D.—3

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place, for so many people, with no means whatever for isolation, waiting for more cases to appear, which might or might not exist. It was shown by Dr. Eccles, conclusively I think, that there was no accommodation for the possible sick, either in the Plymouth or depot hospitals or elsewhere, save in private lodgings in a densely populated town, with a certainty of the infection spreading to a greater extent; and if you consult the statistics in England for the past two years, you will find that we were (taking the precautions which we did) justified in going to sea, as the percentage of deaths from fever treated on board was below the average of the same disease treated in England. Again, the next question would have been, How long were they to be detained—a week, month, or even more? —and then, after all, with a certainty of an outbreak as at first starting. In the Hon. the Premier's letter 29th June, 1874, No. 181, in paragraph 2,1 note the words, " The ship was sent to sea with the seeds of infection notoriously on board." Now this might, perhaps, be well applied to the case of the " Mongol," but not by any means to the " Scimitar," and is not borne out by my evidence, as the only suspicious case was detected amongst them on board the ship at the inspection, and at once removed ; and so far as I or anyone else knew, the regulations were fully complied with, as there were no further signs of infectious diseases amongst the emigrants, and Dr. Eccles, under the circumstances, could not do otherwise than pass them. In paragraph 3, the words " strongly urged " do not appear in my evidence, I having only simply expressed an opinion, or rather suggested, that the emigrants, collectively, per " Scimitar" and " Mongol," should, if practicable, be detained for a time ; but it was proved to be impracticable. Eespecting my evidence implicating Mr. Smith, the only matter I have now any clear remembrance of is my request or recommendation to him that the three families, should be kept back as they were so manifestly infected, two of these having been sent outside the depot into lodgings for treatment before I came down to Plymouth, and one young man was removed from among them on the very morning the " Mongol's " passengers went on board, by Dr. Eccles, on my report of the case to him. Two or three young men and women, of the same family, were suffering from headaches and sore throats, one of whom, who accompanied me to Mr. Smith, and begged that they might be left behind with the rest, was flatly refused, Mr. Smith asking me if I could state that it was positively scarlet fever they were suffering from, which I refused to do. He then said, " They must all go." I met this young man in Dunedin, and I believe Dr. Davidson will well remember the circumstance also. I would wish to draw your attention to the fact that it was no part of my duty or appointment to visit the depot at all. I merely went there to oblige Mr. Smith at his request, as the ships were delayed ; and also on my own account, as taking an interest in the welfare of the people who were so soon to bo placed in my charge, and without the least intention of assuming any responsibility until they were formally handed over to my charge on board, according to regulations and appointment. Moreover, it is simply impossible for me now to remember all the petty details of all that passed whilst there. I have, &c, William H. Hosking. C. E. Haughton, Esq., Secretary for Immigration, Wellington.

No. 89. The Hon. W. H. Eeynolds to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 98.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 9th April, 1875. I have the honor to forward the following documents relative to the ship " Dallam Tower," which arrived at Port Nicholson ou the 17th ultimo :— 1. Immigration Commissioners' report. 2. Immigration Commissioners' supplementary report. 3. Surgeon-Superintendent's report. 4. Memorandum addressed to the Under Secretary by the Immigration Officer for Wellington, relative to tho conduct of the surgeon-superintendent upon the voyage. 5. Certified list of births and deaths. I have to direct your attention to the memorandum by the Immigration Officer to the Under Secretary, relative to the conduct of the surgeon-superintendent. It will bo for yourself to consider whether, under the circumstances set forth, it is desirable that ho should again be employed as surgeonsuperintendent of emigrant ships. I have, &c, William H. Eeynolds, (in the absence of the Minister for Immigration). The Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

Enclosure in No. 89. Immigeation Commissionebs' Eepoet on Ship "Dallam Tower." Sic,— Wellington, 30th March, 1875. We have the honor to report the arrival of the ship " Dallam Tower," on the 17th inst., with 254J- statute adult immigrants. There were no births, and nine deaths, equal to 2\ statute adults, during the voyage. Of the 257 statute adults embarked in London, 138 were for this province, and 119 for the Province of Otago, these latter being forwarded to their destination on the 22nd by the s.s. "Taranaki." On inspecting tho vessel we found her roomy, lofty, and well ventilated. The advantage of securing vessels of this description and sending a comparatively small number of immigrants in them, is apparent from the low death rate during the voyage. The single men were berthed forward in the 'tween-decks;