15

D.—2

I have already called your attention to this matter in connection with the payment which I was directed to make to Dr. Russell, and would now add that in framing the clause in question it was intended that the amount of the payment of the return passages should be settled in the colony when the surgeon was prepared to return, as it was thought that your department would then be in a better position to determine what should be allowed than I am at the time when the surgeons receive their appointment in this country. For instance, at certain times it might be an advantage to hasten the return of experienced ship-surgeons, while at others there would be no necessity for allowing them more than the cost of returning by an ordinary sailing passenger-ship. However, as you desire me to arrange this matter at the time of appointment, I would propose to return to the old mode of payment — namely, that of paying the surgeons, on their reporting themselves to me as willing to be reemployed, the sum of £50. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 26. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sik, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, Ist December, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 203, of 4th October last, requesting me not to take any promissory notes whatever from emigrants ; and in reference thereto I would remark that there are from time to time special cases in which it is, I think, expedient to take promissory notes rather than let the emigrant proceed free from any obligation whatever. For instance, there are cases in which emigrants come to the port of embarkation with clothing insufficient for the requirements of the voyage, and with no apparent means of their own to procure what is necessary. In such cases it would be perhaps too harsh a proceeding not to allow them to embark, while it would not be desirable to supply clothing without laying the emigrant under some obligation or liability, as the result of the latter course might be that others would follow his example under the impression that they would also obtain supplies of clothing free of cost if they came without it. A case in point occurred this week at Plymouth, where a nominated family (H. L. and six children) came forward for embarkation with barely more than the clothes they had on. L. at first stated that he had no money, but on his being called upon to sign a promissory note for the cost of the clothing supplied, ho paid a large portion of the amount in cash. Again, cases occur in which emigrants, on being inspected by my despatching officer and the Surgeon-superintendent of the ship, are discovered to have evidently understated their ages for the purpose of rendering themselves apparently eligible for free or assisted passages. Under such circumstances persons, when they have no family or other persons dependent on them accompanying them, are as a rule not allowed to embark; but there are cases where it is expedient to make exceptions to that rule, and to allow them to proceed, taking a promissory note for the cost of their passage when they are unable to pay for it, either in part or whole, in cash, as it would be evidently undesirable to allow such a proceeding to pass without its involving the perpetrator of it in some liability or obligation. There are other cases in which the person nominating does not, through want of information, give a correct description of his friends—such, for instance, as the ages and numbers of children. —when it is desirable, for the sake of example, if for nothing else, to tako promissory notes in case the emigrant is unable to pay what is required in cash. Under circumstances such as I have named, and others of a similar exceptional nature, I presume I am right in understanding that discretion will be allowed me to take promissory notes. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 27. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, Ist December, 1879. I have the honor to report as follows as to the proceedings of my department during the month of November :— I have, in accordance with the instructions received by telegram from the colony, endeavoured to limit the emigration of nominated people as far as possible. A large numbor, however, have communicated with this office respecting their nominations; and I shall therefore he glad to receive instructions as to the date when I can entertain their applications for passages. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Agent-General.