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uneasiness in the colony. I have already been officially informed that the shipment by the " Asia " to Dunedin includes a number of girls out of the Cork workhouse, some of whom are notoriously loose. I am cabling you on the subject, drawing your attention to the report of the proceedings of the Cork Board of Guardians, a copy or precis of which the Superintendent of Otago has telegraphed to me at my request, and of which I enclose copy. It is evident, by that report, that these women were sent because the Board despaired of their adapting themselves to a useful life at home. It is difficult to believe that you could sanction such emigration ; whilst, on the other hand, it is as difficult to believe that you could be unaware of the published proceedings of your agent, the woman Howard, whom, by-the-by, you seem to have employed after informing me that you would not do so, vide your letter No. 551, of 29th November, 1872. At another Board meeting, a copy of report of which I also enclose, legal proceedings were actually threatened in your name to enforce completion of the miserable bargain entered into by Howard. I endeavour to think that you knew nothing about the matter; but, if so, how singular must be the organization of your department, that, with a proceeding so canvassed in the place, with a ship calling off the town, and, it is to be presumed, some of your officers in attendance to see the emigrants off, you should have to be informed from New Zealand of what occurred under the immediate notice of your officers. I find it impossible to adequately characterize the indignation such a shipment produces, or the alarm which is felt at the intention which is apparent of sending further similar shipments. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel. Note. —Nor Enclosures vide D. 2, pp. 45-49.

No. 2. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 142.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, Ist June, 1874. Referring to my letter No. 61, of 14th March, I have the honor to forward herewith copies o£ the report of the Royal Commission upon the s.s. " Mongol," with the evidence taken, and of other documents in connection therewith. 1. As the circumstances under which the ship " Scimitar " was despatched were almost identical with those of the " Mongol," I defer making any remarks upon the present report until I receive that upon the " Scimitar," which has been unavoidably delayed owing to the illness of one of the Commissioners. 2. I desire, however, to inform you that I do not entirely concur in the censure the Commissioners express on the conduct of the surgeon, Mr. W. J. Davison, and that I do not think there is anything in that conduct to prevent you giving him charge of another ship, which I understand he is desirous of obtaining. He displayed great zeal, patience, and ability in charge of the quarantine station at Dunedin. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel. Note.—For Enclosures vide D. 2, pp. 30-36, and 51-55.

No. 3. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 158.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 3rd June, 1874. Herewith I have the honor to forward the following papers respecting the ship " Asia," which arrived in Port Chalmers April 27th, 1874: — (1.) Immigration Commissioners' Report. (2.) Certified List of Births and Deaths on the voyage. (3.) Reports by the Immigration Officer upon the character and behaviour of some of the immigrants. 1. In my letter No. 129, of May 9th ultimo, I have already called your attention to the fact that the shipment by this vessel included a number of girls out of the Cork workhouse, and I took the opportunity of remarking upon the very undesirable character of such immigration. A perusal of the report of the Immigration Officer at Dunedin, addressed to my colleague the Hon. Mr. Reynolds, forwarded herewith, will, I think, convince you how very disastrous it is likely to prove to the cause of emigration if such modes of selection as those adopted by Mrs. Howard are, under any circumstances, permitted. A few disreputable, noisy women of the class which are to be found in the workhouses, are sufficient to destroy the comfort of a whole shipload of respectable people, and the knowledge that there is a chance of such company will deter the better sort, whom the colony really wants, from taking advantage of the emigration scheme. The result in the colony of the landing and distribution of such women as these complained of, and of such immigrants as the "young men" whom Mr. Allan states he has ascertained to be "professed thieves, and one of them aticket-of-leave man," is naturally a feeling of indignation and dismay, and you will be good enough in each case to cause a searching inquiry to be made, and report to me fully the whole circumstances which led to the arrangements with the Cork workhouse authorities for shipping their paupers as emigrants, and also inform me what officer of your department accepted as free emigrants the young men, H—, T—, R —, M—, and S—, and upon what certificates and recommendations. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel. Note. —For enclosures vide D. 2. pp. 60-61.

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