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1874. NEW ZEALAND.
Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by command of His Excellency. N.B.—Many of the enclosures to these letters, consisting of detail reports of Immigration Officers, extracts from newspapers, &c., it has been considered unnecessary to print.
CONTENTS.
IMMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND. (LETTEES TO THE AGENT-GENERAL, TRANSMITTING REPORTS ON IMMIGRANT SHIPS.)
"Allahabad"... "Adamant" ... "Apelles" ... "Asia" Page 1 13 55 60 " Jessie Readman " "Janet Court" Page 15 63 " Lady Jocelyn " "Lauderdale" 14 29 "Berar" " Buckingham shire " 2 64 "Merope" ... ... ' "Mongol" 9 ... 30,50 "Columbus" ... "Celestial Queen" " Charlotte Gladstone " " Cardigan Castle " "Chili" " City of Dunedin" " Carnatic" " City of Glasgow " 2 6 6 13 ... 18, 2G 20 40 41 "Olugo" "Ocean Hail" "Peter Denny" "Punjaub" ... 6 26 1 10 " Queen of the North"... " Queen of the Age " 30 39 "Douglas" ... "Dover Castle" "Dunfillan" ... " Duke of Edinburgh "... " Dilharree " ... " Dorette " 4 6 20 21 37 42 "Eakaia" "St. Leonards" "Salisbury" ... " Star of India " "Surat" "Scimitar" 41 3 24 25 ... 26,49 30 " E. P. Bouverie " 1 " Golden Sea" 56 "Varuna" 61 "Hydaspes" ... "Helen Denny" "Hovding" ... " Hindostan "... 10 16 17 19 "Wild Duck" "Wild Deer" " William Davie" " Wennington M "Woodlark"... 23 40 43 62 44 " Isles of the South " ... "Invererne" ... 28,41,60 38 "Zealaudia." ... 15
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IMMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND. ; (LETTERS TO THE AGENT-GENERAL, TRANSMITTING REPORTS UPON IMMIGRANT SHIPS.) Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency No. 1. Memorandum No. 191, 1873, for the Agent-Geneeal. Heeewith are forwarded copies of reports by the Immigration Commissioners at the port of Dunedin on the ships " Allahabad" and "Peter Denny," which vessels arrived on the Ist and 3rd instant respectively. Tou will be pleased to learn that the Commissioners are able to report so favourably on both those ships. Immigration Office, AVellington, 16th September, 1873. G. Maueice O'Roeke.
Enclosure 1 in No. 1. Commissionees' Repoet on Ship "Allahabad." Sic, — Immigration Office, Dunedin, 6th September, 1873. We havo the honor to report that the ship " Allahabad " arrived from London on the Ist instant, with equal to 2271 statute adults Government immigrants, having made a passage of ninetyfour days from Gravesend. There were five births and three deaths on the voyage, two of the number being adults, the diseases being pleuro-pneumonia and ascites. One child died of diarrhoea. The immigrants arrived in excellent health, and expressed themselves as well satisfied with their treatment. The ship came into port in fine order, being very clean in every compartment. AYe have to express our satisfaction at the admirable manner in which she was fitted for the conveyance of the immigrants. The bunks were erected fore and aft instead of horizontally, and a passage of about three feet was left clejar from each side of the ship, thus allowing ample space for motion. The ventilation, by port-holes and ventilators through the deck, was most complete and effective. Tho galley and condenser were equal to their requirements. The hospital on deck was not used, the surgeon-superintendent having objected to it on account of its proximity to the ship's galleys. The immigrants speak in flattering terms of the surgeon-superintendent, Dr. Gibson, the captain, and officers of the ship, all of whom appear to have performed their several duties very satisfactorily. AYe recommend that they be paid the gratuities assigned to them. We have, Ac, Colin Allan, ) David O'Donnoghue, r Commissioners. The Under Secretary, Immigration Office, William Thomson, ) Wellington. Enclosure 2 in No. 1. Commissioners' Report on Ship " Peter Denny." Sir, — Immigration Office, Dunedin, 6th September, 1873. AYe have the honor to report that the ship " Peter Denny " arrived in port from Glasgow, having made a passage of eighty-one days from port to port. She brought 347 souls, equal to 281 statute adults, of whom equal to 251 i adults are assisted by the Government. There were three births and seven deaths on the voyage, the latter being young children. A list of the births and deaths is herewith forwarded. No disease of an infectious or contagious nature appeared on the voyage. The immigrants unanimously expressed their satisfaction with their treatment on the voyage, and had no complaint to make, either as to the quality of the provisions or the conduct of the surgeon-superintendent or officers whose duty it was to carry out the provisions of the Passengers Act. I—d. 2.
1874. NEW ZEALAND.
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The ship came into port in good order, being clean, well fitted, and well ventilated. The galley and condenser (Chaplin's) were sufficient for the requirements of the passengers. There were three hospitals, all being on deck. The Commissioners, after careful examination, were satisfied that the requirements of the Passengers Act were fully carried out and complied with. We recommend that the surgeon-superintendent, Dr. Whitlock, and the captain, officers, matron, and constables' be paid the gratuities assigned to them. We have, Ac, Colin Allan, ) The Under Secretary for Immigration, David O'Donnoghue, > Commissioners. Wellington. William Thomson, )
No. 2. Memoeandum No. 192, 1873, for the Agent-Geneeal. Heeewith is forwarded copy of the report of the Immigration Commissioners at Auckland, upon the ship " Berar," which vessel arrived on the 3rd instant. It affords me much pleasure to find such decided improvements in the fittings and ventilation of this ship and others which have recently arrived. I would observe with regard to this vessel as well as the " Allahabad " (recently arrived in Otago), that the Commissioners attribute the thorough ventilation of the immigrants' deck to the fact that each vessel had port and side scuttles. I have, Ac, Immigration Office, Wellington, 17th September, 1873. G. Maueice O'Rorke.
Enclosure in No 2. Commissioners' Report on Ship " Berar." Sic, — Auckland, 4th September, 1873. We have the honor to report that the ship " Berar," Captain Heigho, arrived here on the 3rd instant, with 307 passengers, equal to 2501 statute adults, ail of whom are Government immigrants. We boarded the ship at the North Head. The Health Officer having ascertained that all were well, we proceeded with the inspection. We consider it our duty to make more than an ordinary report in this instance. Everything in the ship was far superior to any of those hitherto arrived with immigrants. The health and comfort of the passengers was studied in every particular. Thebetween-decks compartments were roomy and most comfortable, more especially that of the married people. There were side scuttles, which, when opened, allowed a thorough ventilation ; there was also a clear space between the ship's sides and the bunks, which is a great improvement, allowing a free current of air round the berths. The hatchways were a good size, and conveniently placed. The air chambers communicating with each compartment must have added both to the health and comfort of the passengers. The single women occupied a portion of the saloon, which was partitioned off for the purpose, and very comfortable. Extreme cleanliness was noticeable in every part of the ship ; and great credit is due to the surgeon for the creditable manner he carried out the sanitary arrangements, as also to the captain and officers, who seem to have vied with each other for the general comfort of all on board. The provisions were all of the best quality: there was an ample supply of fresh water, and a good condenser. We recommend that some special notice should be taken of this ship, as also some recognition of the zeal displayed by the captain and surgeon. In conclusion, we beg to recommend that the gratuities bo paid to the_officers. We have, Ac, I. J. BUEGESS, ) z~ T. M. Philso_., M.D., Health Officer, j CommiMioners. The Hon. Minister for Immigration, AVellington.
No. 3. Memorandum No. 198, 1873, for the Agent-General. I herewith transmit copy of a report by the Commissioners at the Port of Lyttelton upon the ship " Columbus," which vessel arrived on the 2nd instant. Your special attention is directed to tho portions of this report which refer to dietary of the younger children, the want of desiccated milk and condensed egg, the bad quality of the cheese, and the unsatisfactory working of the condenser. As no copy of the charter-party for this vessel has been received, I am unable to say under what terms she was expected to convey immigrants ; but if she sailed under a similar charter-party to that entered into by you for other vessels, I trust that you will see your wa)- to recover a penalty, as it appears to me that the charter-party lias been violated in many important particulars. Tou will also observe that the Commissioners state there was no matron appointed before embarkation of the passengers, and that no enclosed berth was provided for her use. In your letter of 3rd June last (No. 331), advising the sailing of this ship, you state that Mrs. Lawrence had been appointed matron, and that £5 would be payable to her if she performed her duties satisfactorily ; and in your letter of llth July (No. 504), you advise that an advance of £5 had been paid to her. G. Maurice O'Rorke. Immigration Office, Wellington, 24th September, 1873.
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Enclosure in No. 3. Commissioners' Report on Ship " Columbus." The Immigration Commissioners report that on visiting the ship they found the immigrants were in good health, and expressed themselves pleased with the treatment they had received, and grateful to the surgeon-superintendent for his care and attention, and also to the officers of the ship. The provisions generally were good, but attention was again drawn to the absence of provision for the dietary of the younger children. The surgeon reported that there was no desiccated milk, no condensed egg, and only one small keg of eggs, of which a large number were broken. Three casks of cheese had been condemned as unfit for food. There had been no matron appointed before embarkation, and no enclosed berth had been provided for her use. The condenser was an old machine, worked out, apparently, and finally broke down shortly before termination of voyage. The class of immigrants appeared very satisfactory. The several compartments were clean. Two deaths had occurred, one an infant and one from exhaustion from dysentery. The presence of intermediate passengers had been a great causo of trouble, and interfered with the discipline of the ship, and the Commissioners regret that any had been permitted to embark. The surgeon-superintendent reports that some of the stores (including water) were stowed in the after hatchway, which was only accessible through the single women's compartment. The Commissioners recommend the payment of all gratuities, and the further employment of the surgeon-superintendent (Dr. AY. AY. Dunkley), should he desire it. AVm. Donald,"*) J. F. Rouse, > Commissioners. Lyttelton, 18th September, 1873. J. E. March, )
No. 4. Memoeandum No. 213, 1873, for the Agent-Geneeal. Herewith are forwarded reports, which I am pleased to observe are of so satisfactory a character, from the Immigration Officer and Commissioners at Auckland, upon the ship " St. Leonards," which arrived on the 26th ultimo, with 1591 statute adult immigrants. G. Maurice O'Rorke. Immigration Office, AVellington, Bth October, 1873. Enclosure 1 in No. 4. Immigration Officer, Auckland, to Under Seceetaey for Immigeation. Sir, — Immigration Office, Auckland, 28th September, 1873. I have the honor to report the arrival of the "St. Leonards" on the 26th inst., with 1591 statute adult immigrants. The inspection of the ship by the Commissioners took place immediately she arrived, and the immigrants were landed on the morning of the 27th. I landed the single girls first, and took them to the barracks, and handed them over to the matron, who had everything comfortable for them. I personally superintended the landing of the immigrants and their baggage. Everything that was possible seems to have been done for their comfort on board, and nothing in tho shape of a complaint was heard. I am happy to be able to report that, with the temporary assistance of Mr. Appleby, whom I have employed by the week as barrack-master in place of Mr. Butler, everything was in readiness for the immigrants when they arrived at the barracks : their dinners were cooked and divided into messes, and the rooms all told off for the different families. I always felt convinced there was no reason why one man could not do this duty. I have visited all the rooms in barracks to-day (Sunday), and there is not a shadow of complaint. One of the married women arrived very ill with dropsy : the Health Officer directed her removal to the hospital. I hired a cab for this purpose, and sent her to the Provincial Hospital yesterday. One child died on the voyage : she was only a month old, and was erroneously deducted from the number of adults in the Commissioners' report. The return will bo sent by next mail. I have, Ac, Edward L. Green, The Under Secretary for Immigration, Wellington. (for Immigration Officer). Enclosure 2 in No. 4. Commissioners' Report on Ship " St. Leonards." Sir,— Auckland, 26th September, 1873. We have the honor to report that the ship " St. Leonards," Captain Petherbridge, arrived here this morning with 193 passengers, equal to 170 statute adults, of whom 1591 are Government immigrants. We boarded the ship at the North Head. The Health Officer having ascertained that all were well, we proceeded with the inspection.
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This ship was fitted up with compartments exactly similar to the " Berar," with the additional comfort of a large bath. The clear space between the ship's side and the bunks is a very great comfort, and adds much to the cleanliness of the compartments. The ventilation seemed sufficient and good. The provisions were all of the best quality, and there w-as an ample supply of fresh water, and a good condenser. There w rere no complaints from any of the passengers. One infant died on the voyage. In conclusion, we beg to recommend that the gratuities be paid to the officers. We have, Ac, T. M.lw>s. Health Officer,] Co-imissicmers.
No. 5. The Hon. J. A 7 ogel to the Agent-General. (No. 224.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 22nd October, 1873. Referring to Mr. O'Rorke's Memorandum No. 202, 1873, I forward herewith copies of the report of the Immigration Commissioners upon the ship " Douglas," and reports to those officers and to the Immigration Officer by the surgeon-superintendent. I have, in the first place, to congratulate you upon having secured for the despatch of our emigrants a ship so exceedingly suitable for the purpose, and so much in every respect in advance of those previously employed. The admirable arrangements for ventilation, consequent upon the construction of the vessel, having been fully taken advantage of by the captain and surgeon-superintendent, enabled the small-pox to bo entirely stamped out at sea, and rendered the later epidemic, scarlet fever, of an innocuous character. Many of the suggestions contained in these reports will no doubt commend themselves to your consideration, and I need hardly impress upon you the desire of the Government that our emigrants should be made in every way as comfortable as the circumstances of a long sea voyage will permit, and that the consideration of expense is in no way to interfere with arrangements for the security of their health. There are two or three points raised in Dr. Tuck's reports, which I regret to say are not of a satisfactory character. He complains that "no provision was made for the issue of arrowroot to children under four years of age," as provided by the contract ticket, and that the eggs were short in quantity and badly preserved, and that "no condensed egg was shipped at all." The health of the children at sea so entirely depends upon their receiving proper nourishment, that I am sure you will agree with me, that not only should the greatest care be taken in the preparation of a liberal dietary scale, but the closest investigation made, before passing the ship for sea, that the requisite articles are placed on board, securely and properly packed. The charter-party would further appear, from Dr. Tuck's reports, to have been infringed in a most important matter. He says, " the ship was not ready when the passengers embarked, the fittings not being completed, dead lights and ventilators not provided, until we reached Gravesend." I take it for granted that this was at the time brought under your notice by the despatching officer, and that steps have been taken to prevent the future occurrence of such irregularity, so likely to promote dissatisfaction amongst the emigrants at the commencement of their voyage. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.
Enclosure in No. 5. Commissioners' Report on Ship "Douglas." Sir,— • Wellington, 9th October, 1873. We have the honor to report that the ship " Douglas " arrived on the 25th ultimo, with 314 Government immigrants. Six deaths (all being infants under one year) and five births occurred during the voyage. As the surgeon-superintendent reported to the Health Officer that small-pox had broken out soon after leaving England, and that a mild type of scarletina was then on board, the vessel was taken direct to the Quarantine Station without coming up the harbour. As soon as possible we visited Somes' Island, and gave instructions for the immigrants to be landed, and all the fittings in the 'tween-decks to be burnt, the ship to be thoroughly fumigated and painted throughout, all immigrants' clothing used during the voyage, bedding, Ac, as well as the woollen furniture and clothes belonging to the ship, both in the saloon and forecastle, to be passed through the fumigating house on the island. The surgeon-superintendent having reported that all instructions with regard to the cleansing of the ship had been carried out, we proceeded on board on Saturday, the 4th instant, for the purpose of inspecting her, and we were indeed pleased to find her so well adapted for the conveyance of immigrants. In fact, we feel confident that if the vessel had not been so well ventilated, very serious consequences must have ensued. A roomy deck-house formed a most convenient and well-ventilated hospital, and we were glad to learn that the authorities in England had authorized its being used for that purpose. In addition to this, the captain and surgeon-superintendent, when the small-pox first broke out, had fitted up a large hospital between the boats above this deck-house, and in our opinion it was mainly owing to the hospitals being on deck that the surgeon was enabled to stamp out the disease on its first appearance. On proceeding below we found the ship had 230 ft. x 39 ft. clear for the use of the immigrants, and that she was 8 ft, between decks, being also remarkably well-lighted and veutilated.
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There were six ports on each side, which were easily opened and shut, as well as a large ventilator 2 ft. x 6 ft., which went up through the deck-house above. The masts and pumps were ventilators, and there were six patent ventilators on the deck and two through the poop. There were also six deadlights on each side, and one large skylight. Owing to the provision for thorough ventilation, the thermometer never stood higher in the 'tweendecks than in the saloon. Another great improvement was the situation of the store and issuing rooms, which were on deck, and easily accessible. The galley was large, and the stove was so well adapted for the cooking requirements of the passengers, that we recommended the Government to purchase it for the permanent use of the Quarantine Station. The ship was at once admitted to pratique. On Monday, tho 6th instant, we inspected the immigrants on the island, sending the portion for Hawke's Bay direct by the " Luna," and were well pleased to find the immigrants in such a good state of health, and with one exception, so far as we could judge, there were no cases of chronic or organic disease amongst them. This exception was that of a woman afflicted with epilepsy, who fortunately was a nominated immigrant coming to her friends. On the whole, we consider that the immigrants by the " Douglas " are well adapted to the requirements of the Colony. They have now all been brought over from the island. We append a report from the surgeon-superintendent, and beg to direct attention to his suggestions, with which we concur, as to offering prizes to immigrants for order and cleanliness, and also to the position and responsibility of the purser who has charge of the stores. AYe recommend the payment of all gratuities, and we consider that Dr. Tuck is in every way qualified to take charge of Government immigrants. Captain Wilson has also ably assisted the surgeon-superintendent in tho performance of his duties. We have, Ac, Alexander Johnston, M.D.,) H. J. H. Eliott, > Commissioners. John Holliday, ) The Under Secretary for Immigration, Wellington. Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 5. Extracts from Report by Surgeon of Ship " Douglas." , Gentlemen, — Somes' Island, sth October, 1873. I have already submitted to your notice my journal of daily occurrences, medical and general, which I thought it my duty, as the surgeon-superintendent, to commit to writing at the time of occurrence. In this paper I wish to remark on the conduct of the officers of the ship, and those appointed by me from amongst the immigrants themselves. I also wish to call your attention to a few remarks on the ship, and, in accordance with the wishes of the Agent-General in London, I respectfully submit to you a few suggestions for the health, comfort, and safety of future immigrants. #"# # * # # # # # # # * Tho emigrants' luggage should be carefully searched before embarking: many had spirits with them, and lam told most of the single men revolvers. Weights and scales also should be disallowed: it causes much unpleasantness. The Agent-General's representatives should explain to emigrants in regard to the soap, and also they should be thoroughly enlightened as to the extras for children. The clause in the charter in regard to the extras for children is most vague, and requires revising. During the voyage out we have carried it out to the letter, but I am under the impression that the intention is different. The patent ventilators could be easily improved by rendering them watertight, and there should be some means of fastening them between decks. As they are now, it offers a ready means of conversation or medium of correspondence, after dark, with the single women. In the married quarters there should be a special provision made for a head constable, or master-at-arms, whose duties would be analogous to the matron's in the single women's compartment. He should, before sailing, have his instructions, and his position assigned him in the ship, His duties should be to keep order in that department; suppress swearing, quarrelling and card playing after a reasonable time ; to receive instructions from the surgeon-superintendent, and see that the other constables did their duties creditably. The surgeon should be supplied with a few stock bottles and more empty bottles. My impression is that the condensed water would be much improved and rendered more wholesome by the addition of a smafl quantity of lime water. Emigrants, before embarking, should be examined to see if they are clean. Several came on board in a dirty condition, and it makes it most uncomfortable for other emigrants. A larger stock of sulphur should be put on board for fumigation purposes. A prize or prizes should certainly be offered to those who kept their bunks in the neatest and cleanest manner during the voyage out, and every Sunday morning the captain and surgeon -superintendent, after the inspection between decks, should post up in a conspicuous place the names of those whose bunks were considered in the best order, and also those in the greatest disorder, —say four or six on each list. In my opinion, the purser of an emigrant ship should be a substantial man, and under bond to the contractors. He should be held responsible for the reception and distribution of stores of all kinds :he should take his position in the ship with duties quite distinct from those of either the captain or surgeon-superintendent. As long as the surgeon-superintendent's requisitions are met, he should in no way concern himself about the stores : in the event of medical comforts or other stores failing, the surgeon-superintendent should then request an explanation from the purser.
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I wish to point out that in my opinion emigrants would be much better satisfied with the diet sheet if the allowance of flour were increased. Oatmeal and biscuits are not valued so highly. It was a constant expression of opinion, in ihe married quarters particularly, on board the '* Douglas " that the children had not sufficient, bread. The issue of bread on alternate days amounted to ten or eleven ounces per statute adult. This, considering the usual habits of the class of people from which emigrants are obtained, where bread forms the principal portion of their diet, appears to me to be but a small quantity. I am quite sure a more liberal allowance would be appreciated. In mixing the preserved milk for the infants, I found the addition of a small quantity of lime water a very valuable adjunct, particularly in the tropics : it tends to regulate the bowels and check summer diarrhoea, which usually prevails during some portion of the voyage. John Tuck, Surgeon-Superintendent of the " Douglas."
No. 6. . The Hon. J. A togel to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 226.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 21st October, 1873. Herewith is forwarded the report of the Immigration Commissioners upon the ship " Celestial Queen," which arrived at Lyttelton on 4th October. « I have to call your attention to the remarks relative to the condenser, which was apparently almost useless, and to the bad quality of the cheese supplied to the emigrants. This appears to have been of a very inferior description, and to have been uneatable from an early period of the voyage. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel. Enclosure in No. 6. Commissioners' Report on Ship " Celestial Queen." The Immigration Commissioners report that the immigrants by the above ship arrived in good health, and expressed themselves grateful for the care and kindness of the captain and surgeon-superintendent of the ship. No death had occurred during the passage ; one birth off the port. No disease had prevailed. The fittings generally'frere well arranged, but the closet in the single women's compartment was useless the greater part of the passage, owing to defective plumber's work. Tho compartments were well lighted, sufficiently ventilated, and creditably clean. The condensing apparatus (Normandy's) was an old one, and had worked indifferently throughout. The Engineer reported that it would only produce 200 gallons in twenty hour's under favourable circumstances, and the water was frequently brackish. All the provisions with the exception of cheese, which was uneatable from an early period of the voyage, were reported good, and had been regularly served out. Amongst the single men was berthed a free passenger, evidently a monomaniac, whose presence caused considerable trouble and annoyance to the surgeon-superintendent and passengers. The Commissioners recommend the payment of full gratuities to the officers of the ship. AVm. Donald, A Fredk. D. Gibson, l n ■ ■ John F. Rouse, f Commissioners. J. E. March. ) Lyttelton, 7th October, 1873.
No. 7. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-General. (No. 241.) Sir,— Immigration Office, Wellington-, 27th October, 1873. With reference to your letter No. 424, of 13th June, 1873, wherein you remark on the Hon. Mr. O'Rorke's Memorandum re the ship " Charlotte Gladstone," I desire to state that you appear to have altogether mistaken the character of the document forwarded therewith, which was not, as you quote, the "Report of the Immigration Commissioners," but the report of a "Royal Commission" appointed specially to investigate certain statements made by the surgeon-superintendent. The report which you criticise so unfavourably was, therefore, not an expression of opinion by the Immigration Commissioners, but the conclusions arrived at by two experienced Resident Magistrates, after a long and careful investigation of the circumstances of the case. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel. ■
No. 8. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-General. (No. 242.) Sir,— Immigration Office, Wellington, 29th October, 1873. I have the honor to forward, for your information, copies of reports by the immigration Com-
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missioners upon the ships "Dov*er Castle" and " Otago," which vessels arrived at Port Chalmers on the 10th and llth instant respectively. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.
Enclosure 1 in No. 8. Commissioners' Report on Ship " Dover Castle." Sib, — Immigration Office, Dunedin, 15th October, 1873. AYe have the honor to report that the ship " Dover Castle " arrived in port, from London, on the 10th instant, having made a passage of 101 days. She brought to the Province 167 souls, equal to 137 statute adults, classified as follows : —Married couples, 30 ; single men, 23 ; single women, 27. The health of the immigrants was good throughout the passage, no death having been registered. One birth occurred on 22nd August. The ship is admirably fitted in the several compartments, and the ventilation appeared to be all that could be desired, The conditions of the charter-party w-ere fully complied with. The immigrants by this ship are a very superior class, and well fitted to supply our present requirements. The single women are particularly respectable, and the good order and discipline which must evidently have been maintained on the voyage, reflect great credit on Captain Culbert and Dr. Young, the surgeon-superiutendent. We have, Ac, Colin Allan, A David O'Donnoghue, V Commissioners. Wm. Thomson, ) The Under Secretary, Immigration Office, Wellington.
Enclosure 2 in No. 8. Commissioners' Report on Ship " Otago." Sir, — Immigration Office, Dunedin, 15th October, 1873. AYe have the honor to report that the ship " Otago ".arrived in port from Glasgow on the llth instant, having made a passage of 87 days. She brought to the Province 161 souls, of whom 1021 were assisted and 17 nominated immigrants. Three deaths and one birth were registered, one of the former having occurred in port, before the immigrants were landed. The number of statute adults landed were equal to 118 exclusive of the paying passengers. Dr. Stewart, surgeon-superintendent of the ship, reports that the health of the immigrants was very good throughout the voyage. After the immigrants were mustered they were visited in their several compartments, and the usual questions being asked as to their treatment on the voyage, they unanimously expressed themselves as fully satisfied. We are of opinion that the Passengers Act was fully complied with in every respect. The immigrants are a good class for the Colony, the single men aud women being particularly suitable. We have, Ac, Colin Allan, ) ,- Wm. Thomson, j Commissioners. The Under Secretary, Immigration Office, AVellington.
No. 9. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 246.) Sic, — Immigration Office, AVellington, 29th October, 1873. I have the honor to forward herewith report of the Immigration Commissioners at this port, upon the ship "Edward P. Bouverie," which vessel arrived on the 20th instant. lam much pleased to notice the very favourable character of this report. The ship appears to have been excellently suited for the service, and the health and comfort of the immigrants carefully studied in all arrangements. Appended to the report of the Commissioners is a memorandum on the economy of emigrant ships generally, by the surgeon-superiutendent, upon which I shall be glad to receive any comments you may consider it desirable to offer. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel. Enclosure in No. 9. Commissionees' Repoet on Ship " E. P. Bouverie." Sic,— AVellington, 24th October, 1873. AYe have the honor to report the arrival, on Monday, the 20th instant, of tho ship " Edward
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P. Bouverie," with 1501 statute adult Government immigrants, one death and four births having occurred during the voyage. We proceeded on board shortly after 10 a.m., and at once inspected the vessel and the immigrants. Wo found the single women located on deck under the poop, a portion of the saloon having been partioned off for their use. This compartment was scrupulously clean aud well ventilated, and some of the girls were berthed in cabins which held four. There was a large and convenient place for meals, and the hospital, which was in one of the stern state-rooms, was large and well ventilated. We must say that we have not yet inspected any vessel in which more suitable arrangements existed for promoting the health, cleanliness, and comfort of the single women than in the" Bouverie." The married people's compartment was light aud well ventilated by means of a large shaft proceeding up through one of the deck houses, and a number of dead-lights which were let into the deck. There were alley-ways right round the bunks, which were all arranged fore and aft. These alleyways enabled the immigrants to gain access to their bunks for the purpose of cleaning them, as well as promoted ventilation. The hospital was on deck, under the poop, and was in every way suited for tho purpose. Only one defect suggested itself to us in inspecting this vessel, aud that was the position of the store and issuing room, access to which could only be gained by going through the married people's compartment. The single men's compartment was clean, light, and well ventilated : their hospital was on deck, but had never been used. It has been suggested to us that it w rould be more convenient to have the single men in hammocks, as in a man-of-war, than in bunks, as at present. The galley was large and well found, and the condenser worked well throughout the voyage. The closets were all and well disinfected, but wo would suggest that it would add greatly to the appearance of cleanliness if whitewash were used in the closets of immigrant ships. Better ladders and hatches should also be provided, the former being generally steep and ill-constructed : the latter are not high enough to prevent the water going into the compartments below. It affords us much pleasure to note the many improvements in the immigrant ships which have lately arrived at this port, amongst which we may mention the greater space allowed the immigrants, the better provision for light and ventilation, and above all, the position of the hospitals. AYe found the immigrants to be a well-selected, healthy class of people : they all seemed pleased with tho voyage, and not a shadow of complaint was made on either side. The portion of the immigrants intended for AVellington wero landed on Tuesday and sent to the barracks, while the remainder were forwarded direct to Napier in the steamer " Paterson." In conclusion, we recommend the payment of all gratuities, and we consider that the highest praise is due to Captain Stevens and Dr. Jackson for the very creditable manner in which the ship was brought into port. Dr. Jackson seems to be well qualified to take charge of immigrants, having been in the Imperial service in charge of Coolies. AYe append a report by this gentleman, and would draw attention to the practical suggestions contained therein. We have, Ac, Alexandee Johnson, M.D., "\ H. J. H. Eliott, I n J. Hackworth, \ Commissioners. John Holliday, ) The Under Secretary for Immigration, Wellington. • Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 9. Repoet by Suegeon of Ship " E. P. Bouverie." The following notes and observations are based upon an experience of four years in the Indian emigration service, and I think I may safely say are calculated to improve materially the present working of this, the New Zealand service. 1 would, in the first place, select a staff of surgeons upon whom every reliance and dependence could be placed, and subject to a rigorous professional examination similar to that undergone by those sent to India. There would be no difficulty in finding candidates and making this selection if the Government- dealt liberally with them. In the next, I would erase from tho charter-party that article in which the surgeon is placed upon the articles of the ship and made amenable to the authority of the captain. I could give a great many good and sound reasons why this should be done. It is highly objectionable, and no surgeon can conscientiously do his duty as the representative of the Government, guarding their interests and protecting the emigrants placed under his control and care, with such a millstone round his neck; and it should be remembered that the very position of the surgeon and captain are antagonistic—tho former being responsible that the interests of the Government he serves are attended to, while the latter is equally bound to guard the interests of the owners, his employers. Then, again, the rules laid down for our guidance are really so contradictory that they are very difficult to understand. In one place the surgeon is invested with authority as superintendent, and the captain is expressly forbidden to interfere directly with the emigrants; and yet in another paragraph he is enjoined to do so. Again, tho fact of his being placed upon the ship's articles is of itself sufficient to weaken the surgeon's position in tho eyes of every one on board, and leads to the most lamentable results where hot-tempered men are concerned. I could say a great deal more on this subject, and also show good reasons for removing the captain's name entirely from the printed rules, confining him exclusively, as is done in the Indian service—than which none works more efficiently —to the navigation of his vessel and the management of his officers and crew ; but I feel sure, when the subject has been fully considered, the absurdity and rottenness of the present system will become of itself apparent.
