to.—3

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complaints have been made to the Commissioners at Wellington both as regards the filthy condition of the depot and of the harshness displayed by the person in charge of that establishment; and to inform you that the emigration officers under this department are not empowered by the Passengers Acts to inspect houses where intending emigrants lodge. The intervention in the depot of the Board's officers was distinctly objected to by the agent for the Agent-General of New Zealand in the recent case referred to in your letter. A copy of the Surveyor's report, dated 4th August, is enclosed. There can be no doubt, however, that the officers of the New Zealand or any other colonial Government hiring the depot for the use of their assisted emigrants have the right to see that it is kept in a clean and healthy condition, and that the emigrants are not harshly treated; and it appears to this Board that the introduction of the Board's staff into the matter would rather weaken than strengthen the position of the officer or department by whom the depot is for the time hired. lam to add there is some misapprehension as to the alleged official inspection of the depot some months ago by Dr. Eccles. The Board of Trade understand that not only has Dr. -Eccles not recently inspected it officially, but that no other officer of the Board of Trade has done so. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. Thomas Geay.

Enclosure 2 in No. 15. The Agent-Genebal to Mr. T, Geay, Board of Trade. Sic, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 10th January, 1884. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th December, in which, referring to the request contained in mine of the 17th, you express the opinion that intervention in the emigration depot by officers of the Board would rather weaken than strengthen the position of the officer or department by whom the depot is for the time hired. I bow, of course, to the decision of the Board of Trade. I trust, however, to be permitted to say, in reference to your observation that the intervention of the Board's officers was " distinctly objected to " by my despatching officer in the recent case, that, while I felt it my duty to point out what appeared to me a doubtful exercise, in that instance, of the authority possessed by your officer, I acquiesced, as a matter of course, in the intimation you conveyed to me that the Board must insist upon the right of their officers to intervene in any case which they might think necessary for the protection of emigrants. I hope, therefore, that I may be allowed to remove any misapprehension on the point, by assuring the Board that I shall be ready at all times to require from my own officers the utmost co-operation with theirs in any measures which the Board may think necessary for the protection and welfare of the people whom I send out to New Zealand. I understand from your letter that the Local Government Board is the proper department to which I should apply for assistance in ihe sanitary arrangements of the depot, and I have had the advantage of most valuable advice thereon already from Dr. Blaxall, E.N. I regret that any mistake should have occurred in my supposition that Dr. Eccles, or any other officer of the Board of Trade, had inspected the depot officially. I have, &c, F. D. Bell.

Enclosure 3 in No. 15. Mr. T. Gbay, Board of Trade, to the Agent-Geneeal. Board of Trade (Marine Department), Sic,— Whitehall Gardens, S.W., 14th August, 1883. I am directed by the Board of Trade to inform you that they have received a report from their Principal Officer at Plymouth, stating that, during the medical inspection of the passengers of the "Taranaki," a young girl came through the inspecting room crying bitterly, and saying that she did not wish to go; and that, after the inspection, the Emigration Officer under this department went to the ante-room where the girl was, and was informed by her that she was afraid of being compelled to go, as her father was not allowed to see her, and had been forcibly expelled from the depot. The Emigration Officer, thinking that the girl's father, as her natural guardian, had a right to be with her at such a time, directed him to be admitted ; but shortly afterwards, while the man was standing quietly by his daughter, he was seized by Mr. Smith, the Despatching Officer, and forcibly hustled out of the depot, against the expressed wish of the Emigration Officer. As there may be occasions when it may be very desirable that the Government emigration officers, in protecting the interests of intending emigrants, should investigate cases of this description, the Board will be glad if Sir Francis D. Bell will be so good as to inform them whether he has received any particulars of the case referred to, and what they are. I have, &c, Sir F. D> Bell, K.C.M.G., Agent-General for New Zealand, Thomas Geay.

Enclosure 4 in No. 15. Mr. MaoKinlay to the Pbincipal Oppicee, Board of Trade, Plymouth. Sic,— Board of Trade Offices, Plymouth, 4th August, 1883. During the inspection of the emigrants for the " Taranaki " for New Zealand a young girl came through the inspecting room crying bitterly, and saying she did not wish to go. After the inspection I went to the ante-room where the girl was, and was informed by her that she was