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D.—la.
No. 11. Memorandum No. 160, 1873, for the Agent-General, London. Herewith is forwarded interim report of the Immigration Commissioners upon the ship " Halcione," which arrived in Wellington upon the 14th July ultimo. You will observe that it was considered necessary to place the ship in quarantine pending an inquiry of the disease reported to be on board. I am glad to be able to inform you that it having been ascertained that the disease was not of a serious character the ship was admitted to pratique upon the 16th July, and the passengers who had been landed at Soames' Island, upon the 19th July. It is with great satisfaction that I observe the favourable character of the report now forwarded. The Commissioner's final report has not yet been received in consequence, I presume, of the absence of the Immigration Officer, who is charged with locating the Danish Immigrants in the Seventy Mile Bush. G. Matjeice O'Bobke. Immigration Office, Wellington, New Zealand, Ist August, 1873.
Enclosure in No. 11. Sir,— Wellington, I9th July, 1873. We have the honor to report that the " Halcione," with 253 Government immigrants^ arrived in port on the 14th inst. Six deaths occurred during the voyage, and as we found that the vessel had disease on board we decided on sending her to the Quarantine Station with instructions to land the passengers on Soames Island. We visited the Island on Tuesday, and after careful inquiry having ascertained that the disease was not of so serious a nature as we at first apprehended we decided on admitting the vessel to pratique so soon as she had been thoroughly fumigated and inspected. Yesterday we visited the ship, and having ascertained that she had been thoroughly fumigated under the direction of the Pilot, we proceeded to inspect the several compartments, and we feel bound to say that no ship has yet arrived at this port which has better arrangements for the convenience of immigrants. Each compartment was clean, well ventilated and lighted, and as the whole of the 'tween decks was devoted to the use of the immigrants with only temporary bulk heads (which did not reach right up to the deck) to separate the compartments, a free current of air right fore and aft was secured. There was a decided improvement in the combings to the hatchways, which were lighter than usual. The place allotted to the matron was also much better than usual, and was really an enclosed cabin, and not a miserable den as we have generally found in other immigrant ships. We propose to-day to visit the Island and inspect the immigrants, after which we will send in a further report. We have, &c, Alexandee Johsstok, M.D., H. J. H. Eliott, J. Hackwoeth, John Hollidat, Commissioners.
No. 12. Memorandum No. 161, 1873, for the Agent-General, London. With reference to your letter, No. 150, dated 19th March, 1873, enclosing " Printed papers in course of circulation amongst the local Emigration Agents, and others concerned in the introduction of emigrants," I forward, for your information, copy of a circular addressed to Immigration Officers, with their replies thereto, upon the subject of " Rates of wages and prices of provisions." From the tabulated statement, in which the results of the enquiry are embodied, you will observe that " Rates and Prices " quoted in your posting bill require, in some cases, material alteration—rates of wages being higher, and prices of many articles of food lower, than you average. Immigration Office, Wellington, Kew Zealand, Gr. Matjeice O'Roeke. Ist August, 1873.
Enclosure 1 in No. 12. CIECTTLAE to IMMIGRATION OFFICERS. Herewith are forwarded Schedules of rates of wages and prices of provisions, which you are requested to correct for transmission to the Agent General. Immigration Office, Wellington, C. E. Hauohton. 28th May, 1873.