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Now, with regard to the stores, I would, as is done in Calcutta, hand a list of them to the surgeon some days prior to the sailing of his vessel, ordering him to attend on board and satisfy himself that both quantity and quality is good and sufficient, and for this I would hold him responsible, and invest him with full power to retain or reject any articles of those stores as he should think proper. Tho ship's fitments—her hospitals, ventilation, Ac. —should all be as he thought proper. And this is only fair to him, for his charge is a very onerous and responsible one, and he should be left no excuse in case of a mishap. The recent question which has arisen regarding the quantity of arrowroot put on board some of the emigrant vessels for the use of the children, could not have occurred had the surgeon been the inspecting officer before leaving England, for he would have been too careful of his own interests. The inspection of the people, too, should rest entirely with the surgeon, and he should have power to reject any not well fitted for the voyage. 1 would also empower the surgeon to alter at his own discretion, as far as he practically can, the dietary scale. The reason for this is obvious. And I would strongly recommend that.bread be served out daily in place of three times a week, as is the present custom. Many of the people, particularly little children and old persons without good teeth, cannot cat biscuit, and so, on biscuit days, must go without the " staff of life." The difference in cost, if any, would be very trifling. I have much pleasure to forward the rules and instructions drawn up for the guidance of surgeonsuperintendents of the Imperial service, together with a few papers, from which information may be gained. Geo. Cecil Jackson, M.D., Surgeon-Superintendent, Government AVellington, 22nd October, 1873. Emigration Service. I concub with Dr. Jackson's remarks, and can indorse his opinion as to the anomalous position of the surgeon-superintendent on board the New Zealand ships. 24th October, 1873. Alexandee Johnston, M.D.
No. 10. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 254.) Sic, — Immigration Office, AVellington, 19th November, 1873. I have the honor to forward, for your information, copy of tho Immigration Commissioners' report upon the ship " Merope," which vessel arrived at Lyttelton on the 31st ultimo. I have, Ac, Tlie Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.
Enclosure 1 in No. 10. Commissionees' Repoet on Ship "Merope." The Commissioners report that every part of this ship was cleanly and well ordered. The immigrants wero in good health, and expressed themselves pleased with all the arrangements, and spoke gratefully of the kindness they had received from the captain and officers. The health had been good throughout the voyage. No births or deaths had occurred. The provisions were of good quality. The condenser (Gravely's) had worked satisfactorily. The Commissioners recommend the payment of full gratuities. AVm. Donald, "\ Feed. D. Gibson, , n John F. Rouse, f Commissioners. J. E. Maech, ) Lyttelton, 3rd November, 1873.
Enclosure 2 in No. 10. Repoet by Suegeon of Ship "Merope." Dueing the voyage we had fine weather ; most of the way the weather was cold and bracing. Health prevailed all the time. I look upon the arrangements provided for the emigrants as being nearly perfect. Perhaps tho dietary scale of the children would be improved if preserved eggs were substituted for fresh ; for the latter will not keep, and are consequently of no use. Then, again, the cheese put on board does not keep, and is therefore of no use; this might be remedied by putting on board cheese of a harder and drier kind. To this I have nothing to add, except that I would suggest, that whoever is appointed a matron should not have a husband on board, because it leads to all sorts of confusion. 1 do not know that there is anything else I could suggest that would be an improvement on the present arrangements. P. Doyle, M.D., Surgeon-Superintendent of Ship "Merope." 2—D. 2.
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No. 11. The Hon. J. Vooel to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 255.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 19th November, 1873. I have the honor to forward, for your information, copy of the Immigration Commissioners' report upon the ship " Hydaspes," which vessel arrived at Auckland on the 19th ultimo. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.
Enclosure in No. 11. Commissionees' Repoet on Ship "Hydaspes." Sic,— Auckland, 20th October, 1873. We have the honor to report that the ship "Hydaspes," Captain E. S. Babot, arrived here last night, and anchored at the North Head. She has on board 262 passengers, equal to 208 statute adults, of whom 1871 are Government immigrants. AYe boarded the ship at the North Head. The Health Officer having ascertained that all were well, we proceeded with the inspection. This is one of the largest ships that has arrived in Auckland with immigrants. She is fitted up with every convenience, and the accommodation and ventilation is everything that could be desired. The fresh water was supplied from a condenser, and the passengers were allowed an unlimited supply. The provisions wero all of tho best quality. The preserved meats, which were prepared in this Colony, were excellent. There were no complaints from any of the passengers. There were five deaths during the voyage, —one woman, two children under four years, and two infants. In conclusion, we beg to recommend that the gratuities be paid to the officers. We have, Ac, I. J. Buegess, T. M. Philson, M.D., Health Officer. The Hon. tho Minister for Immigration, Wellington.
No. 12. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 257.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 19th November, 1873. Referring to my letter of 29th October, No. 229, 1 herewith transmit copies of the reports of the Immigration Officer, the Immigration Commissioners, Ac, with respect to the ship " Punjaub." The circumstances detailed in the reports appeared to me to be so serious, that I directed proceedings for breaches of tho Passengers Acts to be taken against the ship. I will forward you, in separate cover, a report of the proceedings before the Magistrates in Canterbury, together with a memorandum by the Crown Prosecutor of that Province, a report from the Immigration Officer, Ac. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.
Enclosure 1 in No. 12. Memorandum for the Under Secretary. I foewaed herewith the Commissioners' report on the ship " Punjaub;" also the further evidence which was taken on Saturday last. I have already transmitted the surgeon's report, and the evidence of several of the immigrants w-ho were first released from quarantine. I have had several interviews with tho Crown Solicitor, and laid before him all the evidence and reports. In point of law it is very doubtful whether I could, as Emigration Officer, under the Passengers Act, take proceedings for a breach of the contract so far as the dietary scale (exclusive of water) is concerned. If you will be good enough to refer to the 37th section of the Act you will at once perceive the difficulty. Our dietary scale differs altogether from that laid down under the 35th section. The questions therefore arise, havo the Emigration Commissioners authorized the issue of provisions in accordance with our scale, and has that scale been published in the London Gazette ? I can, however, take proceedings against the ship for the non-supply of pure water, for insufficient light and ventilation, for not supplying the provisions in a properly cooked state, and for defective closets; also for not having sufficient hospital accommodation. These proceedings have been taken. Another difficulty arises with reference to the immigrants themselves taking proceedings, and it is this: By the 71st section of the Act, it is clearly laid down that the contract ticket shall be signed by the owner, charterer, or master of the ship, or by some person in their or his name, and on their or his part. Now this has not been done. The contract tickets aro only signed " William G. McKellar," and on inquiry I cannot find that this person is even in the employ of the New Zealand Shipping Company. I mention these circumstances although I do not for one moment suppose that the Company will in any way dispute the signature : still it shows, I think, that the business is very loosely conducted.
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The Crown Solicitor suggests that the proceedings should first be taken against the " Punjaub." I will report to you fully the result. I have only to add that your instructions received from time to time have been most carefully complied with. Immigration Office, Christchurch, J. E. Maech, sth November, 1873. Immigration Officer.
Enclosure 2 in No. 12. Commissioners' Report on Ship " Punjaub." The Commissioners had not tho opportunity of visiting this ship while the immigrants were on board, as, from the prevailing sickness, they wero placed in quarantine on Ripa Island. The fittings of the ship were arranged satisfactorily so far as the berthing was concerned, but tho position of the store-room was very objectionable. A great amount of sickness had occurred during the passage. Measles and fever prevailed from an early period, resulting in 28 deaths, namely, 8 adults and 20 children. It was reported to the Commissioners that the Danish emigrants, numbering 133 souls, had suffered great hardships on the passage from Copenhagen to London, the vessel in which they had first embarked having to put back disabled ; that they were then forwarded in an overcrowded vessel, and reached the Thames in a debilitated state. It was further shown that they were swarming with vermin, and very unclean in person and habits. Measles early appeared among the Danish children, and ship fever broke out soon after. The ship appears to have been crowded, and some portions very improperly so. The medical inspection in London, both of Danes and British, seems to have been very slight. Some of the immigrants report that it was omitted altogether. The discipline of the ship is represented as having been laxly sustained, the single men and single women occupying the main deck together. The surgeon-superintendent was, it is presumed, so entirely occupied with his medical duties (night and day) as to have no time for enforcing the regulations. The water was not supplied according to the contract ticket", a considerable portion being retained for cooking. The condenser did not act well, the water at times being brackish. The Commissioners were also informed that the water was for some time served out between decks (contrary to the provisions of the charter-party), causing great inconvenience to the immigrants, and very detrimental to their health. The provisions were not served out during the early part of the passage in accordance with the contract, but this error was rectified as soon as it was discovered, and the back allowance made good. The supply of medical extras ran short: the surgeon reports that some were never placed on board. The usual dietary for children was not issued. Great complaints were made by the immigrants of the leakage of the ship, and of the want of sufficient air and ventilation. The Commissioners have examined several of the immigrants by this ship. Their evidence is attached ; also extracts from the surgeon-superintendent's diary, and a copy of his report. The Commissioners would strongly recommend that, in future, foreign immigrants should be shipped direct to New Zealand from their own port, and in no case mixed with British subjects. Wm. Donald, A Fred. D. Gibson, I.- • • John F. Rouse, f Commissioners. Lyttelton, 4th November, 1873. J. E. March, J Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 2 in No. 12. Report by Suegeon of Ship " Punjaub." Sic, — Ripa Island, Christchurch, 23rd October, 1873. I beg to tender my report of the voyage of the barque " Punjaub " from London to Port Lyttelton, New Zealand, sailing from Gravesend on the 2nd June, 1873, arriving at her destination on the 19th September, 1873—a passage of 108 days. The official tonnage of the vessel 883 tons. The number of emigrants, 340: Danish, 133 ; British, 207; Children, 102 ; Infants, 25. Before the pilot had left us in the English Channel, measles broke out amongst the Danish children, assuming the nature of scarlatina. I tried a plan to isolate the disease, and got the port quarter boat fitted up as a hospital (the weather being warm) and removed two children. This disease spread rapidly, from having so many children on board. I was compelled to form all the boats on the skids into hospitals : even to the awning cabin all my space was taken up. The weather became unsettled. I had to let it take its sway in 'tween-decks. On tho 14th July I removed a Danish woman into the married females' hospital, suffering, I then found out, from typhoid pneumonia, her husband persisting in stating she only had "cold fever." I had great difficulty in persuading him to the contrary, and in getting her into hospital. Some time after I found out she had been suffering for some time before. This was the first knowledge I had of tho existence of fever on board. It crept on insidiously, and latterly presented a formidable appearance. I was occupied night and day for weeks. I never took my clothes off. I have no hesitation in saying that both these virus were brought on board by the Danes. These people were sadly knocked about coming from Copenhagen to London huddled up on a cattle boat, getting severe weather, the boiler bursting and leaving them helpless on the sea for three or four days, until they were taken in tow by a schooner and brought back to their place of shipment. This rendered them more unfitted for a long sea voyage. They appeared healthy when being inspected at Gravesend, but disease was lying latent in their system, only waiting for the cause which was given, namely, overcrowding, (they were literally packed fore and aft, pigstyes and sheep-pens taking up aii
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the space in the upper deck which should have been left clear for exercise), to spring out and rage with its wonted fury. The diseases were aggravated by the Danes' filthy habits, their total disregard to personal cleanliness, their improper self-made dietary, and their determined resistance to any disinfecting process. It was with the greatest difficulty we could get them up on the upper deck to bring their beds up, and I firmly believe some of them never undressed. They are infested with lice and the round w-orm (Borthreoccphalus dispar). They were scarcely ever out of the galley, their messes consisting of a mixture of everything, fat and water, styled soup. They would give their children, rising from measles, vinegar in sago, pickles, and molasses. Of such delicacies as arrowroot, sago, or gruel they had not an idea, and the proper method of cooking them was most foreign to their mind. I had great difficulty in making the Danes understand me. One man, a Dane, who understood English, I made an interpreter and constable. AVith this man I had got a bad character. When I was setting my night watches, he advised his countrymen to resist against the rule. I therewith dispensed with his services, and got the sailmaker of the ship to assist, but I got on very indifferently with him, as he was a Norwegian and did not understand them thoroughly. One circumstance I must mention occurred amongst the pigs on board: two died, having a distinct morbilliform eruption on them. Query : Did they bring it there, or were they infected ? Of the British portion of the immigrants, two or three wero troublesome, the names of whom I have mentioned in my diary. To sum up here, I would advise to send with foreigners an interpreter, a man who can be trusted, one of intelligence, able to assist the doctor, and elicit for him the phenomenon of disease, and explain same distinctly, and communicate doctor's orders as to treatment. Separate foreigners from the British. I would here suggest to send foreigners in a vessel by themselves, with a surgeon of their own nationality. Foreigners in an English ship fancy a partiality is shown to the latter. A'ictual the ship as far a possible to their customary diet. The ship was not, in my opinion, fitted up properly. The saloon was divided, fore and aft, by a bulk-head. On one side were the officers and cabin passengers ; on the other—the stern cabin —was a married females' hospital. Two cabins wero knocked into one to accommodate twenty-seven people (a space not large enough for half the number). Then came a cabin in which was my dispensary. This was also supposed to be the male hospital. In this male hospital I had a chronic dysenteric patient most unpleasant to me; and I question very much whether he benefited by the constant smell of drugs, or whether I was justified in bringing disease whore so many persons were already crowded. These persons, very naturally, protested against such a proceeding. A hospital, containing four beds, was in the single women's compartment. This was nearly always full. A most temporary bath-room was in the single women's compartment. Every time a bath was taken there was a danger of flooding the place. There was also a very indifferently put up watercloset ; this was constantly going out of repair. The married compartment held forty-nine families. There was not a single water-closet or bathroom. Whero so many women and children were, I need not dwell upon the danger of a sick woman going on deck in the rough weather; and it can be imagined what mischief these constant offensive smells would breed if left below. There was not a table for the people to eat their meals off: they had to mess on a locker about a foot and a half from the floor, and close to their beds. The store-room was placed here, adding its decomposing effluvia to the exhalations from so many collected persons. The filth increased by the amount of persons necessitated to draw their daily rations. The water had to be served out here in the rough weather, it is stated, from want of sufficient length of hose. Not a single port-hole was secure, all leaked. All these deficiencies combined make it rather serious when an epidemic is raging. The upper deck leaked over single women's compartment, over married compartment, and over single men's compartment. The hatches were not watertight. All water coming on deck rushed between decks, and between this and the ports leaking, the beds were often absolutely saturated. There is a rule that the single girls should be kept on the poop : the surgeon is requested to bo strict in this particular. A hatchway ought never to have been made on the quarter deck : make it directly on the poop. If this is not done, this rule cannot bo carried out effectually. My medical comforts failed mc at an early period of tho voyage. Some were never sent on board (condensed egg and a very few eggs for the children). Tho bland food ran out, with beef tea and soups, Ac These latter should always bo in extract, not in liquid ; the strengthening properties are in the extract. I must say that, owing to the great many sick, the medical comforts would naturally run short, and they never calculated to have such an extent of sickness. In summing up I w-ould recommend for the future that the doctor should have all the facilities possible to combat disease. His hospitals should be isolated from the passengers and more midships. The great motion felt in the hospitals I had were causes sufficient to retard the recovery of invalids. Want of hospital space compelled me to leave the sick where they were taken ill, amongst the healthy. Give the doctor an efficient staff to assist him, and be careful in selecting a well-trained matron. Water-closets and bath-rooms should bo in each compartment. It was a sad error not having one in the married compartment, where so many women and children wore A tin bath would suffice in single men's compartment. Bathing is most essential in the tropics. On three or four occasions the condenser failed us. On inquiring into the cause, the engineer stated the coals were of an inferior quality. The water was bad, too, on some occasions. This sickness originated with the Danes, I have no doubt. I have been very strict as to the ventilation, cleanliness, and disinfecting of the ship : this was done daily. The emigrants had their beds on deck to air daily, weather permitting. My disinfectants were all used up. I then commenced tobacco and sulphur. The faults 1 have enumerated fanned the diseases and kept them burning. In conclusion, I would forcibly point out the faults of this ship, and the overcrowding. I have stated simple facts, and to the best of my ability given suggestions which I deem proper. I only hope they may be approved of. I have, Ac, J. E. March, Esq., Immigration Officer. J. C. Durham.
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No. 13. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-General. (No. 261.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 20th November, 1873. Herewith I forward copies of reports by the Immigration Commissioners and Immigration Officer upon the barque "Adamant," which vessel arrived at Lyttelton on the 17th ultimo. Copies of the evidence taken by the Commissioners, with reference to complaints made by tho immigrants respecting the short issue of provisions, are also enclosed. Tou will observe in the case of this ship, as well as of the " Punjaub," that the Captain had in his possession two dietary scales, one, that of the Passengers' Line of Packets, the other, that of the New Zealand Shipping Company, and that he gave the officer entrusted with the duty of serving out the provisions the former scale: a mistake which does not seem to have been discovered for nearly a month. The Immigration Officer at Christchurch, under my direction, made a claim for 7s. Bd. per statute adult against the Company on account of this short supply of rations. The Company at once admitted the claim. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.
Enclosure 1 in No. 13. Commissioners' Report on Barque " Adamant." The Commissioners report that the immigrants appeared all in good health. The compartments were fairly clean. Three deaths (infants) occurred early on the voyage. In this ship, as in the " Punjaub," the ration list used by the officer serving out stores differed from the scale on the contract tickets, and, as shown by the accompanying papers, was a fruitful source of discontent. The rations for children's dietary promised on contract tickets did not appear to have been put on board. The store-room was inconveniently placed, and as the passengers could not see their supplies weighed, doubt and discontent ensued. The immigrants all testified to the kindness of the captain. The bath of the single women was so fixed as to run under a bunk in the hospital, —a very objectionable arrangement. The class of immigrants appeared highly satisfactory. The Commissioners recommend that the usual gratuities be paid. Wm. Donald, A J. F. Rouse, ,~ . . Fredk. D. Gibson, f Commissioners. J. E. March, J Lyttelton, 21st October, 1873.
Enclosure 2 in No. 13. Memobandum for' the Undeb Seceetaey. I take the earliest opportunity of forwarding, for the information of the Government, copy of the evidence taken by the Commissioners on the arrival of the ship " Adamant." It appears the captain had in his possession two dietary scales; both are printed alike, and certainly look alike: one is the dietary scale of the " Passengers' Line of Packets ;" the other the "New Zealand Shipping Company's " scale. The captain gave to the officer entrusted with the duty of serving out the stores, the former scale, and it would appear that the mistake was not discovered until about a month after leaving. It seems somewhat singular that a similar mistake was made in the case of the " Punjaub." The surgeon has informed Dr. Donald that the error with them was discovered in the Channel, and the captain at once gave instructions for the back allowance to be issued. This does not appear to have been done on board the "Adamant." The cheese put on board was new, and in the tropics all became soft, and then putrid. After I received your telegram re " Celestial Queen," I thought it my duty to explain to the immigrants by the " Adamant " that they could recover damages; that the Government were determined to hold the contractors strictly to their agreement; and if they had not received what they were entitled to on the passage, the Government would secure the best legal advice, and enable them to obtain redress. I now only wait your instructions in this matter. J. E. Maech, Immigration Office, Christchurch, 22nd October, 1873. Immigration Officer.
No. 14. The Hon. Dr. Pollen to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 267.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, Bth December, 1873. I have tho honor to forward copy of the report of the Immigration Commissioners at Lyttelton upon the ship " Cardigan Castle," and also of the report addressed to the Immigration Officer by the surgeon-superintendent, both of which I am glad to observe are of a very favourable character. I have, Ac, Daniel Pollen, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (for Minister for Immigration).
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Enclosure 1 in No. 14. Commissionees' Report on Ship " Cardigan Castle." The Commissioners beg to report that the above ship arrived in Lyttelton harbour on Saturday last, after a fine passage of eighty-four days from Plymouth. On going on board, the Commissioners were very pleased to find all the immigrants in good health and the compartments in excellent order. The ship is admirably adapted for carrying passengers, having great height between decks, with ample light and ventilation. The health of the immigrants had been good throughout the voyage, and they expressed themselves very pleased with the treatment they had received from the captain and officers of the ship. Two births and four deaths (chifdren) had occurred during the passage. The provisions were of good quality, and had been served out in accordance with the contract. The condenser had worked well throughout the voyage. The hospitals were placed and fitted according to contract, and the bath-room in the single women's compartment had worked satisfactorily. The immigrants, comprising 156 British and 50 foreign, appear well suited for the requirements of the Province. A complaint was made in the married people's compartment to the effect that, in the allotment of the berths at Plymouth, somo of the parents were separated from their children. The Commissioners would recommend that in future tho children should be placed in the berth above (or below) their parents. The payment of full gratuities to the officers of the ship is recommended. Wm. Donald, "A F. D. Gibson, I n John F. Rouse, ( Commissioners. Lyttelton, 17th November, 1873. J. E. Maech, j
Enclosure 2 in No. 14. Dr. Bain to the Immigeation Officer, Lyttelton. Sic,— Ship " Cardigan Castle," Lyttelton, 17th November, 1873. Although the various incidents connected with the voyage have been daily and regularly noted in the diary set apart for such purpose, I have the honor to state, for your information, that tho medical comforts and provisions on board this ship for the use of the emigrants were amply sufficient and of good quality. Of the former, tho supply was sufficient for a larger number, or at all events for a much longer voyage. Tho nature of tho cargo, however (principally railway iron), considerably militated against comfort, inconsequence of tho increased tendency to roll from apparently slight causes. The ship is in every way admirably adapted for the conveyance of emigrants, most ably commanded, and well managed. I may add that the fittings 'tween-decks, including surgery, hospitals, lavatories, and water-closets, were amply sufficient and well arranged. I have, Ac, D. S. E. Bain, M.D, Surgeon-Superintendent, " Cardigan Castle." The Immigration Officer, Lyttelton, N.Z.
No. 15. The Hon. Dr. Pollen to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 268.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, Bth December, 1873. I have the honor to forward copy of report by the Immigration Commissioners at Dunedin upon the ship " Lady Jocelyn." I have, Ac, Daniel Pollen, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. for Minister for Immigration. Enclosure in No. 15. Commissionees' Repoet on Ship " Lady Jocelyn." Sic, — Immigration Office, Dunedin, 14th November, 1873. We have tho honor to report that the ship " Lady Jocelyn " arrived in port on tho 6th instant, but having sickness on board, the Board of Health ordered the ship to be put in quarantine pending further orders. The families among whom the sickness appeared on tho voyage having been removed to the quarantine station, and tho ship in the meantime being fumigated, and the clothes of the immigrants washed on board, we admitted the ship to pratique after due medical inspection by Dr. O'Donnoghue on the llth instant. Having inspected the ship on the same day, we are in a position to report very favourably on this part of our duty. The requirements of the Passengers' Act, as well as the charterparty, wore fully complied with, and the immigrants without one exception expressed themselves highly satisfied with their treatment on the voyage.
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There were nine deaths on the voyage, four being from diphtheria and the remainder from natural causes. Since the arrival of the ship in port, one adult died on board from disease of the brain, and two children on the Island from diptheria. Most of the families on Quarantine Island were removed yesterday and to-day, and the children of those who remain are now convalescent, and will be liberated in the course of a few days. Colin Allan, A David O'Donnoghue, > Commissioners. Wm. .Thomson, ) Under Secretary, Immigration Office, Wellington.
No. 16. The Hon. Dr. Pollen to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 278.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 15th December, 1873. I have the honor to forward copy of the report of the Immigration Commissioners at Port Chalmers upon the ship " Jessie Readman." I have, Ac, Daniel Pollen, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (for Minister for Immigration). Enclosure in No. 16. Commissionees' Repoet on Ship " Jessie Readman." Sic, — Immigration Office, Dunedin, sth December, 1873. We have the honor to report that the ship " Jessie Readman " arrived in port on the 30th November, and the surgeon-superintendent having reported that measles and whooping-cough prevailed on the voyage, she was put into quarantine pending the meeting of the Board of Health, called for the Ist instant. The Board having met, decided that after a process of fumigation and proper medical inspection, the ship and immigrants should be admitted to pratique on same day. The ship was immediately inspected by us, and she was clean, well ventilated, and fitted in tho usual way. The immigrants on being mustered were unanimous in their expression of satisfaction at the treatment they had received on the voyage. The surgeon-superintendent, Dr. Thomas, seemed to have been indefatigable in his attention to the sick, and earned their hearty thanks. There were ten deaths on tho voyage, six from measles and whooping-cough, and the remainder from natural causes. Of the number, one was an adult and the others all infants. We recommend the captain, surgeon-superintendent, and officers of the ship to receive the usual gratuities. We have, Ac, Colin Allan, A Wm. TnoMSON, > Commissioners. David O'Donnoghue,) The Under Secretary for Immigration, Wellington.
No. 17. (No. 279.) Tho Hon. Dr. Pollen to the Agent-Genebal. Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 15th December, 1873. I have the honor to forward copy of the report of the Immigration Commissioners at Port Chalmers upon the ship " Zealandia," which I am glad to see is of so satisfactory a character. I have, Ac, Daniel Pollen, (for Minister for Immigration). The Agent-General for New Zealand, London.
Enclosure in No. 17. Commissionees' Repoet on Ship " Zealandia." Sic, — Immigration Office, Dunedin, sth December, 1873. We have the honor to report that the ship "Zealandia " arrived in port, from London, on 29th November, having made a passage of eighty-six days from pilot to pilot. She brought to the Province 217 souls, equal to 182 statute adults, all of whom expressed themselves as well satisfied with their treatment during tho voyage. We inspected the ship, and found her scrupulously clean in every compartment, and exceedingly well fitted. The Passengers Act was fully complied with in every respect. There were two deaths on the voyage, both being young children. We recommend the Captain, surgeon-superintendent, and officers of the ship, to receive the usual gratuities. We have, Ac, Colin Allan, A Wm. Thomson, > Commissioners. David O'Donnoghue, ) The Under Secretary for Immigration, Wellington.
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No. 18. The Hon. Dr. Pollen to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 282.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 18th December, 1873. I have tho honor to forward the report of the Immigration Commissioners at this port upon the ship " Helen Denny," and to request your attention to the various suggestions therein contained. Tou will observe that a short allowance of flour was served out during the voyage, and that certain articles of the dietary scale for children were short shipped. I have caused a claim to be made upon the agents of the ship for the value of the flour; but finding that the captain supplied the short-shipped articles of dietary, or substitutes for them, from his own stores, I have made no claim on this account. I have, Ac, Daniel Pollen, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (for Minister for Immigration).
Enclosure in No. 18. Commissionees' Repoet on Ship "Helen Denny." Sic,— Wellington, 27th November, 1873. We have the honor to report the arrival of tho ship " Helen Denny," on the 21st instant, with 132 statute adult immigrants. Five deaths occurred during the voyage, all children between the ages of six months and eleven years; there was also one birth. Immediately the vessel anchored we proceeded on board for the purpose of inspecting her and mustering the immigrants. We found the single women berthed in the 'tween-decks under the after hatchway : their compartment was clean and tidy. The matron had a comfortable berth. The married compartment was clean, and tolerably well ventilated. We again draw attention to the position of the store and issuing rooms, which were in this compartment. Families must be greatly inconvenienced by having the entrance to their compartment blocked up by the messmen from all parts of the ship waiting for their rations to be served out. The booby-hatches and ladders to all the compartments are also of a most flimsy description ; the former not being nearly high enough to keep the compartments dry, and the latter being steep, and without a hand-rail or other convenience to assist people going up and down. We noticed that boards had been placed at the back of the ladders in the married compartment: this should also be done in the single women's compartment. The single men's compartment was clean and roomy. The immigrants were all landed the day after our inspection, and taken to the barracks. They appear to be a healthy lot of people, free from organic diseases of any kind. The captain and surgeon stated that they were exceedingly well behaved. The condenser had worked well throughout the voyage, and on questioning the immigrants, we found that they had no complaint to make. One or two of the married people, however, stated to us that the flour had not been served out in accordance with their contract tickets: they merely mentioned the fact, and did not complain of any inconvenience resulting from the short issue. The captain at once stated that flour had been short issued all through the ship by half a pound an adult a week. The single men and women did not know what their allowance should have been, but all assure us they had plenty of everything. On referring to the surgeon's journal, we find the following entry: — " About one month after leaving London, it was discovered that the arrowroot, sago, and preserved soup, was rapidly disappearing. On looking over the quantities sent on board, it was found impossible to go on giving the children the amount set down for each in the contract tickets. The captain agreed to give for their use all the cabin stores of farinaceous food, and so by serving out a reduced ration, to be able to so continue to the end of the voyage. It was also found that there was a difference betw-een the quantity of flour allowed per week on the contract ticket, and the scale supplied to the storekeeper. The quantity issued was according to the storekeeper's scale, none on Friday, thus making three pounds instead of three and a half pounds." It would thus appaar that other articles besides flour were short shipped; but the captain had endeavoured, by issuing his cabin stores, to make up the deficiency. When the immigrants found out that we were making inquiries respecting the short issues, a deputation of all the married men came aft, and asked to see the captain in our presence, and their spokesman then and there assured us that the captain had done everything he possibly could for them ; and that, as a body, they had no complaint to make. We think it right to mention these facts, as otherwise some reflection might rest upon the captain, who, from all we could ascertain, went greatly beyond what was required of him in endeavouring to make the immigrants contented and comfortable. Although tho " Helen Denny " is not, in our opinion, so well suited for the conveyance of immigrants as some of the vessels which have visited this port, more especially as regards the lighting and ventilating of the 'tween-decks, yet, owing to the space allowed the immigrants being much greater than is actually required by law, no evil results have occurred. Captain Peters and Surgeon-Superintendent Scott deserve every credit for the manner in which they brought the ship into port, and they both seem to have gained the hearty good wishes of all the immigrants under their charge. AYe have much pleasure in recommending Dr. Scott for the usual certificate for re-employment in taking charge of immigrants. We also recommend the payment of all gratuities. We have, Ac, Alexandee Johnston, M.D., A H. J. IL Eliott, > Commissioners. John Holliday, )
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No. 19. The Hon. Dr. Pollen to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 283.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 18th December, 1873. I herewith forward copies of telegraphic and other correspondence with the Superintendent of Hawke's Bay relative to the ship " Hovding," which arrived at Napier upon Ist December ; also the report of the Immigration Commissioners and that of the Immigration Officer, covering notes of a meeting of the immigrants held before the Commissioners ; also a memorandum by the surgeonsuperintendent, and extract from his diary. From the correspondence with His Honor, you will observe the very great embarrassment under which the Government has been placed, owing to the want of information with regard to the arrangements under which the ship was despatched. The Government received subsequently to the telegraphic correspondence referred to, a copy of the charter-party from the Immigration Officer, who it is to be presumed was allowed to copy it from the original in possession of the captain of the ship. I will defer my remarks upon the character of the contract until the next opportunity. The reports of the Commissioners and Immigration Officer do not call for any special remarks : they will no doubt receive your careful consideration. I would observe, however, that a very defective system of management and inspection must be assumed when, amongst other irregularities, widows with children are shipped as single girls, and when a single girl is shipped so far advanced in pregnancy as to have been confined on board three months after sailing. I have, Ac, Daniel Pollen. The Agent-General for New Zealand, London.
Daniel Pollen.
