D.—2

18

Enclosure 11 in Xo. 29. The Manager of the NffW Zealand Shipping Company to the Agent-General. " Pialco." The New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited), 84, Bishopsgate Street "Within, Sic, — London, 4th December, 1878. In reply to your letter of 2nd instant, I have to inform you that I am now in possession of instructions from the directors of this Company in the colony, advising me that unless you will indemnify the Company against all loss or damages it may sustain, should you act upon your proposal to bring the emigrants home from Pernambuco, the directors cannot a<jree to it. My letters from Pernambuco, received yesterday, state that the whole of the emigrants are lodged in a large house on an island in the harbour of Pernambuco, that the sexes and classes are separated as rigidly as if on board the vessel, and that everything that can contribute to their comfort has been done. The steamer from Liverpool leaves to-morrow morning, and has already on board the provisions for the emigrants, which it was arranged between the master of the " Piako " and the British Consul at Pernambuco to substitute in lieu of those injured by fire. I haye, &c, O. 31. Strickland, The Agent-General for New Zealand. Manager.

No. 30. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sib, — 7, "Westminster Chambers, sth December, 1878. I have the honor to enclose you copy of letter received from the Colonial Office just before closing the mail. I have, &c, JirinTS Vogel, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 30. Mr. Wikgfield to the Agext-Genekal. Sib, Downing Street, oth December, 1878. ■With reference to previous correspondence on the subject of the emigrant ship " Piako," burnt at sea, I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit herewith, for your information, the copy of a despatch addressed by Consul-General Walker, at Pernambuco, to the Marquis of Salisbury, pointing out the steps taken for providing for the emigrants landed from the above-named ship. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealaud. Edwaed Wixgfield.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 30. Consul "Walker to the Foreign Office. Mt Lord, — British Consulate, Pcrnambuco, 16th November, 1878. I have the honor to inform your Lordship that I transmitted yesterday the following telegram : — "Pernambuco, 15th November, 1878. —Consul "Walker to Marquis of Salisbury.—" Piako " (Official No. 78,754) arrived, on fire ; 288 emigrants and four passengers landod. Scuttled ship in port to put out fire. Clothing all supposed destroyed. Master requires Consul to provide clothing for emigrants, although agent for owners is merchant here, and has taken charge of vessel. Await instructions." The above telegram was forwarded to your Lordship owing to the arrival at this port on "Wednesday, the 13th instant, of the emigrant ship "Piako," of London (Official No. 73,754!), Mr. Boyd, master, on lire, on her voyage from London to New Zealand. The fire broke out down in the hold, at 10 a.m. of the 11th instant, and although every precaution was made to put out the same, by closing hatches, pumping water down the hold, &c.; dense volumes of smoke continually coming up, Mr. Boyd transferred the whole of the passengers, 288 in number, and four first-class passengers, on board a vessel that fortunately hove in sight, the British barque " Loch Doon," of Liverpool (Official No. G5,9G3), Mr. James Conning, master, bound from San Francisco to Cork with a cargo of •wheat. The transfer took place in latitude 10° 27' S., longitude 82° 11' W. ; and there being no accommodation for such a quantity of passengers, the master, Mr. Conning, brought the whole of them and landed them safely at this port. I have hired a large house on an island near this town, and have had all the emigrants transferred there for the present, providing them with the necessary rations of food and bedding. As all this alone will entail sufficient expense until some arrangement is made for the sending on the crew to their destination, I considered it advisable to telegraph your Lordship for instructions, before going to the expense of buying clothes for such a large quantity of people. The " Piako " was scuttled in the harbour yesterday, and, as far as we can judge, the tire is extinguished; but until the water is pumped out it is utterly impossible to ascertain if she will be in a position, after undergoing repairs, to carry on the emigrants to their destination.