IMMIGRATION. As tho House is aware, the schedule to the Loan Act of 1882 provided a sum of L 200,000 for immigration. Since that time assisted and free passages have been granted to 9019 immi grants, who have arrived in the colony as fol lows, viz.!— Between Ist April, 1882, and 30th June, 1883 3,205 Between Ist July, 1883, and 30th June, 1884 G,2«7 Since 30th June, 1884 147

9,619 In addition to these, the Government have advices of 150 more immigrants (principally single women) having left Plymouth on tho 31st Augjat last. The total number of immi grants of all classes introduced by tho Colonial Government since the inauguration of the im migration scheme is 110,833. With the ex ception of a small number of single women, whom the Agent-General caused to be specially selected, the whole of tho immigrants who 1 have arrived in the colony since April, 1882, have been nominated, but since the 12th March last even nominated Immigration (except for single women) has been suspended. A num bered tho persons, part of whose passages were provided by their friends, were suddenly told that they could not be brought out. The hard ship to which these persons have been sub jected has been so forcibly represented to the Government, and their right of complaint is so clear, that instructions have been giyen that in all cases where the nomination money has been already paid passages are to be provided for the persons nominated. TELEGRAPH EXTENSION. The work done towards extension of tele graph lines during the past year has consisted of 100 miles of new lines, with wire complete, and 89 miles of additional wire, erected partly on tho new lines and partly on lines previously existing. The total length of telegraph lines now existing in the colony is 4074 miles, carry -10,037 miles of wire, and in addition to this tho transmitting capacity of the wire is in creased by 2820 miles which is duplexed. The extensions at present contemplated amount to 142 miles of line.
