Correspondence.

Evening Star, Issue 3469, 6 April 1874, Page 2

Correspondence.

[We are net responsible for the opinion! expressed by our correspondents,] IMMIGRATION. To the Editor. Sik, —According to promise, I again communicate with you on the subject of misconduct in emigrant ships, and I may take the complaint of “A Surat Victim” about the logs of “ emigrants’ loaves and fishes " to point the first paragraph. But I wish to remind him of two things : first, that had he been a constant reader of the Star prior to the date of my last communication, he would have seen that these extras had nob been neglected by me; and second, it would be well for future arrivals and for the immigration department, were all immigration officers to temper their zeal with the same tact and discretion Mr Allan employs in his duties. The “Victim’s” (?) complaint is a very common one; my note-book may enlighten him about these matters.

It not infrequently happens that captains and surgeons on embarkation day receive two different dietary scales, ■ which are well worth comparing with one another. They are “ The General Dietary Scale ” and “The Government Dietary Scale, 187—” (the latter is the scale used by the New Zealand Government. ) For brevity’s sake we will number these scales respectively 1 and 2, using the number 3 to denote the dietary scale ol

emigrant' ships to other countries, ISaoh adult emigrant receives per week— Preserved meat by 1, 16oz; by 2, the same ; by 3, 0 to 16oz. Corned beef by I, 20oz; 2, 20 ts 240z: 5. 20 to 240z. * * Pork by 1, 2, and 3, in each 16oz. Suet by 1, 2, and 3, in each 6oz. Flour by 1, 48oz; 2, formerly 48oz, now 560z ; 3, chiefly 32 to 40oz, in one 48or, Biscuits by 1, 40oz; 2, formerly 560z now 520z ; 3, from 40 to 560z. Oatmeal by 1, 12oz x Boz of rice; 2, 240z either of rice or of oatmeal; 3, 16 to 240z oatmeal x Boz rice. Potatoes by 1, 2, and 3, in each 21bs of ‘ fresh” or Boz of ‘ ‘ preserved, ” Peas by I and 2, in each half a pint; 3. from 6 to 240z. Carrots by 1, none j2,0 to 8oz; 3. 4oz. in majority none.

Onions by 1, none; 2, oto 8oz; 3, 4oz, In majority none. Cheese by 1, none j 2, 0 to 6oz : 3, 4oz, in majority none. Butter by 1, and 2, in each 6oz; 3, 4 to Boz. ’

Sugar by 1, 2, and 3, 16oz in each. Molasses by 1, none; 2, 6 to Sox : 3. oto 4oz. ’ ’ Raisins by 1, 2, and 3, in eaob Sox. Tea by 1, and 2, eacb j3, from Uto 2oz. a Mixed pickles, tin eacb I pint or none. . mustard, pepper, lime juice intropics inevery scale. The children’s dietary scale has been already dealt with in a previous letter. Anyone carefully perusing the above quantities will see that our immigrants have little cause to complain. Indeed, though there are a few exceptions, the majority of captains apd sprgeons are very liberal, giving more than they are compelled to do of some of the articles • and the fact is so true that it has become an aphorism, lt that New Zealand emigrants embark lean and land fat”—-nay, many have been known to carry ashore quantities of oatmeal, rice, tea, coffee, and sugar honestly saved from their rations. Any person who has carefully watched embarkations and disembarkations, cannot fail to be struck with the marked change in the condition of emigrants between the commencement and end of a voyage; and possibly no persons .are better able to testify to the way in which the majority are overfed than the only special constables aboard, who are themselves immigrants.

But to return to “ the loaves and fishes,” carrots, enions, and cheese, it will be noticed they are absent from the general dietary scale, which scale is sometimes employed either in mistake or otherwise, until the emigrants growl, and the doctor’s remonstrances alter matters ; but in some of the New Zealand scales they are absent also Tis quite possible that “Victim” may be thankful for the loss of these articles, since in the hands of some they become a real nuisance. A few illustrations will explain how. Mrs X, occuping bunk 26, with her husband and one child, is in the habit of appropriating to herself her husband and Child’s share in addition to her own (two anda-half statute adults), of carrots, onions, some of the cheese, and pickles. These are generally swallowed within the space of thirty hours after they were served opt. Result—diarrhea, which was communicated to adjacent bunks. (Mrs Z. gives her child, 'whenever it cries for them, carrots, onions, cheese, and raisins—result diarrhqaa, which led to prplapse of the lower bowel; very common in children of

allthe preservsd meat, fresh bread, carrots, onions, cheese, and pickles of two and a-half adults, including ber husband and lad ; the old man, who is quite underneath her thumb* must content himself with corned beef and hard biscuits, and heaven preserve hj im if ho tastes the lime juice. “Mrs V, in consequence of such over-greed, is affected with dysentery. J. B. eats regularly all the carrots, onions, cheese, and pickles that ought to be divided between himself and wife-result diarrhoea. These are only a few cases, but it is incalculable the harm these articles and raisins do in the hands of injudicious mothers, as well as the bone of contention they furnish for the selfish. A gain, the careless often leave tins of carrots and onions about their berths until they produce so intolerable astench as to cause sickness in their own and among adjacent bunks. If cheese wag discarded, and the carrots, and onions, and ZT^:\ he[oVe a Wted, given only to the cook to be mixed with the food in a cooked state, it would be much better, hot only for the health but also the peace of all. .~f ar< t m »y Beem . married couples without children should on no account^ ww. th ® . married compartment, mothers with growing lads and girls know the reason why, The man ought to deep

inthe single men’s compartment,” the woman in the single girls’ cabin, but they should be ■ allowed to mix with one another during the day. I would not like the public to think I have an unfavorable opinion of all immigrants, for there are many who have displayed nobleness of character, kindness of disposition and charitableness of thought, well befitting another station, and my note-book contains “many examples of such ; it is for such I write, and it is for their sake that reform is so much required in immigration management.

