D.—4

10

that port to Otago being sent out in the vessels of Messrs. P. Henderson and Co.'s line. I attach copy of correspondence which resulted in the engagement of the steamship " Westmeath," to show the modus operandi in engaging emigrant ships through the New Zealand Shipping Company. 3. This system (of each company taking its turn as regards the emigrants from Plymouth) was first broken into in the case of the New Zealand Shipping Company's vessels, the " Waipa," " British Queen," and " lonic " taking Canterbury emigrants consecutively. It was intended, I may add, to suspend emigration from the end of March, in accordance with the instructions from the colony; but special exception was made in the case of the "lonic," in order that that vessel, starting in April, might be supplied with a shipment of emigrants. 4. When in the present year (1883) emigration was temporarily suspended, so as to avoid the arrival of emigrants in the colony in the winter, a total of 2,569-J- statute adults had received passages; of these, 935 were despatched from Plymouth in four ships of the New Zealand Shipping Company, 906 were sent from the same port in three ships of the Shaw-Savill Company, and 728_ were despatched from the Clyde in three ships of Messrs. P. Henderson and Cos. line. 5. On the resumption of emigration an alteration was made in the system, and the separate arrangement as regards the Clyde emigration was dropped; and the shipping arrangements which were thereupon made provided, inter alia, first, that the New Zealand Shipping Company should share equally with the Shaw-Savill-Albion Company in the number of ships despatched with emigrants, including both those from Plymouth and those from the Clyde; and secondly, that a number of emigrants should under any circumstances be available for each of the New Zealand Shipping Company's monthly steamers. 6. The estimate of numbers of ships and emigrants then made provided that the New Zealand Shipping Company should take 950 statute adults by their steamers, and about 500 by their sailing ships, or 1,450 in all; and that the Shaw-Savill-Albion Company should take about 1,300 in all (including those to be despatched from the Clyde). I attach copy of the estimates then made, and also copy of letter addressed to each of the companies specifying these arrangements. Under the old system the New Zealand Shipping Company would have had 950, Shaw, Savill, and Co., 950; and P. Henderson and Co., 850. 7. These estimated numbers could not eventually be strictly adhered to, because, first, the New Zealand Shipping Company (to whose choice it was left) selected Auckland, instead of Wellington and Canterbury, as the destination of their steamer "Doric;" (second) the "Doric," "British Queen," and "lonic" took so large a number of paying passengers as to shut out a number of Government emigrants which this department was ready to send, thus unavoidably diminishing the numbers it was estimated would go by them; and (third) a larger number of emigrants came forward for passages by the sailing ships than was anticipated. 8. When the three vessels which will be despatched within the next ten days have sailed, and about 250 emigrants for Auckland (who are now ready to go, and will be sent by a New Zealand Shipping Company's ship) have embarked, the actual numbers which each shipping company will have had during the latter part of this year will stand as follows—namely, 1,482 statute adults will have been despatched in six ships of the New Zealand Shipping Company, and 1,630 in six ships of the Shaw-Savill-Albion Company (including the emigrants from the Clyde), being 150 taken by the latter company in excess of those taken by the New Zealand Shipping Company; which, however, I may add, would have been more than made up had the steamers "Doric," "British Queen," and " lonic " been able to take the full number of emigrants ready to go by those vessels. 24th October, 1883. Walter Kennaway.

Sub-Enclosure 1 in Enclosure 4 in No. 16. (Telegrams.) 7th February, 1883. From Agent-General to Neiu Zealand Shipping Company. —We shall want a ship to take emigrants to Auckland early in March. Further particulars by letter. Answer. —Wait. Any idea how many ? From Agent-General. —About 200 adults. Answer. —O.K.

Sub-Enclosure 2 in Enclosure 4 in No. 16. Mr. Walter Kennaway to the Manager, New Zealand Shipping Company. Sir,—' 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 7th February, 1883. I have to inform you that a vessel will be required to take Government emigrants to Auckland, to embark from Plymouth as early in March as can be conveniently arranged, say, on the 9th or 16th of that month. There would probably be about 200 statute adults ready to embark. I have therefore to request you to make the necessary arrangements, and advise me of the same as soon as possible. I have, &c., The Manager, Walter Kennaway, New Zealand Shipping Company. Secretary, Agent-General's Department.

Sub-Enclosure 3 in Enclosure 4 in No. 16. The Manager, Shaw-Savill-Albion Company, to the Agent-General. Shaw-Savill-Albion Company (Limited), Sir,— Offices: 34, Leadenhall Street, E.C., London, Bth February, 1883. The New Zealand Shipping Company have handed to us your letter of yesterday's date, notifying that a vessel will be required to take Government emigrants from Plymouth to Auckland t