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No. 27. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-General. (No. 267.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 13th December, 1875. I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of the following documents relative to the " Herschel," which vessel arrived at Port Nicholson upon the 23rd October ultimo : —l. Immigration Commissioners' report. 2. Surgeon-superintendent's report. 3. Certified list of births and deaths. 4. Correspondence with regard to the Italian immigrants. I sent you a telegram, stating the unsuitability of the Italians, and hope it may have reached you in time to prevent a second shipment of the same class, which I understand was thought by some of the " Herschel" people to be probable. From a perusal of the documents and correspondence enclosed, I think you will agree with me that an unfortunate selection, to say the least of it, has been made by your Agent at Leghorn. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure in No. 27. Commissioners' Eepoet on Ship " Herschel." Sic,— Wellington, 29th October, 1875. We have the honor to report the arrival of the immigrant ship " Herschel" from Hamburg on the 23rd instant, with 223^ statute adults. There were four deaths, equal to two statute adults, during the voyage. On inspecting the people we found them to be a healthy stalwart body, with the exception of one or two of the Danish families who had scrofula amongst them. The married people were located partly under the poop and partly under the after hatch : their compartment was clean, well lighted and ventilated. The single women were under the poop abaft the married compartment, through which they had to pass : this we considered rather inconvenient, but no complaint was made to us by the surgeon-superintendent or the-immigrants. The single men had the use of the main and fore hatches : their compartment was a very comfortable one. The hospitals were all on deck, and were in every way suitable. The galley and condenser were efficient; in fact the arrangements generally in this vessel were very satisfactory, and the best evidence of this, as well as of the care and attention of the captain, officers, and surgeon-superintendent, was the healthy condition in which the immigrants were landed after a protracted voyage of 118 days from port to port. In conclusion we have much pleasure in recommending the payment of all the gratuities in full. We have, &c, Alexander Johnston, M.D. H. J. H. Eliott. His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. John Holliday.

No. 28. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-General. (No. 271.) Sic, — ' Immigration Office, Wellington, 13th December, 1875. I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of the following documents relative to the " British Empire," which vessel arrived at Auckland upon the 7th October ultimo : —l. Immigration Commissioners' report. 2. Surgeon-superintendent's report. 3. Certified lists of births and deaths. I desire to call your special attention to the report of the surgeon-superintendent, as summarizing the many defects in the fittings, furniture, and supplies of our emigrant ships, which have been frequently brought under your notice in the reports of Immigration Commissioners and surgeon-super-intendents. I would especially refer to the following with regard to which Dr. Gobde complains : — 1. The tin water-cans being of too slight a construction, so as to leak almost from the beginning of the voyage. 2. The deficiency of the means of cleansing the decks of the compartments occupied by the immigrants. 3. The flimsy construction of the forms. 4. The insufficient supply of charcoal. 5. The inferior quality and deficiency in quantity of the stout. 6. The construction of the bunks in the married women's hospital. 7. The absence of a tank to supply water for the single women's closet. 8. The position of the store-room, the stores having to be brought up through the single women's compartment. I hare, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure in No. 28. Commissionebs' Eepoet on Ship " British Empire." Sic, — Immigration OiEce, Auckland, 13th October, 1875. We have the honor to report the arrival of the " British Empire " on the 7th instant, eightyseven days from London, with 342 Government immigrants. We proceeded immediately on board to inspect the ship and passengers, and have much pleasure in stating that we found matters generally in