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No. 5. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister of Immigration. (Blemorandum.) 7, Westminster Chambers, London, 20th January, 1883. The difficulty experienced in obtaining single women who have been domestic servants away from their own parents' home, to the extent to which they are evidently required in the colony, has induced me to entertain a few applications from young women of good health and character who have been accustomed to domestic work only at their own homes. Three of such young women had passages by the "Crusader " for Canterbury, and I herewith give their names in case you might deem it desirable for the Immigration Officer to make special endeavour to provide them with suitable places, and, if possible, ascertain whether they prove to be desirable emigrants. F. D. Bell, ________„_„,„„,,_,__„,_,, Agent-General.

No. 6. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister of Immigration. (No. 43.) Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, 25th January, 1883. I regret to have to inform you that the ship " Wild Deer," which sailed from the Clyde on the 12th instant with 164£ statute adults, Government emigrants, was wrecked near the North Hock, off the coast of Ireland, near Belfast, within a few hours of her leaving the Clyde. I was informed of the wreck by telegram from Messrs. P. Henderson and Co., of Glasgow, and was much relieved at healing that the passengers had all been landed in safety. I immediately authorized steps to be taken to insure as far as possible the comfort of the emigrants under the painful circumstances in which they were placed. They were at once taken to Beifast, and thence they returned to Glasgow, where they await the despatch of the ship " Caroline," which has been specially engaged by the Shaw-Savill and Albion Company to take them to their destination in about a fortnight's time. The emigrants' luggage is stated to have been for the most part saved from the wreck ; but Mr. Ottywell reports, 1 regret to say, that, on inspecting what has been brought back to Glasgow, he finds the greater portion of it very much injured by salt water, and much of the clothing wholly unfit for use. Messrs. Henderson and Co. are, through their agents, having a further search made at the wreck for luggage, and I shall probably know in a day or so if any more has been found. But, in all probability, it will be necessary to supply the emigrants with a quantity of clothing to enable them to proceed on their voyage, and I have accordingly instructed-Mr. Ottywell to ascertain what is required, and to arrange for its supply at the Government's expense. On this and other points connected with the matter I shall, if necessary, report more fully by next mail. I have, &c, F. D. Bell, The Hon. the Minister of Immigration, Wellington, Agent-General.

No. 7. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister of Immigration. (Memorandum.) 7, Westminster Chambers, London, 7th February, 1883. Referring to my letter No. 43, of the 25th ultimo, respecting the wreck of the " Wild Deer," I herewith transmit newspaper extract* giving a report of the inquiry which was held at Glasgow on the sth instant. You will observe that the master of the vessel was held by the Court to be the only person to blame, and that his certificate was suspended for three months. The despatch of the ship " Caroline," which takes the " Wild Deer " emigrants to their destination, has been delayed by stress of weather, but it is expected that she will sail on the 17th instant. The emigrants are lodged at Glasgow, with the surgeon-superintendent in charge, and up to the present time no illness has appeared amongst them. Mr. Ottywell, the Despatching Officer, has been engaged in seeing that they are provided with necessary clothing, &c.,for the voyage, as I regret to say that the greater portion of their luggage was either lost or so injured as to be useless. F. D. Bell.

No. 8. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister of Immigration. Sir, — 7, Westminister Chambers, London, 21st February, 1883. I regret very much to have to inform you that the ship " Oxford," which I advised you in my last monthly report as having sailed from Plymouth for Wellington on the 31st January with 300 Government emigrants, was compelled through stress of weather to put back to Cardiff. It appears that the ship encountered most severe weather in the Bay of Biscay, and was damaged to such an extent as to become dismasted and almost helpless. Fortunately, with assistance, she was able to reach the Bristol Channel off Cardiff, and on the 14th instant I received a telegram from the surgeon-superintendent, Dr. Hasard, reporting her arrival there. lam glad to be able to add that none of the emigrants appear to have been injured, and also that during the whole of the time they behaved extremely well, and showed much courage and quiet endurance under the very trying and anxious circumstances in which they were placed.

* Glasgow Serald, Tuesday, 6th February, 1883.