31

D.—3

tion as to the three children docs not apply when there are grown-up sons and daughters. In such cases it will no doubt have been remarked that the parents have been sometimes considerably over the regulation age. This has of course been done in order to secure to the Colony the eligible sons and daughters. 13. There is much truth in what you urge as to skilled artisans, and in the caution coupled therewith not to send out artisans who can perform only one britnch of their handicraft. Your instructions will be borne in mind and acted up to as far as possible. But still it is exceedingly difficult sometimes to exclude the class to which you refer; and I observe from the reports of the Immigration Commissioners that there is now a demand in the Colony for hands in almost every branch of trade or industry. 14. With respect to Scandinavian emigration, I may report that I hope to be able to despatch each year two or three ships direct from Christiania, and to ship the rest of the foreign emigrants by German ships from Hamburg. I fully recognize the importance of sending the British and foreign emigrants out in separate ships, and I trust that the arrangements I have now made will obviate the necessity of their being again associated as heretofore. 15. I shall be very glad to receive from you the promised code phrases, so as to reduce the cost of telegraphing to the Colony. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

Enclosure 1 in No. 40. Approximate Return of Emigrants obtained in Six Months. Ist July to 31st December, 1873. D. Garrick, Jersey, 70; D'Arcy, Sinnamon, Portadown, Ireland, 50; P. Fleming, Dundee, 30; J. S. Tonkin, Lanner, Redruth, Cornwall, 34; H. Taylor, Leamington, 230; G. Gardner, Brighton, 70; E. Edwards, Smethwick, 30; W. li. Archer, Leamington, 80; O'Sullivau, Tralee, County Kerry, 20; E. Pascoe, Penzance, Cornwall, 35; R. T. Turbitt, Strabane, Ireland, 100; Mr. Twelvetrees (within the last two months), 300; H. Simmons, Maidstone, 320. N.B. —It should be noted that some of the above agents were only employed during a portion of the specified period.

Enclosure 2 in No. 40. Instructions to Local Agents for the Selection of Emigrants to New Zealand. 1. The duties of a local agent consist, chiefly, in affording information within his district as to the state and prospects of the Colony; and in selecting, when directed to do so, persons duly qualified for assisted passages under the regulations which may be in force at the time, and under the special instructions he may receive from the Agent-General. 2. The handbills, and a copy of the regulations now in force under which emigrants are selected for passages, are herewith supplied. With the conditions, directions, and cautions contained in the latter document, the local agent will make himself well acquainted. 3. The selection of emigrants must be strictly confined to persons of the working classes, who have established a character for industry, sobriety, and general good conduct, and who are going out with the intention of settling in the Colony, or working there for wages. Reduced tradesmen and others, not belonging to the working class, or those who, though of the labouring class, have been in the habitual receipt of parochial aid, arc decidedly ineligible. 4. When the local agent is satisfied as to the eligibility of the applicants, he will require them to fill up the form of application annexed to the regulations, which should not, however, be issued to any but apparently eligible candidates. 5. When the form of application is returned to the local agent, he will carefully examine it to see that it is complete, and that it does not show the applicant to be in any respect disqualified. He will next carefully examine the applicant, in order to check the statements as to age, trade or calling, &c, in the form of application. If the applicant appears not to belong to one of the required classes —to have been guilty of any deception or wilful mis-statement, or to have any bodily or mental defect likely to impair his or her usefulness as a labourer or servant, or to be on any other account ineligible, the agent will at once reject the application. 6. The local agent will next ascertain that the applicant can procure the required clothing for the voyage, can make the requisite payment to meet the expenses of bedding and mess utensils mentioned in the regulations, and can provide, where necessary, the means of joining the ship. 7. The next step will be to ascertain, by careful inquiry, that the applicants for passages are persons of good character and of sober and industrious habits. This is very important. The local agent will make inquiry of the householders who may have signed the certificate ; and if they do not themselves appear to be trustworthy persons, or if their opportunities of knowing the applicant have been insufficient, the local agent will require the applicant to obtain other signatures.