IMMIGRATION.

Evening Star, Issue 3013, 15 October 1872, Page 4

IMMIGRATION.

The following suggestions have been published for the guidance of Immigration Commissioners :

When a vessel with immigrants is signalled, the Commissioners proceed at once to meet her, and as soon as the customary replies, if satisfactory, as to the state of the health of the ship’s company are given, they go on board and inspect all the arrangements ; the immigrants are mustered, and inquiries made as to comfort, discipline, and general conduct of all on board during the voyage. The immigrants are asked whether they have any complaints to make, either of the quality or quantity of provisions and water served to them during the voyage, whether the officers of the ship, from the captain downwards, have been attentive and kind, and generally if they have been comfortable and satisfied since they left Europe. The compartments below are inspected; the hospital, the surgery {including the medicine chest), the lavatories, closets, &c. ; the proper spaces and the proper position of the compartments for the different classes of immigrants are noted. The cooking stoves and condensing apparatus are examined, and enquiries made as to their sufficiency and proper working. The provisions are examined, and, where necessary, tasted. Until this inspection is over no communication with the ship is allowed. If everything is satisfactory the inspection does not take long. The Commissioners then report at once to the Minister for Lands and Immigration, and, not less than fourteen days after arrival of the ship, or, in case of quarantine, fourteen days after pratique, recommend or otherwise to the Minister payment of the gratuities to the officers of the ship as arranged by the Agent-General.