D.—No. 1b

No. 1. Agent-Geneeal to Hon. Colonial Seceetaey. Sib ,— Hamburg, 20th May, 1872. I have the honor to inform you that the terms of the contract between the New Zealand Government and Messrs. Brogden, for tho introduction into the Colony by the latter of a number of emigrants, not exceeding in the whole six thousand souls, were finally settled only two or three hours before I left London, on the 15th instant, for this place. I have no doubt that Mr. Mackerell and Messrs. Brogden's Solicitor will have the deed ready for execution by ihe time I return. I will transmit it by the first mail, with such explanations as may seem to be required. I have, Ac, Hon. "W. Gisborne. . I. E. Featheeston.

No. 2. Agent-Geneeal to Hon. Colonial Seceetaet. Sic,— Hamburg, 20th May,- 1872. I have the honor to inform you that I arrived here late on Saturday, the 18fch instant, and that yesterday I inspected the emigrants on board the ship " Friedeburg," accompanying them afterwards some miles down the river, in company with Mr. Sloman, the owner of the vessel, and the members of the firm, with whom the contract for procuring emigrants has been made. Dr. de L. Temple and Mr. Priberg had by my instructions preceded me by some days for the purpose of inspecting the emigrants and the arrangements of the vessel, so that they might be in a position to make me a full report on my arrival. The " Priedeberg " is an iron vessel of 784 tons register, and is undoubtedly admirably adapted for the conveyance of emigrants, being equal, if not superior in many respects, especially as far as the space allotted to emigrants, the height between decks (Bft. or Bft. 6in.), ventilation, and the necessary conveniences are concerned, to the emigrant vessels that usually sail from the Thames. The arrangements, after a very minute inspection, appeared to me (with the single exception of the position of the store room, which I ordered to be changed) entirely satisfactory. The commander (Captain Kopper), who is highly spoken of, recently took out in the same vessel some 300 emigrants to Queensland, and landed them in a highly satisfactory state. The Surgeon Superintendent, Dr. de L. Temple, speaks German as fluently as a native, has already been in charge of an emigrant vessel (or vessels), is desirous of continuing in the emigration service of the New Zealand Government, and, so far as I can judge, possesses all the necessary qualifications in a very eminent degree. He found that all the emigrants had been vaccinated with the exception of a few of the very young infants, and these he vaccinated before the vessel sailed. Mr. Friberg speaks in the highest terms of the manner in which the emigrants were treated during the three or four days they were in lodgings or barracks. Every suggestion made by Dr. Temple seems to have been cheerfully complied with. Mr. Sloman (the owner of the vessel, and, in reality, the contractor,) is, as I believe I have already informed you, the largest shipowner in Hamburg, and stands at the head of the commercial community. He seems so desirous, feeling that his own reputation is at stake, that the whole emigration contract, for which he has made himself personally responsible, should be carried out faithfully, successfully, and to the entire satisfaction of the New Zealand Government, that he is prepared to incur any reasonable extra expense. The usual return of emigrants on board the " Friedeburg " will be sent by the mail after my arrival in London. In the meantime I give you the following analysis, prepared by Mr. Friberg :— On board the " Friedeburg," Captain Kopper, are — 200 persons above twelve years ... ... ... ... = 200 adults 82 persons between one and twelve years ... ... ... = 41 ~ 10 persons under one year 292 persons ... ... ... ... ... ... =241 „ Of these there *c— 61 single females ... ... ... ... ... = 61 ~ 33 single men ... ... ... ... ... ... =33 „ 53 married couples ... ... ... ... ... = 106 „ 92 children and infants ... .. ... ... ... = 41 ~ Nationalities — Total ... ... ... 241 „ Germans ... ... 102 persons above 12 years, 68 children, 5 infants Norwegians ... ... 51 „ „ 5 ~ 3 „ Danes ... ... 47 „ „ 9 „ 2 „ 200 „ „ 82 „ 10 „

FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE AGENT-GENERAL.