29

D.—2

On my offering him the charge of the emigrants by the " Stad Haarlem," he represented that although that vessel would carry a much larger number than vessels usually did, yet he would be at a pecuniary disadvantage, as the New South Wales Office had offered him another ship, which, by their higher rates of payment, would bring him in a larger amount of remuneration. Under these circumstances, and considering the special importance of having an experienced surgeon on board the " Stad Haarlem," I engaged to pay him at the same rate of remuneration as the New South Wales Government would have done. I have, &c, JUXITTS VOGEL, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. .Agent-General.

No. 43. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sik, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, 13th February, 1879. I have the honor to inform you that I have joined the Board of Directors of the New Zealand Agricultural Company (Limited), and, following the precedent established by my predecessor when he joined a public company, I have to express the hope that you will see no objection to my doing so. The primary object of the Company is to promote settlement. The large estates it is to acquire are to be cut up into farms for the occupation of settlers. Frequently, since I have been in England, I have represented to the Government the desire on the part of suitable persons in this country to acquire land in New Zealand, on which they could settle and pursue their avocations as farmers. I indeed once suggested that a block of land should be put apart for the purpose, and that I should be authorized to dispose of it. The Government, however, replied that there was a great demand for land in the colony, and that they could not put people at a distance on more favourable terms as regards absence of competition than people within the colony had to submit to. I mention these circumstances in order to shew you that, in my opinion, the Company will fulfil a really public object. I believe it will greatly benefit the colony, by affording an opening to the numerous desirable people who constantly express the desire to obtain land for settlement in New Zealand. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 44. The Agent-Gexebal to the Hon. the Mintstee for Immigeation. Sib, — 7, "Westminster Chambers, London, 26th February, 1879. I have the honor to transmit copy of the Despatching Officer's report respecting the steamer " Stad Haarlem," which sailed from Plymouth on the 15th instant for Port Chalmers, Lyttelton, and Wellington, with (596 souls, equal to 592 statute adults. I regret to say that, on the steamer leaving London, Lloyd's Surveyors objected to certain sidescuttles which had been made for the purpose of giving light to some of the compartments in which the emigrants were berthed, and this objection was supported by the Board of Trade officers. As the vessel could not proceed without the permission of the Board of Trade, I instructed the Despatching Officer to facilitate the carrying into effect any alterations which would remove the Board of Trade's objections. The work necessitated by this detained the vessel upwards of a week at Plymouth, which was the more to be regretted as the state of the weather caused considerable amount of illness from colds amongst the younger children. I am glad to say, however, that although the main number of emigrants were at the depot for upwards of a fortnight, yet no illness of an infectious nature broke out; and I have much satisfaction in further reporting that yesterday, by telegram from St. Vincent, the " Stad Haarlem " was announced as having reached thus far on her voyage, and that all on board were well. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, "Wellington. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No 44. Mr. E. A. Smith to the Agent-G-enekal. Bm,— 20th February, 1879. I have the honor to report that, in pursuance of your instructions, I proceed to Amsterdam on the 7th ultimo to inspect the s.s. " Stad Haarlem," to ascertain whether she would be adapted for the conveyance of 600 emigrants to New Zealand. I visited her on Wednesday, the Sth ultimo, examined her as far as this could be done while she was afloat, and measured her as nearly as I could in the then lumbered state of her between decks. Having ascertained that she had capacity for GOO statute adults, by carrying emigrants both on the main and orlop decks, and the owners having agreed to cut scuttles in her sides wherever I might require them to be cut for the purpose of lighting the orlop decks, I telegraphed you to that effect, and the ship left on Thursday, the 9th ultimo, for London. On my return to London I examined the ship in dry dock, and, in conjunction with the Emigration Officer, Captain Sconce, and with the Board of Trade Surveyors, Messrs. Bissett and Steel, arranged where the sides were to be pierced for scuttles in the orlops.