Enclosure in No. 19. His Honor J. D. Oemond to the Hon. J. Vogel. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Napier, 9th December, 1873. I have the honor to enclose letters connected with the immigrant ship " Hovding," which arrived here on the Ist instant. Tou will gather from the letter of complaints lodged by the immigrants that they considered the food supplied them insufficient, and short iv some cases of the quantity to which they were entitled. As, however, it has been decided to take no steps against the ship, it is unnecessary for me to enter further into the case. From the extract made by Mr. Friberg from the doctor's journal, it appears that some of the children were not in a healthy state when they left Christiania, and it is entirely among the children that mortality has taken place. Generally the immigrants appeared in good health on their arrival here, and certainly had no appearance of having been badly or insufficiently fed. I beg to call attention to that part of the journal of the doctor of the ship which refers to a lunatic being a passenger, and also to the report by Dr. Hitchings confirming this from observations here. I also would ask you to remark what Mr. Fannin reports as to women with children entering as single women, the children being temporarily adopted by married immigrants and brought in the vessel. The objection of course is that on arrival in the Colony the women have to take charge of their own children, and are unable to support them. Taking altogether the immigrants by the "Hovding," they are a good useful class of people, and have readily found employment. At the same time it is right to remark that there is more difficulty in placing in employment immigrants who cannot speak a word of English, than would be met with in the case of our people. I have, Ac, J. D. Ormond, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Superintendent. Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 19. Commissioners' Report on Ship "Hovding." Sir, — Immigration Commissioners' Office, Napier, 9th December, 1873. I have the honor to inform you that the "Hovding," commander, Captain Nordby, arrived in the Ahuriri roadstead on Monday morning, the Ist December, after a passage of 110 days. The Commissioners, whilst engaged in examining the provisions, Ac, were informed that passengers were desirous of laying a complaint against the captain for short and bad food supplied to them during the voyage. After listening to their complaint, the immigrants were directed to bring their grievance before the Commissioners, in writing, on the next day, in the immigration barracks. On examining the provisions, the Commissioners found, generally speaking, that they were good, but the flour was bad and musty; some bread, however, which was tasted, seemed sweet. The immigrants looked healthy and clean. Eleven deaths and five births occurred during the voyage ; the deaths were children between 1 month and 3 years, principally from dysentery. The Commissioners, on the day following arrival of " Hovding," having heard the complaint (copy of which is herewith enclosed), directed the Immigration Officer to institute proceedings against the captain for breach of " The Emigration Act, 1855." These proceedings the Commissioners regret that officer was unable to carry out, owing to no provision having been made to bring the captain under the jurisdiction of the Emigration Act, and would beg to suggest that the Agent-General be advised to have such a provision inserted in any future agreement or charter. 3-D. 2.
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The Commissioners also beg to draw attention to the fact of a lunatic having been put on board, as an emigrant, at Christiania. I have, Ac, G. T. Fannin, His Honor the Superintendent, Napier. Secretary to Commissioners. Meeting held on Tuesday, 2nd December, 1873, before the following Commissioners: — Present —Dr. Hitchings, M. Tabuteau, G. T. Fannin. The complaint annexed was read to the complainants, and they entirely acquiesced in its correctness. A copy of the complaint was then furnished to the captain of the " Hovding," with an intimation that proceedings would be taken upon the complaints against him for a breach of " The Passengers Act, 1855." G. T. Fannin, Secretary to Commissioners. To the Emigeation Boaed, Napier. Remarks from the Emigrants on board of the Ship " Hovding." We contracted to go to New Zealand in this ship, bound to leave Christiania, Norway, the sth August, 1873. The contract states that we should be allowed good and substantial food : this we have not got. It is also mentioned in the rules that the master should conscientiously hear all complaints, and deal with us accordingly; but about six days after coming on board, when lying off a small town four miles from Christiania, he stated that if any of the people complained he would put them under arrest. This was against the rules, and what use was it then to complain to him ? One of the emigrants got a list of food from him after some trouble. There is much to complain of in that itself; but what stands in that we have never got, and that we have got have we always been obliged to quarrel to get. Potatoes, as we should have had, have we not got, and no substitute. Weights and measure have we also been deceived in; and for reason of the master not having shipped an emigrant cook, the miserable food we should have had has been for the most part spoiled, and not eatable. Coffee we should have had about 71 lbs. per day, but for a long time we got only 5 lbs., and more times less; in fact, such has been the case with all the rest of the food. Sunday, when we should have fresh meat 1 lb. per man, have we many of us not got more than about 2 ozs., and not one has got the full weight. The salt beef that has been served out to us has been quite rotten, so that no one could eat it, and this he tried to give us on Sunday, the only day we should have fresh meat. Puddings we did not get till we were several weeks at sea, and then only once a week. . When jn the tropics we should have had an extra allowance of water and lime juice, but we got none for several days, and then only on quarrelling for it, the captain maintaining we should have none. Several times he said when we came on shore in New Zealand we would be slaves, and drove with the lash. For a long time we did not get the prescribed quantity of water for cooking, and also we received too small a quantity of water for drinking purposes. Sick children lying in fever, and near death, crying for water, but there was none to give them. Two stoves set up for the use of the emigrants were taken down by the master's orders, that the poor people should not get anything warmed or cooked for the children not able to eat the food that grown-up people hardly could eat. We have been out a long time before any food was allowed for the children, and when it was given out one of the most unconscientious girls in the ship was appointed to serve it out, —one that stole, and used much of it herself. The treatment of the sick has been very bad, and no difference in the food has been made for them. When we were on shore it was told us that everything necessary for sick people was sent on board, but shortly after we came out to sea, the doctor said there was nothing for them. We should also have said when complaints were made to him about the food, that it was good enough for poorhouse people. None of the rules the Government sent on board have been kept—no order or discipline. The master has never held church service, but only kicked up rows. He has been quite careless about the emigrants ; in fact, we have been treated more like wild beasts than Christians. We beg to recommend tho mate Olassen as a straightforward, honest, conscientious man, who has treated the people with the greatest kindness, Ac, and as a man who our countrymen can safely trust if he should be in command of a vessel, and we shall advise our countrymen not to ship on board any vessel Captain Nordby commands. We the undersigned testify on honor and conscience to the truth of this, and that we have not been persuaded to sign it by any one, but have done it spontaneously. We beg that the Government, if they intend to send for more of our countrymen, will take every precaution in order that they may be spared similar sufferings. A copy of this complaint is to be sent to Norway. We have, Ac, E. Greiner, and 78 heads of families, Ist December, 1873. single men, and single women.
No. 20. The Hon. Dr. Pollen to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 284.) Sic, — . Immigration Office, Wellington, 18th December, 1873. Herewith I forward report, with enclosures, of the Immigration Commissioners and of the Immigration Officer upon the ship "Chili," which arrived in Auckland upon the 24th November.
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Since the receipt of these documents there has been telegraphic correspondence relative to a charge of drunkenness brought by the surgeon-superintendent against the captain ; and later, a very serious complaint against the surgeon for cruelty to a female emigrant has resulted in criminal proceedings being taken against him, which are still sub judice. Under these circumstances, and pending the result of the case against the surgeon, and of such further inquiries as may presumably be necessary, I defer any remarks with regard to the state and condition of the ship and immigrants. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Daniel Pollen.
Enclosure in No. 20. Commissioners' Report on Ship " Chili." Sir,— Auckland, 29th November, 1873. We have the honor to report the arrival of the ship " Chili," on the 24th instant, with 111 passengers, 85 of whom are Government immigrants. We boarded the ship inside the North Head, and having ascertained that therejjwas no sickness of an infectious character, proceeded with the usual inspection. The ship was tolerably clean, and the several compartments properly ventilated except that of the single men, which was too much confined and dark. The fresh water, of which there had been a plentiful supply, was procured from a condenser. The provisions were very good. There were two complaints made against the surgeon by George Thorpe and George Savill. The inquiry took place on board at 10 a.m. on the 25th instant. A copy of the proceedings is herewith attached. Relative to the case of George Savill, although we felt bound to condemn the conduct of the second officer (acting under the orders of the surgeon), we do not consider that either of those officers merit any further mark of displeasure from the Government. It was clearly shown that George Savill acted with a spirit of opposition and insubordination towards the surgeon throughout the voyage, and had he been punished without subjecting his wife to the indelicate exposure complained of, we should not have thought it desirable to make any inquiry whatever. With reference to the complaint of George Thorpe, we consider it untruthful and vexatious. We are perfectly satisfied that nothing could have exceeded the kindness and attention of the surgeon to the deceased, and all the passengers spoke in the highest terms of his unwearied exertions for their health and comfort. Mrs. Holmes, who acted as nurse during the voyage, deserves special mention: she was indefatigable in her exertions to the sick, more especially to the poor woman who died ; and we trust the Government will authorize her receiving the highest amount of gratuity. The doctor of the ship stated he would not sign a certificate for the captain ; and when called upon for his reasons, wrote a letter, which is herewith attached, merely saying he did not feel justified in doing so. We have requested the Immigration Officer to apply to the Government for instructions as to what steps may be considered necessary to take in reference to the captain. We have, Ac, I. J. Burgess, T. M. Philson, M.D., Health Officer. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. The Commissioners having heard the charge preferred against Surgeon Coughtrey by George Thorpe, and having weighed and considered the evidence relative thereto, are of opinion that the said charge has not in the slightest been proved, and exonerate the doctor accordingly from all blame of which, if any, must be attributed to the husband. The Commissioners having heard all the evidence of this case, and having considered the several points as brought forward, with the pros, and cons., are of opinion,— That the act of the second mate (under the order of the surgeon), in pulling the clothes off the bed of George Savill and his wife while in bed, was indecent, and a violation of the 21st clause of the abstract of the Queen's Order in Council, dated 7th January, 1864, a copy of which is herewith attached. At the same time, it has been proved that the conduct of George Savill has been insubordinate and reprehensible.
No. 21. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-General. (No. 1.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, Bth January, 1874. I have the honor to forward herewith copies of reports by the Immigration Officer and Commissioners at Auckland upon the ship "Hindostan," which, I am pleased to observe, are of a satisfactory character. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius A r OGEL.
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Enclosure in No. 21. Commissionees' Repoet on Ship "Hindostan." Sic,— Auckland, 30th December, 1873. We have the honor to report the arrival of the ship "Hindostan" on Sunday morning, the 2Sth instant. We boarded her before she anchored, and the health officer having ascertained there was no sickness on board, we proceeded with the inspection. This ship is fitted up with every convenience, and the only addition to the comfort that can be suggested is a bath for the married people. Nothing could exceed the cleanliness of all the compartments. The provisions were all of the best quality, and there were no complaints from any of the passengers. In conclusion, we beg to recommend that the gratuities to the officers of the ship be paid. We have, Ac, I. J. Buegess, T. M. Philson, M.D., Health Officer. The Hon. Minister forjlinmigration, Wellington.
No. 22. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 11.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 4th February, 1874. I have the honor to forward copy of a satisfactory report, by the Immigration Commissioners at Port Chalmers, upon the ship " City of Dunedin." I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.
Enclosure in No. 22. Commissionees' Repoet on Ship " City of Dunedin." Sic, — Immigration Office, Dunedin, 31st December, 1873. We have the honor to report that the ship "City of Dunedin" arrived in Port Chalmers from the Clyde on the 29th instant, having made a passage of ninety-two days. She brought to tho Province 138 Government immigrants, being equal to 115 statute adults. The immigrants expressed themselves as fully satisfied with the treatment they received on the voyage. On inspecting the ship we found her well fitted and sufficiently ventilated. The single men's compartment was hardly up to the mark as to cleanliness, but it was explained to us that every attention was paid to this most essential of sanitary regulations on board ship during the voyage, and we had further evidence of the fact from the general good health of the passengers on their arrival. There were two births and two deaths on the passage, one of the latter being a married woman, who died of consumption. We have, Ac, Colin Allan, A Wm. TnoMSON, > Commissioners. His Honor tho Superintendent, Dunedin. David O'Donnoghue, )
No. 23. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-General. (No. 12.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 4th February, 1874. I have the honor to transmit copy of a satisfactory report, by the Immigration Commissioners at Port Chalmers, upon the ship " Dunfillan." I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.
Enclosure in No. 23. Commissioners' Report on Ship "Dunfillan." Sir, — Immigration Office, Dunedin, 17th January, 1874. We have the honor to report that the ship " Dunfillan" arrived in Port Chalmers from London on the 16th instant, having made a passage of eighty days. The immigrants by her numbered 157 souls, equal to 137 adults. The ship arrived in port in fine order, and the immigrants expressed themselves, without exception, as well satisfied with the treatment they received on the passage. The skip was both well fitted and well ventilated. The provisions were of a good quality, and there was also abundance of water condensed by Gravelly's patent condenser. The surgeon-superin-
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tendent, captain, and officers appear to have performed their several duties most satisfactorily. One death took place on the passage, being that of an ofd woman aged sixty-two, from heart disease. We have, Ac, Collin Allan, A Wm. Thomson, > Commissioners. His Honor the Superintendent, Dunedin. David O'Donnoquue, )
No. 24. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 22.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 6th February, 1874. I herewith forward a copy of report of the Immigration Commissioners upon the ship " Duko of Edinburgh," which arrived at the port of Wellington on the 28th December, and was admitted to pratique, after a short detention in quarantine, on 2nd January, 1874. I desire to call your particular attention to the representations of the Commissioners, especially whero they " feel compelled," as they express it, " to point out defects which, they regret to say, exist in most of the ships they have inspected," and upon which they have previously and frequently remarked. The reports have been regularly forwarded to you, and I regret the Commissioners should have cause to complain of the apparent ignoring on the part of tho officers of your department of the many valuable suggestions contained therein. I have in my letter No. 264, of 24th November, 1873, re the ship " Punjaub," expressed my opinion as to the very defective character of the inspection of the ship and fittings by the Immigration Commissioners, an opinion which is confirmed by the report under consideration. No doubt, before the receipt of this you will have carried out my instructions, and taken upon yourself, through your own officers, the work of careful and deliberate inspection of all the arrangements for the health and comfort of the emigrants. I trust that under this system there will bo an end to the constantly reiterated complaints of "badly located and fitted surgeries," "small and inconvenient cooking galleys," "faulty condensers," Ac. With regard to the issuing-room for the emigrants' provisions, I forward copy of a memorandum by Captain Edwin, R.N., and Captain Johnson, Nautical Assessor at this port. Their suggestions as to the position appear to me practicable, and if carried out, would avoid the very general complaint of the only passage to the issuing-room being through one or other of the compartments. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.
Enclosure 1 in No. 24. Commissionees' Repoet on Ship "Duke of Edinburgh." Sib, — AVellington, 7th January, 1874. We have the honor to report the arrival of the ship " Duke of Edinburgh," on the 2Sth ultimo, with 1731 statute adults, —two births and no deaths having occurred during the voyage. Wo immediately proceeded to the vessel, and having ascertained that there was scarlet fever amongst tho children, we decided on sending her to quarantine, in order that all the clothing might be thoroughly washed and fumigated. On Friday, the 2nd January, having ascertained that all the passengers and their luggage had been landed, and our instructions for the cleansing of the vessel carried out, we boarded the ship for the purpose of inspecting her. We found the " Duke of Edinburgh" a fine vessel, and well suited for the conveyance of emigrants. She is 7 feet 3 inches high in the 'tween-decks, and there was ample provision for light and ventilation by means of nineteen dead-lights and eight patent ventilators. We feel compelled, however, to point out defects which, we regret to say, exist in most of the vessels we have inspected, and to which we have directed attention more than once. In the first place, the store and issuing-room and surgery were very inconveniently placed in the married people's compartment. We consider that the issuing-room should always be on deck, as was the case in the ship " Douglas." With reference to the position of the surgery, we will quote the words of the surgeon-superintendent. " My surgery, although placed in the steadiest part of the ship, was often flooded with water from the leaking of the deck-light, and was, owing to the noise on deck and the screaming below from the children, about the worst place man could have to dispense medicines in." The combings to the hatches were also of the most flimsy description, and far too low to prevent the water from going below in bad weather ; and we would direct your special attention to the surgeon's remarks upon this subject in the attached extract from his journal. The passengers' galley was by far too small for the number of passengers on board; but although the captain remarked that it did not matter much, as most of the cooking was done at the ship's galley, which is a large and roomy one, we consider that proper cooking accommodation should be provided for the passengers, independent of what is deemed requisite for the ship's company. The condenser was also very faulty, and worked badly, the boiler being an old, patched-up concern. The engineer informed us that the inspector in England only tried the condenser for about ten minutes, and that he only worked it up to 20 pounds, above which point the engineer was afraid to go. The maximum quantity of water distilled in one day was 150 gallons. The captain of the vessel states that he has seen the condenser at work with a pressure of 25 pounds. As, however, the galley and condenser were we suppose inspected and passed by the Emigration Commissioners in England, we merely point out the defects without commenting thereon. The single men's hospital was the only one on deck, and as there was no sickness amongst those passengers, tbe surgeon was fortunately enabled to make use of it as a hospital for the children afflicted with the scarlet fever, and thus in a great measure prevent the spread of that disease in the 'tween-
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decks. We consider that all the hospitals should be either on deck or under the poop. The single men complained that they suffered great inconvenience from the fact that all the coals for the use of the ship were brought up through their compartment. We would suggest that some means should be adopted, either by a bulkhead or shoot, for remedying the inconvenience complained of. We inspected the immigrants on Saturday, and found that the children were rapidly recovering, and that all the luggage and clothing of tho passengers had been thoroughly fumigated and washed, and we accordingly decided on landing all the passengers on Monday, the ship having proceeded to the wharf on Saturday, the 3rd instant. The immigrants were all brought to town on Monday, the sth instant, and taken to the depot. They seem to be a healthy lot of people, and have been landed in good condition. They stated that their allowance of food, Ac, had been ample, and that they had no complaints to make. Captain Mclnness and Surgeon-Superintendent Pratt seem to have faithfully performed the duties required of them, and we have much pleasure in recommending the payment of all gratuities. We append extract from the surgeon-superintendent's journal, to which we direct your attention. We have, Ac, Alexandee JonNSTON, M.D.,A John Holliday, > Commissioners. H. J. H. Eliott. ) The Under Secretary for Immigration, Wellington. Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 1 in No. 24. (Extract from Journal of Surgeon of Ship " Duke of Edinburgh.") ***#*'* * * * * * # I now come to the fittings of tho ship. The hatches, being temporary, were made in the cheapest and worst manner. They were not water-tight, as I soon found out. The hinges were bad. I consider them, on the whole, fearfully dangerous. If the decks were swept, the hatches would have floated away like match-boxes, and it is doubtful whether any human being would have been left to tell the tale, as the ship must have filled between decks. As regards the berthing, I may remark that I had seventeen children in the after starboard main alley, and three in the fore starboard one. I think families might be separated in a -better manner. Note 2.—Particular attention should be paid to berthing, and the number of children should be, as far as possible, equally distributed in the various alleys. The ventilation is decidedly good. The food is very good, and served in ample quantities. The supply of water is, in my opinion, too liberal, as I discovered that in many cases one day's allowance sufficed for two, also that the immigrants (some of them) would save up the water for purposes of washing, not for extra washing of their faces, that was by no means likely, but for their soiled linen, Ac. Note 3.—With the exception of the time an emigrant ship is in the tropics, I think the allowance of water might be reduced a little. I should have stated previously, that although I gave strict orders, and that the captain did the same, relative to washing linen between decks, still I am sorry to state that it was in a slight degree carried on by a few of the emigrants, despite the vigilance of constables and the stringent orders issued. The deck-lights were put in in a most disgraceful manner : I allude especially to the one in my surgery and the three on the starboard fore-part of the main hatch. It is my firm belief they were put in on a wet day, or else there was utter carelessness in the adjustment of them. The amount of water they admitted between decks was very considerable, and I attribute one very serious case of sickness to no other cause than the malplacement of the deck lights. Note 4.—1 consider that proper attention should be shown to this matter, though in the eyes of some the matter might appear very trifling. As regards stores, they were put on board in a most careless manner, and one important article, i.e., sand, was omitted altogether. As it has been my earnest desire to keep the between decks as clean as possible, I was somewhat more than disgusted to discover that I was prevented from doing so in the manner I wished, and compelled to resort always to scraping, which must in the end do serious damage to the ship. My surgery, although placed in the steadiest part of the ship, was often flooded with water from the leaking of the deck-light, and was, owing to the noise on deck, and the screaming below from the children, about the worst place a man could have to dispense medicine in. I had the deck-light knocked out and replaced, but lam sorry to say that, on the whole, matters were made worse by so doing. I here notice as regards the careless way the stores were put board. I state that of a barrel of bottled beer (medical comforts), supposed to contain forty-eight bottles, I realized twenty-five entire. The rest were smashed, not by the motion of the ship, but by the way they were stowed or rather flung on board, I must also notice that I missed some small quantity of brandy and gin (medical comforts), which I believe to havo been stolen in the docks. Note s.—lt would be better for the surgeon to have some quiet place aft for his surgery, as what he will lose in the steadiness of his feet he will certainly gain in the steadiness of his head. On the 2nd October the eggs were all served out, and I must state that the majority of them were rotten. They were shamefully packed in salt. There was no sand found, though every endeavour was made to find it. I have little or nothing more to say about the ship. The supply of disinfectants was very good, and was well made use of. The maximum of condenser's work was 150 gallons ; the minimum 80. As the voyage promised to be very long, the water was reduced a little. The captain and I explained to the people the necessity wo were under. C. W. Pbatt.
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Enclosure 2 in No. 24. Memoeandum on Issuing-rooms for Immigrant Ships for New Zealand. The principal requisites for an issuing-room are, — 1. That it shall be of easy access. 2. That it shall have sufficient room and ample light to enable the representative of each mess to see that the fair weight is issued to him. 3. The provisions and those who carry them from the issuing-room should be as little as possible exposed to wet. 4. For convenience of replenishing the stores, it is advisable that the issuing-room be as near as possible to where the provisions are stowed in the hold. We are of opinion that there can be no difficulty in finding space to meet all these requirements on the passenger deck below on either side of one of the hatchways, where a side-scuttle and a deck bull's-eye may (if not already in position) be placed so as to suit. Those, with the hatchways, will insure ample light. If the issuing-room be placed under the poop, or in an already-built round house, the messmen and provisions will be exposed to wet, especially in stormy weather ; and besides this, the most valuable part of an emigrant ship would be practically lost for emigrant accommodation, as such places as the poop and round-house, where ventilation is necessarily the best in the ship, should be used for hospitals, surgeries, and sleeping places for women and children. To build an issuing-room on deck would cost a large sum, as it would have to be very securely fixed, and besides would occupy space on deck which ought to be available for immigrants in hot weather. Where the vessel is large and does not carry many immigrants, the latter objection does not exist. We have served in troop and emigrant ships in which the issuing-room was placed below in every case, and no inconvenience was ever experienced. R. Johnson, * R. A. Edwin, 2nd February, 1874. Commander, R.N.
No. 25. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 23.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 6th February, 1874. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 672, of Bth October, 1873, forwarding an explanatory memorandum from Mr. Ottywell on the report of the Immigration Commissioners upon the " Wild Duck," and to inform you that I submitted the memorandum to Dr. Diver, who came out as surgeon-superintendent of the ship, and who has favoured me with his remarks thereupon, copy of which I forward herewith. I desire to call your particular attention thereto, iv the hope that the irregularities and deficiencies set forth may not again be a subject of complaint by medical officers in charge of emigrants. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London, Julius Vogel.
Enclosure in No. 25. Memoeandum by Dr. Diyee for Mr. Haughton. In consequence of the ship " Wild Duck " leaking so much, many of the immigrants had to crowd into other berths than their own, and those who were unlucky enough to be unable to find room, had to sit up all night upon several occasions. The immigrants were inspected by Dr. Humphreys and myself; i.e., he walked past all of them in about half an hour, and they were not examined at all. I do not object to ventilation by means of scuttles, but in our hospital there were two scuttles ; one could not be opened in consequence of the fastenings being out of order, the other was blocked up because there were no fastenings at all; and when permanently closed, the water squirted in at least a yard, so that the beds, bedding, and the whole place were always wet. The carpenter was always engaged upon ship's work. Upon several occasions I wanted work done and could not get it done. The single men and single women had to stand at their meals in several messes, because they could not get the forms mended. The cook was, I believe, a good man, but complained that he could not obey orders from want of room. I never could get enough gruel for my sick, and what little I did get I had the greatest trouble, anxiety, and annoyance from one and another. With respect to Messrs. Shaw, SaviU's letter, my books will show, and I can produce abundance of proof, that the medical comforts were very short of quantities ordered ; also no extra glass for skylights, no tarpaulins for hatches (so that when it rained it was as bad below as upon deck, no boards, no sand, no quick lime, no awnings or side screens, soup very short, milk ditto, soap ditto, very little charcoal, which is most important, not only to dry and warm the place, but to take away bad smells) ; milk is also very important, for diarrhcea is produced, in children especially, from food not digesting; and amongst people unused to being crowded together, fever is produced, and unless you can give digestible food, the patient must go from bad to worse. I consider it a perfect miracle that half my people did not die, which I am sure would have been the case if I had not insisted upon the greatest care with respect to cleanliness.
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I am of opinion that the surgeon cannot do his duty whilo he is on the articles, for if he tries to do his duty he has to point out several things to the captain, and perhaps give a little trouble, whereas the captain, who is the servant of the owners of the ship, works for them and himself, and in many cases is not satisfied unless he can make money during the voyage by many little acts contrary to orders, viz., selling spirits and tobacco, Ac. I had some trouble in this particular and in many other ways. I repeat, the surgeon should be free, or he cannot do what is expected of him for the benefit of the passengers without being made very miserable the whole of the voyage by the captain and his crew. I never think of the ship " Wild Duck " without being thankful that she arrived as she did with respect to the health of the passengers; and I can produce abundant evidence of everything I have stated. 13th January, 1874. H. L. Diver.
No. 26. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-General. (No. 24.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 6th February, 1874. Herewith is forwarded copy of the report of the Immigration Commissioners upon the ship " Salisbury," which arrived at AVellington upon the 19th January. Tou will observe that the Commissioners again direct attention to the store-room being in the married people's compartment, and to there being no improvement either in the means of getting up and down the 'tween-decks. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.
Enclosure in No. 26. Commissioners' Report on Ship " Salisbury." Sir, — Wellington, 26th January, 1874. We have the honor to report the arrival of the ship " Salisbury " on Tuesday morning, the 19th inst., with 200 statute adult Government immigrants —one birth and no deaths having occurred since leaving England. One child died before the ship left Plymouth, but the circumstance was duly reported in the Agent-General's letter of the 22nd October last. The " Salisbury " was signalled 011 Sunday afternoon, the 18th inst., but as it was blowing a gale from the N.W., we concluded that she would not be able to work in on that day. On the Monday, the gale continuing, arrangements were made for sending out a steam-tug, and as no information had reached us as to the health of the passengers, we concluded it was our duty to proceed by the steamer, in order to be in a position to take action at once should it be necessary to place the ship in quarantine. Fortunately, however, we ascertained that all were well on board, and having succeeded, after some trouble, in towing the vessel into harbour at 3.15 a.m. on Tuesday morning, we arranged to inspect the immigrants at 10 o'clock the same day. We first mustered the immigrants, and on the whole, we found them to be a strong, healthy lot of people, the only exception being a young man named Craig, who is suffering from haemoptysis; but as we have since ascertained that he was not selected or sent out by the Agent-General, we do not consider that he should be classed with the Government immigrants, although he received the same treatment on board the ship, and was supposed to have been one. We found the single men's compartment tolerably clean, but wo should have liked to have seen it better ventilated and lighted. As however, there was plenty of cubical space per adult, there were no evil results. The married people's compartment was well lighted and ventilated by ten side ports, nine decklights, and two large ventilators through the deck-house. There were alley-ways all round the berths, which greatly promoted ventilation. The hospital was ventilated by a mushroom ventilator, and the compartment was clean and tidy. We must again direct attention to the storeroom being in the married people's compartment. We have more than once stated that in our opinion it should be on deck; and if no other place can be provided, one of the outer cabins in the saloon should be used for the purpose. There is no improvement either in the means for getting up and down the 'tweendecks, every vessel having the same description of light, flimsy, and inconvenient hatchway and ladder to which we have so often called attention. In this vessel there was a large beam right across the hatchway, which must have been very inconvenient. The single women's compartment was particularly clean ; it was well lighted, and ventilated by eight ports, and a large sky-light which went up through the poop. The hospital and bath-room in this compartment were very good. The matron had also a comfortable enclosed cabin. The passengers' galley was roomy and well fitted, but the condenser was almost useless, not having been worked since the 13th December. This was after the ship had been detained at Plymouth for eleven days on account of the same condenser. Fortunately there was a good supply of water on board when the condenser broke down, and the immigrants informed us that they had all received their full allowance. On questioning the people, we found that they were all generally well satisfied with the treatment they had received on board. One or two married men made a statement that rice had been short issued, but the captain explained that they had received more of other things than was stipulated on their contract tickets, and he did not wish to do them out of a few pounds of rice. The complaint was ridiculed by most of the people who were present on deck when it was made, and we did not
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consider it worth taking notice of, as we know that with a number of immigrants there are always some who have a grievance which is often more imaginary than real. We consider that the " Salisbury " has brought the immigrants out in a satisfactory manner, and that Captain Clare and Dr. Dove have performed their respective duties exceedingly well, and we have much pleasure in recommending the payment of all gratuities excepting to two of the constables, which in one case was stopped, and in the other reduced by the captain and surgeon-superiutendent. If Dr. Dove should wish for re-employment as surgeon-superintendent of an emigrant ship, we consider him well qualified for the appointment. We have, Ac, Alexander Johnston, M.D.,A H. J. H. Eliott, >■ Commissioners. John Holliday, )
No. 27. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-General. (No. 27.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 6th February, 1874. Herewith is forwarded report of the Immigration Commissioners upon the ship " Star of India," which arrived at Lyttelton upon the 31st December, 1873 ; also copies of a *report by the surgeon-superintendent, aud of certain telegraphic correspondence* between the Immigration Officer and the Government. The complaints as to the dietary scale appear to have been well founded, and to have been the result of gross carelessness on the part of the despatching and inspecting officers, whose duty it clearly was to see that the dietary scales posted for information of the immigrants and their contract tickets were in accordance with the terms of the charter-party. I would direct your attention especially to the remarks of the surgeon-superintendent, where he points out deficiencies in several matters affecting the health and comfort of .the passengers. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius A r OOEL. * These documents are not printed, tho substance of them being included in the Commissioners' report.
Enclosure in No. 27. Commissioners' Report on Ship "Star of India." The Commissioners, on visiting tho above ship, found the various compartments in a very creditable condition as to cleanliness and order, and also well lighted and thoroughly ventilated. The arrangements generally were satisfactory, but the plumbing work was very badly done, especially in the case of the single women's closet and bath-room in the poop. The arrangement of the closet was very objectionable, there being three seats opening into one common trough, without sufficient fall to carry away the soil, the supply of water being inadequate, and the service ill arranged. The Commissioners wero informed that the surgeon-superintendent had constantly to seek the services of the ship's carpenter to remedy defects in the plumber's work. Much dissatisfaction was expressed in the married and single men's compartments with respect to the dietary scale. Many of those who were in these compartments had been transferred from the "Dilharree," and held contract tickets in the dietary scale on which were included cheese, carrots, and onions. None of these were placed on board. Some others showed contract tickets on which these were erased, as they stated, after issue. A third class had tickets in which these were omitted. On inquiry, the Commissioners ascertained that these articles are not included in the present contract, and that the fault therefore does not rest with the charterers. The same, however, does not apply to the omission of condensed egg for children; a grave one, as there is no possibility of keeping eggs fresh beyond the first week or two of the passage. Appended to this report are threo of the original contract tickets and other papers held by the immigrants per " Star of India," by which the discrepancy will be evident which has caused much annoyance both to the officers of the ship and the immigrants, upon what seems otherwise to have been a very pleasant passage. The Commissioners would further remark that the scale posted in each compartment of the ship contained the articles, namely, cheese, carrots, and onions, which, under the present contract, have not to be provided. The quality of the provisions was good, and the serving out and cooking had been regular and satisfactory. The distillery apparatus had worked well, giving an ample supply of water throughout the voyage. The class of immigrants was highly satisfactory: this may be especially remarked of tho single females, who, both in physique and conduct, compared favourably with any shipment hitherto received. Several of the immigrants had been detained at the port of embarkation; some had been paid the amount allowed for such detention; others, notably Germans, not speaking English, had not been paid. Tho Commissioners would recommend that in future the shipping officer should see these claims adjusted before the ship sails. 4—D. 2.
