19

D.—2.

The master will be requested, according to regulations contained in 26 and 27 Viet., c. 51, sec. 25, to give the necessary guarantee to carry on the passengers within six weeks. As soon as the state of the ship is known, if he fails to do so, I shall telegraph for further instructions. I have, &c, S. 11. Walkeb, The Most Noble the Marquis of Salisbury, K.Gr., &c, &c, H.B.M. Consul. Foreign Office, London.

No. 31. The Agext-Gtexebai, to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sib, — 7, "Westminster Chambers, London, 18th December, 1878. Referring to my letter No. 1020, of 22nd November, I have the honor to inform you that, on receipt of the Hon. the Premier's telegram of the 28th ultimo, I at once communicated with the Manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company, with a view of obtaining a steamer for the convey, auce of about six hundred emigrants direct to New Zealand. I informed him, in accordance with the instructions contained in the telegram, that I could not allow a higher rate of passage-money than that provided for in the Shipping Contract. The result was that he agreed, notwithstanding that he appeared to think that the rate of passagemoney was very small, to endeavour to find a steamer for the service for which I required it. With this understanding, I placed myself in communication with Mr. A. Simmons, who apparently was the men's leader and adviser in the "lock-out " movement. The day after I did this, however, I received a letter from the Manager of the Shipping Company, stating that he had received a telegraphic communication from his directors in the colony, instructing him to wait their further directions before taking up a Bteamer, as they were in communication with the Government thereon. Under these circumstances, and after having had an interview with Mr. Simmons, I sent to the colony my telegram of the 12th instant, copy of which I herewith enclose. On the following clay, however, I received the Hon. Mr. Stout's telegram of the 13th instant,*' informing me that the Government had accepted offer of the Shipping Company to provide a steamer for the conreyauce of GOO emigrants, passage-money to be £2 above the contract rate; and, subsequently, I received a letter from the Manager of the Shipping Company, intimating that he had received instructions from hie directors to provide a steamer. Accordingly I again placed myself in communication with Mr. Simmons, and that gentlemen has taken steps for obtaining applications from a number of the men who are now locked out. I have also instructed Mr. Holloway to proceed to the country districts of Kent and Sussex, and ascertain what are the number and description of the men who wish to go, and also to take steps for facilitating matters, so that the steamer may be despatched as early as possible. Provided Mr. Simmons obtains a reasonable number of suitable emigrants tb accompany him, I shall give him a free first-cabin passage to the colony, as such a step will no doubt tend to increase the number of the lock-out men wishing to emigrate to New Zealand. I have, etc., Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 32. The Agent-Gjjttebal to the Hon. the Minister for Immigbatioh. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, 19th December, 1878. Referring to my letters Nos. 1110 and 1118, of the sth instant, respecting the emigrants by the " Piako," 1 have the honor to transmit copies of further correspondence respecting the matter. You will be glad to observe that the fear of small-pox and yellow fever, reported by the British Consul as existing amongst the emigrants, has not up to the latest dates proved to be well founded, and that, therefore, the emigrants, or, at all events, the greater portion of them, are willing to wait until the " Piako " is ready to take them on to their destination. According to the telegrams received by the New Zealand Shipping Company from Captain Boyd, it would appear that the ship is now ready to proceed on her voyage, being only detained on account of the extra stores sent from this country not having yet arrived. I herewith also transmit copy of correspondence which has taken place with the Lord Mayor, respecting an appeal made to him on behalf of the emigrants, and respecting which I would remark that I feel sure that the action of the Government will bear out the remarks which are contained in my letter to his Lordship of the 18th instant. In connection with this matter I would venture to sirongly recommend that a strict inquiry be instituted on arrival of the " Piako " in New Zealand, as to the origin of the fire. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, "Wellington. Agent-General.

Enclosure 1 in No. 32. The Agent-Geneeal to the Under Secbetaky of State. Sic, — . 7, Westminster Chambers, London, 10th December, 1878. Eeferriug to the telegram received at the Foreign Office respecting the emigrants ex"Piako," and which I herewith return, together with the covering letter which you were good enough to send to * See Enclosure S in No. 17, D.-l.