D.—l

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have been so unsatisfactory as to call forth the expressions of opinion embodied in those portions of the report which relate to the ventilation and fittings of the emigrants' deck. Immigration Office, Wellington, New Zealand, G. Matjeice O'Koeke. 11th March, 1873.

Enclosure in No. 54. Eepoet by Immigeation Cohmissionees on Ship " Warwick." Sic,— General Government Offices, Auckland, 13th February, 1873. We have the honor to report that the ship " Warwick," from London, arrived here on Monday, the 10th instant, with 204 passengers, of whom 163 souls, equal to 135J statute adults, are Government immigrants. We met the ship near the North Head, and, the usual inquiries made by the Health Officer having been satisfactorily answered, we went on board and proceeded with our inspection. In the immigrants' quarters we became instantly aware of the defectiveness of the arrangements made for ventilation; the air below was close, and the smell offensive. In the compartment for single women we observed that when the few small portholes were closed and the booby-hatch shut, air could be supplied only by two little ventilators fixed in the hatch itself, and that one of the ship's boats was laid on skids directly over and covering the ventilators. In the single men's compartment the arrangements for ventilation were but little better. The fittings in each compartment appeared to have been badly planned, and the bed-places were small and closely packed. The captain, the surgeon, and the officers appear to have done all that they could to enforce cleanliness, and to preserve the health of the passengers; but pure air is an indispensable condition of health, and we were not, under the circumstances, surprised to learn that although only two deaths had occurred—one from typhoid fever and one from peritonitis —there had been much sickness during the voyage. We found the surgery to be sufficiently furnished, and the hospitals of fair size, but close and ill ventilated. The closets were in order. There was a condensing apparatus, in good condition, and there had been an abundant supply of water during the voyage. The passengers' cooking stove was found to be too small for the number of people, and some inconvenience had been felt on that account. We inspected the several kinds of provisions, and found them to be of excellent quality; and on making inquiry of the immigrants as to their treatment during the voyage, they expressed themselves satisfied, and stated that the surgeon, the captain, and his officers had been uniformly kind and attentive to them. We have pleasure, therefore, in recommending that the usual gratuities may be given to these officers. We have, &c, Daniel Pollen. T. M. Philson, M.D., Health Officer. I. J. "Btjbgess, Chief Harbour Master.

No. 55. Memobanditii No. 39, 1873, for the Agent-Geneeal, London. Hebewith is forwarded report of the Immigration Commissioners upon the ship " Forfarshirc," which arrived at Wellington upon 2nd March. I feel sure you will agree with me iv regretting the very serious character of the conclusions arrived at by the Commissioners relative to the way in which the contract has been in this instance carried out by Messrs. Shaw, Saville, and Co.; and I cannot but express my dissatisfaction at the evidently perfunctory manner in which the duties of inspection of this and other ships have been carried out by the officers of your Department. The Government consider the case of the " Forfarshire" so flagrant as to justify proceedings under the penal clauses of " The Passengers Act, 1855," and the Attorney-General has been instructed accordingly. Immigration Office, Wellington, New Zealand, G. Matjeice O'Eoeke. 14th March, 1873. Enclosure in No. 55. Eepoet of the Immigeation Cohmissionees upon the Ship " Forfarshire," which arrived in Wellington on Sunday, the 2nd March, 1873. Wellington, 7th March, 1873. On arrival of the ship at her anchorage, the Immigration Commissioners proceeded to board her, and after looking round the decks, determined, as it was then getting dark, to meet on board the following morning and make a thorough inspection.