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Enclosure 2 in No. 17. The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-Geneeal. (Telegram.) AVellington, 28th November, 1878. Labourers strike—Send additional emigrants Chalmers, Lyttelton, Wellington, Taranaki. Don't exceed present contract price, otherwise arrange discretion. Vogel, London. Geey.

Enclosure 3 in No. 17. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemiee. (Telegram.) London, 12th December, 1878. Company agreed to procure steamer, but now, instructed from colony, refuse. Time so late. Strike so partial. Perhaps better renounce idea sending season. Reply this. Premier, New Zealand. Vogel.

Enclosure 4 in No. 17. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. (Telegram.) AVellington, 13th December, 1878. * * * Government accepted offer Shipping Company here provide steamer 600 emigrants two pounds above contract price. Sail January, Chalmers, Lytteltou, Wellington. Vogel, London. Stout.

No. 18. The Hon. J. Ballance to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, N.Z., 23rd December, 1878. I have the honor to enclose for your information copy of a letter signed by Doctors Dunkley, Russell, and Ross, who recently met at Christchurch, after each of them had completed his fifth voyage to this colony in medical charge of Government immigrants. It appears to me that it would be highly desirable to retain these gentlemen in our immigration service, as it has been ascertained by practical experience that not only the Government, but the immigrants are greatly benefited by the continued employment of Surgeon-superintendents. And I venture to suggest that special consideration should be given to all surgeons who satisfactorily complete their fifth voyage in charge of immigrants, by allowing them, say, an extra 2s. 6d. per adult headmonev, for all subsequent voyages which they complete to the satisfaction of the Department. I have, &c, J. Ballance, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (for the Minister for Immigration.)

Enclosure in No 18. Drs. Dunklet, Russell, and Ross to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sic, — Canterbury Club, Christchurch, N.Z., December, 1878. AYe, the undersigned Surgeon-superintendents of the New Zealand Government emigrant ships, would beg to lay the following case before you, and ask your kind consideration of the accompanying suggestions. AYe have beeu in the service of the New Zealand Government for some six years, and have done our duty faithfully, and, we believe, efficiently. AYe find that the letters of appointment issued to us are not now nearly so favourable to us as when we were first appointed in the service. AYe have fewer emigrants, and therefore less remuneration from capitation fees, and are therefore worse off than we were years ago. AYe are paid nothing whatever for infants under twelve months old, and these invariably give us far more anxiety and trouble than adults, on a pecuniary equality with whom they stand in the Imperial and coolie services. The capitation fees amount only to 10s. per statute adult, and this, after so many years' service, is not increased. We find ourselves placed on exactly the same footing as very young practitioners just fresh from college, and who cannot possibly know anything of the management of emigrants at sea, either as to their special requirements during the voyage, or the peculiar discipline so essential to the successful carriage of them. Our average yearly income is certainly very small, and our expenses are considerable, both in the colony and at Home, while waiting for re-appointment. AYe would ask you to consider our position as professional men and old and tried officers, and to consider our remuneration as contrasted with that offered by all the other colonies, which is progressive, according to the standiug of the surgeons in the service : whereas our annual income is certainly less than that of ordinary clerks in good offices. AYe would ask you to consider how our position, as senior medical officers in the service, may be rendered fairly remunerative (by placing us on the same terms as are offered by other colonies, or otherwise) as we feel that, as experienced officers, the payment made to us is certainly inadequate, and