39

D.—3

There is, I am aware, much difference of opinion upon the question, whether or not the surgeon should be required to sign the ships' articles. It seems, however, undesirable that he should be wholly independent of the captain, as in that case, great inconvenience might arise from his declining to attend upon the crew of the vessel, or the saloon or other full-paying passengers, except on payment of the ordinary fees as charged on shore. 3. I do not think, on a fair reading of the instructions issued to captains and surgeons respectively, that the rules laid down for the guidance of those officers will appear inconsistent or contradictory ; but as Dr. Jackson does not quote the passages to which he objects, it is difficult to follow him in his criticisms. 4. With reference to the survey of stores, &c, the surgeon is invited to attend on the day appointed for the Government inspection, and he has access to the list of provisions and medical comforts furnished to the Despatching Officer. It would be obviously inconvenient in all instances to give the surgeon absolute control over the vessel's fittings, hospitals, ventilation, &c., as some of the surgeons have had no previous experience in the management of emigrant vessels, and are incompetent to arrange these details. 5. I do not think it advisable to give the surgeon power to alter the dietary scale, as recommended by Dr. Jackson, as it is conceivable that such alteration might be made capriciously and to the injury of the emigrants. The captain is empowered by the Passengers Act to make certain substitutions in case of need. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 53. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 931.) 7. Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 20th January, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 229, dated 22nd October, 1873, enclosing copy of a letter from the Immigration Officer at Lyttelton, covering extracts from the diary of the surgeon-superintendent of the ship " Punjaub." I observe that, pending the receipt of the reports of the Immigration Commissioners and surgeon-superintendent upon the ship and passengers, you defer making any remark, further than that it appears very unadvisable that Scandinavians should be shipped in the same vessel with British emigrants. As stated in my letter No. 892, of 13th instant, I hope shortly to be able to make such arrangements as will admit of Scandinavian emigrants being sent with German passengers, in vessels to be despatched direct from Hamburg. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 54. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 935.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 20th January, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 22nd October, No. 220, enclosing copy of a letter addressed by you to Mr. J. S. Wright, of Birmingham, together with previous correspondence. It will afford me great pleasure to give effect to your instructions, the more so as they fully accord with what I have already decided upon. Although I have not seen Mr. Arch personally, I have been in communication with all the leaders of the Agricultural Associations which he represents. I am informed that your letter to Mr. Wright will be laid before the Central Committee of the Agricultural Association at Leamington, and I have volunteered to be present at this meeting if it should be desired. I hear from the Secretary that it is not yet known whether Mr. Arch has come to any decision. But I do not think there is any probability of his accepting an invitation to go to New Zealand. I have reason to believe, however, that Mr. Clayden, who accompanied Mr. Arch to Canada as a co-delegate, may be induced to go out to the Colony for the purpose of informing himself as to its resources and capabilities. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General. .