11

A.—2

Enclosure 1 in No. 15. The Emigeation Commissionees to Mr. Heebeet. Government Emigration Board, Downing Street, Sic, — 7th September, 1874. Amongst certain papers relative to immigration to New Zealand, which have recently been printed and presented to the Colonial Parliament by command of the Governor, there appears a letter from Mr. Julius Vogel, Minister for Immigration, dated 24th November last, and addressed to Dr. Featherston, the Agent-General for the Colony in this country, respecting the fittings of an emigrant ship called the "Punjaub," despatched by that officer from Gravesend in June, 1873. The letter contains the following passage: —"I judge from previous correspondence that you have more confidence "in the officers of the Emigration Commissioners than I have. From information which I have " received, and which I regard as trustworthy, I am led to believe that those officers constantly accept " remuneration from the persons interested in vessels. Be that as it may, I have the honor to " positively instruct you that you place no reliance whatever in the examinations of the officers of the " Commissioners." 2. The charge of venality, it will be seen, is very emphatic and most sweeping, limited to no particular time, port, or person, and thus rendering it impossible to grapple with it. It strikes at the whole body of emigration officers in this country who formerly acted under this Board, and are now acting under the Board of Trade. And, coming as it does from the Prime Minister of an important colony, with all the weight of his official authority, and published in the most formal manner, it cannot, I would venture to submit, in the interest of the public and in justice to the officers inculpated, be allowed to rest as it is. 3. With a view, therefore, to an investigation, I would suggest, for the consideration of the Earl of Carnarvon, whether the matter should not be brought under the notice of the Board of Trade, for the adoption of such measures as may appear to that department advisable, and whether the Governor of Now Zealand should not be requested to obtain from Mr. Vogel the grounds and the authority on which he felt justified in thus promulgating so serious and indiscriminate a charge against a body of officers —most of them holding Her Majesty's commission—who have hitherto discharged their important duties to the satisfaction of their official superiors and the general public in this country. I have, &c, E. G. W. Herbert, Esq. J. Walcott.

Enclosure 2 in No. 15. Mr. Geay to the Undee Seceetaey of State for the Colonies. (M. 12,539.) Emigration. Blß,— Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, 9th October, 1874. I am directed by the Board of Trade to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th ultimo, transmitting for their consideration the copy of a communication from the Emigration Commissioners relative to certain statements made in a letter from Mr. Vogel, First Minister of New Zealand, to the Agent-General for that colony, containing charges of corruption against the Emigration Officers appointed to carry the Passenger Acts into operation. The Board of Trade are glad that the Emigration Commissioners have directed attention to this matter. They must, however, express their surprise and regret that so grave an imputation should have been put forward by a gentleman holding an important official position upon " mere information which he received," and without, apparently, having taken any steps to ascertain that it was true, and could, if necessary, be substantiated. The Emigration Officers, who, for the most part, hold commissions in the Eoyal Navy, are highly spoken of by the Emigration Commissioners, and since they have been under this Board the Department have no reason to suppose that they have performed their duties otherwise than in a satisfactory manner. At the same time, this Board feel that, in the interests of these officers and of the public, it is only right that a searching inquiry should be made, and the Board are most anxious that it should be commenced at the earliest moment. The charge brought against these gentlemen is, however, made in such general terms, being confined to no particular persons, port, or time, that it would be impossible, in the present stage of the case, to hold an inquiry without casting doubt upon the integrity of the whole body of Emigration Officers. This the Board are unwilling to do, and before taking any further steps in the matter would suggest, for the Earl of Carnarvon's consideration, that the Governor of New Zealand should be requested to call upon Mr. Vogel to give the names of the officers referred to iv his letter, and to state, as fully as possible, the grounds and authority upon which the accusation is based. I have, &c, The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Thomas Geay.

No. 16. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (No. 55.) Sir, — Downing Street, 24th October, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Sir James Eergusson's Despatch No. 41, of the 4th of July, enclosing a report of a Eoyal Commission