D.—2

26

statement as to calling attention to the state of the poop ladders, I have no recollection of; of one thing I am certain, had I seen the necessity of doing anything in the matter, it would have been done. Edwd. A. Smith, E.N., 18th September, 1874. Despatching Officer. " Stab op India." Letter No. 27, of 6th February, 1874. Dietary Scales and Contract Tickets not agreeing. —l cannot admit any responsibility on this account. 1 saw that the provisions required by charter were put on board, and that the dietary scales were in accordance therewith. Plumbing Work very badly done, Arrangement of Closet objectionable, Sfc. —The supply of water to the closets was from the waste tank of the condenser, a most effective arrangement while the condenser is working during the day, and no better plan, as far as I know, for a full and continuous supply of water can be devised. At night, when the condenser was not working, it was the duty of the surgeon to ascertain that the water-closet constable had seen that the tank was filled up by the fire engine or by buckets the last thing at night. Plumbing work was in good order when the ship left. Condensed JSgg. —There was no such article to be obtained when this ship was despatched. Detention Money. —I ascertained that all the emigrants entitled to it were paid.; the Germans were lodged and boarded free of expense at Upson's. Edwd. A. Smith, E.N., 18th September, 1874. Despatching Officer. "Celestial Qxteeit." Letter No. 226, of 21st October, 1873. Closet in Single Women's Compartment useless, owing to defective Plumbers' Work. —This was properly fitted before the ship left London, but these places constantly get out of order when used by first-class passengers, and it is much more likely to happen with people who are unaccustomed to such conveniences. There were the means on board for remedying any defect, if the officers of the ship would have taken the trouble to see it done. Condensing Apparatus (Normandy's) defective. —This was passed by the Board of Trade Engineer. Surveyor reported efficient, and the engineer competent to take charge of it. Cheese uneatable from an early Period. —This was as good as could be procured, but cheese shipped at some seasons of the year will not keep, however good it may bo when shipped. Edwd. A. Smith, B.K, 18th September, 1874. Despatching Officer. "Isles of the South." Letter No. 45, dated 12th March, 1874. Leakage of Ship's Side — Position of Matron's Cabin — Defective Character of Plumbing Work. —The top sides, decks, and waterways of this ship were caulked in dry dock; that I cannot account for their leaking. I regret that I have mislaid the plan of the poop fittings, and cannot consequently assign any reason for the position of the matron's cabin being in a corner, hemmed in by other berths. With regard to the plumbing work, I can only say it was carefully examined while being fitted, and I saw nothing requiring alteration. Tho leakage from the single-women's closet, complained of as causing annoyance to the people in the married compartment, could have been remedied in a few hours by the carpenter of the ship, and if the surgeon-superintendent had been attentive to his duties, he would have represented this'to the captain, and have seen that the defect was made good. There were no signs of leakage or other defect either in London or Plymouth, and the ship was in the Sound some days after the emigrants embarked. Articles of Children's Diet not served out for first three Weeks of the Voyage, having been stowed away out of sight. —This was not the case, as you will see, from my report on the despatch of the ship, dated 3rd November, 1873, that, owing to tho bad stowage of the ship in London, 1 had her re-stowed at Plymouth ; and when this was being done, I particularly cautioned the person in charge of stores to get up a sufficient supply, and keep it near at hand, of all articles likely to be wanted, and to have a portion of each in the issuing room. No Hospital for Males. —My report of inspection, dated 10th October, 1873, mentions that I had ordered a deck house to be built, sufficiently large to accommodate the galleys and condenser, as well as to provide for a male hospital; and in my report on tho despatch of the ship, I state that the male hospital is in the after part of the deck house, with a skylight in the centre. Whether it was used for any other purpose after the ship went to sea, I cannot, of course, say; but the inquiry into the conduct of "the surgeon-superintendent at the termination of the voyage proves that there could have been but little order and discipline maintained on board the ship, and therefore the place appropriated for the hospital may have been used for other purposes without his interfering to prevent it. Edwd. A. Smith, E.K, 18th September, 1874. Despatching Officer. S.S. "Ateato." Letter No. 184, of 30th June, 1874. The Lyttelton Commissioners remark upon the over crowding of this ship, staling that in one dark corner were berthed six families, including twenty-two children, &c, &c.