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The matron, Miss Ferrier, is very highly commended both by the captain and surgeon-superin-tendent. The Commissioners recommend the payment of full gratuities. Wm. Donald, R.M. John F. Rouse, J.P. Lyttelton, 3rd January, 1874. J. E. March.
No. 28. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 30.) Sir, —■ Immigration Office, Wellington, 10th February, 1874. Referring to my letter No. 254, of ISth December last, I forward copies of further correspondence with the Immigration Officer relative to the charge of cruelty brought against the surgeonsuperintendent of the ship " Chile ;" also copy of the newspaper report of the case prosecuted against him in the Resident Magistrate's Court at Auckland, upon the information of a female immigrant named Vesey, which resulted in his acquittal ; and further copies of correspondence between Dr. Coughtrey and this department, and of the opinion of the Attorney-General thereupon. The conclusion which I am led to draw, from close consideration of the case, is that the instructions to surgeon-superintendents issued from your office are not sufficiently explicit as to the definition of the power these officers may exercise. Neither "The Passenger Act, 1855," nor the Order in Council of 7th January, 1864, justify the surgeon-superintendent of a ship to imprison or in any way restrict the personal liberty of the immigrants on board. The course laid down in the case of riotous and insubordinate conduct is a prosecution upon arrival, when heavy penalties for each offence committed can be enforced. I do not speak here as to the power of the captain, as that is not in question, but I think you will agree with me that surgeon-superintendents should fully understand how far their powers extend before proceeding to take charge of emigrant ships. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.
N.B. —The enclosures to this letter are laid on the table in manuscript. No. 29. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-General. (No. 38.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, llth February, 1874. Referring to my telegrams of the sth and 21st ultimo, in which I informed you that the "Surat" had become a total wreck on the coast, and that the certificates of the captain and chief officer had been cancelled, and that of the second officer suspended for two years, I now forward for your information, extracts from the local newspapers containing an account of the wreck ; also of the official inquiry and the criminal proceedings which were subsequently instituted in the Resident Magistrate's Court at Dunedin against Captain Johnson, and which resulted in his being sentenced to two months' imprisonment. Tou will observe that Captain Jacquemart, of the French war steamer " Vire," rendered most valuable and timely service, by at once proceeding to the scene of the wreck and assisting to transport the immigrants to Port Chalmers. The conduct of Captain Jacquemart and his officers was entirely appreciated by the Provincial authorities and the inhabitants of Dunedin. The Provincial Government have, as you are aware, forwarded to England a valuable testimonial for presentation to the Captain when the leave of his Government for the purpose is obtained. I must beg you to take the necessary steps for conveying to the President of the French Republic the thanks of the Government of New Zealand for the services rendered by the " Vire " on this important occasion. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.
No. 30. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-General. (No. 43.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, llth March, 1874. I forward herewith copy report of the Immigration Commissioners upon the ship " Ocean Mail," which arrived at Port Nicholson upon the 2nd February ultimo, and was placed in quarantine for a few days in consequence of cases of scarlet fever having occurred amongst the children during the voyage. Having lately addressed you very fully upon the general subject of the fitting and despatch of emigrant ships, Ido not feel it necessary to remark upon the report; but I would call your attention to an extract from the surgeon's diary, which is appended thereto, as being worthy of your very serious consideration. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London, Julius Vogel.
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Enclosure in No. 30. Commissioners' Report on Ship "Ocean Mail." Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 10th February, 1874. We have the honor to report the arrival, on the 2nd instant, of the ship " Ocean Mail," with 244 statute adult immigrants on board, five children, equal to one and a half statute adults, having died during the voyage. As soon as possible we visited the ship, and having ascertained that there had been some cases of scarlet fever amongst the children, and that one girl was then in hospital with that malady, we considered it right to send the vessel to quarantine for a short time, in order that the immigrants' clothing and luggage might be thoroughly disinfected and cleansed, and the ship's 'tween-decks cleaned out and painted. We considered it was very necessary that this should be done, for although we are aware that scarlet fever is not a new disease in this town, we did not think it prudent to admit a vessel with such a large number of children (130) into the port with that disease actually on board. Our instructions to the captain and surgeon-superintendent having been carried out with alacrity, we were enabled to inspect the ship on Friday last. We found her a very fine vessel, and well suited for the conveyance of immigrants. On visiting the single women's compartment we found the arrangements exceedingly good. One great advantage the "Ocean Mail" has over most other vessels is the arrangement for enabling the single women to get on the poop direct from their own compartment without going on the main deck : owing to this, they can be kept entirely separate from the other immigrants. The hospital, water-closet, and bath-room, were each well arranged and convenient, being under the poop, but we regret to say the plumber's work was very defective. (See extract from surgeon's journal attached.) This compartment was lighted and ventilated by four side ports, part of the saloon skylight, and a large ventilator, which had been cut through the deck. There were alley-ways all round the berths, with a passage up the centre of the compartment. Tho married people's compartment was lighted and ventilated by eight side ports, sixteen deck-lights, a skylight over part of the main hatch skylights each side of the foremast, and one before the galley up through the house on deck. There were alley-ways round the berths, and the passengers in this compartment had the advantage of having the use of both the after and main hatches. The hospital and issuing-room for the married people were on each side of the main hatch. This arrangement is much the same as in most other vessels which we have inspected and reported upon. The single men were located under the fore hatch, they had two deck-lights ; and two side ports. Their hospital, was on deck, but as it had not been required for the single men, the doctor very judiciously decided on using it as a fever hospital for the children, on the first appearance of that disease. The masts of this ship are ventilators, and, as far as wo could learn no effort had been spared to make her thoroughly well ventilated and lighted. Her height 'tween-decks is 7 feet 9 inches. The fittings, which appear to be very much the same as in all emigrant ships, were all landed on the quarantine station. The passengers' galley was large and well found, and we were informed that the condenser had worked satisfactorily during the voyage. After inspection, the ship was towed up to the wharf by the Government steamer " Luna." On Saturday, the 7th instant, we inspected the immigrants, having ascertained that all their washing had been completed, and our instructions as to disinfecting and cleansing generally carried out. They appear to be a cheerful and contented lot of people, and expressed themselves as well satisfied with their treatment during the voyage and on the island. When asked if they had any complaints to make, their response was "Three cheers for the doctor," and no one immigrant ever hinted at a grievance. We were pleased to learn that the only saloon passenger was a lady, the authorities in England having objected to the conveyance of male saloon passengers owing to the annoyance and trouble they cause, and we are told that several applications for passages were refused. We append an extract from the journal of the surgeon-superintendent, every word of which is worthy of serious consideration, as his suggestions appear to us to be thoroughly practical, and are borne out by the statements of the immigrants themselves. Dr. Hay is eminently well qualified to take charge of Government immigrants, having previously made a voyage to Canterbury; and we feel confident that the prevention of a very serious outbreak of scarlet fever amongst the children was mainly attributable to his judicious treatment, and we were pleased to learn that he had received the cordial assistance of Captain Watson. The immigrants were all landed on Saturday immediately after our inspection. In conclusion, we have much pleasure in recommending the payment of all gratuities. We have, Ac, Alexandeb Johnston, M.D.,A H. J. H. Eliott, > Commissioners. John Holliday, ) Obsebvations by Dr. Hay. TnE " Ocean Mail" ought to have left London on the 6th November, 1873, but not being ready she did not leave till the Bth, and then she was by no means ready for sea. AVhat work remained to be done had to be done while we were lying off Gravesend, and in such a hurry that it was not properly finished. The locker-seats very soon separated from the bunks, and the single women's water-closet leaked at every joint in the pans, waste-pipe, and stop-cocks. Fortunately there was a plumber amongst the passengers who put it to rights after a great deal of trouble. The decklights all leaked, the hatches leaked and there was no proper covering provided for them, the baker's trough leaked, and there was no place provided for the baker to work in. The water-cans supplied to the passengers w-ere perfectly disgraceful: although new, nearly every one leaked, and the passengers not only lost their water, but we had great difficulty in keeping the
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compartments dry. They have had to pass through tho plumbers' hands nearly every week since we. left. The bottoms ought either-to be made of wood or very much thicker metal, and there ought to be proper stands provided for the cans, to prevent them moving about when tho ship rolls. The passengers came to embark on the 6th (a very wet day), and were kept waiting several hours till lodgings were found for those who had no friends to go to in London. A great many had severe colds in consequence. When the workmen finished it was dark, and they carried off all the wood that had been put on board, and all the scrapers except three. All these evils would be avoided if the passengers were to embark at Plymouth, where there is proper accommodation for them to wait till the ship is ready. They would also be saved the miseries of the passage down Channel. The provisions were of good quality and sufficient in quantity, except in a few of the messes where there were a number of children. When there is such a large proportion of children as we had in this ship, I think that the adult ought to commence at nine years instead of twelve years, as at that age they eat as much, if not more, than an adult. On Saturday they have only half allowance of meat: when this is cooked and the bones removed it is ridiculously small, and caused a great deal of grumbling. They also grumbled about the quantity of soft bread that they got for their flour : they think that it ought to gain in weight when made into bread. The baker says that when made with flour and yeast alone it does not gain. lam unable at present to decide the question. In the contract ticket it says that the children are to be allowed arrowroot, and either fresh or condensed eggs. Now there was no arrowroot put on board except that for medical comforts, and that would only have lasted them one-third the voyage. The eggs put on board were packed in salt, and nearly one-half were either bad or broken, and there was no condensed egg to supply their place. In future it would be well to supply condensed egg for at least half the voyage, and the quantity of that and other children's stores ought to be regulated by the number of children, and not by the number of adults. For instance, the number of eggs is 500 for each 100 adults : but in that 100 adults there may be fifty children or there may be only ten, and the quantity supplied is the same. The wording of the contract ticket and Acts of Parliament is not very clear. It says there that the meat is to bo issued in the cooked state, and they think that it means that they are to have 1 lb. of cooked meat. It would be well to word it more clearly. The quantity of sand supplied for cleaning is not sufficient: it ought to be at least twenty instead of four bushels. We unfortunately got hooping-cough on board, and have had over thirty cases, and three deaths. We had also an outbreak of scarlet fever after being fifty-four days out from Plymouth. How it originated rather puzzles me, as all my reading and teaching have led mo to believe that scarlet fever does not originate de novo, and that the period of incubation is from three to fourteen days. However, there it is, and that theory falls to the ground. We had them isolated as completely as possible, and for three weeks had no more cases, but yesterday another case showed itself. The arrangements of this ship are good, especially the bunks, being in blocks instead of arranged endways against tho side of the ship. The ventilation is thus much improved, and there is more privacy. T. B. Hay, Surgeon-Superintendent. P.S. —I believe there is a rule that every emigrant must have a certain quantity of clothing before they can embark. This rule was not enforced in this ship, as several were allowed to come on board with only what they had on. All emigrants ought to be made to show that they have got the required number of changes of clothing before they can come on board.
T. B. H. No. 31. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 45.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 12th March, 1874. Herewith I forward]copy of report with enclosure, of Immigration Commissioners upon the ship "Isles of the South," which arrived at Lyttelton, upon the 3rd February, ult. Tou will observe that complaints are made as to the leakage of the ship's side, the position of the matron's cabin, and the defective character of the plumber's work of the closets. These are matters to which I desire that you will call the attention of your despatching officer. The dietary of the children, as in many previous instances, appears to have been most carelessly attended to, and to have given rise, not unreasonably, to very great dissatisfaction amongst the emigrants, who, upon this and other alleged causes of complaint, held a meeting on board the ship at sea, and forwarded a report thereof to the Immigration Officer upon arrival, a copy of which forms one of the enclosures referred to above. A very serious charge has been made against the surgeon-superintendent, of having sold medical comforts, and he has been committed to take his trial at the Supreme Court. Extracts from the official log, bearing upon the case, are appended to the Commissioners' report. I should wish to be informed upon what recommendations the officer was appointed. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.
Enclosure in No. 31. Commissionees' Repoet on Ship "Isles of the South." The Commissioners, on visiting the above ship, found the immigrants all in good health. Three deaths
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had occurred on the passage, two children from infantile disease, and one woman of dysentery and debility from age. The cleanliness of the compartments (with the exception- of the single females, which was fair) was very inferior to -that of the average of vessels carrying immigrants. This was alleged by the passengers themselves to have been due in great measure to the ship's sides admitting water. In the arrangements one very objectionable item was noticed, viz., that the matron's cabin, a very narrow one, in a corner in the after part of the compartment, was hemmed in by berths erected in front of it, leaving only a very narrow passage for communication, which, in the event of any insubordinate persons choosing to do so, would be blockaded with the greatest ease. The plumbing work of the closet in the poop, used by the single women, w-as very defective, causing on many occasions great annoyance from leakage into the married people's compartment below. Complaints are again made as to the children's dietary, the articles specially belonging to w-hich were not served out for the first three weeks of the voyage through their not being sooner found, having been stowed away out of sight. Several of the immigrants stated that their children had only received four eggs each during the voyage. Nearly all the eggs which had been packed in salt had either been broken or had gone bad, and there was no condensed egg on board to issue in their place. Various complaints with regard to the issuing of food and water have been made in writing by the married immigrants. The condenser, an improved Graveley's, had worked well, and given an ample supply of water throughout the voyage. A charge, formally entered in the " official log," against the surgeon was brought under tho notice of the Commissioners, of having sold medical comforts placed on board for the immigrants. As this will probably be the subject of judicial inquiry, the Commissioners for the present forbear expressing any opinion upon the matter. The matron does not appear to have exercised efficient control over the girls, two or three of whom appear to have behaved very badly. Familiarities were reported to have taken place between the sailors and these girls upon various occasions. The Commissioners consider the selection of the matron injudicious. It will be observed that the immigrants complain that there was no hospital for males. Complaints were made as to the quality of the salt beef, but the samples shown by the immigrants were of average quality. The old grievance again cropped up with reference to carrots, cheese, and onions, which appear in the prospectus issued by the Agent-General, but are omitted in the charter-party and upon the contract tickets. This appears to have been a fruitful source of discontent. The Commissioners make no recommendation with regard to gratuities (excepting to the constables, who appear to have performed their duties), pending the decision of tho Courts of Justice. Wm. Donald, A J. F. Rouse, > Commissioners. Lyttelton, sth February, 1874. J. E. Maech, )
No. 32. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-General, London. (No. 50.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 13th March, 1874. Herewith I have the honor to transmit satisfactory reports, by the Immigration Officer and Commissioners at Auckland, upon the ship " Lauderdale." I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.
Enclosure in No. 32. Commissioners' Report on Barque " Lauderdale." Sir, — Auckland, 2nd February, 1874. We have the honor to report the arrival of the barque " Lauderdale " on the 30th ultimo, with 100 statute adult immigrants. We boarded the vessel inside the North Head, and having ascertained there was no sickness of an infectious character, proceeded with the usual inspection. The vessel was excessively clean in every particular, and all the compartments well ventilated. There was a plentiful supply of water, and all the provisions were of excellent quality. There were no complaints made by any of the passengers. One death of an infant occurred on the voyage. In conclusion, we beg to recommend that tho gratuities be paid to the officers. We have, Ac, I. J. Burgess, Chief Harbour Master. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, T. M. Philson, M.D., Health Officer. Wellington.
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No. 33. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 51.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 13th March, 1874. Herewith I have the honor to transmit copy of report, from the Immigration Commissioners at Napier, upon the ship "Queen of the North." I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.
Enclosure in No. 33. Sic, — Immigration Commissioners' Office, Napier, 6th February, 1874. I have the honor to inform you that the " Queen of the North," Captain Diel, arrived in the Ahuriri roadstead on Monday, the 2nd February, with immigrants from London, 102 days out. In pursuance with your instructions the Commissioners proceeded on board, having been obliged to engage the services of the steam lighter " Bella," owing to the gale of wind blowing at the time. The Commissioners, after a strict investigation, have much pleasure in reporting the vessel, provisions, Ac, as being in a most satisfactory condition. The immigrants, without exception, were perfectly satisfied with the treatment they had received. They expressed confidence in the captain, and have since their arrival presented the doctor and chief mate with letters thanking them for their kindness and attention. The Commissioners desire to record these facts as illustrative of the good understanding existing between the immigrants and the officers of the ship. The Commissioners, however, would beg to suggest that the Agent-General for New Zealand be directed to make provision for the erection of a water-closet for the married women below deck in any future vessel coming to Hawke's Bay. This the Commissioners think desirable both from a moral point of view as well as a necessity in time of bad weather. I have, Ac, G. F. Fannin, Commissioner, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. (for Commissioners).
No. 34. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 61.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, llth March, 1874. I forward herewith the following documents connected with the s.s. " Mongol," which arrived at Port Chalmers upon the 13th ultimo, and was placed in quarantine in consequence of the presence of infectious disease amongst the passengers:— 1. Copy of Report of the Immigration Commissioners at Dunedin. 2. Copy of Memorandum by Dr. Webster, a Member of the Provincial Executive of Otago, forwarded under cover of a letter from His Honor the Superintendent. 3. Copy of Report upon the voyage of the s.s. " Mongol," by the Surgeon-Superintendent, and Dr. AVebster's remarks thereupon. 4. Copy of Royal Commission of Inquiry into the circumstances of outbreak of disease on board. 5. Copy of Memorandum by the Under Secretary, covering Interim Report of Royal Commission. 6. Copy of Memorandum by the Immigration Officer, Wellington, covering newspaper reports of the proceedings in the Resident Magistrate's Court, Wellington, instituted against the Captain in consequence of the said Interim Report. Considering that the very important questions affecting this ship are still sub judice, pending the report of the Royal Commission, I defer any remarks upon the subject for the present. I feel it necessary, however, to call your attention to the fact that although the " Mongol" arrived more than a month ago, neither the ship's book nor any other information respecting her emigrants, or the conditions of contract, beyond what is contained in your letter No. 861, of 24th December, 1874, has yet reached this Department. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vofel.
Enclosure 1 in No. 34. Commissionees' Repoet on s.s. "Mongol." Sic, — Immigration Office, Dunedin, 23rd February, 1874. . We have the honor to report that the s.s. " Mongol " arrived in port on the 13th instant, from Plymouth, having made a passage of fifty-one days. On receiving the report of the surgeon-superintendent alongside, we found that sixty-seven cases of measles and twenty-one of scarlet fever, with other non-infectious diseases, prevailed amongst the emigrants on the passage, and that sixteen deaths had taken place, four from the former and five from the latter. Wo thereupon decided to place the ship in quarantine, and await the decision of the Board of Health, which was called to meet on the same day.
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The Board of Health having met, it was resolved that all the immigrants be removed from the ship to Quarantine Island, that the ship be thoroughly fumigated, and should no case of fever break out in the meantime, she would be admitted to pratique on the 19th instant. She having been accordingly released on that day, we boarded her, and report as follows: — Toung men's compartment: Fittings as usual. Compartment clean and well sprinkled with disinfectants. Ventilation by six side-lights, hatchway, and also through the foremast. Married people's compartment: well fitted, with ample room to move about. Chloride of lime freely used. Ventilation by twelve side-lights. Three ventilators, 3by 2, and hatchways. Single women's compartment very clean and well fitted. Ventilation by four side-lights on port side, and one starboard side-light and hatchway. The hospital, which was on deck, appeared to us commodious, and well situated for fresh air and ventilation. The cooking range did not appear to us to be sufficiently large enough, and, from its situation, the cook complained that the fires would not burn very well during the prevalence of a certain wind, from want of draught. The cooking ranges in every emigrant ship thould be fully tested, several days before her final departure. The " Mongol" had three distilling apparatus, one of which alone could distil 700 gallons per day. The infectious diseases which prevailed on the passage first appeared in the barracks at Plymouth, where the immigrants were lodged for fourteen days before embarking. There were thirteeen persons taken out of the ship after embarkation, who showed evident symptoms of disease. The immigrants, with very few exceptions, seemed to be satisfied with their treatment on the voyage. The matron, Miss Diggnis, deserves particular notice for her care and attention to the single females. We recommend that the captain, officers, matron, and constables receive the usual gratuities. We have, Ac, William Thomson, A David O'Donnoghue, > Commissioners. His Honor the Superintendent, Colin Allan, ) Chairman of Board of Health.
Enclosure 2 in No. 34. His Honor J. Macandeew to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Dunedin, 16th February, 1874. I have the honor to enclose herewith copy of a letter addressed to me by Dr. Webster, one of the members of tho Health Board, with reference to the sickness on board the " Mongol," from which it would appear that there has been gross carelessness on the part of the Medical Officer who cleared the ship at home. I have, Ac, J. Macandeew, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent. Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 2 in No. 34. Dr. G. M. Webster to His Honor J. Macandrew. g IE • Dunedin, 13th February, 1874. As the Executive Member of the Government deputed [to act as one of the Board of Health of this Province, I proceeded, in company with Professor McGregor, tho Harbour Master, the Medical Health Officer, and Immigration Agent, alongside the steamship "Mongol," to inquire into the various circumstances in connection with the scarlet fever for which she had been placed in quarantine, and as many of them require investigation, I deem it my duty to bring them under your notice, viz.: —lst. That previous to embarkation several emigrants for the ships " Mongol " and " Scimitar," then living at the depot at Plymouth, were affected with scarlet fever, and that two for the " Mongol " had to be removed from it. 2nd. That on embarkation the medical superintendent of the "Mongol" found it necessary to disembark a whole family on account of their bad state of health consequent upon attacks of scarlet fever, and on account of the risk their fellow passengers ran from contagion by their presence on board. 3rd. That the day after sailing, one case of scarlet fever pronounced itself, and which was evidently in existence some days previously. 4th. That from tho verbal report of the surgeon-superin-tendent of the "Mongol," it was quite clear to all the members of the Board, especially Professor McGregor and myself, that the prevalence of scarlet fever was pretty general among the children of the emigrants at the depot at the time those for the "Mongol " were drafted for embarkation. From the above facts, which I believe cannot be contradicted, I have no hesitation in stating that the Health Medical Officer whoso duty it was to examine into the state of health of the emigrants previous to embarkation, and to guard against a contingency such as that which happened, was guilty of gross carelessness, and merits the gravest censure, and I would strongly urge upon your Honor the necessity of moving the General Government to take immediate steps so that this flagrant breach of duty should not be passed over or allowed to occur again. I have, Ac, G. M. Webstee, His Honor the Superintendent, Dunedin. Secretary for Lands.
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Enclosure 3 in No. 34. Repoet by the Suegeon of the s.s. "Mongol." I have the honor to present my report of the voyage of the s.s. "Mongol," of which I was medical superintendent, from Plymouth to New Zealand. The " Mongol " sailed from Plymouth on 23rd December, having on board 313 emigrants received from the depot the preceding day. Of this number 188 were adults and 125 were children under 12 years of age ; the latter being made up of 75 between 12 and 4 years, 39 between 4 aud 1 year, and 11 infants under 12 months. It will thus be seen that the proportion of children to adults was very large. Two cases of scarlet fever had already appeared in the depot and had been removed, and one case of measles. The scarlet fever was confined to one family, and another member of this family had suspicious symptoms when received on board ; but these did not develope, and she was allowed to proceed on the voyage. I may add that this person did not fall ill with the disease, A medical inspection of the immigrants took place on the morning of the 22nd, at which I was present. Two families wero sent on shore, a child in one being at the time ill with scarlet fever, and the children in the other apparently only lately recovered from it. The ship sailed on the 23rd. On the 24th a case of measles appeared among the single women and was removed to hospital, and on the 25th two cases' of scarlet fever also amongst them were removed there. The latter cases occurred in the family already attacked on shore. On the 26th a child in the after part of the ship, where a few married people were placed, was also attacked with scarlet fever, she being likewise placed in the hospital. In the after compartment referred to there were but a few families, shut off from the compartment occupied by the single women, the main body of the married people and all the single men being removed forward from them by a large space including the engine-room. As no disease had appeared forward, I therefore determined, with the captain's help, to maintain a strict isolation of the two parts of the vessel, the one from the other. School which had just commenced was broken up, and two deck constables appointed to prevent all communication of emigrants forward and aft. This cordon was established on 26th December, and was well and efficiently maintained. On Ist January another case of scarlet fever appeared, also among the single women, and was immediately transferred to hospital, making in all four cases up to that date. Strict isolation of the two parts of the ship was preserved up to 10th January, when, as no new case had manifested itself, it was somewhat relaxed, and on that date school was commenced. During all this time measles had been steadily spreading through all the compartments, and up to 19th January fifty-one cases had occurred. Almost all of these did well, the weather being warm and favourable to a mild attack. On 21st January a child forward was most violently attacked with malignant sore throat, and from this date onwards scarlet fever of a severe type continued prevalent there. The only patient leaving the hospital up to the re-appearance of tho epidemic, did so cured of scarlet fever on Ist January. Her bed was retained in the hospital, and her clothes were passed through a solution of carbolic acid. In addition to this, a measles case was discharged cured on that day, and her clothing treated in a similar manner, her bed being also retained. With these exceptions, no patient left the scarlet-fever compartment of the hospital up to the second appearance of the epidemic. These are the facts connected with the re-appearance of scarlet fever ; and in view of them, it is to be regretted that the strict separation of the two parts of the vessel was not maintained during the whole of the voyage. On the other hand, no effort could have stayed the progress of the measles, the cases occurring in all parts of the ship, and in numbers far beyond our hospital accommodation. The total number of deaths during the passage was sixteen: of these, three were due to bronchitis, four to measles, and five to scarlet fever. The remaining deaths resulted from —Ulcer, one; inanition, one ; sunstroke, one ; diarrhoea, one. The total number of cases occurring on board, of the three former diseases, were —Bronchitis, eight; measles, sixty-seven ; and scarlet fever, twenty-one. Two births took place on the passage, and both the children were landed in good health. In the face of the severe epidemic recorded above, and of the mortality resulting therefrom, I would desire, with some distrust from my limited experience, but with a weighty sense of the importance of all inquiry into the subject, to place before you some observations on the apparent cause of it, and also to suggest some remedies which may possibly lessen mortality in the future. Among the causes may be placed the following:— 1. A want of due care in the selection of emigrants, and a want of due inspection on being placed on board. Some of the families placed under my charge were of highly weak constitution, and apparently unable to stand against even the trials of a sea voyage. In one family all the children (three in number) died, their deaths being placed under the heads of inanition, measles, and bronchitis ; the real cause of death being the want of bodily vigour to withstand even a slight attack of disease, combined with a want of attention on the mother's part to their food and general comfort. Another death, registered as from ulcer, affords strong proof of the necessity of careful medical inspection before embarkation. When about a week at sea, a mother showed me her child, an infant of 12 months, with two immense ulcers in its groin, arising from want of due care in dressing. These sores were wholly beyond cure, and must have been in existence before the ship sailed, when a careful medical inspection would have at once detected them. Another instance of want of care in selection is afforded in the case of an old woman and her husband proceeding to children in the Colony. The woman's age is returned as 48, but she appears to be about 65. She is tottering and feeble, has had a paralytic seizure on board, and w-as with difficulty landed alive. 2. Absence of hospital accommodation at Plymouth. The emigrants for the " Mongol" were placed in the depot along with those for the " Scimitar." Scarlet fever broke out amongst them, and when I requested that the sick be placed in the hospital, I discovered that, owing to overcrowding in
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the depot, the hospital had been filled with emigrants, and it was necessary to seek for lodgings for the sick in the town. This accommodation was obtained with difficulty, the result being that healthy and sick were crowded together for hours longer than necessary, and the town itself afterwards exposed to the contagion by the sick being placed in their midst. 3. The next point presenting itself as a probable cause of the disease is that of the ship sailing with emigrants out of whose midst but a day previously both scarlet fever and measles cases had been removed. There cannot bo a reasonable doubt that if these people had been detained on shore, and placed in well-ventilated quarters, the sick being removed from them the moment disease presented itself, the epidemic would have been much lessened in extent and severity. 4. The large proportion of children to adults may be placed next as contributing to the mortality. Including with heads of families the single men and single women, there w-ere on board, in the total number of emigrants, two children to every three adults. It will be readily seen that an attack of scarlet fever would tell with double force on such a company, compared with one in which, the totals being the same, the number of children shows a smaller relative percentage. It is a curious fact that on board the " Mongol" the large number of deaths occurred not in the large but in the small families. The following is interesting as showing this : —The total number of children on board contained in families of one, two, and three was sixty-two ; and out of this number nine died ; whilst the total contained in families of four, five, six, and eight was also sixty-two ; and out of this number but six died. There is thus, from this limited experience, no drawback in carrying largo families. 5. AVant of suitable provisions in sufficient quantity appears to me, although not an exciting, yet a strong predisposing cause, of sickness and increased mortality-, especially in presence of an epidemic. And here I must refer to a failure of certain of the provisions for the children on board the " Mongol." When twenty-six days out, the supply of eggs and of preserved egg was completely exhausted, and in their place preserved meat was issued to tho children ; and when twenty-eight days out, I was obliged, as our supply of arrowroot and sago was almost used up, to limit these to the use of the sick, and issue in their place bread to the children. About this time also the supply of milk fell short; and had it not been that extra milk stores w-ere on board, wo should have been placed without this essential article of children's food. Amongst the medical comforts, barely one-third the quantity of preserved- milk mentioned in the charter-party (a charter-party, however, which is disputed by tho captain) was shipped; and no beeftea, although our ship should have been provided with GO tins. 1 place these facts here without comment. 6. I must record here what occurs to me as another cause of the mortality on board, viz , neglect of parents towards their children. In nursing, in cleanliness, and especially in giving a sufficient quantity of well-prepared food, I have found much to be disappointed with amongst mothers under my charge. The above appear to me the leading causes of the avoidable sickness and death now being inquired into, and to remove them the following present themselves as suitable measures: — 1. A careful inspection of each family at their home, and also before being placed in the depst. When proceeding on board, each emigrant ought also to undergo a thorough medical examination at the hands both of the inspector and of the surgeon-superintendent receiving them. 2. The depot accommodation at the port of embarkation ought to bo amply sufficient to allow- of the removal of the sick from the healthy the moment they are discovered to bo so, and sufficient also to completely isolate their families in case of infectious disease. 3. AVhen there is, as in the case of the " Mongol," almost the certain.}- of infection being carried on board, greatly increased hospital accommodation ought to be provided before tho ship sails. There would then be some possibility of isolating the sick, and thereby removing contagion from the healthy. Tho " Mongol " carried the space allotted by the Passengers Act, and in this w-ere erected seven beds; but it will readily appear how inadequate this was. This was to afford accommodation during the epidemic amongst 300 people berthed together. 4. There comes next under consideration the dietary and nursing arrangements of the children, by far the most important subject that I have yet touched upon. I havo gone carefully into the diet scale, and believe that, so far as the children are concerned, it is faulty in the extreme. This scale provides for those from four to twelve years half an adult's portion, a quantity amply sufficient, but in the nature of the food not at all what a child in a healthy state desires and requires. Take tho instance of a child four years old: from him milk is wholly excluded, and of bread he receives 12 oz. weekly, a supply which he could readily consume at two single meals. For the rest, he receives the main portion of his food in salt and preserved meat and hard biscuits, with 12 oz. of flour for a week's supply, and this not alone to the child of four years, but to the children of eight and ten, an age when the craving for bread can be hardly satisfied. I have had fathers and mothers come to me repeatedly and beg for bread for their children. I have been assured by parents that they had hardly touched their own issues of bread since they came on board, in order to satisfy the wants of their children. To such an extent did this bread difficulty reach, that I was at last obliged to issue bread amongst the medical comforts to convalescent children. It may be said that biscuits form a suitable substitute; but it was not so on board the "Mongol," and many a bucketful went overboard as waste, when not a crumb of bread could be picked up amidships. Placing the children in messes with tho adults I regard as the next faulty arrangement. If it be conceded that the food supply should be different from that of the adults, it follows that a separate mess is the most natural arrangement. This brings me to some suggestions which I would respectfully submit for careful consideration, viz., a separate children's table, the idea being gathered from some experience of Indian ships, on board which many children are carried. I would suggest that children 5—D. 2.
