A.—No. 1

iudge that the meat was insufficiently preserved; and this belief is confirmed by the fact that the crew, who were supplied with properly preserved meat, came into port without a single case of illness amonpst them They also find that the Chinese passengers came on board with insufficient clothing, and without sufficient means of sustaining animal heat during such a passage. A consequence of this was that they huddled close together, thus producing, by the foul air and evacuations, another element of disease The jury consider that the Chinese Emigration Act is deficient m several of its clauses; in their opinion the diet scale is too meagre, and the issue of 75 days' provisions is much too short tor long passages, such as that from Hong Kong to Port Chalmers. In his evidence, the Emigration Officer Mr J. E. Monson, says—" I consider that had European passengers been supplied on the " same scale and had been placed under the same conditions for as long a voyage, not one-halt of them " would have reached this port. I also think that if a European doctor is not appointed to these " vessels, there should at any rate be a competent Chinese interpreter on board." In the instance of the " Guiding Star," the interpreter supplied could not convey the passengers wants to the Master. The jury free the master, Mr. Thomas Bishop, from any imputation of blame, and believe that he performed his duties thoroughly and with kindness. . . Finally the iury understanding that the question of emigration is undergoing examination and revision in the Home Country, recommend that a copy of this rider be forwarded to the Imperial rovernmen Caeeoll, Foreman. (Signed) Thomas Moblakd Hocken, v ° Coroner.

No. 38. Copt of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Bight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (jq" o . 3.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord,^- Tew Zealand, 4th January, 1872. Adverting to your Lordship's Despatch No. 69, of the 12th September ultimo, and to my reply No. 114, of the 25th November ultimo, respecting the selection of a station in New Zealand for the observation of the transit of Venus in 1874, I have now the honor to forward a second Ministerial Memorandum on the same subject. . . , ~ ... 2. It will be seen that the Colonial Government and the Provincial authorities of Canterbury are desirous to co-operate cordially with the Imperial authorities in this matter; that it is proposed to erect an Observatory at Christchurch, the capital of the Province of Canterbury ; and that if the Astronomer Royal will state what is required to be done by the local authorities in this country, they will undertake to the utmost to carry out his wishes, in advance of the arrival from home of the necessary staff. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. &■ E. BOWEN. P.S._l9th January.—Since the above Despatch was written, I have received a letter from the Superintendent of Canterbury, informing me that the Council of that Province have voted a sum of money towards the erection and furnishing of an Observatory at Christchurch. He also transmits the enclosed Report of the meeting of the Astronomical Society of that city. G. F. B.

Memo, by Mr. Vogel, Dec. 25. 1871.

Enclosure 2.

Enclosure 1 in No. 38. Memobandtjh by Mr. Vogbl. Advektino to Memorandum No. 43 of 1871, on the subject of the selection of a station for the observation of the transit of Venus in 1874, Ministers beg to inform His Excellency that they are advised by the Superintendent of Canterbury that a society is being formed for the purpose of erecting an Observatory at Christchurch, and it is the" intention of the Provincial Government to propose that a subsidy be granted to the Society, for the purpose of constructing a building for the Observatory, and towards an endowment, with the" view of obtaining an Astronomer m permanence. The Superintendent of Canterbury telegraphs that he will be obliged if the Government will write by the outgoing mail, stating the willingness of the Society and of the Provincial Government to cooperate with the Imperial Government in promoting the desired object. _ Ministers have no doubt that if the Astronomer-Boyal will state what is required to be done by the local authorities, they will undertake to the utmost to carry out his wishes, m advance of the arrival from Home of the necessary staff. Wellington, 23rd December, 1871. Jraros Vogei,.

Enclosure 2 in No. 38. Extkact from Canterbury Press of 10th January, L 872.

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NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OE STATE.