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5

last on the subject of the suspension of immigration, and giving a detailed account of the action taken by you upon their receipt. I observe what you say as to the dissatisfaction which is likely to arise from tho postponing of the times at which effect can be given to nominations accepted in the colony. Instructions have been given to Immigratiou Officers in the colony not to accept any nominations without a written proviso that the Government only accept such nominations subject to immigration being resumed in the spring, and subject, of course, to the fitness of the nominees, and the general instructions as to the number and class of immigrants which have been given or may be hereafter given by the Government. A considerable number of nominations, principally of single women, is sent by this mail. As previously intimated to yon, there is no difficulty in the absorption of this class of immigrants, and it would be unadvisable within the general limits of tho appropriation of Parliament to put any check upon it. lam aware of the fact that no less number than 150 can be brought in each ship in terms of the agreements with the New Zealand Shipping Company, and the Government must look to you to make the best arrangements you can for sending ships with that number approximately, filling in with such cases of families who may have been accepted under exceptional circumstances, and to such an extent as you may consider advisable for the purpose of maintaining steadiness and order in the ships. I do not understand the difficulty which seems to have occurred to you, as to your having " exhausted the total number of emigrants other than nominated, whom you are authorized to send." The general suspension of emigration will leave further funds available for the particular class in question. The instructions to continue the introduction of single women, whether nominated or not, as submitted to Parliament, must be deemed to modify previous instructions ; and you will, no doubt, act upon them with this view. With regard to the ports to which they should be sent, I imagine that the number of nominations will very largely guide this. I find that between the Ist January, 1879, and the end of the year, the nominations of single women have been in the following proportions, which will clearly indicate the ports to which the ships might be most advantageously laid on for—namely : Auckland, 131; Napier, 39; Taranaki, 23; Wellington, 196; Nelson, 15; Marlborough, 21; Canterbury, 417; Otago and Southland, 432; Westland, 28 : total, 1,305. I enclose for your information copies of telegrams recently received by me on the arrival of the ships " Waitara," "Euterpe," " Southesk," and "Hereford." The report on the lastnamed, which carried nominated immigrants, is exceedingly satisfactory. AVith regard to those persons arriving in the other ships, and paying their own passages, I have given directions that all facilities should be given them that are afforded to those introduced by the Government; and instructions have been given to the Crown Lands Departments throughout the colony to give every information to those desirous of settling upon land, as to the blocks of land which will be available. I enclose for your information copies of departmental papers which will show you the action which it is proposed to take under the amended Land Act and the Public Reserves Sale Act, of which I enclose copies. On the whole I was very favourably impressed with the class of people who have come out of their own accord. Those of the agricultural class will, I have no doubt, do well; but I fear there will be considerable distress among those of the class of architects, surveyors, engineers, and tradespeople generally. It is impossible: not to recognize that great difficulties may arise from the indiscreet " puffing " of the colony by agents desirous to make a show of the numbers they may induce to emigrate. The disappointment which ensues from the non-realization of undulyexcited anticipations is distressing to those concerned, and likely to react very injuriously upon the colony. You will no doubt think it right to give instructions to such agents as are continued, of the danger of encouraging the classes of settlers to which I have alluded, to come out. You have already received authority to bring any engagements to an end that can fairly be terminated in this branch of the department. I am hopeful of far more satisfactory results from the unbiassed reports of men from England representing the agricultural interests there, who have seen and inquired into the manifold resources of this colony, than from paid agents in the United Kingdom. I have, &c, W. Rolleston, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Minister for Immigration.

Enclosure 1 in No. 12. The Immigration Officer, Christchurch, to the Under-Secretary for Immigration. (Telegram.) Christchurch, 24th December, 1879. "Euterpe" arrived. All well. One birth; no deaths, and no sickness of any kind. Class of passengers good. Compartments in fair order. One case, Mary E. A , aged thirteen, with parents, idiotic from infancy. Steps will be taken against ship under Imbecile Passengers Act. About sixty have applied for admission into depot, which has been granted. The Under-Secretary for Immigration, Welliugton. J. E. March.