D.—l

34

The appearance of the immigrants, as regards cleanliness, &c, was such as requires no further comment than for the Commissioners to express their entire approval of the evident care taken by the Captain and Dr. Macan in the supervision of the immigrants, both as to health and comfort, and in support of which no better evidence can be adduced than the testimonials presented to the captain and officers of the ship. Dr. Macan's report, containing the particulars of the births and deaths on board, is enclosed. The Commissioners regret the record of so many deaths, but, after careful inquiry, have arrived at the conclusion that the doctor had used every precaution to prevent the spread of the disease (measles). I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, G-. T. Fannin, Wellington. (on behalf of the Commission). Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 3 in No. 39. Eepoet of Sukgeon-Supeeintendent of Ship " Chile." I hate to thank Captain Burch and his officers for their ready help, under all circumstances, in all that could add to the comfort and well-being qf the passengers. Captain Burch has at all times given immediate attention to any suggestion I made. Mr. Scott (first officer), was kind enough to give up his berth for a confinement case (my own being also occupied for a similar one) at a time when I was anxious to preserve all parturient women from chance of infection. My most serious difficulty was in securing the assistance of an efficient nurse out of the married women on board. Twenty had infants to attend to, and of the others, those who were not lately married had either large families to look after (in two cases, five children) ; or if not, incapacitated by seasickness, or iYorn other causes declined the situation. Mrs. Dean, however, volunteered to assist her friend Mrs. Bayley in her confinement, and as I found her active and attentive I appointed her nurse, though I should have preferred an older woman who had herself borne children. She has since discharged her duties efficiently. The only cases of insubordination were followed by such a decided amendment in the conduct of the offenders that I wish them to be passed over. The constables were appointed as soon as possible after starting, and though at first they found their duties strange, had plenty of time to become acquainted with them, and discharged them actively and attentively, duly superintending the cleaning of the various compartments, the serving out of provisions, &c. There was no occasion to appoint any cook's assistant, the emigrant cook, with the man shipped as cook's mate, being all the galley would accommodate. The provisions and water have been regularly served out, and have been of excellent quality. I have taken every opportunity of having the bedding on deck; the bottom boards being fixtures could not be brought up ; the decks have been scraped or holystoned every day, and windsails used; scuttles opened whenever the weather permitted it. I have also regularly visited 'tween decks, more especially the married compartment, several times a day ; my regular times were, before breakfast (between 7 and 8 a.m.), and in the evening 7 p.m. I afterwards adhering to these times as strictly as the large amount of sickness on board would allow me. The portion of deck underneath the bunks was whitewashed three times during the voyage, and would have been more frequently done, but the amount of lime was only sufficient to do it that number of times. Disinfectants were freely used, and especially I would record my approval of Calvert's carbolated lime powder, which was of valuable assistance to me. Except during rainy weather, I had little difficulty in preserving dryness in the 'tween decks : then the necessary traffic up and down the ladders gave some trouble. However, by the occasional use of swing stoves and pounded holystone (sand was all used for holystoning), they were kept as dry as possible. Muster and divine service has been held every Sunday, weather permitting. In the warm latitudes the captain had awnings spread, and in bad weather weather-clothes to protect those who were able to be on deck. Continual attention has been given to securing the separation of the single women from the other passengers, and, as the ship had no poop, a double rope was stretched across from rail to rail, with an interval between. School was not held for some time, as, owing to the amount of sickness, I wished the children to be on deck as much as possible. Mr. Malcolm also had a severe attack of diarrhoea, which prevented him from holding school from the Bth to the 24th November. This will account for the deficient attendance marked in his book. The watch bill and list of sweepers have been regularly made out and the duties discharged. I have reason to speak highly of the schoolmaster, matron, and constable. Owing to the head of each family being legally allowed to form a mess, the messes have been much more numerous than seems to me advisable, and consequently the difficulty of cooking much increased. I may say I have had no sickness among the single women, and have constantly endeavoured to carry out the various regulations with regard to them; so much so, that it would be only amongst them that I should deem I was held as much in dislike as respect. The medical comforts have been regularly issued in accordance with my instructions, my last injunction from the Medical Inspector at Gravesend being that they were intended to be used, and I have expended them freely. I have also had from the captain preserved meat in lieu of salt for many of the sick, and several tins oi' essence of beef from the cabin stores —an article, or at all events Liebig's extract in lieu of it, which would be a useful substitute for some of the preserved soup in the medical comfort list. The luggage was brought on deck five times during the voyage.