D.—2

33

By Mr. Wingfield's letter you will perceive that the question is thought to be one for the consideration of the New Zealand Grovernment. I therefore venture to submit it for that purpose. I have, &c, Julius Vogeb, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Agent-General.

Enclosure 1 in No. 48. The Agent-General to the Under Secretaet of State. Sic, — 7, "Westminster Chambers, London, 27th January, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Mr. Wingfield's letter of the 22nd instant, transmitting a copy of a despatch received through the Foreign Office from Her Majesty's Consul at Peraambuco, reporting the departure of the " Piako " from that port for New Zealand on 29th December last, and to thank you for the same. The Government of New Zealand are much indebted to Her Majesty's Consul for the manner in which he acted during the stay of the emigrants at Pernambuco, and ibr the trouble he took in arranging for the return passage of some of the emigrants to England, and I shall, in recognition of the same, hare pleasure in paying the amount of his claim for commission. In connection with this matter I would venture to suggest, for the consideration of the Imperial Government, that some suitable testimonial should be presented to the captain and officers of the ship " Loch Doon," who appear to have acted with great kindness and discretion towards the emigrants when they were transferred from the " Piako " to that vessel. The Surgeon-superintendent of the " Piako," from the reports which 1 have received, appears to have acted with great discretion and commendable energy under very difficult circumstances, and I have pleasure in also recommending him for such suitable testimonial as your Government may consider due to him. I have, &c., Jrrtius Vogel, The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Agent-General.

Enclosure 2 in No. 48. Mr. Wingfield to the Agent-Genekal. Sic,— Downing Street, 12th March, 1879. "With reference to your letter of the 29th of January last, suggesting for the consideration of the Imperial Government that some suitable testimonial should be presented to the captain and officers of the ship "Loch Doon," as well as to the Surgeon-superintendent of the "Piako," in recognition of the services rendered by them to the emigrants landed at Pernambuco from the " Piako," burnt at sea, I am to inform you that the question having been referred to the Board of Trade, that department have expressed the opinion that it is one for the New Zealand Government and the owners of the " Piako," rather than for the Imperial Government. I am to take this opportunity of forwarding to you the accompanying extract of a letter received through Foreign Office from Consul-General Walker, relating to the same subject. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. Edwaud "Wingfield.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 2 in No. 48. Extract from Lettee of Consul-General "Walker to the Marquis of Salisbury. 19th February, 1879. " I cousidee the conduct of the master aud officers of the " Loch Doon " highly commendable, as the vessel was deeply laden, and had to go considerably out of her course to make the harbour of Pernambuco, having the whole of the emigrants on the 11th November, and arriving at Pernambuco three days afterwards, where she was also detained several days revictualling, thereby retarding the vessel's arrival at her port in the United Kingdom, where she was bound from the Coast of Chili. The act may be called in one sense of the word merely an act of common humanity, and, as the master of the " Piako " paid the master of the " Loch Doon " for loss of provisions, &c, it might be considered that the matter might there rest; but as, happily only occasionally, one hears of gross acts of wanton neglect and utter indifference occurring, and an absence of all want of humanity when occasion does arise for one commander of a vessel to render needful assistance to another when in distress, I, in my humble opinion, think it would not be out of place to make some suitable recognition of the same. As regards Mr. Beaufoy Green, surgeon of the " Piako," I consider that he acted in a most praiseworthy manner, remaining by the emigrants on the islaud I had hired for them (isolated from the town some four miles), for the whole of the time they were there, some five weeks, and only coming on shore once, and that was on receiving an official notice from the undersigned to attend and give evidence at a Naval Court, convened to inquire into the origin of the fire that broke out on board the " Piako." I however think that if a testimonial is given to the master and officers of the " Loch Doon," and to the surgeon of the " Piako," that Mr. Boyle Boyd, master of the ship, ought to be included, for I can conscientiously state that no man acted with more prudence, energy, aud forethought than he, and not only by his manner of acting were many valuable lives saved on the tranfer of the emigrants from one ship to another, but much expense and loss of time was saved likewise during the refitting of the " Piako." 5-D. 2.