D.—No. 1

42

CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE

I am aware that this will occasion considerable expense, but recent experience has shown that a single case of infection taken on board may, in addition to the loss of life, cause an expenditure on th© quarantine of that particular ship larger than that which would provide suitable depot appliances for a whole season. Clause 13.—The Government would prefer that the " competent person " who is to berth and take charge of the emigrants from the date of embarkation to that of their sailing should be in your employ rather than in that of the Contractors. Much of the convenience and comfort of the emigrants during the whole voyage will depend on first arrangements; and if these are conducted by an officer under your direct control, there will be a guarantee for uniform and systematic arrangements which could not otherwise be attained. Clause 10.—The medicines should be obtained direct from Apothecaries' Hall, and not supplied by contract. The difference in the quality of drugs under the two systems has sometimes been most marked. Clause 22.—As noted in a subsequent portion of this memorandum, it is not desirable to charge for extra baggage, but, if necessary, it is to be paid by the Government, and added to the emigrant's promissory note. Clause 23.—The appointment of constables should rest, with yourself The "competent person " previously mentioned could select them in the first instance, to be removed by the surgeon on neglect of duty. This power would tend much to aid the surgeon during the voyage. Clauses 29 and 30. —These financial arrangements are no doubt an important element in the cost of passage, and the Government do not wish, therefor;', to disturb them ; but they suggest whether it would not be wise to cover the passage money by an insurance, now that the whole of it is payable by you on the vessel's final departure. This insurance seems to be the more desirable, because, while under the previous system the second moiety was not payable in the event of wreck or foundering at sea, no provision appears to be made in the present contract for the return, under such circumstances, of any portion of the whole amount paid as above mentioned. The Government is glad to see, in the form of appointment of surgeons, that you have in grea measure anticipated the instructions conveyed to you in previous memoranda. The question of gratuities to ships' officers has again been taken into consideration, and it has been decided to instruct you to adopt those hitherto in force in Canterbury. You will be good enough, therefore, to acquaint captains and other officers mentioned below, that on the certificate of the inspecting officers at the port of arrival that their respective duties have been satisfactorily performed, the following gratuities will be paid to them : —• Captain ... ... ... ... ... ... ... £15 Chief Officer ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 10 Purser or person who serves out the emigrants'stores... ... ... 5 The only other printed document I need call your attention to, is that containing the regulations for assisted passages. Clause I.—lt is desired that in this clause all the words after " health " be struck out, and the following paragraph added : — " Passages may also be granted, at the option of the Agent-General, to persons of moderate means and suitable requirements, who may be desirous of settling in the Colony for the purpose of prosecuting their several callings." Clause 111. —The demand for single women in New Zealand is so urgent, and the competition for them b}' all the colonies is so great, that it is incumbent on you to offer liberal terms to the agents who select, and to authorize them to hold out the inducement of passages entirely free, without payment of any kind, either at home or in the Colony. The age should also be reduced to twelve, —not, however, that any younger than fifteen should be accepted except those who are members of families. In such cases, all the single females of twelve and upwards should be free. Clause VI. —Substitute " Colony " for the words " Province to which his passage is taken." Clause VIII. —It is not quite clear what is meant by the word " advanced " in the fifth line, but it is presumed that it refers to the second column of amounts in Clause 11. Clause X.—This clause is to be struck out. The cost of reaching the port of embarkation, the Dock fees, and the 20s. or 255. per adult charged for mess utensils and bedding, together form an amount which, in a great number of cases, must prove an effectual barrier to the emigration of agricultural labourers and other suitable persons. Where emigrants can pay these amounts, they should do so ; but I cannot too strongly impress ou you the necessity there is that you should pay the railway fares and other charges for those who cannot pay for themselves, rather than lose desirable emigrants. I am informed that nominated emigrants, who have had small sums of money remitted to them for railway fares, have declined passages simply because they have been unable to raise the additional 20s. or 255. per adult demanded for their bedding, &c. ; and where the cost of railway fare has to be borne also, it must undoubtedly largely tend to a similar result. As it would be unfair to make some pay and not others, you are authorized to add whatever amounts you pay on these heads to the promissory notes of the emigrant incurring them. In confirmation of the views I have above expressed, I enclose a letter written at my suggestion by the Rev. G. C. Cholmondeley, a clergyman long resident in Canterbury, who, from his knowledge and experience of the condition of the agricultural labourer in the Old Country and in the Colony, is well qualified to offer an intelligent opinion on the subject of emigration. I send you the letter not only because I fully agree with him in thinking that it is necessary to furnish agricultural labourers and others with the cost of conveyance from their villages to the Docks, but because I think the suggestions he makes are, as a whole, worth your attentive perusal. Clause XL—lf, as I hope will be the case, you are able to arrange with the Imperial Government for the use of the depot at Plymouth, this and other clauses will need corresponding alteration. Clause XV.—This clause will require to be altered so that it may be rendered optional whether the emigrants pay the amount before embarkation or have it added to their promissory notes.