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between two and twelve years take their meals together, at an hour somewhat earlier than that of the adults. To preside at these meals, aud to carry out the details which they would involve, an experienced nurse should accompany the ship, one nurse being provided for every fifty children. At meal time the nurse would preside, and distribute the food; the parents of each family assisting their own children The providing of one or two more nurses to superintend, I regard as essential to the scheme, as they would bring a certain amount of authority to bear on all the children's arrangements. I would also place in their hands the superintendence of children under two years, the distribution of milk to them, Ac, and the looking after the comfort and well-being of the children generally. For guidance in forming a diet scale for the children's mess, I would suggest the following :— Breakfast —Bread, porridge, milk. Dinner—Soup and meat, potatoes, bread, rice, sago, Ac. Supper —Bread and milk. In dealing with children of ages showing so wide a difference, messed at the same table, a large latitude as to the quantity should be allowed; but this might with safety be left in the hands of the presiding nurse. The grand point desired, viz., suitable food for the children, would be gained by adopting a diet table in which bread, milk, and soup, with rice and other farinaceous food, formed the leading articles ; and this point being once established, specific details would be readily adjusted afterwards. Before closing my report, I would desire to record my thanks to Captain Flamank for the courtesy I have received from him during the voyage, and also for tho attention and despatch which any suggestions or requests that I have made for the comfort or health of the emigrants have almost invariably received. I wish also to testify to the care and ability with which the matron, Miss Diggnes, has administered her trust, and beg most heartily to thank her for the good conduct and order she has always maintained amongst her charge. The assistance, too, received by me from the Rev. Mr. Kennedy deserves my warmest acknowledgments. He materially contributed to the comfort of the sick, and the recovery of the convalescent, by his patient and long-continued administration of delicacies preservingly obtained. Our Sunday services were also conducted by Mr. Kennedy, and by Mr. Holloway ; and the attendance and attention on these occasions marked the appreciation which the labours of these gentlemen obtained. Wm. J. Davidson, M.R.C.S. Lond., L.S.A., Quarantine Island, 26th February, 1874. Surgeon-Superintendent of s.s. " Mongol."
Enclosure 4 in No. 34. His Honor J. Macandrew to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Dunedin, 4th March, 1874. Referring to the report of the surgeon-superintendent of the steamer " Mongol," copy of which was forwarded to you yesterday, I have now the honor to enclose the remarks of Dr. Webster, Secretary for Lands and a member of the Board of Health, thereon. As these remarks have a very important bearing upon immigration as now being conducted, I beg to commend them to your earnest attention. I have, Ac, J. Macandrew, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent of Otago. Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 4 in No. 34. Memorandum by Dr. Webster for His Honor J. Macandrew. I think the report of the surgeon-superintendent of the steamer " Mongol " is an able one, and calculated to bring about a better state of matters as regards the arrangements of emigrant ships, if any attention is paid to its recommendation. My experience, however, leads me to expect that little or no notice will be taken of it, unless some one in a more prominent position calls the attention of tho General Government to it. I would therefore recommend your Honor to do so ; for there can be no doubt but that the emigrants were selected from the poorest (half-starved) and lowest grades of society, and so utterly demoralized that parents were devoid of any natural feeling for their children ; and that the want of proper accommodation for the emigrants at the port of embarkation, and of the ordinary precautions against the spread of contagious disease, were very glaring. G. M. Webster, Government Offices, Dunedin, 4th March, 1874. Secretary for Lands.
Enclosure 5 in No. 34. Royal Commission upon s.s. " Mongol." James Fergusson, Governor. To Henry Scott McKellar, of AVellington, Collector of Customs ; Alexander Johnston, of Wellington aforesaid, Doctor of Medicine; and Frederick Augustus Krull, of the same place, Merchant, —Greeting: Whereas a steamship or vessel called the " Mongol " hath recently arrived at Port Chalmers, in tho Colony of New Zealand, having on board certain passengers, immigrants, and other persons for various parts and places in the said Colony : And whereas there is reason to believe that certain of the said passengers, immigrants, and other persons were at the time of their embarking on board the said steam-
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ship suffering from disease, or from the effects of disease, or from other bodily ailment; and it is also alleged that certain of the said passengers, immigrants, and other persons, who were on board the said steamship at the time of her departure from Plymouth, in England, have died on board the said steamship prior to her arrival as aforesaid, and during her said recent voyage: And whereas it is expedient that an inquiry should be held into all and singular the said allegations, and into the circumstances connected with the death of such passengers, immigrants, aud other persons as aforesaid, and also into the several matters and things hereinafter mentioned : Now therefore, I, the Right Honorable Sir James Fergusson, Baronet, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, reposing great trust and confidence in your knowledge and ability, by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said Colony, and in pursuance and exercise of every power and authority enabling mo in that behalf, do hereby appoint you the said Henry Scott McKellar, Alexander Johnston, and Frederick Augustus Krull, to be Commissioners for the purposes hereinafter set forth, that is to say, — To inquire into the origin, outbreak, and existence of any infectious or other disease or bodily ailment on board the said steamship, during her voyage from Plymouth aforesaid to Port Chalmers aforesaid ; and into the state of health of the said passengers, immigrants, and other persons at the time of their embarkation on board the said steamship at Plymouth aforesaid, or immediately prior thereto ; and also as to the mode and time of the medical examination of such passengers, immigrants, and other persons before or after such embarkation as aforesaid; and into all the facts and circumstances attending the death of all or any of such passengers, immigrants, and other persons as aforesaid on board the said ship during her said voyage ; and into the compliance or non-compliance by all and every person and persons liable and chargeable in that behalf with the laws relating to or affecting passenger ships, in so far as the same affects the said ship " Scimitar;" and generally into the provision made for the medical and other treatment, and the actual medical or other treatment, of the immigrants on board such ship during the said voyage. And for better effecting the purposes of this Commission, you and each of you are hereby empowered and authorized to call before you such persons as you shall judge likely to afford you any information on the subject of this Commission, and to inquire of and concerning the premises by all other lawful means and ways whatsoever. And the Commission shall continue in full force and virtue, and you, the said Commissioners, or either of you, may from time to time, and at any place or places within the Province of Otago, proceed in the execution hereof, and of every matter and thing herein contained, although the inquiry be not regularly continued from time to time by adjournment. And lastly, that you do, with as little delay as possible, report to me, under your hands, your opinion, resulting from the said inquiry, of the several matters and things herein set forth. Given under the hand of His Excellency the Right Honorable Sir James Fergusson, Baronet, a Member of Her Majesty's Most Honorable Privy Council, Governor and Com-mander-in-Chief in and over Her Majesty's Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same, at the Government House, at Wellington, this twentieth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-four.
Enclosure 6 in No. 34. Interim Report of Royal Commission. Sir,— Wellington, 3rd March, 1874. We have the honor to inform you that during the course of our investigation into the origin and existence of infectious and other diseases on board the s.s. "Mongol," during her recent voyage from Plymouth to Port Chalmers, it has come to our knowledge that very serious complaints were made by the passengers that they did not receive their proper allowance of water. We therefore deem it our duty to inform you of the fact as soon as possible, so that the Government may, if so advised, take action in the matter. In the absence from Wellington of all that class of passengers who would be most materially affected by this treatment, we have not yet been able to carry our investigation on this point to a conclusion; but in the meantime the accompanying extracts from evidence taken before us will apprise you of the facts that have come to our knowledge. AYe have, Ac, H. S. McKellae, Chairman, A Alexander Johnston, M.D., > Commissioners. Fr. Aug. Krull, ) The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, AVellington. Extracts from Evidence taken before the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into the cause, Ac, of Infectious Disease, Ac, on board the Steamship " Mongol." Alfred Lay, storekeeper, s.s. " Mongol:" I heard the emigrants complain that they did not get their full allowance of water. This complaint was general, and I can name particularly Budd, Allan, and Abrahams. The carpenter served out the water. The emigrants said they only had half allowance. I asked the carpenter if this was true, and he said he obeyed the captain's instructions. He said they did not get their full allowance, but did not say how much they were deficient. This conversation took place about the beginning of January.
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John Smith, carpenter, s.s. " Mongol:" I served out the water to the emigrants from the day we left Plymouth until the 18th January. I served out three pints per day to each of the emigrants until we arrived in the tropics, and then two quarts each.. This continued until we got out of the tropics. Then I returned to three pints. There was no change as long as I served out the water. I issued these quantities under the captain's orders. Complaints were made to me by the emigrants, but I referred the complainants to the captain. They complained that they did not receive water according to their allowance. The water for cooking was issued to the cook according as required by him. I know that the passengers complained to the captain. One passenger I know complained was Tanner. AYe were not short of water. Edward Robins, fourth mate, s.s. " Mongol" : On the 18th January the captain told me I was to serve out the water from that date to the end of the passage. He told me I was to be very careful with the expenditure of water, as he did not wish to start the condenser; the reason he gave me being that he wished to save the coals. He also told me that if he had to start the condenser, I should have to pay the expense of the fuel used. That was used as a threat only, I believe. On the morning of the 19th-January I began to servo out the water. I gave three pints to each emigrant, and three pints to the cook for each emigrant. That was by the captain's orders. On the evening of the 21st January the captain called me into his cabin and asked me what water I had expended that day. I told him about 340 gallons. That was for passengers and crew. He told me it was too much, and I must make a tank of 400 gallons last for two days. I told him it was impossible, —that people would not get their allowance. He said I was to obey his orders, and he also drew up a statement on paper of the water I had given to each person that day. By that statement, the emigrants' cook's allowance was 92 gallons, and the emigrants' messes allowance 92 gallons also. He said too much was expended, and I must cut 50 gallons off the allowance to the emigrants' cook, 20 gallons from the ship's cook, and that with the rest of the emigrants I was to give them barely their allowance. I said to him that the people were already complaining of the water, and that they would not stand it. He said I was not to mind, but was to try them with that, and if they stood that, I was to cut them off more next day. I gave out the water next day according to the orders given to me over night. I was then surrounded by several of the emigrants, who told me that I had been cheating them of their water. I told them I was merely obeying the orders that had been given to me, and referred them to the captain. Several of them went to the captain, and several of them to a passenger named Mr. Holloway, and Mr. Holloway went to the captain, and afterwards the captain told me I was to give the emigrants' cook 20 gallons extra, and give him back the 50 gallons that I had been told to deduct from him. * * * * Things went on pretty well while the water lasted, but on the 10th February there was no water in the ship fit for use. On the 6th February the captain told me he would have to use the condenser. I told him he must, or else there would be no water left. On the evening of the 7th I again spoke to him, and he said he would start it. On the morning of the 9th I saw the man who works the condenser painting the winches. I asked him why he was not condensing. He told me tho captain had given him orders not to start condensing until all the winches were painted. * * ### # # # # On the 10th I put the men on the pump as usual, and they could not fetch any water. I then called the carpenter, and we both went down and looked at the tanks, and found them empty, with the exception of a few gallons washing on the bottom. I then went and woke the captain up in his room, and asked him if he had given the donkey-man orders to paint the winches. He told me he had. I then told him there was no water left in the ship. I also told him that I had ordered the man on the previous day to start the condenser. The captain then said, "Damn you, sir, who are you, to give orders ?"******** *** He told me to start the condenser immediately; that I was to bail the water from the main tanks and give it to the cooks, and in the meantime I was to keep things as quiet as possible. About halfpast one I served water out to the emigrants, and for the rest of the time, until we arrived at Port Chalmers, I served from the condenser. The issue of three pints of water was for each statute adult ************ There were no complaints about the wholesome quality of the water. Christopher Walker, second mate, s.s. "Mongol:" I know that for some time during the voyage the condenser was not worked. I know that the emigrants had to go till nearly twelve o'clock one day before they got any water, because there was none on board the ship. The fourth officer was down on the tanks bailing up some rusty water for them.
No. 35. The Hon. Julius Vogel to the Agent-General, London. (No. 62.) Sir, — Immigration Office, AVellington, 14th March, 1874. Tou have been advised by telegram of the arrival of the ship " Scimitar " at Port Chalmers upon March sth inst. I regret to state twenty-six deaths occurred amongst the immigrants during the passage, ten of which are reported to have been from scarlet fever, and sixteen from measles and other causes. There were six eases under treatment when the vessel arrived, and she was, in consequence, at once placed in quarantine. His Honor the Superintendent having informed me that the surgeon-superintendent had reported to him that scarlatina and measles made their appearance in depot before the " Scimitar " sailed, and that the first case broke out upon December 28th, four days after her departure, I deemed it right to advise His Excellency the Governor to issue a Royal Commission to inquire into all the circumstances ; and I have the honor to forward you a copy thereof, deferring any remarks upon the subject until I receive the report. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.
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No. 36. (No. 72.) The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-General. Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, Ist April, 1874. I havo the honor to transmit copy of the report of the Immigration Commissioners at Lyttelton, upon the ship " Dilharree," with a certified list of the births and deaths during the passage. The general arrangements of this vessel appear to have been satisfactory, with the exception of the defects in the character of the plumber's work in the baths and closets. This has been a frequent cause of complaint by the several Boards of Commissioners, and I request that you will call the especial attention of your Inspecting Officers to the matter. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Arogel.
Enclosure in No. 36. Commissionees' Repoet on Ship "Dilharree." The Immigration Commissioners beg to report that the above ship arrived in Lyttelton on the llth instant, with 295 souls, equal to 2461 statute adults. On proceeding alongside, the Commissioners ascertained that there had been two deaths (infants) during the passage, but beyond a few cases of hooping cough, the state of health of those on board was satisfactory. Tho Commistioners then proceeded to inspect the compartments, Ac, and they have much pleasure in reporting that each was exceptionally clean, the between-decks very lofty, and the ventilation perfect. The only fault to be found was tho plumbing work in connection with the bath-room and watercloset in the single women's compartment. This was very defective, and on inquiry it was found that the joints of the supply pipe had not been properly fitted, thus causing leakage. The Commissioners have frequently had occasion to report unfavourably on the plumber's work in connection with the bath-room. They trust a little more attention will be paid to this work in future. The immigrants expressed themselves well pleased with the provisions (except in the matter of bread, referred to below) and water served to them during the passage, and for the kind treatment they had at all times received from the captain, surgeon-superintendent, and officers of tho ship. During tho early part of the voyage the bread had given cause of complaint. On inquiry, it was found that the baker was incompetent: he was accordingly dismissed, and one of the immigrants appointed to fill his place. The class of immigrants appeared well suited to tho requirements of the Province. The Commissioners recommend the payment of all gratuities. William Donald, A JonN F. Rouse, > Commissioners. Lyttelton, 17th March, 1874. J. E. Maech, )
No. 37. The Hon. J. Vogel to tho Agent-General. (No. 74.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, Bth April, 1874. Referring to my letter No. 72, of Ist instant, I enclose copy of the report by the surgeonsuperintendent of the ship " Dilharee," upon which His Honor the Superintendent of Canterbury remarks that it " is very valuable, and should, I think, be sent to the Agent-General," and I feel sure that it will receive at your hands the consideration it merits. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.
Enclosure in No. 37. Report by Surgeon of " Dilharee." Sic, — I have the honor to report, with reference to the immigrants under my charge from Plymouth to Lyttelton per ship " Dilharree," as follows : —• The system carried out at the Plymouth depot was most excellent. The advantages of an immigrants' depot there are: Avoiding the tedious Channel voyage; accustoming the people to the regulations required on board ship ; allowing opportunity for arranging tho messes suitably ; isolation from contagious and infectious disease ; permitting the surgeon to observe any signs of infection or contagion breaking out (I had occasion to remove two families, .a child of one being affected with whooping cough, of the other with scarlatina). It would be of advantage, therefore, that the regulation requiring the people to present themselves at the depot by a certain date, say two weeks prior to the date of sailing, should be enforced, and that the depot surgeon or surgeon-superintendent should visit the depot and attend the emigrants every day, or every second day. The medical inspector should be empowered to reject those who are suffering from phthisis pulmonalis: they will not be much improved by a voyage as emigrants, and can be of little benefit to the Colony. Two cases of this kind were under treatment during the entire voyage, continually requiring medical comforts, w-hich are no doubt intended for sickness incurred in the course of the voyage. The marine soap is packed
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with the bedding during embarkation, causing it to be very damp, and giving rise to a great number of cases of diarrhoea and bronchitis amongst the children. One of the infants died in harbour of double pneumonia, probably caused by the damp sheets. The class of emigrants is very good. The arrangements for berthing were very well adapted for comfort, free ventilation, and cleanliness. The after part of the married people's compartment should have wider alleys at the side of the ship. These ought to have been fully as wide as the alleys of the fore part, the arrangement of which was very good. The matron's cabin ought to be beside the foot of the ladder from the after-hatchway, permitting her a better opportunity for keeping the girls away from it at night. The construction of the after-hatch was bad. I would suggest that it should open towards the cabin door, that the ventilating half should be in front, and that the forward half should be carried upwards to the height of six feet in front and at the sides. The present construction permits the intolerable nuisance of the sailors on deck lounging upon the ventilating part of the hatch, and in consequence, renders it impossible to keep the girls away from the ladder. The drugs were excellent in quality and sufficient in quantity. The medical comforts were excellent in quality. They were sufficient in quantity with one exception, that of preserved meats. I make this exception with diffidence, as the children and the nursing and pregnant women were so many in proportion to the number carried, and as there were several young and married women who were unable to retain the salt meats. This accounts for my store of preserved soups and meats running out so soon, and the necessity for supplementing them with the ordinary preserved meats. The provisions were of excellent quality, and were served out according to scale. They were amply sufficient, with the single exception of eggs. The eggs were good at the first, but at the end of five or six weeks those which were not decomposed had a bitter taste. I would suggest that half the supply be fresh and the other half condensed eggs. The sand should be twice the quantity supplied. The hospitals were well arranged. It w-ould be well to have a bath in the married people's hospital, for the use of the women and children. The water-closets answered very well with the exception of the single women's. In this, the seat did not accurately fit on the pan, so that when the water was let on, and the ship either rolled or was upon her side, it ran over, causing the deck to be very wet. This was remedied. The plumbing was also bad in this water-closet, there being a leak where the supply pipe was joined to the pan. This was searched for many times by the ship's carpenter, but was not discovered till the day the ship arrived in harbour. The regulations worked very well. The conduct of the passengers was, on the whole, very good. The exceptions are duly noted in my diary. The passage was a good one, and the weather was fine throughout. The ship is dry and free from vermin. Sickness was almost wholly confined to women and children. Whooping cough was the only infectious disease which broke out: it affected nine children, none seriously. Trusting that the people have been cared for to your satisfaction, and that this report will receive your favourable consideration, I have, Ac, Immigration Office, Christchurch, W. G. Ross, Canterbury, N.Z. Surgeon-Superintendent, Barque "Dilharric"
No. 38. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-General. (No. 75.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 9th April, 1874. Herewith I have the honor to transmit copies of reports by the Immigration Commissioners and the Immigration Officer at Napier upon the ship "Invererne." In forwarding these reports, His Honor the Superintendent remarks, " The immigrants by the ' Invererne ' had a very large proportion of young children, and were consequently more difficult to provide for than former shipments. The men readily found employment, but there is difficulty in housing the families. If a larger proportion of single women and single men could be sent in future shipments it would be better." I shall be glad if you will, as far as possible, give effect to His Honor's wishes. I would also draw your attention to the last paragraph of the Immigration Officer's report, in which it is stated that a nominated immigrant by this vessel is both deaf and dumb. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.
Enclosure in No. 38. Commissioners' Report on Ship "Invererne." Sir, — Immigration Commissioners' Office, Napier, 17th March, 1874. I have the honor to inform you that the " Invererne," Captain Foreman, cast anchor in Hawke's Bay on the Bth instant, and was boarded that evening, after it had been ascertained that there was no contagious sickness on board. On the 9th instant the examination of the ship and immigrants took place. In accordance with your instructions, the Commissioners examined, and found the condition of the vessel to be most satisfactory, and the provisions the same. The immigrants expressed themselves satisfied with the treatment they had received from the officers of the ship. Altogether, the Commissioners were perfectly satisfied with the appearance of the sljip, Ac. I have, Ac, E. T. Fannin, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. (for the Commissioners).
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No. 39. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-Genebal. (No. 78.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 7th April, 1874. I herewith enclose copies of the reports of the Immigration Commissioners and of the Immigration Officer upon the ship " Queen of the Age," which arrived at Auckland upon the 3rd February ultimo; also a short-hand writer's precis of a case prosecuted in the Resident Magistrate's Court, against an emigrant named Patrick Jones, for a breach of the regulation under "The Passenger Act, 1855," which resulted in the conviction of that person, his imprisonment, and the infliction of a fine. There appears to be nothing calling for special remarks in the reports of the Commissioners and the Immigration Officer upon the ship. Certain facts which afterwards came to light, induce the conclusion that very little care was exercised in the selection of the emigrants, but upon this subject I address you in a separate letter. I have to request that you will cause the conviction of Patrick Jones to be printed in poster form, and placed in a conspicuous position in the 'tween-decks of your next few ships, for the information of the emigrants. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.
Enclosure 1 in No. 39. Commissionees' Repoet on Ship "Queen of the Age." Sic, — Auckland, sth March, 1874. We have the honor to report the arrival of the ship " Queen of the Age," on the night of the 2nd instant, with 186 Government immigrants from England. We proceeded on board the following morning, and made an inspection of the ship and passengers, and found everything in a reasonably satisfactory condition. There was no sickness on board when the vessel arrived. A single case of typhoid fever had occurred during the voyage, but the patient, a female, is perfectly recovered for some time. One death from dyspepsia was reported by the surgeonsuperintendent, and one of the ship's crew was accidentally lost overboard in heavy weather. We found the provisions of good quality, and the supply of water had proved equal to all requirements. Every attention appears to have been paid to the comfort of the passengers throughout the voyage, so far as the ship's accommodation would permit. In conclusion, we beg to recommend that the gratuities be paid to the master and ship's officers and the surgeon-superintendent. We have, Ac, H. Ellis, Immigration Officer; T. M. Philson, M.D., His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. Health Officer.
Enclosure 2 in No. 39. The Immigration Officer, Auckland, to His Honor the Superintendent. Sic, — Immigration Office, Auckland, sth March, 1874. I have the honor to report the arrival of the immigrant ship " Queen of the Age," on Monday night, the 2nd instant, with 154 statute adults. I accompanied the health officer on board the following morning, and after having ascertained that there was no sickness on board, Dr. Philson and myself, assisted by Major Green, made the customary inspection, and found the ship clean and in good order. The provisions were of the best quality, but in one or two instances the quantities had run short. The packages of butter were represented as having been uniformly of light weight, and the supply of arrowroot was largely deficient. No complaint was made by any of the passengers. Each adult was separately questioned, and all expressed perfect satisfaction with the treatment they had received. A married male immigrant was suffering from rheumatic gout on the ship's arrival in port, and was landed in a partially crippled condition, but he is much improved since coming on shore. A single case of typhoid fever occurred on the voyage, but the patient, a young woman, is now perfectly recovered. One married male immigrant died of chronic dyspepsia and general debility ; and one of the ship's crew was lost overboard in a heavy gale of wind on the 28th January. I think it necessary to remark here that the passenger accommodation between-decks in this ship is of rather an inferior class. The ventilation to some of the apartments is very defective ; and the fitting up of the sleeping berths is, for the most part, rough and unfinished. The hospital accommodation provided is of a character, as respects the locality and means of ventilation in warm weather, which, had any infectious disease broken out extensively on the voyage, would have made it very difficult to have the patients properly attended to. One of the single male immigrants, named Patrick Jones, having had several complaints recorded against him by the Surgeon-Superintendent for gross insubordination and repeated breaches of the Passengers' Regulations, I felt it to be my duty, with your Honor's sanction, to lay an information against him in the Resident Magistrate's Court. Jones was convicted of being unlawfully in possession of firearms on board a passenger ship, and of persisting to frequent the sailors' quarters against the distinct orders of the proper officer and in violation of the Queen's Regulations, and was sentenced to three days' imprisonment, and to pay a fine of 30s. with costs. A portion of the immigrants were landed the day after tho ship's arrival and the remainder on the day following; and I have to report that nearly all seeking employment have since met with suitable
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engagements. The whole of the single women in particular obtained situations as soon as they were landed, and a very much larger number of this class of immigrants, were they available, would immediately meet with employment at good wages. The same remark will apply to farm labourers and agricultural hands generally, married or single, especially if experienced and steady men. There are in barracks at this date 97 immigrants by the "Queen of the Age," including children and adults. Many of these have obtained employment, or are on the point of doing so, and will shortly remove to their respective engagements. I have, Ac, H. Ellis, His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. Immigration Officer.
No. 40. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-General. (No. 87.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 9th April, 1874. I have the honor to transmit copy of report, by the Immigration Commissioners at Port Chalmers, upon the ship " AVild Deer," which, I am glad to observe, is of a favourable character. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius A 7 ogel.
Enclosure in No. 40. Commissionees' Report on Ship "Wild Deer." Sir,— Dunedin, llth March, 1874. AYe have the honor to report that the ship " Wild Deer " arrived from Glasgow on the sth instant, having made a passage of eighty-five days. She brought to the Colony 238 souls, equal to 197 statute adults, and 15 cabin passengers. We mustered the immigrants, and found them all in good health, and well satisfied with their treatment on the voyage. The ship was thereafter inspected, and found well fitted, and very clean in every compartment. There were no complaints made by any of tho immigrants. Two deaths occurred on the passage, one from infantile cholera and the other from an accident. The immigrants appear to be a very suitable class for the requirements of the Province. Wo think it but just to acknowledge the services of Dr. Simpson and Dr. Cowan, who exerted themselves to promote the health of all on board during the voyage. Judging from results, we have no hesitation in recommending that the usual gratuities be paid to the captain and officers of the ship. We have, Ac, David O'Donnoghue, M.D., A Colin Allan, > Commissioners. His Honor the Superintendent, Otago. Wm. Thompson, )
——————————————V————_____■——!•_*____■—_■_—_• No. 41. The Hon. J. A togel to the A gent-General. (No. 88.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 9th April, 1874. Referring to my letter No. GO, of 14th ultimo, in which 1 reported the arrival of the ship " Carnatic " at Port Chalmers, I have now- the honor to forward the report of the Immigration Commissioners upon tho vessel, which, I am glad to observe, is of a very favourable character. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius A t ogel.
Enclosure in No. 41. Commissioners' Report on Ship " Carnatic." Sic,— Dunedin, llth March, 1874. We have the honor to repprt that the ship "Carnatic" arrived from London on the 28th ultimo, having made a passage of ninety-two days. Scarlet fever and measles having prevailed on the passage, the ship was placed in quarantine, pending the decision of the Board of Health. The Board having met, it was resolved that the immigrants be landed on the Quarantine Island, and that their clothes should be washed and fumigated. The ship was admitted to pratique on Saturday, the 9th instant, after due medical inspection. The " Carnatic " is remarkably well fitted for the conveyance of emigrants, and the ventilation very good. Every compartment was very clean, and evidently had been kept so on the passage. The immigrants now" in quarantine expressed themselves as well satisfied with their treatment. The provisions were of good quality, and the water, condensed on board, was abundant. We recommend that the usual gratuities be paid to the captain and officers. AYe have, Ac, Colin Allan, A Davd O'Donnoghue, > Commissioners. Wm. Thomson, j His Honor the Superintendent of Otago.
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No. 42. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Aoent-Geneeal. (No. 100.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 21st April, 1874. Referring to my letter No. 45, of 12th ultimo, I have the honor to forward, for your information, copy of a newspaper report of proceedings in the Resident Magistrate's Court at Christchurch, against the late surgeon-superintendent of the ship " Isles of the South," charged with having sold medical comforts during the voyage from London to Lyttelton. The jury, you will observe, returned a verdict of " Guilty," but on certain points of law being raised by the counsel for the defence, judgment was reserved until after the session of tho Court of Appeal, in May next. The result shall be communicated to you in due course. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.
No. 43. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 107.) Sic, — Immigration Office, AVellington, sth May, 1874. I have tho honor to forward herewith copies of tho reports of the Immigration Commissioners and the Immigration Officer upon tho ship " City of Glasgow," which vessel arrived in Lyttelton upon 21st March ultimo ; also, summary of the voyage by the surgeon-superintendent, and a certified list of deaths and births on the passage. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.
Enclosure in No. 43. Commissionees' Repoet on Ship " City of Glasgow." The Commissioners, on arriving alongside this vessel, found that eight deaths from various causes had occurred during the voyage ; that measles had been prevalent throughout a great part of it; and that a mild form of scarlatina had, early on tho voyage, shown itself: it was therefore thought advisable by the Health Officer that the immigrants should be landed upon Ripa Island, in order that their clothes, Ac, should be well washed and purified before they came in contact with the public. There being no active disease existing, except two or three cases of whooping-cough, the medical members of the Commission boarded and examined the ship. They express themselves extremely well satisfied with the cleanliness of the several compartments and the arrangements of the vessel, tho only exception being again in the plumber's work, by the faultiness of which the single women's watercloset below had been useless from tho commencement of the voyage. On Monday, 30th March, tho Commissioners visited Ripa Island, and found the immigrants all well. They were mustered in their several places in the buildings, and questioned as to their treatment, Ac, on board the ship. They, without exception, testified to the kindness they had received from the captain, surgeon-superintendent, and officers; and stated that the supply both of food and water had been plentiful and excellent in quality. In point of physique and general'appearanceof health, the Commissioners consider the immigrants by this ship as quite equal to any shipment that has arrived in Canterbury. The condenser had worked well, supplying an abundance of water. The quality of some of the drugs supplied does not appear to have been first-rate. The Commissioners would strongly advise that all ships carrying Government immigrants, should carry medicine chests as supplied by the Apothecaries' Hall. The Commissioners recommend the payment of all gratuities. Jno. F. Rouse. Lyttelton, 9th April, 1874. J. E. Mabch.
No. 44. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 111.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, sth May, 1874. I have the honor to forward herewith the undermentioned documents relating to the ship " Rakaia," which vessel arrived at Lyttelton upon 25th April ultimo. 1. Letter of His Honor the Superintendent of Canterbury, conveying report of Immigration Commissioners. 2. Epitome of Surgeon-Superintendent's journal, with minute of His Honor the Superintendent of Canterbury thereupon. 3. Certified list of deaths and births during the passage. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel. 6—D. 2.
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Enclosure 1 in No. 44. Commissionees' Repoet on Ship "Rakaia." TnE Commissioners have to report that, on visiting this ship, they found the various compartments in a very creditable state of cleanliness. No complaints of any kind were made. The arrangements were strictly in accordance with the contract. The condenser (Eaveley's) had worked well, and all the stores were of excellent quality, The Commissioners recommend the payment of full gratuities. Wm. Donald, A John F. Rouse, > Commissioners. J. E. March, ) Lyttelton, 27th April, 1874.
