49

D.—3

Married people, 9S ; single men, 65 ; single women, 43 ; children Under twelve years, 81; infants, 18. The surgeon-superintendent, Dr. van Hemert, having reported that scarlatina broke out on the passage, that two deaths occurred from this disease, and that five cases were then under treatment, we decided upon placing the ship in quarantine, pending the decision of the Board of Health, which met on the following day. The Board resolved that the married people and single females should be removed to the quarantine station, and the single men to the station on Goat Island; that all the clothes should be washed and fumigated ; and that, providing no new case broke out in the meantime, and on sufficient proof being adduced by the surgeon-superintendent in charge that the instructions of the Board were faithfully carried out, the ship and the immigrants, except those in the hospital, should be admitted to pratique on Monday, the 22nd instant. Having found that no new case of disease broke out, and that the instructions given were carried out, we accordingly admitted both the ship and immigrants to pratique on the 22nd instant. The immigrants were fully satisfied with their treatment, and had no complaints to make. Tho ship was well found and fitted, and arrived in good order. The surgeon-superintendent, Dr. van Hemert, Captain Greenwood and his officers, fulfilled their duties to our satisfaction. We have much pleasure in awarding them the gratuities assigned to them. We have, &c, Colin Allan. Wm. Thomson. His Honor the Superintendent of Otago. John Deysdale, M.D.

No. 80. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 63.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 11th March, 1875. I have the honor to transmit herewith the following documents relative to the ship " Eakaia," which arrived at Lyttelton upon the 7th February ultimo : — 1. Immigration Commissioners' report. 2. Surgeon-Superintendent's report. 3. Certified list of births and deaths. His Honor the Superintendent, in forwarding these documents, has directed my special attention to that portion of the Commissioners' report in which they allude to the class of persons selected as matrons, and remark that in the case of this ship the person chosen as matron was, through infirmity, utterly incompetent. I have to request that you will direct such arrangements to be made with regard to the despatch of ships as may, as far as possible, insure the appointment of properly qualified persons as matrons, as lam sure you w rill agree with me that upon the character of these officers depends much of the comfort and well-being of the female emigrants. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure in No. 80. Immigeation Commissionebs' Eepoet on Ship "Eakaia." The Commissioners report the arrival of this ship on 7th February, after a passage of eighty-three days. On proceeding alongside, the Health Officer ascertained that measles and scarlet fever had broken out during the passage, and that two cases of the latter were still under treatment. The ship was accordingly ordered into quarantine; the families and single women were placed on Eipa Island, and the single men on Quail Island. After the immigrants had all been landed at the Quarantine Station the Health Officer inspected the ship, and found that the fittings, which had been put up in London, had to be altered before the emigrants embarked at Plymouth, as the accommodation originally provided for the single men was insufficient, and that provided for the single women more than required. These alterations caused awkward corners in the ship, and considerably interfered with the ventilation. A plan showing the alterations made is attached to this report. .The hospital accommodation was sufficient. The cooking apparatus, condenser, and bath arrangements had worked satisfactorily throughout the passage. The Commissioners made the usual inquiries amongst the immigrants as soon as they were admitted to pratique. The only complaint made by them was the quality of the flour. A sample was tested which appeared very good, but, from the evidence of the surgeon-superintendent and baker, the Commissioners are of opinion that the flour issued to tho immigrants on the passage was not of first quality. The Commissioners again desire to direct attention to the class of persons selected in England to fulfil the duties of matrons. On this occasion the person chosen had no experience, and was thoroughly incompetent, being not only sbort-sighted but also very deaf. Throughout the passage she appears to have been totally unqualified either to control those placed under her charge, or to maintain discipline amongst them. Her appointment, however, had not been cancelled, as her own conduct had been irreproachable. Although the instructions given to captains and surgeons prior to their leaving England give them ample power to annul the matron's appointment, the Commissioners are aware that this course is rarely adopted, unless for some flagrant cause. They therefore strongly recommend that greater care be taken in the appointment of matrons. The surgeon's care and attention were gratefully referred to by the immigrants. The usual gratuities to the officers are recommended. Wm. Donald. John F. Eouse. Lyttelton, 20th February, 1875. J. E. Maech. 7—D. 3.