IMMIGRATION OPERATIONS.

Evening Star, Issue 3055, 3 December 1872, Page 3

IMMIGRATION OPERATIONS.

TllK BEIUXGTOX EXQUIIIY. Early in tlur present month the ship Robinson arrived at Wellington from London with a large number of immigrants, part ly brought out by the Government and partly dispatched by Messrs Rrogden. The mortality among the children had been so great (no less than sixteen having died during the passage l out. though there was no epidemic on board) that Government thought it necessary to institute an investigation. A Commission was appointed, consisting of Dr Grace. Dr Johnston, and Mr Kaughton, to impure into the circumstances. The report is, now before ns. Assuming the Lifts to ho as stated, we an* hound fa say that they disclose a degree of carelessness in the chartering of vessels for immigration purposes, and in nujcing provision for the heglth apd comfort of the immigrants, which are simply intolerable. The Commissioners were directed to report on the circumstances attending the deaths of the children, the fitness of the accommodation provided on board the ship, the supply of food, medical stores, Ac., and the treatment of the children by the medical ollicer. They begin by condemning (he ship in iofo, as not a fit and proper vessel, for the transport of immigrants. They then proceed to enumevate. special defects. There was up, pi-oper supply, they say, of ventilation and light, though the women and children were often unable. to go on deck for many days together- The hatches were too weak to, resist a heavy sea, and the ladders openbacked and dangerous for. children. There was no necessary accommodation in the married people's compartment. The galley was too small to allow of etlicient cooking, anil the range entirely insullieient for the number of -passengers; the consequence being (hat considerable difliealty was experienced in getting the children's food cooked at regular times. The between decks were in accordance with eonfraid, being divided into four compartments (instead of two only) ; one of which, occupied by single men, was entirely without light or ventilation. The position of the hospitals was most unsuitable. and (heir fittings of (he rudest dcit-ripliou. As to the food, the Com-

missioners report that the milk and farinaceous food intended for the children were frequently purloined, though there was no positive evidence on which to establish a charge against any individual. But (hoy say that the supply of milk was insufficient, considering the number of children ; and that the dietary scale is in fault on this point, because the milk is provided with reference to the number of statute adults, without any regard to what proportion there may be of children. The scale of medicines and medical comforts they also declare to bo very inadequate; the quantity provided being such as, in the event of much illnessrVould be exhausted in three or four weeks. All these facts being considered, the Commissioners come to the conclusion that the excessive mortality among the children was due to improper or insufficient nourishment, assisted by want of light and ventilation. They warmly praise Hie tact and firmness of the captain and doctor* in enforcing sanitary measures and general discipline, to which alone they attribute the freedom of the ship from infectious disease.