D.—3

38

I fully concur in your remarks deprecating an appeal to party organization in the case of Mr. Vesey Stewart's proposed special settlement of Orangemen. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 50. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 908.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir, — 20th January, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 22nd October (No. 221), and to assure you, in reply, that no effort shall be wanting on my part to meet the requirements of the Hawke's Bay Province, as regards the number of emigrants. I have already addressed you on this subject by the San Francisco mail. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 51. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 929.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 20th January, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 224, dated 22nd October, enclosing copies of the report of the Immigration Commissioners upon the ship "Douglas," and reports to those officers and to the Immigration Officer by the surgeon-superintendent. I am glad to learn that the Government approved the vessel and her fittings ; and that the judicious arrangements made by the captain and surgeon-superintendent, enabled the latter to deal effectually with the sickness fr,om which the emigrants suffered during a portion of the voyage. I observe that, according to the report of Dr. Tuck, the surgeon-superintendent, some of the provisions were short and others were insecurely packed, and that the vessel was not in all respects ready when the passengers embarked. I have referred these points to the Despatching Officer, with a request that he will report thereon. A copy of his statement shall be forwarded by next mail. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

•No. 52. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 930.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir, — 20th January, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 246, dated 29th October, 1873, forwarding copy report of the Immigration Commissioners at Wellington, upon the ship " Edward P. Bouverie." I am glad to notice that the Commissioners were of opinion that the ship was " excellently suited for the service, and the health and comfort of the emigrants carefully studied in all arrangements." I have carefully perused the memorandum of the surgeon-superintendent, Dr. Jackson, on the economy of emigrant ships generally, and I beg to submit the following observations in reply:— • 1. Every effort is made to retain, in the New Zealand emigration service, a competent staff of surgeons. The back passage money (£5O) now granted by the Government operates favourably in this direction. The course recommended by Dr. Jackson would, however, lead to increased expense in this branch of the emigration service, and it is generally admitted that the remuneration at present allowed by the Government is sufficiently liberal to attract competent medical officers. 2. I do not agree with Dr. Jackson in bis proposal to relieve the captain of emigrant ships of all responsibility in reference to the passengers proceeding in their vessels. On the contrary, every effort should, in my opinioD, be made to enlist their interest and sympathy on behalf of the emigrants. This object appears to me to be accomplished by the existing system, under which it is alike the interest and the duty of the captain to support the surgeon in maintaining order and discipline among the emigrants, and in promoting their well-being.