D.—la.

2

Enclosure 2 in No. 2. The Immigration Commissioners to the Under Secretary, Immigration. SIE, — Immigration Officer, Dunedin, 4th July, 1873. We have the honor to report that the ship " James Nicol Fleming " arrived in port on Tuesday, the Ist instant, after an unprecentedly short passage of seventy-two days, from port to port. She brought to the Province 293 souls, of whom 206} statute adults are Government immigrants, who have evidently been carefully selected by the Agents of the Government in Scotland. One death (from consumption) and one birth occurred during the voyage. A mild case of measles was also treated and stamped out. The immigrants all arrived in good health and spirits, a fact which reflects credit on the surgeon and officers of the ship entrusted with the duty of carrying out the provisions of the Passengers Act. After mustering the passengers we inspected the ship, and report as follows : — Single Women's compartment —Very clean; ventilation through the deck by two ventilators and the hatchway. Females, on being asked the usual questions, replied that they got their provisions and water regularly, and were satisfied. They had no complaints to make. Married People's compartment —Pretty clean considering the wetness of the day, and the number of men, women, and children occupying it; ventilation through the decks by four ventilators, large skylight, and two doors. We think that in front of the bunks forms should have been provided for the people to sit upon instead of allowing them to use their boxes for this purpose, by which too much space had been taken up, and the compartment lumbered. On asking the usual questions, two of the married men complained that they did not receive their proper allowance of water, but on our subsequently explaining to them the provisions of the Act, by which a certain portion was deducted for cooking purposes, they were satisfied that they got what they were entitled to. Single Men's compartment —Tolerably clean, but insufficiently lighted. Explanation made that the compartment was scraped and holystoned every morning. Ventilation by the hatchway, and one ventilator at the opposite end. The usual questions being asked, two of the men complained of the quality of the beef on one occasion being unfit to eat. The Purser explained that on one occasion the beef was somewhat tainted from the casks having lost the brine ; but on the complaint being made, the Captain ordered that a double allowance of good beef should be served out next day to each mess. They expressed themselves as satisfied with their treatment. The condenser worked well, and was capable of condensing 500 gallons daily. The cooking range appeared to us to be rather small for the number of immigrants on board, and we would recommend that this should be represented in the proper quarter. We have, &c, Colin Allan, David O'Donoghtte, Wm. Thompson, The Under-Secretary, Immigration Office, Commissioners. Wellington.

No. 3. Memorandum, No. 150—1873, for the Agent-General, London. Referring to my memorandum No. 137—1873, of the sth instant, I herewith transmit copy of Report by the Immigration Commissioners, at Lyttelton, upon the ship " Edwin Fox." G. Maurice O'Rorke. Immigration Office, Wellington, New Zealand, 25th July, 1873.

Enclosure in No. 3. Ship "Edwin Fox." The Commissioners report that they visited the Immigrants at Ripa Island as soon as released from Quarantine, and made such enquiry as was then possible. The disaster previously to running into Brest has been reported on from Europe, the subsequent prevalence of sickness may be partly attributed to that mishap. There was gross insubordination reported on the part of one man. The Commissioners considered that the punishment inflicted on him was unjustifiable in severity—one month's bread and water —but enquiry elicited that in fact it was the whole mess that suffered, as well as the individual, and it seemed unnecessary to make serious reference to it. The Commissioners report with much satisfaction on the care and skill of the medical officer while attending on the Immigrants at the Quarantine Station, and recommend him to the notice of the Minister for remuneration. The Immigration Commissioners recommend the payment of all gratuities to the Officers, Constables, &c, of the above ship, and they further recommend a gratuity of £1 Is. per day to the Surgeon