D.—2.

32

The Despatching Officer (Mr. Smith) having reported to me that the action of the Board of Trade Officer at Plymouth, as regards the official inspection of the emigrants, was unsatisfactory, involving, as it appears to have done in more than one instance, unnecessary hardship and exposure to the weather to the emigrants, I thought it my duty to bring the matter specially under the notice of the Board of Trade ; and inquiry was made at Plymouth during the past month, at which the Secretary to the Department and Mr. Smith were present. The inquiry lasted over five days, but I have not, as yet, received any communication from the Boiird of Trade as to the result. That the emigrants should be all in good health at the time of their sailing is of so great importance that every care should be taken that they are exposed as little as possible to wet and cold at the time of embarkation, and this inquiry will, I believe, result in that being the case in future to a greater extent than heretofore. In my last report I mentioned that I intended to send Mr. Holloway to Wales, to make inquiries respecting a number of men who, from statements which came under my notice, intended to emigrate to New Zealand. Mr. Holloway on going there reported that a number of these men, previous to their working as quarrymcn, had been farm labourers, and would, in his opinion, prove suitable emigrants, though some only spoke the Welsh language. The President of their Trade Union offered t« pay £5 per head on all over twelve years of age, towards the expense of their passages (including ship's outfit), provided I would send them out in April. After considering the proposal I decided to decline it, as the rule adopted by the Government, not to send out emigrants to arrive during the winter and early spring months, is one which I did not think it right in this case to make any exception, notwithstanding that a comparatively small pecuniary advantage might accrue thereby. I therefore replied that I must decline the proposal, but that I would entertain applications from those who were suitable for passages during the regular emigration season. The Eev. Mr. Berry is lecturing in Lincolnshire, and Mr. Holloway has proceeded to Yorkshire to inspect and report on a small party of intending emigrants residing there who have applied for free passages. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, The Honorable the Minister for Immigration, "Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 46. The Agent-G-eneeal to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration:. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, Gth March, 1879. Referring to your letter No. 21G, of Bth November last, respecting the wreck of the " City of Auckland," I have the honor to state that, in accordance with your wish expressed therein, I prepared a paragraph for the newspapers contrasting the actual conduct of the Maoris with the previous injurious report concerning them. I transmit to you a file of newspapers * containing the paragraph in question. I have, &c., Julius Yogel, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 47. The A gent-General to the Hon. the MraiSTEE for Immigbation. Sik, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, 21st March, 1879. Referring to your memorandum No. 88, of Bth November, IS7B, I have the honor to transmit herewith twenty-five copies of the pamphlet which has been compiled from the papers, respecting the coal and iron resources of the colony, which were forwarded with your memorandum. I have inserted an ndvertisement, similar to that contained in the New Zealand Gazette, in a number of the principal papers circulating in the United Kingdom, including those whose columns are devoted more particularly to subjects relating to the iron trade. I am glad to say that the applications for the pamphlet are very numerous, and amongst them is one from the largest steel works in Great Britain, the letter applying for it stating that the writers would seriously entertain the proposal. I have forwarded seventy of the pamphlets to Mr. W. "W. Evans, of New York, and have directed the advertisements to be inserted in several of the leading papers of the United States. I have also obtained a list of the principal Continental papers, especially those representing the iron trade, and have caused the advertisement to be translated into French for the Belgian and French papers, and into German for those papers circulating in Germany. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, The Hon. J. Macandrew, "Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 48. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigeation. Sir, — 7, "Westminster Chambers, London, 22nd March, 1879. I have the honor to enclose copy of correspondence relating to a suggestion I made for the consideration of the Imperial Government, that some suitable testimonials should be presented to the captain and officers of the ship " Loch Doon," and to the Surgeon-superintendent of the " Piako," in recognition of their services in connection with the last-named vessel. * Twenty-six.