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18

arrangements with colonial Governments. As regards the point referred to in the last paragraph of your letter, the Board's Emigration Officer reports that he is unable to withdraw his statement that the Despatching Officer hustled the father of the girl out of the depot, as Mr. Smith, although assisted by the servitors of the depot, ordered the man's removal, and followed him closely up through the suite of rooms, loudly and authoritatively making use of the words, " Out with you," as he went along. I have, &c, The Secretary, Agent-General for New Zealand. Thomas Geay.

No. 16. The Agent-General to the Minister of Immigration. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 30th January, 1884. I transmit to you herewith copy of a letter I have received from the Colonial Office, enclosing a memorial addressed to the Earl of Derby by Mr. Kirk, on behalf of a number of thirdclass passengers in the steamer "lonic" on her recent voyage to New Zealand, in which they complain of the treatment they received on board. As the matter has been referred by the Secretary of State to the Board of Trade, I refrain for the present from making any observations on the memorial. I have had a conversation on the subject with Sir Thomas Farrer, the Permanent Secretary of the Board of Trade, and have pointed out to him that the complaints in question do not in any way relate to the Government immigrants who were sent out by that ship. There are several questions affecting the responsibility of the officers of the Board of Trade, which this memorial has brought into prominence; and I am presently to meet Sir Thomas Farrer on the subject. I feel sure, for my own part, that, since we must go on conducting the Government immigration in high-class steamers such as the " lonic," it will be absolutely necessary to provide in some way for the assimilation of the dietary of emigrants and third-class passengers, to which subject our own attention has been so much called. I transmitted a copy of the memorial to the New Zealand Shipping Company for any observations they might have to make, and herewith I enclose copy of the correspondence which passed in respect thereto. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Immigration, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

Enclosure 1 in No. 16. Mr. Wingfield, Colonial Office, to the Agent-General for New Zealand, Sir, — Downing Street, 26th January, 1884. I am directed by the Earl of Derby to transmit to you for your information the accompanying copy of a letter addressed to this department by Mr. Kirk, on behalf of some third-class passengers in the steamer " lonic " on her recent voyage to New Zealand, in which they complain of the treatment they received on board. The letter has been referred to the Board of Trade, and the writers have been so informed. I have, &c, Edward Wingpield.

Enclosure 2 in No. 16. Mr. Kirk to the Colonial Office. Steamer "lonic," Eight Honourable Sir, — Wellington, New Zealand, Bth November, 1883. Voyage from England to New Zealand of the New Zealand Shipping Company's steamer " lonic," leaving Plymouth on the 22nd September, and arriving at Wellington, New Zealand, on the Bth November, 1883 :— We beg to enclose a letter upon a grievance which requires the attention of Her Majesty's Ministers. We can assure you that the matters stated are much underdrawn, as we have desired to keep to a very moderate statement. Again assuring you we are prepared to stand. by every assertion backed by the signatures of the third-class passengers, I beg leave to refer you to Jos. Dodds, Esq., M.P. for Stockton-on-Tees. Yours, &c, The Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Eobt.Kikk.

Sub-Enclosure in Enclosure 2 in No. 16. Eight Honourable Sir, — Steamer "lonic," Bth November, 1883. At a large and enthusiastic general meeting of the third-class passengers, held on board the steamer " lonic " (chartered by the New Zealand Shipping Company) on the 3rd. day of November, 1883, a unanimous resolution was passed to the effect that the newspapers should be written to so as to bring before the public the shameful way in which they have been accommodated, treated, and fed. This we do solely that the public may be enlightened as to our experience at sea. This letter is signed by the six committeemen (appointed by the meeting) on behalf of the third-class passengers, whose signatures they hold in their possession open for inspection. The committee give their late English addresses for reference, if required, so that the public may know it is in good faith, and not from a few disaffected passengers. The following complaints were formulated by the meeting, and carried by acclammation, without one single dissentient: — 1. Sanitary Arrangements. —The men washing on the decks in all weathers without shelter, and without stands for their wash-tins. Urinal exposed and running over, thereby creating an offensive nuisance, both these in full view of the females passing to and from the forward hatchway and forward water-tap, as also those parading the decks. The waterclosets were most inadequate for the requirements of the male passengers, there being only three seats for the accommodation of