23

D.—2.

Enclosure 2 in No. 37. The Agent-General to Mr. G. Andrew. 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., Sir,— 21st March, 1876. Eeferring to your letter of the 17th instant, enclosing an account for publishing a second edition of a pamphlet of which Mr. Adam is the author, and expressing your opinion that the account is properly payable by the General Government, I have to inform you that I cannot authorize the payment of the account. The General Government have gone to a considerable expense in publishing " The Official Hand-book of New Zealand," and I very much doubt whether they will be prepared to incur any further expenditure in that direction. I will, however, forward to the Government copies of your letter and the account, in order that they may have an opportunity of considering the matter. W. Kennawat, Mr. George Andrew. (for the Agent-General).

No. 38. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 246.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sib,— 27th March, 1876. In further reference to your letter No. 1, dated 11th January, enclosing papers relative to the voyage of the " Mataura," and to the complaint of the surgeon-superintendent respecting the quality of the flour shipped by that vessel, I have the honor to forward herewith copy of an explanatory statement by Messrs. G. B. Yates and Son, the firm by whom the flour put on board the " Mataura " was supplied. I have, &c, I. E. Peatherston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 38. The Assistant Manager, New Zealand Shipping Company, to the Agent-General. The New Zealand Shipping Company, 84, Bishopsgate Street AVithin, Sir,— London, E.C., 20th March, 1876. I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 16th instant, having reference to the complaint of the surgeon-superintendent of the "Mataura" on the quality of the flour supplied to that vessel; and I now enclose copy of the suppliers' report thereon, which speaks for itself. I have, &c, W. HuTCRTNSON, The Agent-General for New Zealand. Assistant Manager. Sub-Enclosure. Messrs. G. B. Yates and Son to the Manager, New Zealand Shipping Company. Dear Sir, — 5, Billiter Square, London, 17th March, 1876. In reply to your communication respecting the flour shipped by us for emigrant stores per " Mataura," we beg to say that we put the finest kiln-dried on board, in accordance with the instructions of the Agent-General for New Zealand. At the same time we may mention that the kiln-dried flour does not make bread with such a good appearance as raw, in consequence of the grain being extra dried, but for keeping it is certainly far more to be depended upon, and that has been our experience for the last half-century. We believe the fault has been with the baker; being accustomed to raw, he has not known how to treat kiln-dried, and hence the complaint; for you will see by the Emigration Commissioners' report that the surgeon only complains of the bread in the early part of the voyage, and does not say that the flour was bad or sour. Fortunately the miller has kept a sample of the identical shipment, which we now submit to you. I am, &c, The Manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company. G. B. Yates and Son.

No. 39. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. (No. 248.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sib,— 30th March, 1876. Eeferring to your letters Nos. 19 and 21, dated the 13th and 11th January respectively, copies of which were forwarded to Mr. Andrew, of the Scotch Agency, I have the honor to transmit copy of a letter received from that gentleman in reference thereto, and enclosing copy of a letter received from Messrs. P. Henderson and Co., remarking on the various matters adverted to in the official reports on the vessels " Christian McAusland" and " Peter Denny."