D.—3

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decks, where it always is in other vessels less roomy in their compartments ; and, if required, the dispensary might have been used for a similar purpose, seeing that it is usually 'tween-decks. Then no excuse could have arisen for the doctor to alter the fittings as passed by the Home Commissioners. As it was, the arrangements proved to be the worst which, under the circumstances, could well have been devised for securing isolation for the single women. While on the subject of the arrangement of the single women's compartment, the Commissioners desire to express the opinion that the plan adopted of two women sleeping in one bunk is objectionable, both in a moral and physical point of view, particularly in passing through the tropics. Waltee H. Peaeson. Thomas Thomson. The Under Secretary for Immigration, Wellington. W. P. Geigob.

No. 40. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Ge-nebal. (No. 24.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, Bth February, 1876. I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of the following documents relative to the ship "Auckland," which arrived at Port Chalmers upon the 27th October ultimo: —1. Immigration Commissioners' report. 2. Certified list of births and deaths. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure in No. 40. Commissioners' Repoet on Ship " Auckland." Sic,— Port Chalmers, 30th October, 1875. We have the honor to report that the ship " Auckland " from the Clyde arrived in port on the 27th instant, having made a passage of 88 days. She brought to the colony 454 souls, equal to 383 statute adults. Three births and seven deaths occurred on the voyage, the latter being children under two years of age, except one female adult who succumbed to consumption on tne morning after the arrival of the ship. Taking into consideration the large number of children on board, there being 135 under twelve years of age, the number of deaths was considerably below the average. On inspection we found the vessel well fitted on the block system, the ventilation very fair, and the compartments pretty clean. The cooking range was equal to its requirements, and the condenser (Chaplin's) supplied more than the full quantity of water for all purposes. The usual questions being put to the immigrants, they acknowledged that they received their rations and water as per contract ticket, and had no complaints to advance. Dr. Stenhouse the surgeon-superintendent, Captain McDougal, and his officers, the schoolmaster, matron, and constables, appear to have performed their respective duties very efficiently and satisfactorily. We recommend that they receive their gratuities in full. We have, Ac, Colin Allan. Wm. Thomson. His Honor the Superintendent, Otago. John Detsdale, M.D.

No. 41. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Genebal. (No. 25.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, Bth February, 1876. I have the honor to transmit the following documents relative to the ship " Zealandia," which arrived at Port Chalmers upon the 27th October last: —l. Immigration Commissioners' report. 2. Certified list of births and deaths. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure in No. 41. Commissionebs' Repoet on Ship " Zealandia." Sib,— Port Chalmers, 30th October, 1875. We have the honor to report' that the ship "Zealandia" arrived in port on the 27th instant, her passage from G-ravesend having occupied 102 days. Her immigrants numbered 210 souls, equal to 182 i statute adults. One death, an adult aged thirty-two years, occurred on the passage, the disease being inflammation of the brain. The whole of the immigrants enjoyed excellent health on the voyage, and it redounds to the credit of Dr. Pearde, surgeon-superintendent, who had made several voyages to the colony in charge of emigrants, that on this occasion he came into port without the loss of a single child. We seldom had the pleasure of inspecting a ship in which order and cleanliness were so conspicuous, her 'tween-decks being beautifully white and dry, and the ventilation next to perfect. The ship was also well found both in stores and water, and the immigrants expressed themselves fully