D.—2.

40

with the same wind may be detained many days. With the present arrangements at Plymouth for embarking, and free access given by rail to the Despatching Officer of the Government, the distance of seven to eight hours from London is not felt to be a difficulty, and in the case of New South Wales, Victoria, and Adelaide, all their ships are sent from Plymouth depot, with results entirely satisfactory to the several Governments. I beg to enclose you papers referring to the system of railway arrangements herein alluded to. I have, &c, Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G., Aethub Hill. . ifg Agent-General for New Zealand.

Enclosure 4 in No. 24. Mr. J. Bramston to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic, — Colonial Office, Downing Street, 30th January, 1877. I am directed by the Earl of Carnarvon to transmit to you a copy of a letter from Mr. W. F. Brown, offering a suggestion that the owners of emigrant ships should be induced to call at Plymouth or Falmouth, in order to diminish the great risk incurred by emigrants embarking at London before clearing the English Channel. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. John Beamston.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 4 in No. 24. Mr. W. F. Brown to the Colonial Office. Emigrant Ships. Sic, — Lyme Regis, Dorset, 2nd January, 1877. With the view of diminishing as much as possible the very great risks that emigrants embarking at London before clearing the English Channel, owing to the fraquent and increasing occurrence of collisions and of shipwreck, I, as an old naval officer, most respectfully take the liberty of submitting whether the owners of emigrant vessels might not be advantageously induced, and other parties interested in the questions, to arrange that their vessels should call at Plymouth (as some now do), or at Falmouth, which is a less crowded but very safe port, and cheaper in most respects, instead of embarking at London, especially for parties residing in the Western Counties and Ireland. 2. I beg to annex an estimated statement showing that the probable expense of the land journey in question is greatly in favour of the arrangement in regard to comfort as well as preservation of life. I have, &c., G. W. Herbert, Esq. W. F. Beown, R.N.

Enclosure in Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 4 in No. 25. ABSTRACT STATEMENT alluded to in the foregoing Letter of 2nd January, 1877.

Enclosure 5 in No. 24. The Agent-Geneeal to the Colonial Office. Sib, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., Ist February, 1877. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th January, in which you forward me, by direction of the Earl of Carnarvon, a letter from Mr. F. W. Brown, in which that gentleman suggests that Plymouth or Falmouth should be selected in preference to London for the embarkation of emigrants. In reply, I have to say that the matter has already received my attention, and that it is probable in future Plymouth will be adopted in preference to London as the port of embarkation for the bulk of the assisted emigrants proceeding to New Zealand, excepting those from the Clyde. Mr. Brown will be glad to know that the railway companies are making special arrangementsf or the cheap carriage of emigrants and luggage, so that he overestimates the cost of the railway fare even from London, whilst from many parts of England, Ireland, and Wales, where the intending emigrants reside, Plymouth can be reached cheaper than London, and there is no necessity for them passing through the latter place. I am, &c, Julius Vogel, The Under Secretary of State for the Colonies. Agent-General.

Db. 'o carriage by rail from London to Plymouth or Falmouth, per head, including refreshments... Ixpense of board and lodging thereat, 2s. 6d. each person per diem, for an average stay of three days for arrival of vessel from London £ s. d. 10 0 0 7 6 Cb. By saving of ship's provisions, preparing it, &c, during an average of three days from London to Plymouth, at 2s. 6d. each, deductable from passage money to colony Escape of the probable discomfort, sea sickness, &c, for an average of three days, in many cases more than as many weeks Escape of collision and ship, &c, during the period in the most dangerous portion of the voyage. Balance incalculable in regard to the preservation of life, also of a portion of personal luglage taken to Plymouth by rail. £ s. d. 0 7 6 10 0 £17 6 £17 6