Enclosure 2 in No. 44. Suboeon's Repoet on Ship "Rakaia." Gentlemen, Ship "Rakaia," Lyttelton Harbour, 30th April, 1874. In accordance with your request, I beg to submit to you an epitome of my journal, and a few suggestions which I consider would be improvements in the present dietary scale. We left Gravesend, January 6th, 1874, with many cases of bronchitis and pneumonia, especially of children. January llth, we appointed Oliver Cambridge as constable in place of James Halstead, and had a general muster of immigrants the same day. _ Owin" to condenser being imperfect, the ship put into Weymouth, January 15th, and on January 24th we put into Plymouth, the steering gear having been injured the previous night; and on the 26th the Government Inspector came on board and examined the various compartments, expressing groat approbation on the cleanliness of same. Durin<r the voyage the compartments were all thoroughly cleansed every day, and the beds brought on deck, and under-boards scrubbed and disinfected once a week; and Divine service was held at least twice every Sunday. From the time of entering until leaving the tropics, lime juice was given to the immigrants at stated times; and owing to the want of condensed egg, 4 oz. of flour was substituted and served out with the weekly stores. About the third week in February diarrhoea became specially prevalent amongst the children, continuing whilst in the tropics. On February the 26th we signalled and partly reprovisioned the " Ocean King," barque, sailing from Bolivia to Swansea. Our number of births was 5 (two being premature) and deaths 7. We sighted Stew-art's Island, April 22nd, 1874, and anchored at Port Lyttelton, Sunday, April 26th. My suggestions are as under : — 1. That 4 oz. of flour every other day would be a suitable equivalent for condensed egg, and would at the same time be more nutritious. 2. That the supply of farinaceous food and condensed milk placed on "board as medical comforts is inadequate to the requirements of children, especially when the number is very great, as was the case ou this ship. 3. That all infants under four months old on embarkation should, on attaining the age of four months, be entitled, on recommendation of medical officer, to the ordinary allowance provided for children of that age. 4. That Saturday's rations should be increased, being at present insufficient for the majority of adult immigrants. 5. Having found " Liebeg's Extract " particularly beneficial, should recommend its being placed on list of medical comforts. I have, Ac, To the Commissioners of Immigration. J. F. Townend. For the Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation. I went on board, and was much pleased with the arrangements. I think the suggestions of the doctor, whose efficiency was universally commended, are well worthy of being carried out. W. Rolleston, 2nd May, 1874. Superintendent.
No. 45. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 115.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 6th May, 1874. I have the honor to forward herewith copies of the fullowing documents relating to the ship " Dorette," which arrived in Auckland upon tho 14th April ultimo. 1. Report of Immigration Commissioners. 2. Report of Immigration Officer. 3. Letter of the Superintendent of Auckland, enclosing report by the Health Officer, upon the state of health of the immigrants. I notice with pleasure the generally favourable character of these reports. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.
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Enclosure in No. 45. Commissionees' Repoet on Ship "Doeette." Sic, — Immigration Office, Auckland, 27th April, 1874. AYe have the honor to state that we have this day made the customary inspection of the immigrant ship " Dorette," after her release from quarantine, which took place on Friday, the 2-lth instant. We found the ship throughout iv a particularly cleanly condition, and have much pleasure in recording our opinion that she is a vessel in all respects well fitted for the service in w-hich she has been engaged In consequence of the steerage fittings having been landed at Motu Ihi, we are unable of course to express any opinion upon their suitability, or upon the character and extent of hospital accommodation provided. No complaint, however, has been made in respect to either of these particulars, and we have every reason for believing that the general arrangements of the ship, including hospital accommodation, the immigrants' sleeping apartments, facilities for ablution, and ventilation between decks, were all of a very satisfactory description. The supply of provisions was ample, with the exception of sago and arrowroot, and the quality was excellent. There was also a sufficient supply of fresh water. A large amount of space appears to have been available for the comfort and healthy exercise of the passengers both below and upon deck. We recommend that the gratuities be paid to the master, the ship's officers, and the surgeonsuperintendent. In conclusion, we beg to forward to the head of the Immigration Department an application by Dr. Flood for an allowance of two guineas (£2 25.) per day for ten days' professional service to the immigrants while in quarantine. As we read the last clause of the published instructions defining the period over which the duties of the surgeon-superintendent are presumed to extend, we do not see that Dr. Flood has any claim for extra allowance in this instance ; but having regard to the fact that no precedent exists here for dealing with such cases, we have judged it advisable to forward the application to Wellington. We have, Ac, H. Ellis, Immigration Officer. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration. T. M. Philson, M.D., Health Officer.
No. 46. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-General. (No. 117.) Sic,— Immigration Office, Wellington, 7th May, 1874. I have the honor to forward herewith copy of the report of the Immigration Commissioners at the Bluff, upon the ship " William Davie." I have much pleasure in noting the satisfactory character thereof. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.
Enclosure in No. 46. Report of Commissioners on Ship "William Davie." The immigrant vessel " AVilliam Davie " arrived at Bluff Harbour on the 12th instant, at 11.30 a.m. From inquiry, the Commissioners learned that the health of the immigrants during the voyage had been very good ; that the provisions had been good, and were served out in accordance with the dietary scale, and to the entire satisfaction of the surgeon-superintendent; that the supply of water was ample, the distilling apparatus having worked well; that the conduct of the immigrants in each compartment had been very good ; and that the immigrants were all of the labouring class, and, as a whole, very fairly adapted to meet the wants of the Colony. The few exceptions (the most notable being a case of cancer in the stomach, which rendered the sufferer not only utterly unfit for employment, but a probable burden on the district for support) were the result, as we learn, of any chance of inspection on the part of the surgeon-superintendent being precluded, owing to the immigrants being put on board at dusk, just as the vessel was sailing. From personal investigation, the Commissioners ascertained that the ship in all its compartments was thoroughly clean and remarkably free from disagreeable smells, carbolic powder being well used throughout the voyage. That the compartments were arranged according to contract; as also the hospitals, of which there were three in number. That a bath-room, with proper appliances, had been provided in the single women's compartment, in which were two closets, besides eight others on deck for the married and single men. So far from there being any complaints, all the immigrants spoke in grateful terms of the kindness and attention they had received throughout the voyage from the captain, doctor, and officers of the ship. The total number of adults landed at the Bluff was 240, four adults electing to go on to Dunedin and Christchurch to join their friends, making in all 244 adults. The surgeon-superintendent reports nine deaths during the voyage (all children), and four births. Two children died of bronchitis after the anchor was dropped. The arrangement fixing the berths fore-and-aft in all the compartments, instead of athwart ships, is one which deserves special remark and commendation. Not only did it add greatly to the comfort of the immigrants while in their bunks, by modifying the motion of the ship, particularly in bad weather, but gave a larger space in the compartments to move about in during the day, and enabled each
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mess to have, as it were, a small compartment of its own in which the meals were eaten, with a sliding table, which, when not required, could be lifted and fastened close to the roof of the cabin. Tho whole arrangements of tho three compartments it would, in our opinion, bo advisable to adopt in all immigrant vessels. We have much pleasure in recommending the following gratuities to be paid to the officers : — To Captain Rankin, £25; to the surgeon-superintendent (Dr. Pearde), £50, and 10s. per adult landed ; to the chief officer, £10 ; to the purser or officer who served out the provisions, £5 ; together with the usual other gratuities to matron, constables, Ac, and schoolmaster, who appears to have given every satisfaction. In closing the report, the Commissioners beg to express their high estimate of the zeal and capacity displayed by Captain Rankin, the surgeon-superintendent (Dr. Pearde), and other officers of the ship, and have little hesitation in attributing the healthy condition in which the immigrants were landed, and tho good order and cleanliness which prevailed on board the ship, in a large measure to Captain Rankin and Dr. Pearde being total abstainers, and are of opinion that it would be of great advantage to immigrants if men of a similar stamp predominated in the service. W. H. Peaeson, A E. W. Toeath, M.R.C.S., >■ Commissioners. Thos. Thomson, )
No. 47. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 129.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 7th May, 1874. I have the honor to forward herewith copies of the following documents relating to the ship " Woodlark," which arrived in Port Nicholson upon 29th March ultimo :— 1. Report of Immigration Commissioners. 2. Report by Surgeon-Superintendent. 3. Memorandum by tho Immigration Officer addressed to the Superintendent of Wellington, and His Honor's minutes thereupon. 4. Report upon immigrants ex " Woodlark," by the officer in charge of the depot at Wanganui. 5. Certified list of deaths upon the voyage and in quarantine. 6. Memorandum by the Immigration Officer addressed to the Under Secretary for Immigration. 2. I regret to have to call your particular attention to the very unfavourable character of the Commissioners' and Immigration Officer's report relative to some of the immigrants by this vessel, and which have been fully borne out by the subsequent conduct of several of the single women, both here and at Wanganui (see report of officer in charge of depot, forwarded herewith). Drunken, dissipated, and immoral, they reflect most strongly and unfavourably upon the department which selected and shipped them to this Colony. 3. The Commissioners' report with regard to the medical inspection of the immigrants by this vessel, which is borne out by the surgeon-superintendent vide paragraphs 3 and 4 of his report, is very unsatisfactory. They speak of this inspection as only a " cursory one," while the surgeon stated " medical inspection was an impossibility." Under such arrangements, I am not surprised that ship after ship arrives with disease on board and w-ith large mortality on the passage. Tour attention has again and again been directed to the insufficiency of the medical inspection, but the case of the " Woodlark " proves to a demonstration that no practical result has followed, but that the inspection is still confined to " a hurried march past Dr. Humphries." 4. I have also to direct your consideration to paragraph 9 of the Commissioners' report, in which they allude to the embarkation of the emigrants " in a dense fog," and the discomfort consequent thereupon. Tho surgeon, you will observe, expresses his opinion that " the spread of the scarlet fever Was greatly accelerated by the dampness of the bedding and clothing, caused by exposure to the fogs. It may sometimes no doubt be necessary, in consequence of shipping arrangements, to embark emigrants upon an unfavourable day as regards weather, but it appears that in this case the ship was not ready for their reception, as " the bedding and luggage, w-as strewn about the decks for hours, exposed to the falling fog, whilst the people themselves were huddled.together in groups wherever they could find the least shelter, many of them not having anything to eat until late in the evening." 5. With regard to the children's dietary scale, upon which the Commissioners and the surgeonsuperintendent remark at some length, I have already instructed you, in my letter No. 37, of llth February, to the effect that your ships should be victualled according to the number of children on board, and not according to the number of statute adults ; and you have no doubt carried my instructions into effect. The report of Dr. Meadows is altogether a very valuable one, and I trust w-ill receive at your hands the consideration it merits. 6. The Immigration Officer directs attention, in a memorandum, copy of which is enclosed, to a most extraordinary proceeding on the part of your agent at Portadow-n, Ireland, who, it would appear, issued contract tickets for " AVoodlark " to emigrants proceeding to Canterbury, by which ship they embarked at the very time when a vessel for Canterbury must have been lying in the docks. I must request that you will inquire into and report upon this matter. 7. In conclusion, I must impress upon you that the character of the class of immigrants now arriving in the Colony is a source of very grave anxiety to the Government, and is creating great uneasiness in the Colony. I have already been officially informed that the shipment by the " Asia" to Dunedin includes a number of girls out of the Cork workhouse, some of whom are notoriously loose. I.am cabling you on the subject, drawing your attention to the report of the proceedings of the Cork Board of Guardians, a copy or precis of which the Super-
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intendent of Otago has telegraphed to mo at my request, and of which I enclose copy. It is evident, by that report, that these women were sent because the Board despaired of their adapting themselves to a useful life at home. It is difficult to believe that you could sanction such emigration ; whilst, on the other hand, it is as difficult to believe that you could be unaware of the published proceedings of your agent, tho woman Howard, whom, by-the-by, you seem to have employed after informing me that you would not do so, vide your letter No. 551, of 29th November, 1872. At another Board meeting, a copy of report of which I also enclose, legal proceedings were actually threatened in your name to enforce completion of the miserable bargain entered into by Howard. I endeavour to think that you knew nothing about the matter ; but, if so, how singular must be the organization of your department, that, with a proceeding so canvassed in the place, with a ship calling off tho town, and, it is to be presumed, some of your officers in attendance to see the emigrants off, you should have to be informed from New Zealand of what occurred under the immediate notice of your officers. I find it impossible to adequately characterize the indignation such a shipment produces, or the alarm which is felt at the intention which is apparent of sending further similar shipments. I have, &c., The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel
Enclosure 1 in No. 47. Repoet by Immigration Commissioners on Ship "Woodlark." Sir ,— Wellington, 6th April, 1874. We have the honor to report the arrival of the immigrant, ship " Woodlark " on Tuesday, the 21th ultimo, with 2501 statute adults. 18 deaths occurred during the voyage, and 2on the quarantine island, making a total of 20 deaths ; equal to 8 statute adults. 2. The pilot having been previously instructed to take the "Woodlark" direct to the quarantine station in the event of her arriving with disease on board, the necessity for bringing her into the harbour and awaiting our instructions was obviated. Early on the morning of the 25th March we proceeded to the quarantine station, where we found the ship at anchor. Having communicated with the captain and surgeon-superintendent, we learned that tho deaths had been principally caused by scarlet fever, or its after effects, and that the ship had carried the disease all the way with her, the first case having occurred on the 16th December, and the last on the 12th March. One family was sent ashore at Gravesend, on the 15th December, as it was suspected that some of the children had scarlet fever. AYe immediately gave instructions for all the passengers to be landed, with their bedding and baggage which had been used during the voyage, the ship to be fumigated and painted in the 'tween-decks after the fittings had all been removed; the immigrants at the same time to have their baggage, etc., passed through the disinfecting house, and then thoroughly washed. AVo visited the station daily, and found that our orders were being satisfactorily carried out; and on Monday, the 30th March, we inspected the ship previously to admitting her to pratique. 3. As the fittings had all been removed, we were unable to see the ship as she was when the immimigrants were on board; but we believe that she was very much the same as other vessels which have recently arrived here with immigrants. The single women's compartment was well ventilated by a large shaft through the saloon, and six side ports: this compartment had also a bath-room, watercloset, and hospital under the poop. The married compartment had eight side ports, fourteen deck lights, eight patent ventilators, and a ventilator through the deck-house. There were alley-ways round the bunks, which greatly promoted ventilation and cleanliness. The single men's compartment had four deck lights, four patent ventilators, and an air shaft through a deck-house above. Altogether the lighting and ventilating of the 'tween-decks of this vessel w rere admirable ; but we must say, however, that in our opinion there were too many passengers on board for the size of the ship, viz., 323 souls for a vessel of 869 tons, with a 'tween-decks of 6 feet 2 inches in height. We have no doubt that the cubical space required by the statute was allowed each adult, but more is required for a voyage to New Zealand. 4. All the hospitals were on deck : this we consider to be a great improvement, notwithstanding the objections which have been made to their being so placed. The surgeon remarks in his report, that the hospital accommodation was not sufficient; but we see no reason to complain of it, as it appeared to be not only satisfactory, but much better than in many ships we have inspected. 5. The galley accommodation was not sufficient for the immigrants, and there was no separate galley for the ship. The surgeon states that the daily issue of rice for the children was about 60 lbs., while the galley only afforded facilities for cooking about 28 lbs., and great inconvenience seems to have been experienced from tho want of better cooking accommodation generally. The condenser also worked badly, but this, we believe, was owing to the fault of the man who was put on board to work it, not understanding the duty required of him. The engineer was appointed by the contractors to work the condenser; but the captain has informed us that he literally knew little or nothing about an engine. Fortunately there was a large supply of water on board, which was liberally issued to the immigrants. The store and issuing-room and dispensary were under the main-hatch in the married compartment. 6. We mustered the immigrants on the quarantine island on the same day that we inspected the ship. There were some desirable-looking people amongst them, but we regret to say that we were not favourably impressed with their appearance at first sight, and the conduct of many of them since their landing in AVellington has proved that they do not come up to the standard of previous shipments of immigrants. The captain and surgeon complained generally of tho bad behaviour of many of the passengers, but no specific charges were brought against any of them: had there been, we should have considered it our duty to have recommended proceedings to be taken in the Resident Magistrate's Court. 7. Wo have learned that some of the worst of the passengers were selected by a Mrs, Howard at Waterford, and the conduct, both during the voyage and since their arrival here, of some of the single women, or rather married women who have left their husbands and come out to the Colony as single women, would lead to the inference that they must have been picked up off the streets without any
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regard to their habits and mode of life. Five minutes' conversation with the captain or surgeon would convince any one that many of these women ought never to havo been allowed to come out with other respectable girls who were on board the vessel. Some of the married passengers and single men seem to be a dissipated, ill-conditioned lot of people. 8. The immigrants were on board the vessel a week before they were inspected : they embarked on the 9th December, and were not inspected until the 16th, and then, we believe, the inspection was only a cursory one, consisting of a march past Dr. Humphreys. It is true that Dr. Meadows, the surgeon-superintendent, was in charge of the immigrants on board the vessel from the day they embarked; but with regard to tho inspection, we would direct your attention to paragraphs 3 and 4 in his report, annexed. 9. From what we can ascertain, the immigrants could not havo embarked upon a worse day. All London was covered with a dense fog ; yet so eager did the authorities appear to get the ship away, that the immigrants were hurried on board, their bedding and baggage being strewn about the deck of the vessel for hours, exposed to the falling fog, while the people themselves were huddled together in groups wherever they could find the least shelter, many of them not having anything to eat till late in the evening. The surgeon-superintendent states it as his opinion that the spread of the scarlet fever was greatly accelerated by the dampness of the bedding and clothing, caused by exposure to the fog. 10. Another source of inconvenience was caused by the lavish expenditure of tho stores and medical comforts during the passage down channel. Tho " Woodlark " was an unusually long time getting down channel, and the consequence was that before the voyage to New Zealand was completed, some articles were altogether expended. We were told that all the stout and candles had run out. Patterson is the name of the person who expended these stores, and he was responsible to Mr. Forbes and Captain Ashby. The surgeon states that nearly all the eggs went bad, that there was no cheese, neither was there a sufficient quantity of lime, sand, and charcoal. We would direct special attention to the surgeon's remarks about the victualling scale for children. It seems absurd that growing children should receive only half rations merely because they reckon as half-adults under the Passenger Act, and we cordially indorse his opinion that emigrant ships should be victualled according to the number of children on board, and not according to the number of statute adults. 11. Captain Largie,his officers, and Dr. Meadows seemed to have earned the hearty good wishes of the immigrants, in proof of which wo append copy of an address which was read in our presence, by the married people, before leaving the quarantine island, and we desire to direct attention to the concluding portion of this address, in which the large amount of sickness and the number of deaths amongst the children is attributed to tho want of a proper medical examination before leaving. We also append the surgeon-superintendent's report, in which some very interesting and practical suggestions will be found. In conclusion, we beg to recommend tho payment of the usual gratuities to the captain, officers, and surgeon-superintendent of the " Woodlark." We have, &c, Alexander Johnston, M.D.,} John Hollidat, > Commissioners. H. J. 11. Eliott, ) His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington.
Enclosure 2 in No. 47. Repoet by Suegeon of Ship " Woodlark." Sic, — Quarantine Station, Somes Island, AVellington, N.Z., 25th March, 1874. This serves to inform you that I have this day landed, under orders of the Agent-General in London, dated 29th November, 1873, 322 souls, who, with 18 children who died during the passage, were placed under my charge in London, for conveyance by ship " Woodlark " to this port. The sailing party consisted of 88 men, 119 women, and 115 children. One birth occurred during the voyage out, making 305 souls landed. The voyage lasted 105 days. 2. In my instructions furnished by the Agent-General, I am requested to "place together my general observations on the voyage, expressing every objection I may see reason to make to the regulations, the victualling, or any part of the arrangement, taking caro to name the remedy I would propose," and for this purpose I would refer you to my medical journal (an imperfect case book), and to my daily diary, and I also desire to call your attention to the following remarks: — 3. On the 9th December, 1873, at 3 p.m., with great difficulty I arrived at the South-west India Docks, New Zealand Company's shed, for the purpose of rejecting or passing the immigrants on board the " Woodlark." A dense fog had covered London a day or tWo previously, continuing more or less until we left Gravesend, 16th December. This fog was of that character that it was impossible to see a yard in advance, and we all considered ourselves fortunate when we succeeded without accident in reaching the docks, and further, in getting on board the " Woodlark," especially so as several had occurred to men accustomed to work in and about the docks. I have had a good deal of experience both in the selection of and of placing on board emigrants, and am certain that no circumstance could have been more unfortunate than the unpropitious stato of the weather at the time these people were sent on board the ship. 4. With regard to the medical inspection of these emigrants at the time of embarkation, that was an impossibility. They were huddled iii groups, keeping themselves warm as best they could, and passed to their berths, in the fog, just in time for tea. The next day charcoal fires were lit, and the people settled to the satisfaction of Captain Forster and the Government Inspector. 5. The voyage has been one of constant anxiety for me, entailing unceasing work both night and day, so much so that at one time I was afraid, when suffering myself from the throat disease of scarlet fever, I should have been obliged to lay up. In all, thirty cases of scarlet fever have been treated, and we have had five deaths during the acute stage (Febris rubra anginosa vel maligna), and two deaths
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from dropsy during convalescence. The ages of the deceased arc as follows: —1 at 11 months, lat 1 year, 2 at 2 years, and 1 at 3 years ; whilst the ages of the dropsy cases were lat 8 years (a weakly com. stitution) and 1 at six years of age. 6. Adults as well as children have also suffered from various sicknesses, but fortunately no deaths have occurred amongst them. 7. The medical register, it will be observed, records the number of patients as amounting to 26 daily for the first week; second week, 28 daily ; third week, 25 daily; fourth week, 22 daily; fifth week, 21 daily; sixth week, 20 daily; seventh week, 12 daily ; eighth week, 15 daily ; ninth week, 19 daily; tenth week, 22 daily; eleventh week, 18 daily ; twelfth week, 15 daily ; thirteenth week, 16 daily; fourteenth week, 15 daily. These were all bedside cases, and do not include those persons seeking relief at the surgery door, nor my corps of little convalescents and weakly children taking from my hands their daily dose of quinine wine or other tonics. 8. We carried with us to the " Woodlark" the infection of scarlet fever of a severe type, and this disease has lasted throughout the whole voyage, for at the time of the passing the ship at Gravesend by the Commissioners, a child of the family of Smith, from Leamington, was suffering from the fever symptoms, consequently the whole of this family was sent ashore, and their bedding thrown overboard, and the first case of the same character occurring at sea was registered 16th December, the last 12th March, Report says that a child of this family (Smith's) has since died, and that the whole family was infected by the same disease. 9. The children throughout the voyage have suffered severely in health, brought up as they most of them have been upon a diet of bread and butter or cheese, with, perhaps, a little fresh meat on Sunday. This can scarcely be wondered at, when that diet, which probably amounted to not less than one pound per day, is suddenly reduced to one-fourth part—viz., Jib. It is true, they had two ounces of rice daily, and other articles; but it appears to me unadvisable to calculate the diet of a child as half, because it is but half an adult according to the Statute. 10. Immediately I noticed the general failing health of the children, I at once ordered hot porridge to be served out every morning. This was at a cost of 24 lbs. oatmeal daily and the consumption of 8 gallons water, which the captain at once allowed, although the condenser was doing very poor duty, and occasionally breaking down. This porridge has done most excellent service, and been highly approved of by all, especially during the cold weather this side of the Line. I also found that the preserved meat for the children was not at all liked, in fact not drawn by some, which, by stewing with pearl barley and rice, made an excellent soup, and of a quality far preferable to most of the soups supplied in tins. 11. In my medical journal I have remarked, under some difficulties (viz., want of time and want of writing accommodation), to some exfent upon all cases of death, and also upon some difficulties in medical practice on board a ship amongst a certain class, and I have now to call your attention to the case of Peter Dalton, aged 1 year, and the means adopted for his, Rosa Harris, and Annie Smith's restoration.
12. At 9 a.m. daily, the whole of the 'tween-decks were visited by the captain and myself conjointly, and immediately upon its termination my first medical visit commenced, lasting till about 12 or 1 o'clock ; and again in the evening, at 7 p.m., I made tho second rounds, lasting till about 9 p.m. Upon one of these occasions 1 noticed this child sitting in the arms of his brother by tho two berths this family occupied. It was a dark part of the ship, but I was very much struck at first by the appearance of the child's naked feet, which were of a purple colour, cold, and somewhat swollen. The mother was confined to bed by a severe attack of rheumatic fever, and the children, six in number, left to the care of a man who, though kind in a certain way to them, seemed to know little of their necessities. I pressed him to let me have the child up in the married couples or single girls' hospital, where Rosa Harris and Annie Smith then were, and placed under the care of two experienced nurses (superintended by the sub-matron) found amongst the single girls. Dalton at once acquiesced in the plan, and I must refer you to the medical register as to the result. This child, the father has repeatedly told me, had literally had no food for fourteen days before its removal, only the allowance of milk according to the dietary scale. The elder children must havo taken from him what little tho scale allowed. It would be interesting to interrogate Dalton upon this subject. Rosa Harris and Annie Smith were also placed under the care of the same females, the latter having been nursed for five consecutive weeks after her scarlet fever attack. The cases of convulsions, and that of enteritis and encephalitis are instructive, as showing the rapidity of the attack and result upon children on board ship. There are also peculiarities about the struma and pyaemia cases. 13. The mortality occurring amongst the children (of mortality amongst adults I have, fortunately, no report to make) proceeding in the several ships to this country, can only be accounted for by their being placed on board ship in an infected state; by the absence of that food necessary to sustain them on the passage, and so readily and easily obtained on shore; by tho length of voyage and life on board ship ; and, I fear, in tho " Woodlark's" case, for the want of true hospitals and hospital convenience, and a beef tea upon which you could depend. With this document I forward a sample of both the beef tea and fresh mutton, the former ununiform and most uncertain in action, sometimes purging violently, at other times dreadfully salt, while the mutton had a peculiar fusty taste, very repugnant to children. Some of the mothers on board proved most excellent women for the duties of nursing their children, others directly opposite, and most of them had large families (as out of the 42 families there were no less than 115 children), and could ill afford to devote much of their time to others in distress. 14. No ship, I presume, goes to sea with an epidemic discovered, therefore it is useless proposing a remedy for that which may not occur on the voyage ; but it appears to me that where families come up to London to embark, one night only in the Poplar Road lodgings, as was the case with the rejected family, will insure an infection of some kind. With regard to soft bread, if the difference is a matter of cost between flour and biscuit, I should not issue any to the single men except in case of sickness. If they have an allowance of one pound of flour per week per man, and that supplied on the Saturday, with the privilege to make and cook a pudding with it and their raisins on the Sunday, they will be perfectly satisfied. The same might be done with the single girls; whilst to the married people,
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soft bread one day old (this is most important) should be served out to them in the proportion of one pound daily, each person above the age of four years (no biscuit whatever), and half a pound of flour for the same ages on Saturday. Children below this age should have half the above quantity, with tho other articles as usual. I would also recommend stopping all the soups usually placed on board, except the chicken soup, and making soup on board from the preserved meat, taking care that there is a good boiling capacity for the purpose ; whilst with regard to the beef tea, Liebeg's extract should be substituted, instructions being given to the medical man to issue it himself, else some favouritism in the store is likely to rapidly exhaust his stock. Eggs are very important, but those packed in salt do not keep. Stout also is highly necessary for nursing women. My general issue was about fifteen pints daily, but it was expended about twenty days before reaching Wellington, and yet the allowance was but one pint in two days. Milk is very useful; my stock was expended before reaching AVellington, and I had to buy of the captain. Cheese also should, I think, be supplied, but it should be served out by the doctor, and , not at the store. 15. The duties of a medical man on board ship are of a most extraordinary, and at times of a most unpleasant character. The passengers know all stores apart from medicines are under his control, and if the object of the doctor is to settle amongst these people, he will render himself obnoxious to them by refusing their demands for wine, spirits, or flour, in fact, anything up to chicken broth for strong womon, thus running through his stock before tho Line is crossed. For myself, I have received considerable abuse from some of the women because I would not supply, to .commence a treatment of some supposed diarrhoea, either brandy or port wine ; whilst the desires for drink, and the number of stomach aches of an evening to be cured by gin, were very, very numerous. 16. I desire to record here the hearty co-operation I havo always received from the captain of the " Woodlark " throughout tho voyage. Stern, threatening measures wore necessary towards some of the single girls, as the matron from the first had no control over them ; indeed, Miss Faithful has virtually performed the matron's duty, and I feel much indebted to her for the manner in which she kept the single girls in order. Some ten or twelve wero the ringleaders, whilst others, on the contrary, amongst some of them are of a most respectable and orderly class of persons. I also desire to acknowledge the help afforded me in the treatment of the sick by the nurses, Maria Edgley and Eliza Steer. It was contrary to my instructions to employ single girls, but there was no alternative, as no married women without children were as equal to tho task as these professed nurses, and those with children had quite enough to do in attending to their own family duties. 17. Before closing this despatch, I wish to call your attention to my remuneration, as being based upon the number of statute adults and not souls for treatment and care on the voyage ; the extraordinary proportion of children making the sum total of 2561 statute adults, instead of 322 souls which left London. I have, Ac, Heney F. Meadows, Late Surgeon-superintendent, ship " Woodlark." The Immigration]Officer,^ Wellington.
Enclosure 3 in No. 47. Memoeandum for His Honor the Supeeintendent, Wellington. Heeewith I forward answers to questions put to immigrants per " Woodlark." I regret to say that so many immigrants were in a state of drunkenness during the first few days after their arrival at the depot, that I found it difficult to get any number to whom I could put tho usual questions, and some of those who I did interrogate were so lamentably ignorant that they could give me little or no information. I have been subjected to a great deal of abuse and annoyance by some of the immigrants, more especially the constables of the ship, who all expected a much larger gratuity than the Agent-General's regulations allow. The depot-master and myself have also had a great deal of trouble in getting the compartments kept clean, and I find it very difficult to know how to deal with immigrants who will not obey the rules of the depot. If strong measures are not adopted, and the offenders are turnod out of the depot, a public scandal is likely to be the result; while, on the other hand, if they are forgiven and allowed to take their places in the depot, as though nothing had occurred, the more respectable portion of the immigrants feel aggrieved at having to associate with those immigrants who havo disgraced the whole shipment. I would mention that five women in the single women's compartment were brought before me by the matron, on Saturday, for drunkenness and disobedienco of rules by staying out all night. Of course I threatened these women that they would be turned out of the depot and handed over to tho police if they did not behave better for the future ; but still, I feel that it would be very injudicious to turn them adrift into the streets. Wellington, 6th April, 1874. H. J. H. Eliott, Immigration Officer. P.S. —Since writing the above, the matron has informed me that she was compelled to turn one notoriously bad girl out of the depot: her name is Amelia 8., from Ratcliff Highway. I have read the reports and memorandum. I regret to find that the report as to the character of the immigrants is so unsatisfactory. I particularly note the remarks with regard to Mrs. Howard's selection. 13th April, 1874. William Fitzheebeet, Superintendent.
Enclosure 4 in No. 47. Mr. Oebell to the Immigeation Offices, Wellington. Sic, — Immigration Office, Wanganui, llth April, 1874. In accordance with your instructions, I have the honor to furnish tho following report re the " Woodlark " immigrants, who arrived in Wanganui on the Bth instant, per " Manawatu." With the
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exception of one married couple, the whole have found employment at current rate of wages. A far larger number of mechanics could havo been disposed of, this class being in great demand throughout the district, and also for good general female servants. I regret to report several complaints have been made with reference to the class of domestic servants, some of whom have misconducted themselves (since they havo found employment) in a most disgraceful manner, and, through their intemperate and immoral behaviour, have already lost their situations, and are not at all likely to obtain others. I might here mention many of the single men have not given the satisfaction one would have desired. The married couples have found permanent employment in town and country. Those in town are quite unable to obtain cottages for themselves and families, and I have allowed them to remain a few days in depot. I hope during tho week to report their securing houses. There is still a large demand for labour, English or Scotch preferred, throughout the district, and a class of able-bodied and willing to work would easily find permanent employment. I have, Ac, G. G. Oebell, The Immigration Officer, Wellington. Sub-Immigration Officer.
