D— No. 7

REPORT ON IMMIGRATION

8

Enclosure 3, in No. 1. SHIP "MEROPE." ; * COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. „Ie, Lytttelton, 28th August, 1871. I have the honor to report having inspected the above ship on her arrival from London, after a rapid passage of 76 days. I found the Immigrants in good health and spirits, satisfied with the treatment they had received at the hands of the captain, surgeon-superinteudendent, and officers of the ship, and contented in respect to the provisions supplied during the passage. The distilling apparatus has worked well throughout the voyage and the supply of water was unlimited. The several compartments were well ventilated and cleanly ; that occupied by the married people reflected great credit upon their observance of the sanitary regulations. I have much pleasure in recommending the payment of all gratuities, and the further employment of the surgeon-superintendent, should he desire it. I have, &c, F. D. Gibson. His Honor the Superintendent of Canterbury.

SHIP " GLENMARK," COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. Sic, Lyttelton, 10th November, 1871. In the absence of Captain Gibson, I have the honor to report that I visited the above ship, on the morning of her1 arrival, and found each compartment allotted to the Government Immigrants scrupulously clean, and all the arrangements in conformity with the contract. I am glad to report that no sickness of any importance occurred during the voyage, and I would add that the surgeon-superintendent's journal shews that every attention was paid to carry out those sanitary measures as laid down in the instructions issued by the Canterbury Government. I learnt from the Immigrants in each compartment that the provisions had been served out in accordance with the dietary scale, and that they had been of good quality. The distilling apparatus, under the charge of a skilful engineer, worked admirably throughout the voyage, and the supply of water was abundant. The Immigrants generally, expressed great satisfaction at the attention they had received from the captain, surgeon-superintendent, and the officers of the ship, and no complaints of any kind were made. The matron performed her duties in a very satisfactory manner, and the conduct of those under her charge was also exemplary. I have much pleaaure in recommending the payment of all gratuities, and the further employment of the surgeon-superintendent, should he desire it. I have, &c, J. Edwin Maech. His Honor the Superintendent of Canterbury.

" SHIP ZEALANDIA." COMMISSIONER'S EEPORT. Sir, Lyttelton, 20th December, 1871. I have the honor to report that I inspected the Immigrant ship "Zealandia," on her arrival. I have great pleasure in stating that I found the equipment of the above vessel very satisfactory, and the sanitary arrangements superior to the majority of passenger ships. The several compartments reflected the highest credit on both the officers of the ship and the Immigrants themselves, for cleanliness ; and the single men especially are worthy of commendation. Provision and water was reported good, and had been served with regularity. Captain White, his officers, the surgeon-superintendent, and matrons, were highly spoken of by the Immigrants, who had no complaint to make, either in reference to the ship herself or their treatment during the passage out. One child was born during the voyage, no death had occurred, and the Immigrants generally arrived in good health and spirits. I have much pleasure in recommending the payment of all gratuities. I would most respectfully again call the attention of the Government to the inconvenience and annoyance to the captain and officers in charge of Emigrants, caused by Messrs. Shaw, Saville's ships carrying free passengers in the single men's compartment, and if unavoidable, I think at least, on paying their passages, they should be informed that they are amenable to the Immigration rules and regulations. I have, &c., Feedk. D. Gibson. His Honor the Superintendent of Canterbury.