25

D.—3.

It appears to us that a little of tho dissatisfaction arising from these and similar causes might easily bo obviated were fuller opportunity afforded surgeon-superintendents, before the sailing of the vessel, than appears to be the case at present, for accurately inspecting the stores on board and noting the condition of the several apparatus needful for the use and comfort of the passengers on the voyage. We recommend payment of Dr. Good's gratuity and head money, leaving the question of the other gratuities, in connection with our report upon the complaint of the surgeon-superintendent against the ship's officers, to be dealt with as the Government may determine. We have, &c. H. Ellis. T. M. Philson, M.D. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. I. J. Buegess.

No. 42. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 310.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 23rd October, 1874. I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of the following documents relative to the ship " Strathnaver," which arrived in Port Nicholson upon tho Ist ultimo : — 1. Immigration Commissioners' report. 2. Papers relating to an inquiry into the conduct of tho Surgeon-Superintendent. 3. Certified list of births and deaths upon the voyage. The report of the Commissioners is upon the whole satisfactory, and calls for no special remark ; but you will observe the Immigration Officer makes a special report relative to the conduct of the surgeon-superintendent. I thought it right to give that gentleman an opportunity of defending himself, and accordingly requested the Under Secretary of the department and Mr. Crawford, E.M., to inquire privately into the matter, and their report was to the effect that no irregularity had been proved against him during the limits of his engagement. Under these circumstances I did not feel justified in withholding payment of his gratuity; but at the same time I caused him to be informed that the matter would be reported to you, and that it was not considered advisable that he should again come out in charge of emigrants. I have, &c., The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure in No. 42. Immigeation Commissionebs' Eepoet on Ship " Strathnaver." Sic, — Wellington, 9th September, 1874. We have the honor to report the arrival of the ship " Strathnaver " on the Ist instant, with 322 statute adults ; four births and six deaths —equal to one statute adult—having occurred during the voyage. On mustering the people, we found them to be healthy and contented, and they had no complaints whatever to prefer. The single women were berthed partly in the saloon and partly in the 'tween-decks; the entrance to the compartment being from tho poop, by the stern gangway to the saloon. The compartment was well ventilated ; but it would have been better had there been more light in the portion of it which was in the 'tween-decks. The hospital, which was in the stern cabin, was exceedingly good, as also were the bath-room and closet. The single-men's compartment was very good and clean, well lighted and ventilated; the hospital was partly on deck and partly below. Tho married compartment was well ventilated, but rather dark. The bunks were in blocks, but close to the side of the ship. It would have been better if there had been a narrow alley-way for cleansing purposes. The people had the use of two hatchways, and the compartment was exceedingly clean. The hospital and dispensary were badly situated under the main hatch; the dispensary was so dark that a light had to be kept burning in the day-time. The galley was roomy and convenient, and the condenser efficient. We are at a loss to understand how it is that, after the repeated remonstrances which have been made against emigrant vessels carrying cabin passengers, the Agent-General should have allowed, in a ship specially chartered by the New Zealand Government, a single man to come out as a cabin passenger. The "Strathnaver" came into port in exceedingly good order, and the passengers stated they were satisfied with the treatment they had received. Before, however, we recommend the payment of the gratuities, other than those due to the constables, &c, we would refer your Honor to the report by the Immigration Officer, which is forwarded herewith. We must also strongly condemn the course pursued by the surgeon-superintendent, of writing to the newspapers immediately upon his arrival in praise of the captain, officers, cabin passengers, and immigrants on board the " Strathnaver." Having been in the colony before in charge of immigrants, he was well aware that his reports should be sent through us to the Government; and to one knowing the position a surgeon holds with regard to immigrants uuder his charge, it can be readily conceived how easy it is to stop complaints by his giving them to understand that it is in his power to prevent their succeeding in a new country, if he can write them down in the public papers upon arrival. The surgeon has not furnished us with the usual summary of the voyage. We have, &c, John* Holliday. His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. H. J. H. Eliott. 4—D. 3.