No. 48! Tho Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 139.) Sic,— Immigration Office, Wellington, 28th May, 1874. Herewith I havo the honor to forward the following documents having reference to the immigrants by the ship " Surat" :— 1. Correspondence with His Honor the Superintendent of Otago, with respect to arrangements for the recovery of the immigrants' effects from the wreck. 2. Report by the Immigration Officer of the measures taken for the relief of the shipwrecked people. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.
Enclosure 1 in No. 48. The Hon. J. Vogel to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Otago. Sic,— Immigration Office, Wellington, 12th March, 1874. I have the honor to enclose a petition, presented to His Excellency the Governor and Executive Council, by certain passengers per ship " Surat," praying that they may be granted relief in the matter of the loss of their personal effects through the wreck of the said ship, and have to inform you that it was approved in Council that the petition be referred to your Honor, with authority to give such aid towards the recovering of the luggage, and such compensation where the luggage cannot be recovered, as may seem to you desirable. I have, Ac, His Honor the Superintendent of Otago. Julius Vogel. Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 1 in No. 48. Petition of John Outeed and other Immigeants per " Surat." To His Excellency Sir James Fergusson, Baronet, Governor of Her Majesty's Colony of New Zealand, and to the Honorable the Executive Council thereof. The Petition of the undersigned Immigrants per ship " Surat," from England to New Zealand: Respectfully Sheweth, — That your petitioners arrived at New Zealand on the 31st December, 1873, when the ship " Surat" struck at a place named by the captain of the ship as " Chaslin's Mistake." That your petitioners, through such wreck, lost all their clothing, bedding, and effects, and consequently were reduced to the greatest distress. That afterwards the ship and cargo, together with your petitioners' clothing, bedding, and effects, were sold by pubic auction, despite the protest entered by your petitioners against the sale of their said effects. That much of the said property has been landed, and possession thereof refused to be given to your petitioners, although they are the owners thereof. That an injunction was obtained restraining the purchasers of the said wreck from selling your petitioners' said effects, which effects are now rotting in Dunedin. That although the married portion of your petitioners were the only persons who received relief through the funds kindly subscribed on their behalf, yet, on the distribution thereof, it did not averago £3 (three pounds) per head, whilst the unmarried persons not only lost everything they possessed on board, but were excluded from the distribution. Under the circumstances above stated, your petitioners, whose signatures are hereunto attached, being duly authorized on behalf of themselves and the other immigrants per " Surat," respectfully submit to your Excellency and the Honorable the Executive Council that their case is worthy of consideration, and they pray that they may have such relief in the matter as to your Excellency and your 7—D. 2.
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honorable Executive Council may seem meet, or that you will, if thought fit, cause your petitioners' case to be brought before the Parliament of New Zealand. And your petitioners will ever pray, Ac, John Outeed, and 9 others.
Enclosure 2 in No. 48. His Honor the Supeeintendent, Otago, to the Hon. J. Vogel. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Dunedin, Bth April, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 12th March, with enclosures, in re passengers' luggage ex " Surat," and to inform you in reply that, after a good deal of negotiation with the salvors, they have at length consented to accept of £350 in full of all demands in respect of luggage recovered to date. With regard to luggage still to be recovered, of which it appears doubtful if there will be much if any, they stipulate for being paid salvage at the rate of twenty shillings per package. Considering the great cost which has been incurred by the salvors, I am disposed to think the arrangement is not unreasonable. I have, Ac, J. Macandeew, The Hon. Julius Vogel, Wellington. Superintendent.
Enclosure 3 in No. 48. The Hon. J. Vogel to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Otago. Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 16th April, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge tho receipt of your letter of the Bth instant, with respect to luggage of passengers per " Surat." I thank you for the trouble you have taken, and am satisfied with the arrangements you have made. I have, Ac, His Honor the Superintendent, Otago. Julius A togel.
Enclosure 4 in No. 48. The Immigeation Offices, Dunedin, to the Undee Seceetaey for Immigeation. Sib, — Immigration Office, Dunedin, 6th May, 1874. The ship " Surat," with Government immigrants numbering 268 souls, being equal to 223 statute adults, was wrecked at Catlin's River on the Ist January ult. The immigrants were rescued in the ship's boats, and took shelter for two nights in the huts occupied by the hands working at the saw-mills, by whom they were well treated. Captain Thomson and myself left on board the s.s. " Vire" on the 2nd January, to bring the immigrants to Dunedin, and after much trouble and anxiety they were all safely transferred to the steamer without any casualty. We arrived in Dunedin on 4th January, where ample provision was made by His Honor the Superintendent to add to the comfort of the shipwrecked people. The Government ordered the Provincial Storekeeper and myself to provide a full suit of clothes and a pair of boots for men, women, and children, and also bedclothes and a mattress for each adult. They repeatedly expressed their gratitude to the Government for the kindness shown them in their distressed condition, having lost their all by the stranding of the ship. As the wreck was sold with all her cargo, including luggage, the immigrants, according to the view of the purchasers, were not entitled to anything recovered from the w-reck. After some considerable negotiations the Government bought the luggage recovered, and handed it over to the owners. By order of the Court of Inquiry held at Dunedin about the wreck, the surgeon-superintendent, Dr. Tighe, and the purser, both of whom exerted themselves to save life, and who performed their respective duties very satisfactorily on the voyage, were paid their gratuities. I have, Ac, Colin Allan, The Under Secretary for Immigration, Wellington. Immigration Officer,
No. 49. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 142.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, Ist June, 1874. Referring to my letter No. 61, of 14th March, I have the honor to forward herewith copies of the report of the Royal Commission upon the s.s. " Mongol," with the evidence taken, and of other documents in connection therewith. 1. As the circumstances under which the ship "Scimitar" was despatched were almost identical with those of the " Mongol," I defer making any remarks upon the present report until I receive that upon the " Scimitar," which has been unavoidably delayed owing to the illness of one of the Commissioners.
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2. I desire, however, to inform you that I do not entirely concur in the censure tho Commissioners express on tho conduct of the surgeon, Mr. W. J. Davison, and that I do not think there is anything in that conduct to prevent you giving him charge of another ship, which I understand he is desirous of obtaining. He displayed great zeai, patience, and ability in charge of the quarantine station at Dunedin. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.
Enclosure 1 in No. 49. Repoet of Royal Commission upon " Mongol." May it Please Toue Excellency,— Wellington, 22nd April, 1874. We the Commissioners appointed to inquire into and report upon the origin and existence of infectious and other disease on board the steamship " Mongol," during a voyage from Plymouth to Port Chalmers, having proceeded to make the inquiry entrusted to us, and having taken evidence thereon, after careful consideration have agreed to the following report: — 1. Wo have been unable to take the evidence of the surgeon-superintendent of the " Mongol," as he has been detained in quarantine at Port Chalmers since arrival. This will account for the delay in sending in our report. We have, however, been supplied with a copy of the report on the voyage, made by him, w-hich has been of material assistance in enabling us to arrive at a conclusion. 2. The " Mongol " was fitted up in Loudon, and there surveyed, and passed by Mr. E. A. Smith, R.N., on behalf of the Agent-General, and by Captain Forster, Emigration Commissioner. She then proceeded to Plymouth, to embark the emigrants, arriving on the night of the 20th December, 1873. The surgeon-superintendent appointed in London was here dismissed for drunkenness, and Dr. Davison, who came out in charge of the emigrants, appointed in his place. 3. The emigrants for the " Mongol " had been collecting at a depot for about ten days prior to the arrival of the vessel. This depot is kept up by the Imperial authorities, and is available for emigrants to all the British Colonies. There is no evidence to show who had medical charge of it. 4. The evidence clearly shows that, during the time the immigrants were at this depot, there were several cases of scarlet fever and measles in it. Two cases of the former and one of the latter were removed therefrom. It is also clearly proved that the depot was over-crowded and badly ventilated. 5. There was no infectious disease among the crew during tho passage from London to Plymouth, or among the crew or first-class passengers throughout the voyage to New Zealand. 6. The emigrants embarked at daybreak on Monday, the 22nd December, and were inspected that afternoon by the health officer of the port and the surgeon-superintendent of the "Mongol;" and two families were sent ashore, a child in one being at the time ill with scarlet fever, and the children in the other only lately recovered from it. 7. The vessel sailed on the 23rd December with 313 immigrants, consisting of 188 adults and 125 children, making in all 215 statute adults. 8. On the 24th December a case of measles appeared among the single women, and was removed to the hospital; and on the 25th two cases of scarlet fever, also among them, were removed there. The latter cases occurred in a family already attacked on shore. On the 26th a child in the after part of the ship, where a few married people were placed, was also attacked with scarlet fever, she being likewise removed to the hospital. The disease did not spread further in these compartments in consequence of the precautions then taken. Scarlet fever did not appear again until the 21st January, when a child in the married people's compartment forward was attacked. This case was not removed to the hospital, but was treated in the compartment. From that date till the end of the voyage—the 13th February^ —fresh cases continually arose. These cases were allowed to remain in the compartment together with the children unattacked. 9. The total number of deaths during the voyage was 16. Of these, 3 were due to bronchitis, 4to measles, and sto scarlet fever; Ito ulcer, 1 to inanition, Ito sunstroke, and Ito diarrhoea. 10. The total number of cases occurring on board of the three first-mentioned diseases, were bronchitis, 8 ; measles, 67 ; and scarlet fever, 21. 11. It appears in evidence that the married people's compartment forward was kept in a filthy state. The atmosphere in this compartment was most pernicious, in consequence of the discharges from the patients and the odour from the disease generally. The surgeon-superintendent did not propose or apply for any temporary accommodation on deck, with a view to purifying the compartment. The bed used by one of the most virulent cases was allowed to remain after the child died, and was used for the remainder of the voyage without being disinfected. The passengers complained of the damp state of the bunks and of the compartment generally, which was caused by the leaking of the upper deck, and the carrying of water through the hatchway. 12. Throughout the voyage half of the three quarts of fresh water required by the Passenger Act to be delivered to each adult, was withheld from them by order of the captain. On the 10th February there was absolutely no fresh water on board, until a supply was obtained from the condenser, about noon. 13. For the first eight days after starting, children under four years of age were deprived altogether of their rations, and the reason given was that these rations could not be got at. The only food these children had during this period, was what their parents could spare from their own rations. 14. When twenty-six days out, the supply of eggs and preserved eggs was exhausted, and w-hen twenty-eight days out, the arrowroot, sago, and milk which ought to have been served out as ordinary rations for children under four years fell short. From that time forward, the surgeon-superintendent could only issue these articles as medical comforts for the sick. 15. The conclusions to be drawn from the above facts are— (1.) That infectious disease was known by all the authorities to exist at the depot while the emigrants w-ere there.
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(2.)
That the medical officer in charge of the depot—if there were such an officer, which is not clearly proved —neglected his duty in not taking proper means to separate the healthy from the sick, and in permitting persons infected with, if not actually suffering from, infectious disease, to be embarked for a voyage of uncertain length. That if there were no medical officer to take charge of a depot in which there were between 600 and 700 souls, crowded together for about ten days, the authorities by whom the depot was used showed great indifference to the well-being of the people so situated. That the authorities on shore were to blame for embarking the emigrants in such a condition, and tho surgeon-superintendent accepted a grave responsibility when he took charge of them, especially as he was aware of the unusual proportion of children to adults. We cannot understand how the surgeon-superintendent, with a knowledge of the fact that the emigrants were infected with measles and scarlet fever, could think it his duty to leave port until proper steps had been taken to stop the epidemic, and until convenient hospital accommodation had been provided on board. We agree with the surgeonsuperintendent in his strictures upon the want of hospital accommodation and medical care in the depot, and also upon the manner in which emigrants are selected and inspected ; but his remarks on these subjects only cause us the more surprise that he should have been willing to sail, evidently with a knowledge that he had such an infected cargo. He says, " There cannot be a reasonable doubt that if these people had been detained on shore, and placed in well-ventilated quarters, the sick being removed from them the moment the disease presented itself, the epidemic would have been much lessened in extent and severity." That there was no regular inspection of the emigrants until they were on board tho ship, otherwise the cases sent from the ship would have been previously found out. That the surgeon-superintendent was aware of the necessity for isolation on board, as is proved by tho precautionary measures at first taken by him; but he did not continue to use the same precautions after the 10th January. The cases first treated, and which were removed to the hospital, all did well, and the compartments whence they came were, during the remainder of the voyage, comparatively healthy ; thus showing the success that followed these prudent measures. The epidemic having been arrested and driven out from the single women's compartment, and from tho married people's compartment abaft the engine-room, suddenly, on the 21st January, reappeared, with great virulence, in the married people's compartment forward; but we do not find, in the surgeon-superintendent's report, that in these cases any such active and efficient steps were taken to separate the healthy children from the sick. After recording distinctly all the early cases, and giving a very satisfactory report of them, and the precautions taken to prevent the spreading of the infection, his report of the really serious outbreak of the disease is contained in the following words : —" On 21st January, a child forward was most virulently attacked with malignant sore throat, and from this date onwards, scarlet fever of a severe type continued prevalent there." Now, as these cases in the married people's compartment forward were not removed and entirely separated from the healthy, and as the same sanatory precautions were not taken as in the earlier outbreak, we consider that the surgeon-superintendent was guilty of neglect, and we cannot accept the want of hospitals as any excuse. A steamer of the capacity of the " Mongol," carrying only 313 emigrants, must have sufficient deck space to enable the captain and surgeon to improvise hospitals sufficient to accomodate even the large number of children on board. We are the more surprised at the apparent want of precaution taken during the second epidemic, starting on the 21st January, as tho surgeon-superintendent, in his report, so satisfactorily shows how successful had been his strict treatment during the early part of the voyage. It appears, from his report, that the surgeon-superintendent regretted that the strict separation of the two parts of the vessel was not maintained during the whole voyage : at the same time he took no steps to separate the sick from the healthy in tho infected compartments situated forward. His report mentions as a curious fact, that the number of deaths in the small families was out of proportion to the number of deaths in the large families. This, possibly, will be explained by the elder children in the large families having had the disease during some previous epidemic in the neighbourhood of their homes. That a proper supply of provisions and medical comforts for the emigrants was either not put on board, or, if shipped, the former were so badly stowed as to render a most important part of them —that for the young children—useless during a great part of the voyage ; while the latter must have been so carelessly issued as to exhaust the stock of the principal articles before half the contemplated voyage was completed. If the Despatching Officer's report is to be credited, they were " excellent in quality and sufficient in quantity," and yet the surgeon-superintendent appears to have felt severely the want of proper food for the children, and also the poor allowance of medical comforts. We do not however see, in the surgeon-superintendent's report, that any mention is made about the short supply of water—quite as necessary as any medical comforts. He could not have been ignorant of this abuse of tho emigrants, and yet he does not place on record that he ever remonstrated on their behalf, or threatened the captain that he would take proceedings against him on arrival in New Zealand. That the conduct of tho captain, in systematically depriving the emigrants of their legal allowance of fresh water, is deserving of the severest censure. A proper supply of water being essential to the health of the children, the deprivation of it most probably increased the virulence of the epidemic, and the mortality ensuing therefrom. We consider, also, that great recklessness was displayed by the captain in allowing the supply of water on
(3.)
(4.)
(5.) (6.)
(7.)
(8.)
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board to be totally exhausted in mid-ocean, while having so many souls under his charge and such an epidemic on board. (9.) That the supply of children's rations has been calculated -on a wrong basis, although, probably, according to the scale required by the charter, in that no provision was made for the excessive number of children in proportion to adults. We think that children's rations should not be calculated as per statute adult, but according to the number and requirements of the children on board. 16. We forward, for the information of your Excellency, the following papers : —Commission; Evidence; Despatching Officer's Report; Surgeon-Superintendent's Report; Copy of Report by the Immigration Commissioners, Otago; Copy of Report by a Member of the Local Board of Health, Otago. H. S. McKellae, Alexandee Johnston, M.D., Feedk. Augustus Keull. To His Excellency Sir James Fergusson, Bart., Governor. Note. —The evidence is presented in manuscript. Tho other enclosures are printed in pages 30-36.
Enclosure 2 in No. 49. The Undee Secretaey for Immigeation to the Chaieman of Royal Commission. (No. 161.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, llth May, 1874. I am instructed by the Hon. the Minister for Immigration to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 22nd April ultimo, enclosing report of the Royal Commission upon the s.s. " Mongol." The Hon. the Minister observes that the surgeon-superintendent had no opportunity of giving evidence, in explanation or otherwise, of his report of the voyage, upon which grave animadversions of his conduct are founded by the Commissioners. Dr. Davison is now in Wellington, and the Hon. the Minister will be glad if the late Commissioners would give that gentleman an opportunity of appearing before them, as he is desirous of doing, and explaining the apparent neglect, information of which appears to have been, gathered from the document referred to. I have, Ac, H. S. McKellar, Esq., Wellington. C. E. Haughton.
Enclosure 3 in No. 49. The Chaieman of Royal Commission to the Undee Seceetaey for Immigeation. Sic,— Wellington, 15th May, 1874. With reference to your letter of tho llth instant, No. 161, I have the honor to report that, in accordance with the request of the Hon. Minister for Immigration, the late Commissioners in the matter of the s.s. "Mongol " met on the 14th and 15th instant, and received the statement of Dr. Davison on all matters in their report reflecting upon him, which statement has been revised by him, and is now forwarded for the information of the Hon. Minister for Immigration, together with the report of the Commissioners thereon. I have, Ac, H. S. McKellae, The Under Secretary for Immigration, AVellington. Chairman.
REPORT. We the undersigned, Henry Scott McKellar, Alexander Johnston, and Frederick Augustus Krull, late Commissioners in the matter of the s.s. " Mongol," having had before us Dr. Davison, late surgeonsuperintendent of that vessel, and heard his statement in explanation of certain portions of the Commissioners' report reflecting upon him, report for the information of the Hon. the Minister for Immigration that they see no reason to alter their report with the exception of part of paragraph 4 of section 15, and we desire to expunge the following words therein, viz., " especially as he w-as aware of the unusual proportion of children to adults," as we find that he did not receive any copy of the list of emigrants until within an hour of sailing. ' H. S. McKellae, Chairman. Alexandee Johnston, M.D. Wellington, 15th May, 1874. ' F. A. Keull. At a meeting of the Commissioners in the matter of the s.s. " Mongol," held at the Custom House Wellington, on the 14th day of May, 1874 : Present : H. S. McKellar, Esq., Chairman; A. Johnston, M.D.; F. A. Krull, Esq.; W. J. Davison, surgeon-superintendent of the " Mongol," attended, and having been allowed to read the whole of the evidence and the Commissioners' report, and having had explained to him that the Government had desired the Commissioners to meet to receive any statement he might like to make, states, — I find in paragraph 4 of section 15 of their report, that the Commissioners, after referring to the fact of the existence of scarlet fever and measles amongst the " Mongol " emigrants in the depot at Plymouth two days before the sailing of the ship, further say, — " And the surgeon-superintendent accepted a grave responsibility when he took charge of them, especially as he was aware of the unusual proportion of children to adults."
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In reply to this, I beg to say, (1.) That as a fact I was not aware, at the time the ship sailed, of the unusual proportion of children, not receiving the emigrant list from the despatching officer until within an hour of sailing ; but, on the other hand, was assured by Dr. Hosking, who had charge of the depot, that the proportion of children for the "Mongol" was very small; and (2.) That the instructions handed to me on my appointment did not allow me to detain the ship except in the case of actual disease being on board. In proof of the latter I produce my letter of appointment from the AgentGeneral, dated December 19th, 1873, in which paragraph 3 reads, " I enclose for your guidance a printed copy of the instructions to which it will be your duty strictly to attend." I produce this printed copy of instructions, dated August, 1873, in which paragraph 8 reads that the surgeon " will carefully inspect the emigrants as they come to the ship, and will not allow any one to go on board, who may be suffering from any disease dangerous to others." No other allusion is made in these instructions to the embarkation of emigrants, and therefore my action is clearly limited to the removal of people ill with contagious disease. In accordance with this, as stated in my report, two families were sent on shore at the time of embarkation; and with regard to the time intervening between embarkation and the sailing of the ship, I hand in a letter addressed to me from the Emigration Officer, dated at Plymouth, December 22nd, 1873, in which he inquires into the health of the emigrants (embarked on that day), and a copy of my reply thereto, dated December 23rd (the day of sailing), from which it is clear that no disease existed on board at the time the ship left Plymouth. I distinctly maintain that my instructions limited me to detaining the vessel only in the case of actual disease being on board, and that when the despatching officer (who represented the Agent-General) gave orders for the sailing of the ship, no disease being on board at the time, it was wholly and entirely beyond my province and out of my duty to interfere for her detention. In paragraph 6 the Commissioners say — " That the surgeon-superintendent was aware of the necessity for isolation on board, as is proved by the precautionary measures at first taken by him; but he did not continue to use the same precautions after the 10th of January. "The cases first treated, and which were removed to the hospital, all did well, and the compartments whence they came were, during the remainder of the voyage, comparatively healthy, thus showing the success that followed these prudent measures. The epidemic having been arrested and driven out from the single women's compartment abaft the engine-room, suddenly, on the 21st January, reappeared with great virulence in the married people's compartment forward ; but we do not find, in the surgeon-superintendent's report, that in these cases any such active and efficient steps were taken to separate the healthy children from the sick. After recording distinctly all the early cases, and giving a very satisfactory report of them, and the precautions taken to prevent the spreading of the infection, his report of the really serious outbreak of disease is contained in the following words, — ' Onj3lst January a child forward was most virulently attacked with malignant sore-throat, and from this date onwards scarlet fever of a severe type continued prevalent there.' " " Now, as these cases in the married people's compartment forward were not removed and entirely separated from the healthy, and as the same sanitary precautions were not taken as in the earlier outbreak, we consider that the surgeon-superintendent was guilty of neglect, and we cannot accept the want of hospitals as any excuse. A steamer of the capacity of the " Mongol," carrying only 313 emigrants, must have sufficient deck space to enable the captain and surgeon to improvise hospitals sufficient to accommodate even the large number of children on board. We are more surprised at the apparent want of precaution taken during the second epidemic, starting on the 21st January, as the surgeon-superintendent in his report so satisfactorily shows how successful had been his strict treatment during the early part of the voyage. It appears from the report that the surgeon-superintendent regretted that the strict separation of the two parts of the vessel was not maintained during the whole voyage, at the same time he took no steps to separate the sick from the healthy in the infected compartment situated forward." The points in this paragraph to which I reply are the following:— 1. That I did not continue to use the same precautions after the 10th January as I did before it. 2. That the compartments in which the first cases occurred (those preceding 10th January) were, during the remainder of the voyage, comparatively healthy. 3. That I did not take, after January 21st, such active and efficient steps to separate the healthy from the sick children as I had done previously. 4. That my report of the after cases is embraced in a few lines. 5. That I was guilty of neglect in not erecting hospitals on deck, and removing the sick children to these, and thereby isolating them. In reply to these, I state, — 1. That, with the exception of the removal of the sick children to hospital (there not being sufficient accommodation there), exactly the same precautions were taken after as before 10th January, and there is nothing in the evidence indicating that it was otherwise. 2. That the reason of the comparative freedom from disease of the compartments in which the first scarlet fever cases occurred (those preceding 10th January), was not owing to any previous superior precautionary measures, as the Commissioners' report states, but simply to the fact that in both these compartments taken together there were under twenty children, whilst in the single compartment forward, that bore the brunt of the disease, there were about one hundred children. 3. That I did, after 21st January, take exactly the same active and efficient steps as I had done previously, to separate the sick from the healthy children so far as the hospital accommodation allowed.
4. That the briefness of my report of the after cases arises from the fact that I had already fully shown what steps I had taken in my efforts to stay the disease ; but that when the cases became so numerous as to be no longer capable of perfect isolation, my report was therefore limited to a mere statement of their number and the result.
5. The whole weight, therefore, of the censure involved in paragraph 6, arises from the fact that I did not obtain additional hospital quarters and remove the sick there. In reply, I would say that
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this accommodation could only be had by emptying one of the already occupied compartments or by erecting a building on deck. As regards the former, it is clear that the saloon, filled by some thirty cabin passengers, could not be interfered with ; the single women's compartment must also be passed over, and also that for the single men, inasmuch as, owing to their number, they could not be accommodated elsewhere. The only remaining compartment was that of the married people aft, and through this was the passage to the storekeeper's issuing room, involving a constant thoroughfare; and separated from it by a light partition, by no means air-tight, was the single women's apartment. By making a hospital here, the disease would thus have been brought back again to the single women, and the whole ship also exposed to it through the constant issuing of stores. I therefore submit that the extra hospital accommodation desired by the Commissioners could not have been obtained below. If obtainable at all, it must be had on deck. And here I gained two extra beds by knocking down a partition, and making changes in the existing Government hospital. Further extension on deck I did not see my way to. No structure could have been placed on the deck-houses, as the spars were in the way ; and owing to the deck being covered with captain's room, chart-room, and ladies' room, and also large saloon and engine-room skylights, no sufficiently large space could be obtained for a hospital. It must be borne in mind that nine cases occurred in the week of the second appearance of scarlet fever, and unless all these cases had been provided for, the removal of part of them would have been useless. It was discussed between the captain and myself as to using one of the lower compartments (already referred to) as a hospital, but the extension of the existing hospital, spoken of above, was all that appeared to us practicable. It may appear to some that a hospital could have been erected on the quarterdeck ; but I think it is a very grave question, even admitting it practicable, whether a hospital should have been placed there amongst thirty saloon passengers, of whom three were children, and all at the time free from disease. As to placing the sick in improvised hospitals, in the boats or under sailcloth, I consider that had such a course been adopted, a greater mortality than what actually occurred would have been arrived at. Even with the utmost care to avoid cold and exposure, three children were lost from bronchitis out of eight attacked, whilst the total mortality of the voyage from scarlet fever was five out of twenty-one cases. In proof of the extensive existence of disease on board, and of my effortsjto arrest it, I hand in my official diary of the voyage, and also my medical journal. With reference to paragraph 7, I state that I had no reason to suppose that the supply of water was short. Only on one occasion was a complaint made to me. I went to the captain, and it was rectified at once. The children did not suffer from any short supply of water. At the commencement of the voyage I went round the messes, informing them individually the quantity of children's food they wero entitled to, and carefully entered the same in detail on their mess cards. I also made a copy of this in the mess book for the guidance of the storekeeper. When I found that differences still continued between the mess captains and the storekeeper regarding the issues of provisions (especially those for the children), I appointed a man, chosen by the emigrants at my request, to stand by the storekeeper at each issue, and check the food supplied, both as to quantity and times of serving out. With reference to the evidence showing that the 'midships were dirty, I state that this compartment was as clean and dry as it could be kept, considering that the emigrants' cooking galley was in it, and also that the water supplied during part of the voyage was pumped up from the lower hold through this compartment. I was constantly appealing to the captain about the leaking of the decks and decklights, and this leakage was in a measure rectified. I state that the compartments below were steadily disinfected during the voyage, by the use of chloride of lime daily in the water-closets and of carbolic powder very frequently in the side channels and over the deck of all the compartments. In addition to this, the beds and bottom boards were regularly taken on deck twice a week when the weather permitted. All the compartments were thoroughly washed out with lime three times during the voyage. Wm. J. Davison.
No. 50. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 145.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 2nd June, 1874. Herewith I have the honor to forward copies of the report of the Immigration Commissioners at Lyttelton upon the ship " Apelles," with its enclosure, a memorandum entitled " Suggestions for the better arrangement of Emigrant Ships," by the surgeon-superintendent; also, the certified list of the births and deaths occurring upon the voyage. There is nothing especially calling for remark in the report, but the memorandum by the surgeon appears to me to be worthy of consideration, and to this I desire to direct your attention. The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.
Enclosure 1 in No. 50. Commissionees' Repoet on Ship "Apelles." The Commissioners beg to report that the above ship arrived on sth instant, after a passage of ninetyfive days. The immigrants were all in good health, and no sickness whatever had occurred during the passage. The 'tween-decks was lofty, well lighted and ventilated, and as the whole of the ship was given up to the immigrants, they had ample space. The different compartments were clean.
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The provisions were excellent, and had been served out regularly and in accordance with the dietary scale. The condenser (Graveley's) had worked well, and the supply was ample and good. The immigrants, without exception, were cheerful, and well satisfied with their treatment during the voyage. They spoke very highly of the captain and surgeon-superintendent. The Commissioners are unable to report favourably of several of the single women. There appears to be very few suitable for domestic servants, and the general appearance was not equal to previous shipments. Tho matron was disrated during the passage for allowing intercourse between the single women and the sailors. The Commissioners recommend the payment of full gratuities, with the exception of that of the matron ; the sub-matron who filled her post is recommended for tho gratuity. Wm. Donald. Lyttelton, 7th May, 1874. ' J. E. Maech.
Enclosure 2 in No. 50. Memoeandum by Dr. Haeeis. Ship "Apelles, 7th May, 1874. Suggestions for the better arrangement of Emigrant Ships. 1. That a depot should be made at the port of embarkation, where all the emigrants should be taken care of until the ship is ready, and where they should be examined by the surgeon-superintendent of the ship they are to embark in. He would thus be afforded an opportunity of making observations and notes for his guidance on the passage. 2. That a matron should be appointed whose character should be investigated. Her pay should increase by length of service, and a second-class passage paid for her return to England, as in the Australian service. 3. Each emigrant should have a box, say 2 feet 6 inches long by 12 or 14 inches wide, which should contain clothes sufficient for use on the passage, and would take the place of the present lockers. Boxes would not be required on the passage from the hold. 4. A mess bucket made of zinc, for soup and porridge, holding sufficient for ten persons ; also a can for tea and coffee for the mess of ten persons ; thus doing away with hook-pots. 5. Increase of pay for medical men, after the second voyage, increasing by length of time to £1 per head ; coolie service being reckoned as in the Australian service, and the £50 payable in England not contingent. 6. Single girls' constable should be paid a larger gratuity, considering his duties. 7. The issue of meat on Saturday is not sufficient, viz., 4 ozs., as after it is cooked it offers very little for a meal. 8. The stools are not made strong enough. 9. Water cans should be made with stronger bottoms, as after a month's use there was hardly one that would hold water. 10. The contract ticket should show plainly that, in accepting the ticket, they are held by the printed laws and the Queen's Order in Council. 11. Marine and ordinary soap should be placed on board in equal quantities. 12. Taps placed in the fore part of the ship, for single men to draw water to wash. 13. A tank on the poop deck to supply the single girls' water-closets, as when steam is not up there is no water. 14. A space should be between the single girls and married people, to prevent communication; such space might be used for hospital and dispensary, or for any other purpose. 15. That not less than 100 single girls should bo sent, and it would be better to have single girls and married people only, or married people and single men. 16. The advisability of having an earth closet, so that in very bad weather (and for hospital use) it might be used in 'tween-decks by the women and children. H. G. B. Haeeis.
