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Synopsis An in-depth study of emigration was undertaken from 1882 that culminated in the massive Colonial Emigration Act XXI of 1883. Thereafter, the next acts, only to marginally amend the Act XXI of 1883, were passed in 1890 (one and half page) 1896 (half page), 1897 (one-fourth page), 1902 (three pages), 1904 (one page) and 1908 (one page).

Thereafter, Act XXI of 1883 was not mentioned anymore as Act XVII of 1908 re-cast the terms for emigration and ran into 33 pages, repealing all the Acts from 1890 to 1908 and retaining a few Clauses of Act XXI of 1883, offering better terms including compensation for ill-treatment on journeys, to Indian emigrants but unfortunately, during the period of 1905 to 1912, emigration to South Africa and Mauritius was finally suspended while British Guiana and Canada refused to allow Indian emigrants to be landed in their countries.

Many terms were changed - some British Colonies or possessions came to be known as "Countries" and places known as "State, Colony or Possession" under local Governments became "State or Country".

The steamers had replaced the sailing vessels, cutting the journeys by days and months, depending on the location of the destined places. After 1908, only two Acts on Emigration were passed in 1922 and 1932.

This is the sixth volume of the Annual Reports from the Port of Calcutta to British and Foreign Colonies, detailing number of emigrants who sailed to and return from colonies, with their savings, mortality in depots or on board ships, recruitment, addresses of depots and names of each colony's emigration agent etc. All these reports were prepared by the Protector of Emigrants at Calcutta.