D.—7

1879. NEW ZEALAND.

FALMOUTH AS A PORT OF EMBARKATION (LETTER FROM THE AGENT-GENERAL RESPECTING THE SUITABILITY OF).

Presented to loth Souses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency. No. 1. The Aoent-Geneeal to the Hon. K. Stotit. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 23rd April, 1879. For some time I have felt that it would be a great advantage to the G-overnment of New Zealand to have a depot of its own in which to house the emigrants before they depart. Without such a depot we are less able to control the emigrants, to keep them back when it is not desirable they should sail, and to allow them to arrive in advance of the vessel sailing when it is expedient they should do so. Lately it has been represented to me that if we made Falmouth the port of departure, the Dock Company would place advantages in our way of an important character. Falmouth would possess many advantages. The harbour is excellent; the ships could come alongside of the pier, saving a great deal of expense, trouble, and hardship to the emigrants; they would much sooner get clear of the Channel; and, inasmuch as the change would be very welcome to the people of Falmouth, a great many facilities would be afforded in Falmouth which in Plymouth are wanting, the people being comparatively indifferent to our remaining there. Another advantage would be that we should be independent of the arrangements of the other colonies. At present we have to time our ships so as not to conflict with theirs. For example, I have just received a note from the owner of the depot, warning me that the New South Wales Government would require the use of the depot for ships to be despatched as follows: May 12th, June 9th, July 7th, July 28th, August 25th. This is for one colony only. If illness broke out amongst the emigrants for the other colonies the whole of our arrangements would be blocked. If such a project were carried out, it would be desirable that you should send home, to take charge of the depot, some one accustomed to a similar charge of an immigrant depot in New Zealand. If you will telegraph me the word "Falmouth," I shall understand that you wish me to enter into negotiations, but that the arrangement is not to be carried out until I submit it to you either in writing or by cable. The nature of the arrangement I should contemplate would be to rent a suitable depot from the Dock Company on favourable terms, and also to make favourable terms with the railway company or companies. I think there would be little difficulty in doing so, for their interests would be largely concerned. I enclose two letters of Mr. Smith on the subject. Also, separately, I send plans. I doubt if it will cost ships more to call in at Falmouth than Plymouth. A large shipowner gave me to understand otherwise. On the contrary, he said, all things considered, ships would have less expenses at Falmouth. The question of railway passage will be one of arrangement. The advantage to the Irish emigrants will be very great. For our steam line, also, Falmouth will be especially suitable, as the carriage of the mails will be expedited many hours. Finally, having the place comparatively to ourselves, we shall be able to do our business more expeditiously than at Plymouth, where an Australian steamer takes precedence of everything. I have, &c, Julitis Vogel, The Hon. E. Stout, Wellington. Agent-General. Enclosure 1 in No. 1. Mr. E. A. Smith to the Agent-General. Sie ,— Falmouth, 22nd April, 1879. In pursuance of your instructions I have visited this place and examined, as far as possible, its adaptability for the despatch of emigrant ships.