D.—ld
8
No. 12. Memorandum No. 13, 1872, for the Agent-General, London. Herewith I forward to you copies of the under-mentioned reports by Commissioners appointed to inspect and report upon the state and condition of immigrants and emigrant ships on their arrival at the several ports in t lie Colony. P. W. 1872, 3122, 31st October.—" May Queen," Dunedin. „ „ 3156, 7th November. —Recommending payment of gratuities, " May Queen." „ „ 3LGB, 11th November.—"Lady Jocelyn," Lyttclton. G. M. Waterhouse, Lands and Immigration Office, (for Minister of Immigration). Wellington, New Zealand, 23rd November, 1872.
Enclosure 1 in No. 12. Report by Immigration Commissioners on Ship " May Queen." Sir, — Immigration Office, Dunedin, 7th November, 1872. Wo have much pleasure in bearing testimony to the efficient manner in'which the master and officers of the " May Queen," as also the matron, schoolmistress, and constables on board the same ship, on the voyage from London to Otago, performed their respective duties, and recommend that they bo paid the gratuities to which they are severally entitled. We have, &c, David O'DoNoanrE, "VVm. Thompson, The Hon. the. Minister of Lands and Immigration, Colin Allan, Wellington. Commissioners.
Enclosure 2 in No. 12. Report by Immigration Commissioners on Ship " May Queen." Sir, — Dunedin, 31st October, 1572. "We have the honor to report that the ship "May Queen," with Government immigrants from London for this port, arrived on the 2ith instant. She had equal to 85J- statute adults, or 102 souls on board, being the same number which embarked in London, there being neither a birth nor a death on the voyage. The immigrants were mustered, and after making the usual inquiries, wo found that their general conduct on the voyage, in all the compartments of the ship, was very creditable; that the discipline exercised by the surgeon-superintendent and the officers of the ship was mild yet firm; that no caso of insubordination occurred to render punishment necessary ; that the matron, who seems to have performed her duties satisfactorily, reported very favourably of the conduct of the single females; and that they had no complaints to make either as to the quality of the provisions or the quantity served out. In fact, the immigrants in a body expressed themselves as fully satisfied with the treatment they received on the voyage. The several compartments below were inspected, and appeared clean and comfortable. The cooking stoves were found in good order, and continued so during the passage. The immigrants were landed at Dunedin on the afternoon of the 2-ith instant, in good health and spirits. We have, &c, David O'Donogiiue, Wm. Thompson, Colin Allan, The Hon. the Minister of Lands and Immigration. Commissioners.
Enclosure 3 in No. 12. Report of Immigration Commissioners on Ship " Lady Jocelyn," arrived 11th November, 1872. The Immigration Commissioners report favourably on the above ship, and on the general cleanliness of the various compartments —the one allotted to the single women deserves especial commendation.. All the immigrants expressed themselves satisfied with the arrangements and the treatment they had received from the captain, surgeon, and officers of the ship. There were four births among the Immigrants, and one death (a child). A saloon passenger died from consumption shortly before arrival, and was buried at sea. The health of the immigrants was good, excepting that hooping-cough was prevalent among the children. The provisions generally were good, and had been regularly served: the Commissioners report especially on the excellent quality of the preserved meat (Australian). The distilling apparatus (Gravely's) worked well up to 800 gallons per diem. The class of immigrants appeared quite satisfactory; and the conduct of the single women during the voyage was reported as very good. There was no special hospital for single women ; consequently a patient suffering from hysteric dementia had to be placed in the married women's hospital, and while she remained there two or three confinements occurred.