The conduct and bearing of many of the captains and ships’ officers who are placed on board the New Zealand emigrant ships is such as to deserve our highest respect; but there are exceptions, and bow these exceptions get their appointments is to be wondered at, though it is very unfair to judge of such men from the heated statements one hears in courts of inquiry and police courts. Shipowners, or rather their managers, more commonly called ships-hushands, are much to blame for these few. A ship comes into port, and her captain is removed or promoted to another ship; she is then loaded and fitted for her outward voyage, possibly to carry emigrants under charter ; the question then comes to be, who shall he her captain ? The manager knows many of the company’s servants, who would be. the very men for the post, but unfortunately they are all at sea, so he is restricted to cheese from among the mates ef the other ships in port, none of whom may he whom he actually wished to get the pest. The master of Ais asked if his mate B is a suitable person ; the answer being in the affirmative, B is appointed captain. The master of A is under an obligation to B, since B has saved him during his last homeward voyage. B’s previous history shows that over twelve years ago he lost a steamer. Since then he has acted ' as second mate and first mate In ships belonging to different firms, and traversing different oceans, and although he held a master’s certificate, had made one voyage only in the present service before being appointed as captain. Qis first voyage as captain in this employ was interesting. Soon after bidding farewell to the channel pilot he got himself into a soaked condition, m which he remained more or less the whole outward voyage. He frequently exhibited his former con : nection with a known North Atlantic trade by indulging in those- eccentricities . of lan-' guage and questionably polite phrases common to that trade. He was .kind (?) and courteous (?) by displaying on the most trivial causes ebullitions of temper, and excessive emotion. He would order the Steward privately to spare the ducks and to restrict the sweetmeats, whilst he would call the steward during dinner all softs, of names qualified with such funny adjectives, did a passenger venture to remonstrate about the poverty of the table. He was generous and hospitable to all appearance before the pas sengers, giving the sick emigrant fresh meat and other perquisites hot among medical comforts.' He even used to deprive himself of many delicacies for the sake of others, whilst

behind the scenes he would gorge himself on every occasion except those in which his appetite failed him owing to internal barometric pressure, apd the doctor had to steal for his patients a slice of the fresh joint or the remains of a delicate pudding. Those square billets of paper, requesting Captain - to supply Mrs with the following medical comforts, used to be regarded as intrusive and objectionable, especially when brandy, gia, or wine were desired. Porter and beer were vulgar beverages, only fit for cleansing out the mouth. Bis humanity to his officers and crew was shown by his nigger-driving expressions, by his restricting their beer and grog, and taking care to dilute the latter, and only give it to them on occasions when they least required it; did they feel unwell and wish an extra rest, how solicitous be was to see them enjoying the fresh air and foaming sea from the deck. His bravery when not required was admirable, but when danger was near, when land loomed up, or cloud thickened, it was so great and it absorbed so much of his strength, that he found it necessary to resort tp lighter employments for a change, such as throwing empty bottles of a familiar type through the port-hole of his cabin, rolling off the settees, or dropping himself suddenly in various positions on the deck. Finally he gets rewarded with the sum of Lls for the satisfactory way in which be performed his duties as captain. bnph is a trqe picture of one who came to this country in charge of an emigrant ship, long since returned.—l am, &c M Observer, Dunedin, March 6. THE COMPANY’S WATER. To the Editor, Office of the Dunedin Water Works Company, Dunedin, April 4, 1874. SIR,-—ln your paper of April 2, you give insertion to a. letter addressed by Dr Bakewell to the City Corporation, regarding the water [supplied to the City, by the Water Works Company^ As this letter may have a tendency to lead some persons using the water to doubt its purity, I beg to state that the Corporation had the water analysed by Professor Black, when a most favorable analysis was given ; and although it has never yet been published by the Corporation, yet members of that body acknowledged that the analysis showed the water to be exceedingly pure. In proof of this I would refer to a reply given by Mr Keith Ramsey to a question from Mr Rennie on the subject, when he was meeting the electors of his ward. In common fairness I would suggest to the Corporation that, as they have given such publicity to Dr BakeWell’s letter, they should also publish the analysis made by Professor Black. I also give herewith an analysis made by th_ e Government Analytical Chemist, at Wellington, which will at once show how unfounded are the objections made by Dr Bakewell. Nearly or quite' transparent Tasteless Organic matter, 274 Alkaline Salts, 2 88 Earthy Salts, 2-$2 Silica, ‘ 123 Analyses of a highly favorable character have also been made both in Wellington and Sydney fer manufacturers in this town who pse the water. It must be apparent to all that the careful and xqinute investigatioas of snph skjlled men are tyorth yof most complete credence, and that their assurance of the purity of the water should satisfy everyone.—l am, &0., Taomas Dick, Secretary.

The mayor of an English town—he was not an Insnman—put forth an announcement prevons to the races:—“No gentlemen will be 5° l lde on « he courße . ex °ept the horses tnat are to be run.” An bid man who was before the San Francisco police-court the other day, charged with drunkSSSftwST ™J es . ticall y in the dock, and defied the law to do its utmost. Placing one hia head > he exclafmed; .Let fall thy shears on vulnerable crests: I bear a charmed life. ” He was bald-headed. It is related that when Wilkie Collins was aboutto step in front of the curtain atsome place m the States he said to the gentleman who was to introduce him, “ Don’t introduce me as* the greatest living novelist. I’ve been introduced so a number of times, and I’d rather be simply