D.—4.

14

As the Government relieved the Company of the duty of providing employment for these people by sending them to other parts of the colony at great trouble and expense, I confidently rely upon your at once paying the above amount into the Public Account —more especially as the sum charged is for the bare expense of the rations supplied to the colliers and their families, no charge being made for the cost of their removal from Nelson, or for incidental expenses, such as fuel, cooking, medical attendance, &c, while they were in the Government depot. I have, &c, Allan Holmes, Esq., Chairman of the W. Rolleston, Directors of the Westport Colliery Company, Dunedin. Minister for Immigration.

Enclosure in No. 57. Westport Colliery Company Dr. to the Immigration Department. Rations supplied to Miners ex " Opawa," 145 Adults. 1879. £ s. d. Nov. 435 rations, at 7£d. .. .. .. .. 16 6 4J 54 lb. 12 oz. butter, at Is. .. .. .. 2 14 9 5£ galls, milk, at Is. 2d. .. .. .. 0 6 5 Dec. 4,371 rations, at 7|d. .. .. .. 136 11 10| 420 lb. butter, at Is. .. .. .. 21 0 0 3 lb. pepper, at Is. 6d. .. .. .. .. 0 4 6 6 lb. candles, at lid. .. .. .. .. 0 5 6 80 lb. soap, at 3d. .. . - .. .. 10 0 6 lb. rice, at 4d. .. .. .. .. 0 2 0 100 lb. flour .. .. .. .. 0 16 0 23 lb. raisins, at Bd. .. .. .. 0 15 4 21 lb. currants, at 7d. .. .. .. .. 0 12 3 1880. 60 galls, milk, at Is. 2d... .. .. .. 310 0 Jan. 1,392 rations, at 7|d. .. .. .. .. 43 10 0 174 lb. butter, at Is. .. .. .. .. 8 14 0 6 lb. candles, at lid. .. .. .. .. 0 5 6 40 lb. soap, at 3d. .. .. .. .. 0 10 0 30 galls, milk, at Is. 4d... .. .. .. 2 0 0 2 lb. pepper, at Is. 3d. .. .. .. 0 2 6 £239 7 0

By Authority : George Didsbuey, Government Printer, "Wellington.—lBBo. Price 9d.]