of the 3rd of October last, conveying to me your instructions with respect to certain matters connected with emigration. I shall observe to the best of my ability the directions given therein. With regard to the matter of emigration, as it at present stands, I may remark that I could now obtain and send out thousands of suitable emigrants, if I were authorized to do so. 1 have sent out within the term, within which the general despatch of emigrants was limited, fully the numbers authorized, and it does not seem clear to me what will be the advantage of lectures at a time when I have no authority to send emigrants, except such as are nominated by their friends in the colony. As to the emigration of small farmers, they would go readily enough were they assured that on arrival they would obtain land. The Government, in reply to more than one letter on the subject which I have written, do not, however, appear to think it desirable to authorize mo to give any information on the subject of land, and I am inclined to think that they are right, as, since the great demand for land in the colony has set in, emigrants might be misled by the information which I should be able to give them. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 28. The Agent-Geneeai to the Hon. tlio Minister for Immigration. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers London, 30th November, 1878. I have the honor to acknowledge'the receipt of your letter, No. 187, of 2nd. October, relating to the employment of Mr. Julius P. Jeffreys in promoting emigration to the colony, and, in reply, to inform you that my attention shall be given to the wishes you have expressed concerning this gentleman's services. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 29. The Agent-Genehal to the Hou. the Ministeb for lixmige.vtiok. Sic, —■ 7, "Westminster Chambers, London, sth December, 1878. Referring to my letter No. 1027, of the 21st November, in which I reported the ship " Piako," with emigrants for Canterbury, had been obliged to put into Pernambuco, and land her emigrants at that port, I have the honor to transmit copies of further correspondence which has taken place respecting the matter. On receipt of the letter from the Colonial Office, dated 29th ultimo, intimating that there was a risk of fever and small-pox breaking out amongst the emigrants should they remain at Pernambuco until the ship " Piako " was ready to sail again, I deemed it right, under such circumstances, to take such measures as would give the emigrants an opportunity of leaving Pernambuco and returning to England. You will see by the correspondence that, with that object in view, I lost no lime in placing myself in direct communication with the English Consul at Pernambuco, and also in endeavouring to make a special arrangement with one of the companies despatching steamers from Pernambuco to England, for the conveyance of such of the emigrants as do not elect to wait there until the " Piako " is repaired. I have been able, through the British Consul, to arrange with the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company (as you will see by the telegrams attached) to convey the emigrants back to Plymouth on comparatively very reasonable terms. I have taken this step, feeling assured that the Government would wish me not to too closely consider the question of expense, when the health, and possibly the lives, of a large body of emigrants may be placed in a position of considerable danger from the probability of such serious diseases as yellow fever and small-pox breaking out amongst them. I felt that, although it was roughly stated that the vessel would be ready in a month, there was no guarantee that such would be the case, but that, on the contrary, there would in all probability be delay beyond the appointed time. Meanwhile every day would add to the passengers' risk. You will observe that the Manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company has made a protest to my taking this step, but I do not think that I should be justified in regarding it, when, so far as I can judge, the health, and even the lives, of so many people (for whose safety the Government would be looked upon as morally responsible) are at stake. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, "Wellington. Agent-General.