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No. 36. Memorandum No. 50, 1872, for the Agent-General, London. Referring to Memorandum No. 45, 1872, of the 18th instant, I now forward copy of the report of the Commission appointed to board emigrant ships on their arrival at Port Chalmers,'stating that the single men passengers by the " Christian McAusland," and the ship herself, had been admitted to pratique on the 10th instant, I have to direct your special attention to the remarks of the Commissioners with reference to the hospital accommodation, as well as to the imprudence of sending a large number of families with young children in one ship. G. M. Waterhouse, Immigration Office, (for the Hon. the Minister of Immigration). Wellington, New Zealand, 31st December, 1872.

Enclosure in No 36. Report by Immigration Commission on the Ship " Christian McAusland." Sir, — Port Chalmers, 16th December, 1872. "We have the honor to report that, acting under orders of the Board of Health, we this day admitted the ship " Christian McAusland," and also the single men per said ship, to pratique. From the report furnished by the surgeon-superintendent, Mr. Concanon, it appears that there were thirteen cases of scarlet fever during the voyage, none of which, however, proved fatal. There were sis deaths from other causes, five being infants and one an adult, the latter having died from congestion of the brain. The Board of Health having given instructions that the fittings, bulkheads, and bunks, should be removed, with a view to the thorough fumigation of the ship, previous to her being admitted to pratique, we are not in a position, from ocular demonstration, to report on this part of our duty, but from representations made by Captain Tilly and Pilot Kelly, we learned that the requirements of the Passenger Act were fully complied with. The ventilation to the " 'tween deck " was carried through the main deck, there being eleven ventilators abaft the mainmast, eight between the main and foremast, and four before the foremast. We believe that, by those means, the ventilation was sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Act. We would recommend that, in future, the hospital should be in one of the deck-houses, instead of being, as in this case, in the 'tween decks ; as, in the event of an infectious disease breaking out on the passage, there would be less risk of its spreading among the emigrants. The Glasgow ships carrying emigrants for many years to this port have always had, the hospitals on deck, and to this may be attributed in a great measure their immunity from sickness on board. The cooking range was examined, and found fully equal to its requirements. The condensing apparatus was also in full working order, and could condense 500 gallons per day, if required. We have no hesitation in saying that the ship was in every respect well found, and no complaints were made by any of the immigrants as to the quantity and quality of the provisions, or against any of the officers who were appointed to carry out the provisions of the Act. We would suggest that, in future, it would bo prudent to distribute families having young children among several ships, instead of having too many in one ship. We have, &c, David O'Donoqhue, Wm. Thomson, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Colin Allan. Wellington.

No. 37. Memorandum No. 1, 1873, for the Agent-General, London. Herewith is forwarded copy of a report upon the ship " Pleiades" by the Commissioners appointed to board emigrant ships on their arrival at the port of Lyttelton. G. M. Waterhouse, (for the Hon. Minister of Immigration). Immigration Office, Wellington, 3rd January, 1873.

Enclosure in No. 37. Report by the Immigration Commissioners on the Ship " Pleiades." The Commissioners report that the immigrants arrived in good health ; they expressed themselves grateful for the care and attention of the captain, surgeon, and officers of the ship. Two births occurred during the voyage; no death, nor had any disease prevailed during the Toyage. The provisions were good, sufficient, and regularly served. The preserved meat having the Canterbury brand was reported of most favourably. The condenser was quite inadequate, only distilling 28 gallons a day ; but a full allowance of water carried in tanks had been supplied during the passage. The Commissioners have pleasure in reporting favourably on the cleanliness of the single women and single men's compartments, but regret they cannot apply the same remarks to the space allotted to the married people.