11

D.—3.

The issuing-room was in this compartment, under tho main hatch. We have before remarked upon this, and wo now merely state that in our opinion it was in a wrong position, and too small. The hospital and dispensary were also in the compartment. This we consider wrong: they should be under the poop, and the dispensary should have some necessary articles and fittings, such as filter, basin, towels, shelves, &c. The single men were forward, and they had a very comfortable place, well lighted and ventilated by eight side ports, four bits, and two large ventilators; the masts were also ventilators. The bunks throughout the ship were in blocks, which is an exceedingly good arrangement; but wo would recommend a narrow alley-way between the bunks and the side of the ship, to enable persons to get round for cleaning purposes. The surgeon also recommends that a small shelf should be placed round the ship, on which the immigrants can keep their mess utensils, &c.; at present they have no convenience of this kind, and many of them have to keep their tins, &c, in their bed-places when not in use. We regretted to find that the ladders and hatchways were still of the same flimsy description. We cannot understand what difficulty there would be in erecting a house over the hatches instead of the small booby-hatches at present used, which are not high enough to prevent the water from the deck going below. The surgeon states that he had no extra stores placed under his charge, but the captain informs us that he had a quantity of eggs, arrowroot, &c, sent off to him at the last moment at Gravesend by the Shipping Company; most of the eggs, however, went bad. The galley was large and convenient, and the condenser (Graveley's) worked well. Taking everything into consideration, we believe tho " Waikato " is one of the best immigrant ships which has come into this port. She was remarkably clean, and the people were all in good health. Captain Hodder and Surgeon-Superintendent Payne seem to have used every endeavour to promote the health and happiness of the immigrants. In conclusion, we append the surgeon's remarks upon the voyage, and recommend the payment of all gratuities. We have, &c, Alex. Johnston, M.D. John Hollidat. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. H. J. H. Eliott.

No. 19. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 236.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 21st August, 1874. I have the honor to forward herewith the following documents relative to the ship " Sussex," which arrived at Port Chalmers upon the 17th ultimo: — 1. Report of the Immigration Commissioners. 2. Report of the Surgeon-Superintendent. 3. Certified list of births and deaths. The remarks -of the surgeon-superintendent, with reference to tho condenser, call for very serious attention. Tou will observe he states, "My conviction is, that we never ought to have put to sea with an apparatus so defective. The survey here was utterly useless. Although I personally appealed to the surveying engineer superintending the repairs at Gravesend at the time, he assured me it would be all perfectly safe, and that the man in charge of the engine knew his duties, and was quite competent for his task. Had it not been for the immigrant on board who showed great ability and perseverance in overcoming all the defects, we should undoubtedly have been short of water before half the voyage was over." I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.

Enclosure in No. 19. Immigeation Commissioners' Report on Ship "Sussex." Sir,— Port Chalmers, 20th July, 1874. Wo have tho honor to report that the ship " Sussex" arrived in port from London on the 27th inst., having made a passage of ninety-one days. The immigrants by her numbered 489 souls, equal to 400 statute adults. There were two births and eight deaths on the passage, the latter being children of tender age, two of whom were ill when they embarked. The general health of the immigrants was very satisfactory, there being only one man confined to bed on the arrival of the ship. On inspection, we have great pleasure in bearing testimony to the extreme cleanliness of every compartment of the ship, for which the surgeon-superintendent and matron deserve every praise. The fittings were as usual in London ships. On the usual questions being asked by the Commissioners, the immigrants unanimously expressed their satisfaction with the treatment they had received on the passage. We confidently assert that the provisions of tho charter-party and Passengers Act were complied with to the letter. The medical comforts and extras put on board for children were abundant, and given out as necessity required. Tho captain,. surgeon-superintendent, and officers performed their respective duties very conscientiously, and we recommend that they be paid the usual gratuities. We have, &c, Colin Allan. His Honor the Deputy Superintendent of Otago. David O'Donnoghue.