REPORT OF THE IMMIGRATION COMMISSIONERS OF THE PRO-VINCE OF NELSON.

Numerous applications having been made (from persons settled in the province, for their friends brought out from England), the Commissioners determined upon revising the system of immigration recommended by them in their report of last year, viz., that of advancing the passage-money upon security being given to the colony for the repayment of the same. This system the Commissioners are of opinion is the best that can be carried out, as it introduces to the province a class of immigrants most certain to remain, and, by securing the repayment of the passage-money, keeps a fund at the disposal of the Commissioners for a continuance of the system.

The Commissioners not having any paid responsible agent in England, and considering the system of too limited a character to warrant such an appointment, resolved upon making the arrangements, if possible, in Nelson, and thereby save the salary of an agent, and prevent a considerable delay that must have taken place had they waited until the arrangements could have been made in England. Advertisements were therefore issued calling for tenders for the introduction of immigrants, and two only were received: one from Messrs. John Morrison and Co., and one from Mr. Saife (on behalf of Messrs. Willis), the former tendering at eighteen guineas, and the latter at twenty pounds, per adult. Mr. Saife at the same time stating that he had no positive authority to act for Messrs. Willis. The Commissioners, therefore, accepted the tender of Messrs. Morrison, having no reason to doubt the respectability of the firm. It was not until a considerable time after the contract was accepted that the Commissioners heard of their dissolution of partnership, when a letter was written to Mr. Tyrler requesting that gentleman to be kind enough to inquire into the circumstance, and at the same time giving him full power to act on behalf of the Commissioners, and, in the event of the contract not being carried out in a satisfactory manner, to put an end to the same, and make arrangements with some other shippers for bringing out the immigrants sent for. Letters have since been received from Mr. Morrison, informing the Commissioners of his proceedings with regard to the contract, which induce them to believe that it will be carried out by that gentleman in a very satisfactory manner.

The Commissioners have already sent for about 300 persons, and 53 of them are expected in the Mariner daily. A second ship was to leave in February last, but the Com-missioners have not yet received a list of the passengers to come by her.

On reference to the statement of liabilities annexed hereto, it will be seen that an advance of a considerable amount will be required out of the provincial revenue to meet immediate demands for the passages of those immigrants already sent for; and the Commissioners recommend that a sum in addition to that required to meet immediate demands should be placed on the Estimates to enable them to continue to carry on the present system, under which a population is introduced almost certain to remain in the province.

Of the amount shown in the same statement to be due for passage money, namely, £2,401 13s. 10d., only £277 8s. remains due in respect of immigrants whose passages money was advanced on the security of residents in the province; all the remainder being due from persons whose passages were prepaid on their own security. These were immigrants sent out in the Emina Colvin, Creswell, and other vessels, by the late Emigration Agent, Mr. Macdonald. Great difficulty is experienced in recovering payment from this last class of immigrants—a difficulty not attributable in any way to the Emigration Agent, but inherent in that system itself, increased in some degree by the withdrawal of the extended powers given to the Resident Magistrate’s Court, which prevented larger amounts than £20 being sued for. Steps are being taken against these persons in the Resident Magistrate’s Court for the recovery of the smaller sums, though, as might have been expected, some of the immigrants, after application for the money, have left the province in order to avoid being summoned. Immediately upon the opening of the District Judge’s Court, proceedings will be taken to recover the larger amounts due.

J. P. ROBINSON,
Superintendent.

Immigration Office, Nelson,
April 21, 1859.

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT.

Since the above report was written, the Mariner has arrived with the immigrants in safety. The passengers all speak in high terms of the kind treatment they received from the captain and officers of the ship, and express themselves in every way perfectly satisfied with their voyage.

J. P. ROBINSON,
Superintendent.

Immigration Office,
Nelson, April 28, 1859.

STATEMENT