11.—2

1873. NEW ZEALAND.

THE IMMIGRANT SHIP "ENGLAND," (FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by command of His Excellency. (In continuation of Papers presented 16th July, 1872, G.—3.)

No. 1. Dr. Featheebton to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetabt. (No. 390.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Sic,— Westminster, S.W., 9th August, 1872. I have the honor to transmit you copy of a letter just received from Messrs. Shaw, Saville, and Co., relative to the commission of inquiry on the ship " England." I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, I. E. Feathebston, New Zealand. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 1. Messrs. Shaw, Saville, and Co., to De. Featheeston. Deae Sir, — London. 9th August, 1872. By the mail just in we have received from our Agents in Wellington the printed report on the case of the emigrants per " England." On reading it over, we find some allegations against us as contractors for the conveyance of the emigrants, made by Captain Harrington, which we are much surprised at, and which we have no hesitation whatever in saying are utterly false and without foundation. We feel that we cannot quietly pass over such unmerited and uncalled for misstatements, and in justice to ourselves we have in preparation a detailed contradiction to every point on which Captain Harrington seeks to attach blame to us ; and we intend laying our case before you, supported by ample evidence, in time for the San Francisco mail of the 22nd inst., when we shall ask you to be so kind as to transmit it to the Government of New Zealand on our behalf. In the meantime, we shall feel much obliged if, in your despatches by to-day's mail, you will do u» the favour to mention that we totally deny Captain Harrington's statements, and that confirmatory evidence, as mentioned above, shall be laid before the Government by next mail. We are, &c, The Agent-General, London. Shaw, Satille, and Co.

No. 2. Dr. Featheeston to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. (No. 427.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Sib,— Westminster, S.W., 22nd August, 1872. I have the honor to transmit herewith the communication from Messrs. Shaw, Saville, and Co., relative to the ship " England," which was referred to in my letter No. 390, of the 9th inst. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, I. E. Feathebston, New Zealand. Agent-General. Note. —The communication from Shaw, Saville, referred to, was not forwarded, but the enclosures were sent loose.

Enclosure 1 in No. 2. Messrs. Shaw, Saville, and Co., to Captain Fosteb. Government Emigration Office, Fenchurch Street, Deae Sic, — London, 15th August, 1872. We beg to hand you herewith a copy of the report of the Commissioners appointed in "Wellington to inquire into certain matters connected with the immigrants by the ship " England," I— R. 2