2

D.—IB.

board her passengers and cargo at the Queen's Wharf, and we were thus enabled to send the immigrants to their destination without landing them in the town. On Monday, 21st July, the English portion of the immigrants were brought over in the Government steamer " Luna," all the washing, &c, having been finished on the Island. As the Danes were to be forwarded to the settlement in the 70 Mile Bush, we deemed it advisable to leave them on the Island until we had an opportunity of landing them at the Hutt, and thus be enabled to start them on their journey without bringing them into town. AYe regret that owing to the long continuance of south-east weather, which detained all the steamers on the coast, we were unable to land these people until Monday, 28th July, when they immediately started for Masterton, in charge of the Immigration Officer. On the whole, we consider the immigrants introduced by the " Halcione" to be a desirable addition to the population, but in some cases a closer medical inspection than appears to have been exercised would have been desirable. To mark this more definitely, the following are cases of such a nature that a more thorough examination would have prevented their passing as fit subjects for immigration:— Married woman, aged 29 years, suffering from Phthisis Pulmonalis. Single woman, aged 17 years, suffering from Phthisis and scrofula, with exfoliation of a portion of the Fibula. Single woman, aged 16 years, Scrofula, with ulceration of nose. Married man, aged 21 years, advanced disease of the heart, after an attack of rheumatic fever two or three years ago—this man will never be fit for a day,s work. AYe attach notes and memoranda by the Surgeon-Superintendent, Dr. Besly, who appears to be a gentleman specially qualified for the medical charge of Government immigrants. AYe have, &c, Alexander Johnston, M.D. H. J. H. Eliott, John Holliday, The Under Secretary for Immigration, AVellington. Commissioners.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 2. E. B. Besly to the Board of Health, Wellington, New Zealand. Ship " Halcione," AVellington, New Zealand, Gentlemen, — Ist August, 1873. I beg to forward you my report of the last voyage made by the vessel from London with emigrants. Everything was arranged as well as possibly could be managed for their accommodation and comfort. AYe had one case of entric fever break out soon, indeed, only a fortnight after leaving England, and from that time we were troubled with a great deal of diarrhoea, and low feverish symptoms. I believe this, to a great extent, to be due to the depressing effect of tropical weather upon persons unused to such extreme heat , and the fact that afterwards, instead of the bracing southerly wind so much needed, we had northerly wind, and close, humid weather, which soon brought about great depression, and I found it very difficult to induce the people to take exercise. If they came on deck, they immediately sat down, and many of them never would rise from their seats again until they were going below. Captain Bishop and I did all we could to keep the 'tween decks clean, as well as the people, but the trouble we had with some who were personally disposed to be dirty was something dreadful. Indeed, it was only after a daily disturbance with one or another, that rules of cleanliness were attended co. This, no one could help. I must except the single women's compartment, for it was really kept so clean that one might have eaten food from the deck. I have to thank Captain Bishop for ably supporting me in carrying out the orders under which I had to act. I have, &c, F. B. Besly, The Board of Health, Wellington, New Zealand. Surgeon Superintendent.

No. 3. Memorandum No. 175, 1873, for the Agent-General, London. Referring to my Memoranda No. 150, 1873, and No. 137,1873, 1 herewith transmit copy of a letter from the Immigration Officer at Christchurch covering the report of the Surgeon-Superinten-dent of the ship " Edwin Fox" and other documents. I have, &c, Immigration Office, AVellington, New Zealand, G. Maurice O'Rorke. 19th August, 1873.

G. Maurice O'Rorke.