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On hearing of the disaster I at once placed myself in communication with the shipowners, and, it being ascertained that the damages were such as to render it necessary for the emigrants to leave the vessel, it was arranged to send them to Plymouth, where those who preferred it could remain at the Emigration Depot there until they could again embark for their destination. They were accordingly conveyed by special train from Cardiff to Plymouth on the 18th instant. Mr. Smith, the Despatching Officer, has inspected them since their arrival at Plymouth, and has reported favourably as to their health. A few are anxious not to proceed on their voyage, but probably only a few of these will persist in declining to re-embark. I am unable at present to send you any definite report as to the causes which led to this disaster, nor am I able to give the exact date at which the shipowners will be ready to again embark the emigrants, either by the " Oxford" or some other ship. I understand, however, that the damage to the ship is so extensive as to require possibly a month or six weeks to repair. As you are no doubt aware, the Passengers Act gives the shipowners six weeks to make provision for re-embarking emigrants detained under such circumstances ; but I shall urge on the Shaw-Savill and Albion Company the necessity of providing another suitable vessel rather than keep the people waiting for so long a period. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Immigration, Wellington. I\ D. Bell.

No. 9. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Ministeb of Immigeation. (Memorandum.) 7, Westminster Chambers, London, 22nd February, 1883. I have arranged to send emigrants by the steamer " Westmeath " (Shaw-Savill and Albion Company) and " British Queen " (New Zealand Shipping Company) at the following rates—namely, £15 per statute adult, and £8 14s. 6d. per child over twelve months and under twelve years ; the dietary scale to be the same as that provided under the late shipping contract, and all other conditions to be similar to those under that contract so far as they can be adapted to steamers. The " Westmeath " will be despatched from Plymouth on the 16th March with emigrants for Auckland and Hawke's Bay, and the " British Queen " from the same port on the 24th of the same month with emigrants for Wellington and Canterbury. They will each probably take about 250 emigrants. P. D. Bell.

No. 10. The Agent-G-enebal to the Hon. the Ministee of Immigeation. Sie,— Plymouth, 20th March, 1883. Tou have already been informed by me of the disaster that happened to the emigrant ship " Oxford " very shortly after her departure on the 31st January, and of her having to put back to Cardiff for refitting, the emigrants being brought down here while the repairs were being done. Some days after the emigrants got down typhoid fever appeared in a number of cases, and I greatly regret to say that four of them have terminated fatally. Dr. Hasard, who was surgeonsuperintendent of the ship, and one of our most experienced and trustworthy medical officers, states that there is no doubt of the outbreak of typhoid being entirely due to the water in some of the tanks on board ; but a rumour was spread that the fever had originated in the Emigration Depot, and numbers of the emigrants went into lodgings in this town instead of remaining in the depot. In the meantime a number of complaints arose among them, some relating to the depot itself, and others to defects in the ship, the provisions, and so forth. Letters appeared in the local papers, and questions were put in the House of Commons by Mr. Puleston and Sir Henry Peek; but before these questions were asked it had seemed to me necessary to inquire personally into the complaints on the spot. I am accordingly engaged in making a thorough investigation into all the circumstances, and shall soon be in a position to send you complete details. Until the inquiry is finished I think it will be best to express no opinion beyond saying that some of the complaints seem to me so far well founded, and others either frivolous or much exaggerated. With regard, however, to the " Oxford's " tanks, I have insisted on their being immediately emptied and thoroughly cleansed, and have asked the Board of Trade to order their own officer at Cardiff to assist me in seeing that this is done; while, as respects the provisions and other matters on board the ship, every precaution will be taken to insure us against any dissatisfaction when she goes to sea again. I have arranged for the ship to be sent here for re-embarking the emigrants, and I hope they will be well on their voyage before the next mail leaves. I have transferred Dr. Hasard to the s.s. " British Queen," which takes out a number of people at the end of this week ; and on his arrival in the colony he is directed to place himself at your disposal in case you should desire to get further particulars from himself as to the disaster on board the " Oxford." I am taking the opportunity of the " Oxford " inquiry to look into a number of matters connected with the despatch of emigrants where I think improvements can be made.' I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Immigration, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

No. 11. > The Agent-G-enekal to the Hon. the Minister of Immigeation. Sib,— Plymouth, 21st March, 1883. I have already reported to you having arranged to send out a number of emigrants by the steamers " Westmeath " and " British Queen." The " Westmeath ".sailed on the 17th instant with 320 souls, equal to 283 adults. She is a ship excellently suited for taking emigrants, and I expect they will have a very comfortable passage.