b.—2

24

.Referring to the first paragraph of Messrs. Henderson's letter, I have instructed Mr. Andrew that for the future persons who have their husbands on board holding any official position or situation must not be appointed matrons, nor can they be taken as emigrants. I have found by experience that it is expedient to adopt this rule, and it is carried into effect as regards all vessels despatched from English ports by this office. I have, &c, I. E. Feathebston, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, "Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 39. Mr. G. Andeew to the Agent-Geneeal. New Zealand Agency, 3, Hope Street, Edinburgh, Sie ,— • 27th March, 1876. I annex copy of a letter which I have received from Messrs. P. Henderson and Co. in answer to mine, drawing their attention to the Immigration Commissioners' report on the ships " Christian McAusland " and " Peter Denny." I am, &c, The Agent-General for the New Zealand, London. Geo. Andeew. Copy of Letter referred to above. Deae Sic,— Glasgow, 23rd March, 1875. We have your favour of the 21st instant, and are sorry to see the complaints in regard to the " Christian McAusland " and " Peter Denny." As to the rumour of Captain Taylor's intemperance, this has been investigated very thoroughly in New Zealand, and we are informed that there was no ground for it. It arose in consequence of a man, Dryburgh, having taken umbrage at Captain Taylor, because he would not allow him to visit his wife as often as he wished, she being matron in the ship, and he one of the seamen, and this to the neglect of his ordinary duties. In regard to the " Peter Denny:"— 1. As to certain charges brought against Captain R . These will be fully inquired into when he comes home. Meantime, we may say he has been in our employment for ten years, and we have always found him strictly temperate and attentive to his duties, and we have always had the utmost confidence in him. During the whole of the time he has been in our employment he has had a bad stammer in his speech, which becomes worse when he is excited, and the railway accident in which he was hurt has made this worse, but in no way interfered with the proper discharge of his duties. 2. As to the quality of the flour. We pay for the very best, and the flour should have been this quality. It sometimes happens that the best flour gets sour, and the finer the quality the more apt is it to become sour. We shall inquire into this when the ship returns. 3. As to the insufficiency of the divisions between the married people's berths. These berths are fitted up exactly as recommended by Mr. Johnston, who was sent here two years ago by the AgentGeneral to superintend the fitting up of the ships then being despatched for Canterbury. The height of the divisions is 22 inches. We shall be very glad to raise the partitions to, say, within 6 inches of the deck or upper berth, if the Emigration Officer will allow it; but on one occasion we had to lower them by his orders, as he thought it impeded ventilation. We know too that passengers themselves sometimes take off a board at the top to allow more ventilation. 4. As to the singular arrangement in connection with the single women's compartment. It did not occur to us that there was any danger to be apprehended, the key being in the captain's keeping. We shall see, however, that no access can be had to this compartment in a similar way in future. 5. As to supply of water. The captain must have misunderstood his instructions, as these were distinctly given that the supply was to be in addition to that used for cooking. We trust the foregoing explanations will be satisfactory. We are, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. P. Hendeeson and Co.

No. 40. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Minister for Ihmigbation. (No. 282.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, "Westminster, S.W., Sib— Ist April, 1876. I have the honor to report as follows, as to the proceedings of my department during the month of March :— The ship " City of Dunedin," conveying emigrants to Port Lyttelton, sailed from the Clyde on the 25th March, having on board 276 souls, equal to 237 adults. The ship " Camperdown " is engaged to sail for Nelson on the 12th April, and will convey about 340 emigrants in all. There will be about 200 for Marlborough and about 90 for Westland, the remainder being for various other parts of the colony. These latter have been sent in this vessel, in order to meet the engagements entered into before the receipt of your telegram stopping emigration to the greater number of the provinces. With the departure of this vessel will be completed the number ordered, so far as it has not been countermanded, to be sent to the colony for the twelve months ending 30th April, 1876.