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D.—2

No. 35. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 203.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— Bth March, 1877. I have the honor to inform you that I have received an application from a man describing himself as a rabbit-trapper, requesting to know whether he would get remunerative employment in the colony in that capacity, and whether he should take out his traps, &c. I have informed him that rabbits are doing great damage in the southern district of Otago, and in some other parts of New Zealand, and are being destroyed in those districts as much as possible. I shall be glad to receive from you information on this matter, and also instructions whether, on resumption of emigration, I am to offer free passages to persons of the above-mentioned occupation. I have, &o, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Julius Vogel, Wellington. A gent-General.

No. 36. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. ("No. 302.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 4th April, 1877. I have the honor to enclose you an extract from a telegram which I have this day addressed to the Hon. the Premier, relative to the immigration service for the present year. I have thought it necessary to telegraph for instructions on the subject, as, if any emigrants are to be selected and sent out, it is time that advertisements should be issued and instructions given to my local Agents. Since the discontinuance of advertising, applications for free passages to the colony have greatly fallen off. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Julius Vogel, Wellington. Agent-General. Extract from Telegram. Important should know now —am I to send immigrants this year nominated or otherwise, numbers and destination ?

No. 37. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. (Telegram.) London, 17th April, 1877. Sloman, after much trouble, agrees take "Fritz Reuter" payment about six thousand two hundred, and three thousand three hundred additional. I have agreed, subject your approval. Mackrell and I strongly advise you to approve. Reply quickly, and send bank order by mail. Settled with Kirchner five hundred, besides amount actually due to end August last. Vogel.

No. 38. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 379.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir— 18th April, 1877. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 14, of 2nd February last, transmitting copy of a memorandum by the Immigration Officer at Christchurch, drawing attention to certain facts which were stated during the inquiry respecting the captain and the surgeon-superintendent of the ship " Rangitikei." Upon inquiry, I find that the " special instructions " to the captain, quoted by Mr. March, is part of a notice which has special reference to the precautions to be taken against fire, and to which notice, although it was not quoted in a similar manner in the case of the surgeon-superintendent, yet the attention of that officer was specially called to it as a whole, in paragraph five of his letter of appointment. Respecting the position of matron as defined in the printed instructions, it appears to me that Mr. March is right in his remarks, and I have directed the Despatching Officer to look over these instructions, as well as those to the captain, surgeon, &c, and report on them all, with a view to their careful revision. I have also desired him to prepare a scale defining the qantity of water to be used for drinking, washing, &c, and that for cooking tea, &c. A list of extra stores, when any are put on board, shall for the future be transmitted on the despatch of every emigrant vessel. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Julius Vogel, Wellington. Agent-General.