D.—4

2

However careful an Immigration Officer may be in receiving nominations, it is impossible to prevent imposition in many cases; and lam convinced that in several instances persons still indebted for their own passages, aud who are probably unsuited for colonists, get friends who hold a better position than themselves to nominate for them, thereby inducing the Immigration Officer to recommend a nomination that should not be accepted. This would to a great extent be prevented by making the payment of £5 compulsory. Only those nominees who would be likely to prove good colonists would then be sent for, and there would be more security that the nominators would receive them on arrival. I thiuk many nominators r.ather prefer to pay such a moderate fee as £5, as they then consider their friends are more likely to be sent out quickly. Certainly all those from whom I have asked payment have been willing to pay, except in one instance, where the nominator was quite indifferent about his friends coming. I have, &c, J. T. Tylee, The Under Secretary for Immigration. Immigration Officer.

No. 3. The Immigration Officer, Blenheim, to the Under Secretary for Immigration. Urn,— Blenheim, 19th September, 1879. In compliance with the instructions contained in your memorandum, No. 648, of the 15th instant, I have the honor to submit the following report for the quarter ended 30th June, 1879. During that period no immigrants arrived in Marlborough, except six who came out in the " Stad Haarlem" in the month of April. These, being all nominated, were received by their friends on arrival, who, I have no doubt, readily found employment for them. The immigrants by the " Fernglen " and " Warwick," which arrived hero in the previous quarter, have been quite lost sight of as immigrants. For the most part they were engaged by residents in various parts of the provincial district, some fewremaining in Blenheim. lam not aware that any of them were unable to find employment during the winter months. Applications for free passages were accepted at this office during the three months ending 30th June for forty-five persons, consisting of six single men, thirteen single women, six married couples, one widower (with a family, including a grown-up son and daughter) ; the remaining thirteen being children under twelve years of age. With regard to occupations and nationalities they may be classed as follows : — Occupations. —Single men : 4 farm labourers, 1 labourer, 1 upholsterer. Married men : 4 farm labourers, 1 mechanic, 1 fitter and millwright, I coppersmith. Single women : 1 dressmaker, 1 dairymaid, 1 cook, 10 domestic servants. Nationalities. —Thirteen from England, 24 from Ireland, and 8 from Scotland. I do not anticipate any difficulty as to finding employment for these persons, provided they arrive here between the latter part of November and the middle of January. This observation does not apply to the four mechanics, as they are not likely to find ready employment at their trades ; but, having been nominated, their friends may be expected to put them in the way of getting a living until work at their trades can be found for them. I have, &c, John White, The Under Secretary for Immigration. Immigration Officer.

No. 4. The Immigration Officer, Christchurch, to the Under Secretary for Immigration. Sir,— Christchurch, 20th September, 1879. In compliance with your memorandum, No. 648, of the 15th instant, I have the honor to forward the quarterly report for the period ending 30th June last. With regard to the probability of the immigrants now afloat for this district finding employment upon their arrival, I have addressed a letter to the Chairmen of the Road Boards in which immigrants' cottages are located, requesting to be informed if any are unoccupied, intimating at the same time that I would be prepared to forward families on the arrival of the first ship, due here in about three weeks. I have not yet had time to receive replies ; but I believe very few of the cottages are vacant, and, moreover, there is at present little or no demand for labour. On Wednesday last there was a large meeting of the unemployed, and there cannot be a doubt that at the present time a very great deal of distress exists. I am quite sure that fully 600 men are now out of work. I understand, however, that directions have been given to find immediate employment for them on railway works. Still, the fact remains that the demand for labour is very limited indeed. I will do all I possibly can to obtain employment for those to arrive. It is satisfactory to knowthat up to the present the season has been all that could be desired by farmers. There is a very large area of ground under cultivatiou, with every prospect of a bountiful harvest. With respect to the latter part of your memorandum under reply, I am of opinion that the recent regulation requiring payment of £5 cash for male immigrants is a very necessary step. It will undoubtedly limit to a great extent the number of nominations; but it will also produce satisfactory results, as no one here is likely to pay £5 unless he is satisfied that the person nominated is in every respect suitable for the colony. I am further of opinion that, for the remainder of this season, immigration should be very limited. I would recommend that it be confined to the nominations sent from here, together with from forty to fifty single women (selected at Home) by each ship. I have, &c, J. E. March, The Under Secretary for Immigration, Wellington. Immigration Officer.