34

D.—3

The bath-room in the single women's compartment was satisfactory, and the distilling and cooking apparatus has worked well throughout. The matron performed her duties exceedingly well, and spoke highly of the behaviour of the young women under her charge. The Commissioners recommend payment of full gratuities. Wm. Donald. John F. Rouse. Feedk. D. Gibson. Lyttelton, 31st January, 1876. J. E. Maech.

No. 51. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Genebal., (No. 68.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, Bth March, 1876. I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of the following documents relative to the " Caroline," which vessel arrived at Nelson upon the 13th January ultimo s —l. Immigration Commissioners' report. 2. Memorandum by the Immigration Officer, supplementary to the Commissioners' report. 3. Correspondence with the Immigration Officer as to the demands of certain immigrants to be sent on to other ports. 4. Certified list of births and deaths. You will observe that a complaint, which I regret has been somewhat common of late, was made by the immigrants of the bad quality of the bread, and the incompetency of the baker. The Commissioners' report was unfortunately not received until after the payment of the moiety of the passage money, so that I was unable in this case to inflict any fine upon the charterers. The Immigration Officer's memorandum No. 18 explains the circumstances under which he gave the certificate required by the charter-party. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure in No. 51. Commissionees' Eepoet on Ship " Caroline." The ship " Caroline," which left Plymouth on the 12th of August with 321 immigrants, equal to 271 adults, arrived at the outer anchorage on the evening of the 13th January. The Health Officer and Commissioners visited her early on the following morning. We found the state of the ship and the condition of the immigrants in every way satisfactory. Five infants died on the passage, one of whom only was above twelve months old. There had been one birth on board. The ship was commodious and airy, arid the rations had given great satisfaction, with the exception of the bread. Portions of the flour were unfit for use, and the man shipped as baker was incompetent. The journal of the surgeon-superintendent refers again and again to this evil, and to it may reasonably be attributed the diarrhoea which prevailed amongst the children. The supply of water was plentiful. Dr. Scott complained that he found the issuing of stores from 'tweeu-decks a great inconvenience, and that the hatchways were faulty and let water into the married couples' berths. The immigrants were a remarkably fine body, and their robust health showed how well they had been cared for on the passage. The improved dietary introduced last year by Government cannot be too highly commended. We unhesitatingly recommend the full gratuity to all the officers. Leonabd Boob. C. Elliott. James S. Ceoss.

No. 52. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-General. (No. 78.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 9th March, 1876. I have the honor to transmit the following documents relative to the " Hurunui," which vessel arrived in this port upon the 23rd February ultimo:—l. Immigration Commissioners' report. 2. Surgeon-superintendent's report. 3. Certified list of births and deaths. 4. Correspondence with the master of the ship, and memoranda and other documents connected therewith, relative to the vessel not calling at New Plymouth. 5. Letter from the Superintendent of Taranaki with reference to the immigrants sent on to that province. I regret very much that the ship was unable to disembark her passengers at New Plymouth, as it would appear she would have been able to do so had the captain, with a more intimate knowledge of the weather upon the coast, decided to stand off and on for the night, instead of running for Wellington ; but you will observe that the opinion of Captains Edwin and Johnson justifies the course he adopted under the circumstances. You will observe, further, that no expense was entailed upon the Government by the ship coming on, as the New Zealand Shipping Company conveyed free to New Plymouth such immigrants as it was decided should be sent there. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Axkinscn.