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REPORT ON IMMIGRATION.

Immigration Department,
14th October, 1861.

To His Honor
The Superintendent of Otago.

SIR,—I beg respectfully to forward to your Honor the following report on the state of the home Immigration scheme.

My appointment to the office of Immigration Agent took place on the 6th of July last, during the remainder of which month I was fully engaged in making myself conversant with the duties of the office, and in preparing the necessary books required for the proper working of the scheme. From the short time I have been in office it can hardly be expected that I should be able to draw out so full and so elaborate a report as that laid before the last meeting of the Provincial Council by my predecessor Mr. Adam, whose knowledge of the subject on which he treated had been matured by long experience.

1. State of the Labour Market.

About the end of July, the "Storm Cloud" arrived with 324 passengers: the "Pladda" followed in September with 369: and the "Robert Henderson" on the 6th of this month with 270: the numbers assisted being respectively 194, 247½, and 167½. The immigrants came into Port in excellent condition, there being little or no sickness on the voyage, a result which can be attributed to the kind treatment and attention to cleanliness and ventilation displayed by the Commanders of the ships in question, and the medical officers in charge. The "Storm Cloud" had only 4 deaths, all being young children; the "Pladda" 2, one adult and one infant; and the "Robert Henderson" one adult. The immigrants themselves were of a good class, and admirably suited to the requirements of the Colony. Though the former ship arrived at a time when the excitement consequent on the discovery of the Tuapeka gold field had well nigh drawn away the male population of the town, and matters were in a most unsettled state; and the "Pladda," when thousands were pouring in like a flood from the neighbouring colonies, yet the demand for such labour as home ships bring us seemed greater than ever, and the living freights of both were soon disposed of. Very few went to the Diggings, the great bulk having taken service in town and country. I may here notice that farmers and run-holders entertain a prejudice, (from what cause I am unable to say,) against engaging immigrants from the other colonies as shepherds and farm servants, the preference being always given to those direct from the mother country.

The wages given to Shepherds per "Storm Cloud" ranged from £60 to £80 per annum, with rations, the average being £70; and per "Pladda" from £70 to £85, the average being £75. Farm servants got from £50 to £70 per annum, with rations, the average being £60. House carpenters soon got employment at 10s. to 12s. per day, of 8 hours, without rations. The Immigrants per "Robt. Henderson" lately arrived are being readily engaged at slightly lower wages. Most of the female servants per "Storm Cloud" got £25 per annum, those by the "Pladda" £30, and by the "Robt. Henderson" from £25 to £30. The demand for female labour in the Colony is at present very great, and will continue to increase in proportion to our increasing population.

2. Immigrants' Bills.

The rush to the Tuapeka gold field during the months of July and August, which had the effect of unsettling the state of our society, and the expense incurred by those who repaired thither in providing equipments necessary for their success, rendered my progress in collecting money during those months rather slow. Besides, I thought it my duty to use all my efforts in recovering debts due by Immigrants by the earlier ships to the neglect for a time of those of later date. In these efforts I have been upon the whole not altogether unsuccessful, as the return for September will show. The statement in the report of my predecessor was down to 31st of May last. The following is the amount collected from 1st June, to 30th September :—

In addition to the above sums paid into the Treasury, I have in hand promissory notes payable at the Bank of New South Wales, amounting to about £900.

It cannot be denied that the success of many indebted to the Government at the Gold-fields has had its effects in swelling the return for September, and it may be taken as an evidence of a desire on the part of a few to honourably acknowledge a debt which they cannot but acknowledge to be a just one. I cannot, however, shut my eyes to the fact that there are some in good circumstances who do not as yet see it to be their duty to wipe off the stain which must attach to them so long as they neglect the payment of their passages. Against all such nothing but legal proceedings can be of any avail, and such steps, unpleasant though they be, the Government have not only empowered me to institute, but insist upon my carrying into effect.

The present state of the Immigration Fund is as follows, The total amount due on 30th September in Bills, which are all payable on demand, is £48,874 13s. 6d., but a certain specified time on which payment was to be made being named by the Agents when the Bills were accepted, the amount due according to this arrangement is £27,111 10s. 9d.; £6182 1s. of which has been guaranteed by friends of Immigrants.

The rate of payment of passage money during the next twelve months, I hope, amount to between £500 and £600 per month, or £7000 per annum, providing our Colony continue to prosper.

It has already been published that the Government have instructed the Agents at home to suspend in the meantime the system of assisted passages from the mother country, except in the case of females above ten years of age, who are to be allowed the privilege of coming to the colony for half of the usual