&.~No. 3,

42

EEPOET OE COMMISSIONEES UPON MATTEES

selected and shipped from the Continent by the contracting firms. Until I receive such information, I am not able to ascertain whether these contracting firms have neglected any of the precautions they were instructed to take; but it should at the same time be stated what provision was made for the accommodation of the emigrants during the period between their arrival in London and their embarkation for New Zealand. To the first of these two points I have already called your attention fully, in my memorandum No. 28-72,* of the 19th February last. 2. It appears to me that all emigrants, before they embark for New Zealand, should satisfy a competent medical officer, appointed by yourself, that they have been vaccinated, and failing to do so they should be at once vaccinated by him. I need scarcely impress upon you the absolute necessity of preventing any emigrants who may be found to have been suffering from an infectious disorder embarking on board ship before he shall be pronounced, after medical examination, perfectly cured. 3. The selection of proper medical officers for emigrant ships is a matter of vital importance. Not only is it necessary that he should bo professionally qualified and in good health, but he should also possess at least an ordinary amount of firmness and tact; and I think that he ought not, therefore, to be approved by you until you have been satisfied, in writing, as to his medical fitness, character, and antecedents. Even then, however, I think it would be advisable to obtain the recommendation of some recognized responsible official body in London, —such, for instance, as that which is connected with the Colonial Land and Emigration Commission. I addressed you on the subject of gratuities to medical officers in my memorandum No. 18,f of 16th February, but I now suggest for your consideration whether, in view of a considerable Government emigration, it would be practicable for the Government to obtain, and keep in their employ, a staff of surgeons, accustomed to the duties of emigrant ships, rather than be dependent on casual applicants. I understand the Colonial Land and Emigration Commission have long adopted some such system with very beneficial results. 4. Due care in the approval of ships and ships' officers is also essential; and although lam not prepared to say that in this case there have been any faults in these respects, I think a full report on this subject should likewise be transmitted. I shall be obliged by your forwarding to me as soon as possible a detailed report of the investigations which you may institute into the matters referred to herein, and also a complete narrative of the proceedings taken in respect to these particular emigrants, from their selection in their own country to their departure from England; and, should there be anything of great importance affecting the subject, which you think should be known here without delay, you will use your discretion in telegraphing it. Tou will be good enough to bear in mind that the information called for in reference to the emigrants by the " England " is information which it is desirable should be supplied more or less fully on the departure of every emigrant ship, and you are requested to supply it accordingly. W. Gisborne. Public Works Office, Wellington, New Zealand, 16th March, 1872.

No. 3. Memorandum for the Agent-General, London. (No. 47-72.) With reference to my memorandum No. 37-72, of 16th March, 1872, in which I reported the arrival of the ship " England," with Norwegian and other immigrants, and her being placed in quarantine in consequence of small-pox having broken out on board during the voyage, I have now to inform you that, in consequence of' all further absence of mortality, a portion of the passengers were admitted to pratique on the Ist April, and the remainder on the 16th instant. Tou will learn from the enclosed copy of a Commission issued by His Excellency the Governor, that an investigation is now taking place, the result of which I hope to forward by the Suez mail. Public Works Office, Wellington, 17th April, 1872. W. Gisboene.

No. 4. Memoeandum for the Agent- Geneeal, London. (No. 56-72.) My memorandum of the 17th April, No. 47-72, will have informed you of the issue of a Commission to investigate into the various matters connected with the ship " England;" and I now forward copy of the Eeport which that Commission has presented to His Excellency, together with the evidence on which the Eeport is founded. J As this Eeport (although dated the 10th instant) has only been sent in to-day, I am not by this mail able to draw your attention to several details connected with immigration which it suggests, but I will do so by the first opportunity. Meanwhile, however, I cannot too earnestly request that you will give the Eeport and evidence your prompt attention, with a view to the immediate remedy of the defects which those documents disclose. Public Works Office, Wellington, New Zealand, 13th May, 1872. J. D. Ormond. * Printed in Correspondence with Agent General. J See No. 1 of this Paper, t Printed in Correspondence with Agent-General.