E.—No. 1.

stated that, never in the recollection of the colonists, had there been so unhealthy a season in Auckland and the neighbourhood as during the last summer. Dr. Philson, the Coroner of Auckland, and Hospital Surgeon to the Provincial Government, formerly a Surgeon in Her Majesty's Service, writes [See his letter, Appendix B.], " During the whole of my residence in this city, amounting to 10 years, 1 have never known so great a prevalence of fever and dysentry as during the past summer and autumn." It should also be borne in mind that the sanitary condition of the Maoris is everywhere of a most deplorable character, and the degeneracy of their constitution such, that according to the most reliable statistics the race has decreased, from natural causes, one half in less than 25 years. The small amount of sickness on board the hulk, the small number of deaths, and the remarkable improvement in the general health and condition of the prisoners as a body, were certainly verj creditable to those in whose charge they were. The best evidence on the subject will be found in a careful perusal of the co-temporary reports of the medical officer and Superintendent, appended to ihis memorandum. 11. Labour. ~So labour was exacted from the prisoners except the light amount of it involved in scraping the decks, keeping the ship clean, washing their own clothes and persons, and cooking. 12. Punishment. No punishments, corporal or otherwise, were inflicted, beyond such a trivial one as prohibiting a man from fishing when he refused to wash himself: the only single instance of any kind of punishment, either required or inflicted, within the knowledge of Ministers. 18. Relaxation and Amusement*. They were allowed to amuse themselves in any way they could. Fishing, with tackle provided by the Government, afforded both amusement and a familiar and pleasant variety of food. Groups of them might constantly be seen engaged in the favourite game of draughts, which they play with uncommon skill and rapidity. Books of various sorts, Testaments, Prayer-books, hymn-books, slates, pencils, pens, ink, and paper were liberally supplied, both by the Government, and by private donation. Their native friends were admitted almost whenever they asked permission, and letters were allowed to pass to and from the ship, subject to the inspection of the Native Office. 14. Religious Worship and Instruction. Admission was freely given to all missionaries and ministers who chose to ask it. Keligious services were regularly held on Sundays and Wednesdays by a clergyman of the Church of England, and other denominations. A missionary of upwards of 30 years' experience among Maoris, regularly visited them twice a week. 15. By whom the Ship teas Visited. Almost every person who chose to ask for unorder from the Colonial Secretary was admitted to visit the ship, and stay there as long as he pleased. It was visited by many Members of the General Assembly ; by numerous ministers of religion, of all denominations ; by strangers from Australia and elsewhere ; by military and naval officers ; by the several Members of the Colonial Government, of whom the Colonial Secretary visited it very frequently ; by the Native Secretary, Dr. Shortland, himself a member of the medical profession; by many other officers of the Government; by friendly natives from all parts of the islands ; by reporters for the press; and lastly, twice by Mr. Justice Johnston, of the Supreme Court, Ex-Official Visitor of all the Prisons in the Colony, who on eacli occasion spent a considerable time on board, and never intimated to the Colonial Government the least dissatisfaction with anything he saw. 16. By whom the Ship v-as not Visited. During the seven months that the ship lay in the harbour of Auckland, within a few hundred yards of Government House, it was not once visited by the Governor. On one occasion the Colonial Secretary suggested it to him, but he declined. His Excellency has stated that after the hulk was removed to Kawau he went on board. This, Ministers are informed, was after the prisoners had beeu released on shore. 17. Official establishment of Europeans kept lip on board the Hulk. 1. A medical officer. Mr. Sam, M.Ii.C.S. L. This gentleman generally lived on board, and devoted himself with great zeal and attention to his duty. 2. A general Superintendent of the ship. Captain Dinnin, of the Auckland Militia, formerly in Her Majesty's Service. 3. Mr. T. A. White. Maori Superintendent, and officer of the Colonial Government, who was thoroughly familiar with the native race and their language, was a very great favourite with them, and who, living on board, devoted his whole time and energies to the improvement and comfort of the prisoners. 4. Wardens subordinate to Mr. White. 5. Captain Krippner and Lieutenant Wilson, ana 50 picked men, chiefly Prussians, of the Waikato Militia, as a guard. 18. Reports. Messrs. Sam and White each made separate* daily reports of the state of health of the prisoners, and other circumstances relating to them and the ship. They also sent in weekly, monthly, and halfyearly reports. A complete file of these reports is appended to this memorandum, and Ministers confidently appeal to it as exhibiting a connected chain of contemporary testimony which establishes the fact that every possible exertion was made to secure the health and comfort of the prisoners, and that such exertions were crowned with as much success as, under the circumstances of the case, could reasonably be expected, or as coidd have been achieved by any other authorities who might have had suddenly thrown upon them the responsibility of providing for the safe custody and welfare of upwards of 200 person? of a half-civilized race, being prisoners taken in open hostilities with the Queen's Troops.

49

RELATIVE TO MAORI PRISONERS.