D.—2

5

* Enclosure 2 in No. 4. Mr. E. A. Smith to the Agent-Geneeal. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sib,— Bth June, 1876. With reference to the report No. 99, of 6th April, 1876, of the Hon. the Minister for Immigration on the " Salisbury," relative to the neglect of boat and fire drill on board that ship, and to your directions that I should inform you what steps I have taken to insure those very necessary measures being carried out on board ships chartered by you, I beg to inform you that, in conformity with your instructions, notices (copy of which is enclosed) are posted in the between-decks in each compartment, and the attention of the captain and surgeon is specially called thereto by me before the vessel is despatched. I also, in conjunction with the Emigration Officer under the Passenger Act, see that the crew are all told off to boat and fire stations after the general muster of the crew by the ship's articles. I always require the chief officer to have two copies of boat arid fire stations written out, one for his own use, the other to be posted in the forecastle ; and the Emigration Officer supplies each captain with a " Copy of Suggestions to Masters of Emigrant Ships respecting Boats and Fire at Sea," issued formerly by the Emigration Commissioners and now by the Board of Trade, a copy of which is also enclosed. I have, &c, Edward A. Smith, R.N., The Agent-General for New Zealand. Despatching Officer.

No. 5. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 500.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sib,— sth July, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 127, of sth May. Referring to that portion relating to the reduction of the staff of this department, my predecessor has already communicated to you on the subject of dispensing with the services of Mr. Ottywell. For the purpose of carrying into effect the reductions indicated in the Premier's telegram of April 21st, notices were also served on four clerks in the Emigration Department that their services would not be required after the 31st July, but on their representing, in reply, that three months' notice was due to them, I referred the papers relating to their engagements, which were made in 1873 and 1874, to Messrs. J. Mackrell and Co. for their opinion on the point so raised. Messrs. Mackrell have advised me that although there is no settled law upon the subject, yet they think that a jury would consider that the clerks in question were entitled to a three months' notice. I have, therefore, thought it expedient to act in accordance with the solicitors' advice, and have given a three months' notice from the 30th June. In order that all the emigrants ordered for the year should, in accordance with your instructions, arrive in the colony before the end of February next, it will be necessary to despatch a vessel, on the average, once a week. This will cause a pressure of work in the Emigration Department during the next four months which will fully admit of the services of the whole of the present clerical staff being utilized to the advantage of the public service. In connection with the subject of this letter, I think it right to express my opinion that if the number of emigrants sent out should continue to be limited to that ordered for this year, a reduction might be made without disadvantage in the number of special Emigration Agents now employed by the Government. At present, there are Mr. Holloway, Mr. and Mrs. Burton, in England; and Mr. Cochrane, at Belfast. As regards Englaud, it appears to me that it would be sufficient to retain Mr. Holloway, whose connection with the National Labourers' Union will probably always prove of value. From my own personal observation, a special Agent stationed at Belfast is not in a good position to obtain suitable emigrants, and now that a large number of Irish emigrants have become resident in New Zealand, it will be found that there will be but little difficulty in keeping up a constant stream of emigration from Ireland by using the ordinary means, such as advertising, local agencies, &c. I may mention that Mr. Turbitt, local Agent in the North of Ireland, is in the habit of obtaining a larger number of emigrants for New Zealand than that selected through the Belfast agency. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, W. Tteone Powee, Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 6. The Agent-Genebal to the Hon. the Ministee for Immigbation. (No. 519.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sib,— 6th July, 1876. Referring to that portion of your letter No. 127 which relates to the shipping arrangements made by the Government in the colony, I have already informed you that, in consequence of the nonreceipt of your telegram of April 28th, arrangements were entered into with Messrs. P. Henderson, in accordance with the instructions contained in the Premier's telegram of April 21st, which stated