No. 51. The Hon. J. A'ogel to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 148.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 3rd June, 1874. Herewith I have tho honor to forward copies of the following documents relative to the " Golden Sea," which vessel arrived at Port Nicholson upon 20th April ultimo. (1.) Letter from the Superintendent of Wellington, covering a report from the Immigration Commissioners with regard to complaints made by the immigrants of short issue of water, rations, Ac. (2.) Newspaper report of proceedings in the Resident Magistrate's Court, instituted against the captain for short supply of water. (3.) Report by Immigration Commissioners of the inspection of the ship, with its enclosure, the report of tho surgeon-superintendent. (4.) Letter from the surgeon-superintendent with reference to the fact of a family suffering from the effects of scarlatina having been put on board at Gravesend. (5.) Certified list of births and deaths during the passage. I.'lmmediately upon the receipt of the letter from His Honor the Superintendent, recommending that inquiry should be made into tho complaints made by certain of the immigrants, I gave instructions that a preliminary investigation should be made by the Immigration Officer into the character of the
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evidence which would be available relative to alleged short supply of water and short issue of stores, and upon being informed that satisfactory evidence was forthcoming, I at once directed proceedings to bo taken in the Resident Magistrate's Court against the captain of the ship, the newspaper report of which is forwarded herewith. Tou will observe that three cases for short supply of water were heard, in all of which the defendant was convicted, with costs, although tho Bench only inflicted a fine in the one case. In the case for short issue of certain stores, the Bench, without any assignabie reason, dismissed the information. I may inform you that a fifth information had been laid, depending upon the non-issue to the children of the proper allowance under the contract tickets, but from the technical difficulty of proving any contract with Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co., under a contract ticket signed by a Mr. McKellar, who is, I believe, an officer in your department, I ordered this case to be withdrawn. I may, however, state that the surgeon-superintendent has since distinctly asserted that the complaint of the short allowance of the children's food is quite groundless. 2. I have already addressed you, in my letter No. 240, of 29th October, and No. 264, of 24th November, 1873, upon the subject of the charter parties being so drawn that, in the event of a breach of the same, the Government would be able to take proceedings against the owners or their agents in the Colony. The case of the " Golden Sea "is another instance of the necessity of this, as, had gross breaches of the agreement been distinctly proved, we were without practical remedy under the penal clause of the contract, the parties of the first and of the second part being both in England, where, consequently, proceedings must have been instituted and the case tried, the witnesses being in tho Colony. If you have not already carried out my instruction referred to, I must request that in all future contracts for the conveyanco of emigrants you will insist upon tho insertion of a clause or clauses, which will enable the Government to take proceedings and recover within the Colony for breaches of any such contracts. 3. The report of the Immigration Commissioners upon this ship is very satisfactory as regards the general arrangements for the comfort of the emigrants, and she would seem especially fitted for the service, by her great height between-decks and the thorough ventilation which her construction admitted. Of the character of the emigrants the Commissioners do not speak so favourably, whilst admitting that they are a fair sample compared with some of the late shipments. They go on to say, " Most of them appear to have been drawn from the centres of population at home, being neither physically capable nor having the requisite knowledge of undertaking such work as is necessarily required of persons arriving in a young colony. I commend the further remarks of the Commissioners upon this vessel, and, indeed, the whole of their exhaustive report, to your careful consideration. 4. The "remarks" of Dr. Donaldson, the surgeon-superintendent, submitted to me under cover of the Commissioners' report, I have read with very great interest. He is evidently an officer who understands his work, and I shall be glad to hear that he has been placed in charge of another shipment of emigrants for the Colony. I have no doubt you will give his suggestions the consideration they deserve. 5. I desire to call your very particular attention to Dr. Donaldson's letter relative to the embarkation of a family named Dymes, at Gravesend, upon 22nd January, who, it has been ascertained, were landed from the "Mongol," from Plymouth, upon 22nd December, 1873, suffering from well-marked scarlatina. There is little doubt that the outbreak of the disease on board the "Golden Sea" was owing to the presence of this family, as I am informed that the first case was that of the captain's little boy, who had made a playmate of one of the young Dymes. I must request that you will direct a searching inquiry to be made into the matter, and report the result to the Government. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.
Enclosure 1 in No. 51. His Honor the Supeeintendent, Wellington, to the Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation. Sic,— Superintendent's Office, Wellington, llth May, 1874. I enclose a letter addressed to me by the Immigration Commissioners, supported by the evidence of several immigrants per " Golden Sea," on the subject of non-issue of rations to young children for some weeks after sailing, and also of short allowance of water. I am of opinion that an inquiry should be directed to be made into these charges. I have, Ac, William Fitzheebeet, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Superintendent.
Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 1 in No. 51. The Immigeation Commissionees to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Wellington. Sic,— Wellington, 13th May, 1874. Some of the married immigrants by the " Golden Sea " having made complaints against the captain and surgeon-superintendent, we requested them to put them in writing, knowing that the question was one of importance; and being desirous not to detain the immigrants in depot, we attended them on Sunday last, and took down their statements, which we forward to your Honor herewith. There is no doubt that tho rations were not issued to the young children for some weeks after sailing, and that the immigrants only received three pints of w-ater per statute adult daily. The captain maintains that tho other three pints were issued as tea and coffee. Respecting these essential necessaries, it is our opinion that the interests of immigrants should bo protected. We forward all the papers to your Honor, with the remark that, in our opinion, there has been a breach of the Passenger Act and charter party with regard to the water and the issue of rations to the young children. B—D. 2.
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We do not consider it necessary to take any notice of the other charges preferred by the immigrants. We have, &c, Alex. Johnston, M.D.,") H. J. H. Eliott, > Commissioners. Jno. Hollidat, ) His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington.
Enclosure 2 in No. 51. Commissionees' Repoet on ship " Golden Sea." Sic,— Wellington, 19th May, 1874. We have the honor to report the arrival of the ship " Golden Sea," on the 30th ult., with 296 statute adult Government immigrants, 11 deaths having occurred during the voyage and 1 during the lay days in quarantine, equal to 4 statute adults; 3 cases of scarlet fever have also occurred at the station since the vessel arrived. There were three births during the voyage. As the deaths had been principally from scarlet fever, and there being one case under treatment when the vessel arrived, the pilot took the ship direct to the quarantine station. Early on the morning of the Ist inst. we proceeded to tho quarantine station, and directed the immigrants be landed and their bedding and luggage disinfected and washed. The emigrants' fittings of the ship also to be landed, and her 'tw-een-decks fumigated and painted. We visited the station from time to time, and found that our instructions were being faithfully carried out. We regret that, owing to drunkenness and insubordination amongst the crew, the occurrence of which was duly reported to your Honor on the sth instant, some little delay was caused iv carrying out our instructions with regard to the ship, and she was detained in quarantine for a longer time than would otherwise have been necessary; but as all the immigrants had been landed before the outbreak, there was no delay with regard to them. On the 7th instant, having ascertained that the disinfecting and washing of the immigrants' luggage had been duly completed, we proceeded to muster and inspect the people. We found them, on the whole, a fair sample compared with some of the shipments which have recently arrived at this port; but wo would point out that too many of them appear to be drawn from the centres of population at home, being neither physically capablo nor having the requisite knowledge for undertaking such work as is necessarily required of persons arriving in a young colony, whero the specialities of trade are not so defined as in Great Britain. There were, however, some tradesmen amongst them who will doubtless succeed in this Colony. We regretted to learn that the captain of the vessel charged four of the immigrants with broaching cargo during the voyage, and they were accordingly handed over to the police on landing in town. On the case being heard, the captain recommended the threo married men to tho favourable consideration of the Resident Magistrate, who discharged them with a caution, and thus saved the Government the cost of maintaining their families. AYe think it right to mention this matter in our report, as it tends to show that the incidental expenses of the Department are very likely to be much increased unless very. great discrimination is exercised in the selection of immigrants at home. The captain and surgeon-superintendent complained that they had a great deal of trouble with some of tho immigrants, as they considered they were not amenable to any discipline or authority. On questioning the immigrants as to the voyage, a complaint w-as lodged of the insufficiency of the issue of water and provisions in certain cases. As we considered the charges were of a serious nature, we directed the immigrants to put them in writing, and we accordingly sent them to your Honor on the 13th instant. With regard to the complaint of the non-issue of provisions for the children, the captain informs us that he was not really aware, until he had been some weeks at sea, that an extra allowance for children was provided for by the contract. He states that he several times asked the Despatching Officer for a copy of the charter, and he was informed that he would get one before proceeding on the voyage, but the captain very justly remarked that he had quite enough to do, when working down Channel, to attend to his ship, and the number of strange people, officers, and crew, under his charge, without devoting his time to reading charter parties. Other captains have made similar statements to us, and we would suggest that copies of aii documents relating to the duties of a captain of an emigrant ship should be supplied to him directly his vessel is laid on for the conveyance of immigrants. On the 9th instant, having been informed that the ship was ready for our inspection, we visited her, and found that our instructions had been carried out. The married people had a large space allotted to them from the fore part of the main hatch to the after part of the ship : they had thus the use of the two hatchways. This compartment was ventilated and lighted by 14 side scuttles, which, being high out of the water, could nearly always be open. There were also two large air-shafts through the poop. The store and issuing rooms were under the main hatch, and there were alley-ways round the compartments. The single men's compartment reached from the store and issuing room to the fore part of the ship. It had eight side ports and two large air-shafts. We consider the entrance to the single men's compartment in this vessel much preferable to any we have yet seen in an emigrant ship, it being by a door in tho fore part of the deck-house, with an air-shaft over it. The singlo men were berthed in blocks. The fittings of the vessel having all been landed before our inspection, we are unable to remark upon them, and the immigrants made no comments respecting them. The single women were located all round one side of the saloon and in the after cabins. They appear to have had exceedingly comfortable quarters, with an excellent closet and bath-room. All the hospitals were on deck; those for the married people and single women being under the poop, while the hospital for the single men was in a deck-house forward. The galley w-as large and commodious, with a separate convenience for baking bread.
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There was a separate galley for the ship's company. The condenser worked satisfactorily, and the captain informs us it was quite able to condense the quantity of water it was required to. The dispensary was very conveniently situated in the wing of the poop. Altogether wo consider the arrangements of the vessel were very good, especially the ventilation of the 'tween-decks, which were much more lofty than in most vessels we have inspected, being nine feet in height. We were pleased to find that the Agent-General had placed a supply of surplus medical stores under the charge of the surgeon-superintendent, and that Dr. Donaldson had undertaken to servo in quarantine for seven days without extra remuneration; but we would suggest that it would be more convenient, as a matter of business, if we were informed of these arrangements before the arrival of an emigrant vessel, as in this instance we had to trust entirely to the statements of the surgeon himself, not having any information on the subject. In conclusion, we transmit the surgeon-superintendent's report of the voyage, and recommend the payment of all gratuities. We have, Ac, Alexander Johnston, M.D.,A H. J. H. Eliott, > Commissioners. John Holliday, ) Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 2 in No. 51. Remarks by Surgeon-Superintendent, " Golden Sea." The passage of the " Golden Sea " from London to Wellington has been an average fortunate one in all leading respects. The general good health of the passengers has been due in great measure to the ample means of ventilation offered by the lofty 'tween-decks and roomy shafts with which the ship is furnished ; and under such favourable circumstances, it is difficult to account for the outbreak of scarlatinoid fever among the children on board. • It occurred to me that much discomfort and consequent disease among the children might be obviated by isolating the children from the other passengers, and placing them under the care of responsible nurses, or matrons who could by stricter attention to cleanliness and regularity of diet, enable the children to withstand the trying conditions of a lengthened sea passage; the mothers of the children in the majority of cases being too much upset themselves, at the commencement of the passage, to attend to little else than their own miserable sensations, and later on in the passage, I regret to say, frequently appropriating to their ow-n use the medical comforts issued for the use of their children. A comparatively small portion of the 'tween-decks boarded off from the remainder might be devoted to the purpose of separating the children from the rest of the passengers, and the children above two years of age and under twelve years of age placed there. In regard to the arrangement of the berths in the 'tween-decks, it is a significant fact that the worst cases of illness, and those that assumed a low typhoid form (many of them terminating fatally), were those that made their appearance in the side alleys, and especially in the alley on the weather side of the ship. I cannot help thinking that the difficulty of freely ventilating those portions of the 'tween-decks, renders it advisable to erect berths in such a manner as to require the use of side alleys. I would suggest that regulations should be issued and enforced amongst the passengers, compelling their attention to the manner of clothing themselves while in the warmer climate. lam sure that the habits they adopt of going about barefooted and insufficiently clad, during the hot weather, is a fertile source of indisposition among them, rendering them liable to slight illnesses such as would, under unfavourable circumstances, prepare the subjects of them for the reception and development of diseases of a more serious character. An outbreak of tonsitis, accompanied by a low feverish condition that appeared amongst the passengers almost before the vessel left the tropics, I attribute to want of care in the matter of dress while in tho hot weather, and those persons suffered most who were most careless in this respect. The liberal supply of milk placed on board by the Government, enabled me to deal successfully with the children in numerous cases; but I would venture to suggest that mutton broth be substituted for the gravy soup. I found that mutton broth was tolerated by the irritable stomachs of the children, and assimilated with marked benefit, while diarrhoea and other forms of gastro-intestinal disturbances frequently followed the use of gravy soup. Wellington, 15th May, 1874. H. Donaldson.
Enclosure 3 in No. 51. Dr. Donaldson to the Immigeation Officer, Wellington. Sir,— Wellington, 30th May, 1874. In the summary at the end of my daily journal, forwarded to you last week, I said that, looking at the effective sanitary arrangements on board the ship " Golden Sea," it was difficult to account for the outbreak of scarlatina amongst the children on board. Since writing the summary, I met with Dr. Davison, of the steamship " Mongol," and in the course of conversation elicited from him that a family of the name of Dymes had been sent on shore at Plymouth by him from the " Mongol," on the 22nd December last, suffering from well-marked scarlatina. Some of the children were covered with the rash, and others suffering from the effects of the disease. This family came on board the " Golden Sea," at Gravesend, on the 22nd January, as emigrants for Wellington, exactly one month after their rejection from the " Mongol." I would venture to suggest that greater care than such a proceeding exhibits, should be taken in regard to the shipping of emigrants.
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This family ought not to have been allowed to leave in any ship before a period of at least three months had elapsed after the most final evidence of such a disease as scarlatina especially had disappeared from among them. I have, Ac, H. Eliott, Esq., Immigration Officer, Wellington. H. Donaldson.
No. 52. The Hon. J. Vogel to tho Agent-Geneeal. (No. 151.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 4th June, 1874. Referring to my letter No. 100, of 21st April last, I now forward, for your information, copy of newspaper report of the decision of the Court of Appeal on the questions raised on the trial of the surgeon of the " Isles of the South " for larceny of the stores. The verdict of guilty returned in the Resident Magistrate's Court has been confirmed, and the defendant will be brought before the Supreme Court for sentence in July. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.
No. 53. The Hon, J. Vogel to the Agent-General. (No. 158.) Sis, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 3rd June, 1874. Herewith I have the honor to forward the following papers respecting the ship " Asia," which arrived in Port Chalmers April 27th, 1874: — (1.) Immigration Commissioners' Report. (2.) Certified list of births and deaths on the voyage. (3.) Reports by the Immigration Officer upon the character and behaviour of some of the immigrants. 1. In my letter No. 129, of May 9th ultimo, I have already called your attention to the fact that the shipment by this vessel included a number of girls out of the Cork workhouse, and I took the opportunity of remarking upon the very undesirable character of such immigration. A perusal of the report of the Immigration Officer at Dunedin, addressed to my colleague the Hon. Mr. Reynolds, forwarded herewith, will, I think, convince you how very disastrous it is likely to prove to tho cause of emigration if such modes of selection as those adopted by Mrs. Howard are, under any circumstances, permitted. A few disreputable, noisy women of the class which are to be found in the workhouses, are sufficient to destroy the comfort of a whole shipload of respectable people, and the knowledge that there is a chance of such company will deter the better sort, whom the Colony really wants, from taking advantage of the emigration scheme. The result in the Colony of the landing and distribution of such women as these complained of, and of such immigrants as the " young men " whom Mr. Allan states he has ascertained to bo " professed thieves, and one of them a ticket-of-leave man," is naturally a feeling of indignation and dismay, and you will be good enough in each case to cause a searching inquiry to be made, and report to me fully the whole circumstances which led to the arrangements with the Cork workhouse authorities for shipping their paupers as emigrants, and also inform me what officer of your department accepted as free emigrants the young men, ll—, T—, R—, M —, and S—, and upon what certificates and recommendations. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.
Enclosure 1 in No. 53. Commissioners' Report on Ship "Asia." Sir,— Port Chalmers, 30th April, 1874. We have the honor to report that the ship "Asia" arrived from London on 27th instant, having made a passage of 78 days. She brought to the Province 467 souls, equal to 3901 statute adults, all being immigrants assisted by the Government. The ship arrived in a very creditable condition, for which Dr. Flint, surgeonsuperintendent, and Captain McMillan and his officers, deserve the highest praise. The whole of the immigrants expressed themselves as highly satisfied with their treatment on the voyage. The order and discipline on board were admirable, the provisions of the best quality, and abundance of water was always available from the condenser. We have no hesitation in stating that the provisions of the Passenger Act and the charter party were fully carried out and acted upon. No sickness of an infectious nature prevailed during the voyage. Two deaths occurred, being those of infants born on the passage. We have much pleasure in recommending that the usual gratuities be paid to the captain and officers of the ship. We have, Ac, Colin Allan, A David O'Donnoghue, > Commissioners. Wm. Thomson, ) His Honor the Superintendent of Otago.
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Enclosure 2 in No. 53. The Immigeation Officer, Dunedin, to the Hon. W. H. Reynolds. Sic, — Immigration Office, Dunedin, 7th May, 1874. I found, on my visit to Caversham to-day, that six Irish girls, ex " Asia," were sent back to the depot by those who engaged them, all having the same complaint, viz., that they w-ere entirely useless in a house, and, in fact, did not know how to do any household work. I have no doubt, however, after a little time, that wo will be able to place them in country service, for which they may perhaps be more suitable. There were eight young men who called themselves " Whitechapel Boys," who gave us a great deal of trouble and annoyance on account of their rowdy habits. I have, however, ascertained that five of the number, viz., H —, S—, T —, R —, and M—■ were professed thieves ; that S— is a ticket-of-leave man, whose term has not expired; and that they were from the New Cut, Bankside, London. lam afraid they will swell the ranks of criminals in the Colony ere long. I have managed to clear them out of the depot. I have, Ac, Colin Allan, The Hon. AY. H. Reynolds. Immigration Officer.
Enclosure 3 in No. 53. The Immigeation Officer, Dunedin, to the Hon. W. H. Reynolds. Sic, — ■ Immigration Depot, Caversham, 21st May, 1874. I have the honor to report that the following is the summary of immigrants now in the Caversham depot:—Married men and women ... ... ... ... ... ... 46 Children ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 51 Boys ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 4 Single girls ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 19 Total souls ... ... ... ... 120 Amongst the number there are six pensioners from the army, who are really useless as labourers, or in any capacity except for some light work, which is not easily obtainable. Three of the single females have been expelled, after having transgressed the rules which I insisted upon being carried out for the benefit of all. They were distinctly warned of the consequences, but, in defiance of all authority, persisted in pursuing the same course. I have, Ac, Colin Allan, The Hon. AY. H. Reynolds. Immigration Officer.
No. 54. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-General. (No. 161.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 13th June, 1874. I have the honor to transmit herewith, the folio wing documents relative to the ship "Varuna:" — 1. Report of Immigration Commissioners at Lyttelton. 2. Remarks of Surgeon-Superintendent. 3. Immigration Officer's report upon the disposal, Ac, of the immigrants. 4. Certified list of births and deaths upon the voyage. I haye, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius A togel.
Enclosure 1 in No. 54. Commissioners' Report on Ship "Varuna." The Immigration Commissioners report that this ship arrived in Lyttelton on 27th May, after a passage of 109 days. The health of the immigrants was good. Three births and three deaths had occurred during the voyage; one adult died from aortic aneurism, two children from diarrhoea. The 'tween-decks was fairly clean. The provisions generally were of satisfactory quality, the flour but indifferent. No extra stores had been provided for children. The immigrants all expressed satisfaction with the arrangements, and the treatment they had received from the captain and surgeon-superintendent. The condenser had worked well. The provision for baking was unusually good. The Commissioners recommend full gratuities to the captain and surgeon, and that a portion (one-half) of the chief officer's gratuity be given to the second mate, who is reported to have exerted himself in a laudable way for the comfort of the immigrants. W. Donald, ) John Rouse, > Commissioners. Lyttelton, 2nd June, 1874. J. E. Maech, J 9.—D. 2
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Enclosure 2 in No. 54. Surgeon's Repoet on the Ship " Varuna." Sir, — Christchurch, 28th May, 1874. I beg to submit to you my report of the passage of the " Varuna " from Glasgow to New Zealand, together with a few suggestions which, perhaps, may prove beneficial, and, I hope, add to the more perfect working of the present emigration system. The " Varuna " left Glasgow on 3rd February, having on board 257 immigrants, viz. 196 married and single adults, and 61 children. I would suggest that these people be not allowed to embark before all preparations for their reception are completed. In this case, it was a source of great confusion, and led to much unnecessary discomfort. The health of the immigrants during the passage has been good. lam pleased to add, that no case of an infectious nature occurred on board. I have to record three deaths : one adult (single girl) from aneurism of thoracic aorta, and two children from diarrhcea. I have also to report three birtbs. The provisions, on the whole, have been good and ample for the adults, but I would strongly suggest that something more than half adult rations be issued to the children between one and twelve years, many of whom eat as much as their parents. I know of more than one case onboard where the father has given up his own food, day after day, to satisfy the appetite of his children. I think, if the halfrations were issued to the children between one and six years, and a more liberal scale for those between six and twelve, it would be productive of much good. The water supply has been good and plentiful; that from the condenser was excellent, and that from the casks also, but having the taste and smell peculiar to water when stowed in tightly closed casks for some time. The ventilation of the married and single women's compartments has been all I could wish, but that of the single men's division was very imperfect, so much so that I requested the captain to put up additional ventilators, and replace those already existing by larger ones. This entailed the cutting of the deck, which the captain consented to do provided I undertook the responsibility of having the planks replaced by new ones on our arrival. This I ventured to do, on the part of the New Zealand Government. These additional ventilators reduced the temperature of the sides of the compartment considerably, and added much to the comfort of those occupying berths in their neighbourhood. I think if a system of ventilation could be adopted by which a free current of air could be made to pass round the sides of the ship as well as through the centre, it would do much good. It is in and about the berths at the side of a vessel that the greatest quantities of carbonic acid gas and other impurities of the atmosphere accumulate, and it is to these parts that pure air has the most difficulty in finding its way. With regard to the married and single men, I would suggest that, if practicable, some employment be found for them whilst on board the ship. A great number of our emigrants had the inclination to work without the opportunity. In those not inclined to employ their time, it would be a means of keeping them out of mischief. The conduct of the emigrants during the passage has on the whole been good. lam sorry to say we have a few amongst the single men who, I am afraid, will do but little credit to the Colony in which they are about to settle. The conduct of the single girls has, almost without an exception, been excellent. It only remains for me to offer Captain Rowe my best thanks for his uniform kindness and courtesy, and for the valuable assistance he has lent me on all occasions. I have also to tender my thanks to Mr. Bonthron (the purser) and Mr. Halliday (the second officer), who have always show-n a great interest in the management of the immigrants, and contributed much to the efficient working of the regulations of the emigration system. I have, Ac, J. Hasard, The Immigration Officer. Surgeon-Superintendent, Ship " A raruna."
No. 55. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-General. (No. 169.) Sir, — Immigration Office, AVellington, 17th June, 1874. I have the honor to forward herewith the Immigration Commissioners' report on the ship " Wennington." I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel. Enclosure in No. 55. Commissioners' Report on Ship "Wennington." Sir, — AVellington, 2nd June, 1874. AYe have the honor to report the arrival of the ship " Wennington," on the 25th ultimo, with 232 Government immigrants, three deaths (equal to two adults) and ten births having occurred during the voyage. The vessel was signalled on the 23rd, but owing to adverse winds, and there being no steamer in harbour capable of towing her in, she was unable to reach the anchorage until the afternoon of the 25th, when she was towed in by the s.s. " Phoebe." AYe immediately boarded her, and were very pleased to find that no sickness had prevailed during the long voyage of 124 days.
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We found the immigrants to be a healthy lot of people, free from organic disease of any kind. They all seemed well pleased with the voyage, and expressed themselves as quite satisfied with the treatment they had received. On inspecting the vessel we found the single women comfortably located in the after part of the 'tween-decks. The entrance to this compartment was under the poop ; it was well ventilated by a large air-shaft, with skylights and two ports, and was very clean. The hospital, closet, and bath-room for this compartment w-ere under the poop. The married people were located in the middle of the vessel, having the use of both the main and after hatchways. The compartment was ventilated by a large hatch over the dispensary and the four bits ; there were also seven dead-lights. The bunks were in blocks, and there was plenty of space between each block. Opinions seem to be divided between the surgeon-superintendents as to the relative merits of berthing the immigrants in blocks or having alley-ways all round the compartment. We consider that the block arrangement is a very good one, but there should be some means of getting all round the bunks for the purpose of cleaning. Instead of a broad alley-way, a narrow- space would be sufficient for this purpose. A great convenience in this compartment was effected by means of canvas screens at the foot of the hatchways, which prevented draught, while ventilation was not interfered with. The hospital in this compartment was well placed, but, we regret to say, was badly ventilated and not nearly large enough, some of the confinement cases having to be treated in the compartment amidst the noise and din of the occupants. The single men were forward ; they had plenty of space, with bunks in blocks. The compartment was lighted and ventilated by six dead-lights and a large air-shaft. The galley was large and convenient, and there was a great improvement in the shape of a bakery attached to it. The condenser (Graveley's) worked well, and the immigrants were not stinted for water in any way, always receiving as much as they asked for. The dispensary was under the after hatch, but it would have been better under the poop, where it would be more accessible. AYe append extract from journal of surgeon-superintendeht, to which we direct attention. AYe would strongly recommend that the temporary booby hatches should come outside the combings of the hatchways, in order to facilitate the fitting on of the ship's hatches in bad weather. In this vessel the booby hatches wero fitted inside the combings. Captain McAvoy and Surgeon-Superintendent McManus seem to have made themselves popular with the immigrants, and to have done all in their power to promote their health and comfort, and we have much pleasure in recommending the payment of all gratuities. AYe have, Ac, Alexander Johnston, M.D.,A H. J. 11. Eliott, > Commissioners. John Holliday, ) His Honor the Superintendent, AVellington.
Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 55. Extract from the Journal of the Surgeon-Superintendent, Ship " Wennington." The health of the passengers has on the whole been good. Among the single men and single women there has been no case of importance; in the married compartment there has been no case of serious illness amongst the men, but many of the children and the greater number of fhe women have from time to time been under medical care, and in many cases throughout the voyage I have found it necessary to allow certain extra articles of food and medical comforts. There is a large proportion of young children in this compartment, and there are but a very few of the women who are not either nursing or pregnant, circumstances to which is attributable the necessity there was in so many cases for medical care and treatment. With regard to the working of the regulations, the people generally showed great readiness in complying with the rules, and there were but few cases of infringement of any of them. In the single men's compartment, there were one or two cases of smoking below and gambling, but these were early and effectually suppressed. In the married compartment, the besetting sin was washing and keeping wet clothes below, and such like. In this compartment I found it impossible to obtain the same degree of strictness in the observance of the rules referring to time of cleaning, meals, &c, as existed in the other compartments ; the place was nevertheless always clean, and the air good. During the day, weather at all permitting, I kept the people on deck as much as possible. The single women's was in all respects the model compartment; cleanliness and order prevailed, and the most strict observance of the regulations and rules was obtained throughout. The single women have been, with one or two exceptions, most well-conducted and manageable. The code of rules given for the direction and management of the passengers, I found efficient for their purpose. lam unable to suggest any improvement; I must say, however, that the earlier strict compliance with them is enforced, the easier will it subsequently be to maintain observance of them. The schoolmaster and matron performed the duties of their respective offices in an entirely satisfactory manner. The schoolmaster has been assisted throughout the passage by Mrs. Lewellin, a married woman, who volunteered to teach the girls. There occurred on board three deaths and ten births (one case twins).
No. 56. The Hon. J. Amdgel to the Agent-General. (No. 170.) Sir, — Immigration Office, AVellington, 17th June, 1874. I have the honor to forward herewith, copy of the Immigration Commissioners' report upon the ship " Janet Court." I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel. i
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Enclosure in No. 56. Commissioners' Report on Ship " Janet Court." Sic, — Port Chalmers, 2nd June, 1874. We have the honor to report that the ship " Janet Court " arrived from the Clyde with Government immigrants on the 29th ultimo, making a passage of eighty-six days from port to port. She brought 262 souls, equal to 2161 statute adults. There were three births and four deaths on the passage, the latter being children of one year old and under. Having minutely inspected the ship we found all the immigrants in good health, the several compartments cleau and very fairly ventilated through deck ventilators, the cooking range good and fully equal to its requirements. There was no condenser on board, but the supply of water was ample, and remained good throughout the voyage. The whole of the immigrants expressed themselves as fully satisfied with their treatment, and spoke in high terms of Captain Craw-ford and Dr. Purvis for their kindness and attention during the passage. The medical and children's comforts were abundant, and given as necessity required. We have much pleasure in recommending that the surgeon-superintendent, captain, and officers of the ship be paid the several gratuities assigned to them. We have, Ac, Colin Allan, ) ,- • ■ -r. >- Commissioners. D. O DONNOGHUE, ) His Honor the Superintendent, Otago.
No. 57. The Hon. J. A'ogel to the Agent-General. (No. 171.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 17th June, 1874. I have the honor to forward herewith, copy of the Immigration Commissioners' report upon the ship " Buckinghamshire." I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius A 7ogel.
Enclosure in No. 57. Commissioners Report on Ship " Buckinghamshire." Sir,— Port Chalmers, 2nd June, 1874. We have the honor to report that the ship "Buckinghamshire," with Government immigrants, arrived in port on the 29th ultimo, having made a passage of seventy-seven days from London. According to her passenger list, she sailed with 496 souls equal, to 4081 statute adults, and landed 493 souls, equal to 4061 statute adults, exclusive of six births. The ship came into port in fine order, being remarkably clean in every compartment. She is well fitted up in the usual style of London ships, having a passage between the sides and the bunks, thus allowing a free circulation of air from the side scuttles all through the 'tween-decks. The ventilation of the ship throughout was excellent. The condensing apparatus (Chaplin's) performed its duties well, and supplied about 500 gallons daily of good water. Tho provisions were excellent, and the cooking range fully adequate to the requirements of the immigrants. Upon the whole, we have seen but few ships coming into port in better order, considering the large number of immigrants she had on board. Dr. A'Velsh, the surgeon-superintendent, deserves credit for his attention to the health and comfort of the passengers. There were no complaints. AVo have much pleasure in recommending that the surgeon-superintendent, captain, and officers of the ship be paid the usual gratuities. We have, Ac, Colin Allan, A AVm. Thompson, > Commissioners. D. O'Donnoghue, ) His Honor the Superintendent, Otago. By Authority : George Didsburt, Government Printer, Wellington—lB74. Price 2s. 3d.]
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Bibliographic details
IMMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND. (LETTERS TO THE AGENT-GENERAL, TRANSMITTING REPORTS ON IMMIGRANT SHIPS.), Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1874 Session I, D-02
Word Count
55,118IMMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND. (LETTERS TO THE AGENT-GENERAL, TRANSMITTING REPORTS ON IMMIGRANT SHIPS.) Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1874 Session I, D-02
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