D.—2

34

between two and twelve years take their meals together, at an hour somewhat earlier than that of the adults. To preside at these meals, aud to carry out the details which they would involve, an experienced nurse should accompany the ship, one nurse being provided for every fifty children. At meal time the nurse would preside, and distribute the food; the parents of each family assisting their own children The providing of one or two more nurses to superintend, I regard as essential to the scheme, as they would bring a certain amount of authority to bear on all the children's arrangements. I would also place in their hands the superintendence of children under two years, the distribution of milk to them, Ac, and the looking after the comfort and well-being of the children generally. For guidance in forming a diet scale for the children's mess, I would suggest the following :— Breakfast —Bread, porridge, milk. Dinner—Soup and meat, potatoes, bread, rice, sago, Ac. Supper —Bread and milk. In dealing with children of ages showing so wide a difference, messed at the same table, a large latitude as to the quantity should be allowed; but this might with safety be left in the hands of the presiding nurse. The grand point desired, viz., suitable food for the children, would be gained by adopting a diet table in which bread, milk, and soup, with rice and other farinaceous food, formed the leading articles ; and this point being once established, specific details would be readily adjusted afterwards. Before closing my report, I would desire to record my thanks to Captain Flamank for the courtesy I have received from him during the voyage, and also for tho attention and despatch which any suggestions or requests that I have made for the comfort or health of the emigrants have almost invariably received. I wish also to testify to the care and ability with which the matron, Miss Diggnes, has administered her trust, and beg most heartily to thank her for the good conduct and order she has always maintained amongst her charge. The assistance, too, received by me from the Rev. Mr. Kennedy deserves my warmest acknowledgments. He materially contributed to the comfort of the sick, and the recovery of the convalescent, by his patient and long-continued administration of delicacies preservingly obtained. Our Sunday services were also conducted by Mr. Kennedy, and by Mr. Holloway ; and the attendance and attention on these occasions marked the appreciation which the labours of these gentlemen obtained. Wm. J. Davidson, M.R.C.S. Lond., L.S.A., Quarantine Island, 26th February, 1874. Surgeon-Superintendent of s.s. " Mongol."

Enclosure 4 in No. 34. His Honor J. Macandrew to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Dunedin, 4th March, 1874. Referring to the report of the surgeon-superintendent of the steamer " Mongol," copy of which was forwarded to you yesterday, I have now the honor to enclose the remarks of Dr. Webster, Secretary for Lands and a member of the Board of Health, thereon. As these remarks have a very important bearing upon immigration as now being conducted, I beg to commend them to your earnest attention. I have, Ac, J. Macandrew, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent of Otago. Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 4 in No. 34. Memorandum by Dr. Webster for His Honor J. Macandrew. I think the report of the surgeon-superintendent of the steamer " Mongol " is an able one, and calculated to bring about a better state of matters as regards the arrangements of emigrant ships, if any attention is paid to its recommendation. My experience, however, leads me to expect that little or no notice will be taken of it, unless some one in a more prominent position calls the attention of tho General Government to it. I would therefore recommend your Honor to do so ; for there can be no doubt but that the emigrants were selected from the poorest (half-starved) and lowest grades of society, and so utterly demoralized that parents were devoid of any natural feeling for their children ; and that the want of proper accommodation for the emigrants at the port of embarkation, and of the ordinary precautions against the spread of contagious disease, were very glaring. G. M. Webster, Government Offices, Dunedin, 4th March, 1874. Secretary for Lands.

Enclosure 5 in No. 34. Royal Commission upon s.s. " Mongol." James Fergusson, Governor. To Henry Scott McKellar, of AVellington, Collector of Customs ; Alexander Johnston, of Wellington aforesaid, Doctor of Medicine; and Frederick Augustus Krull, of the same place, Merchant, —Greeting: Whereas a steamship or vessel called the " Mongol " hath recently arrived at Port Chalmers, in tho Colony of New Zealand, having on board certain passengers, immigrants, and other persons for various parts and places in the said Colony : And whereas there is reason to believe that certain of the said passengers, immigrants, and other persons were at the time of their embarking on board the said steam-