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admitted to pratique within the time allowed by the lay days. The emigrants' bedding, clothing, &c, was thoroughly disinfected and washed, and from time to time portions of the passengers* were admitted to pratique, after undergoing a strict medical examination. There are now about seventy souls on the island, being the families of persons in hospital. Some idea of the amount of sickness in this vessel can be formed when it is stated that there were upwards of 120 cases of scarlet fever during the voyage, and on arrival there were twenty persons then under medical treatment. On inspecting the vessel we found that our orders had been carried out; but, as the fittings had been removed, we are unable to report fully on the 'tween-deck arrangements. The single girls were aft, the married people in the centre, and the single men in the fore part of the ship. The 'tween-decks appeared to us rather low for an emigrant vessel, compared with some of the ships which we have inspected, and complaint was also made of the position of the married hospital, which was in the 'tween-decks, under the main hatch, with the store and issuing room opposite. There were no alleyways round tho berths, which was also a cause of complaint. Taking the immigrants as a body, they appear to be a good class of people, and many of them have already found employment. A short summary of the voyage by Surgeon Superintendent Newell is attached. In conclusion, we recommend the payment of all gratuities, and, so far as we have been able to learn, Surgeon-Superintendent Newell and Captain Heigho have performed their respective duties to the best of their ability. We have, &c, Alexandeb Johnston, M.D. H. J. H. Eliott. His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. John Holliday.

No. 84 The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 83.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 16th March, 1874. I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of the following documents relative to the ship " Wellington," which arrived at Port Chalmers upon the 25th ultimo : — 1. Immigration Commissioners' report. 2. Certified list of births and deaths upon the voyage. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure in No. 84. Immigeation Commissionebs' Eepoet on Ship " Wellington." Sic,— Port Chalmers, 28th February, 1875. The ship " Wellington " arrived in port on the 25th instant, her passage being sixty-three days from Plymouth, where she embarked her immigrants. The summary of her immigrants is as follows, viz.:—Assisted, 174 souls = 145 adults ; nominated, 2 souls = 2 adults: total, 176 souls = 147 adults. During the voyage eight deaths occurred, all being children except one. The diseases were such as are common to children of tender age on board ship. On inspection we found the several compartments of the ship in a high state of cleanliness also well fitted, and ventilated by side scuttles and permanent deck ventilators. The single females occupied the fore part of the poop, which has been expressly and permanently fitted for females, and contains the necessary offices and a bath. This ship, being built for the New Zealand passenger trade, and now on her first voyage, has every convenience, and the newest improvements for the comfort of passengers. The condenser (Chaplin's patent) supplied abundance of water. Having asked the usual questions, we received satisfactory answers from all the immigrants. We feel satisfied that Dr. O'Brien, Captain Cowan and his officers, the schoolmaster, matron, and constables, performed their several duties most faithfully. We have, &c, Colin Allan, . John Deysdale, M.D., l t . _, William Thomson. j ImmiS™tion Commissioners. His Honor the Superintendent of Otago.

No. 85. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 85.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 16th March, 1874. I have the honor to forward herewith copies of the report, with enclosures attached, of a Eoyal Commission issued by His Excellency the Governor to inquire into the origin, existence, and treatment of infectious disease on board the ship "Berar," on her recent voyage from London to Port Nicholson. I make no comment upon the recommendations of the Commissioners, which I have no doubt will meet with full consideration at your hands, but I desire to direct your attention to section 5 of the report, in whicli they allege that the ship was not in a fit state to receive the emigrants when they embarked. The same complaint has frequently been brought under the notice of the Government, and I would