9

I>.—ld.

The bath-room and closets in the single women's compartment were in good order, and the Commissioners are of opinion that similar accommodation for the use of married women would be very advantageous. The bottom boards of the lower bunks were not made moveable, so as to facilitate cleaning the deck beneath. Wm. Donald, Feedk. D. Gibson, J. E. March.

No. 13. Memorandum No. 14, 1872, for the Agent-Gejjt.ral, London. Herewith I forward you copies of correspondence with the Immigration Officer at Christchurch, respecting the great demand there is for female servants throughout the Colony. Lands and Immigration Office, G. M. Wateriiouse, Wellington, New Zealand, 23rd November, 1872. (for Minister of Immigration).

No. 14. Memorandum No. 15, 1872, for the Agent-General, London. Heferring to Public Works Office Memorandum No. 76, 1872, of the 9th June last, I have to inform you that, as there is now no office of Resident Minister for the Middle Island, it will not be necessary for you to continue sending duplicates of letters there. G. M. WaterhoUSE, Lands and Immigration Office, (in absence of the Minister of Immigration). Wellington, New Zealand, 21st November, 1572.

No. 15. Memorandum No. 17, 1872, for the Agent-General, London. Herewith is forwarded copy of the report of the Immigration Officer at Auckland upon the ship " City of Auckland." The Government will bo glad to receive an explanation of the very serious defects in the arrangements for the health and comfort of the immigrants which are noted therein. G. M. Waterhouse, Lands and Immigration Office-, (in absence of the Minister of Immigration). "Wellington, New Zealand, 22nd November, 1872.

Enclosure in No. 15. Dr. Pollen to the Hon. the Minister for Lands and Immigration. Sic, — General Government Offices, Auckland, 2nd November, 1872. I hare the honor to report the arrival of the ship " City of Auckland " at this port, on the 3rd September ultimo, with 252 assisted immigrants. I visited the ship immediately, and found the several compartments occupied by the passengers clean and in good order, and the immigrants, excepting seven whose cases are mentioned in the surgeon's report, in good health. There were four births during the voyage, no deaths. On the next day, 4th September, the immigrants were landed and taken to the barracks, the invalids being removed thence to the Provincial Hospital. The workmen and others under engagement to Messrs. Brogden were accommodated in barracks, and supplied with rations for a few days until they could be distributed to the several stations along the railway line ; the cost of the rations has been recovered. The report of the Barrack Master, annexed, will show how the other immigrants were disposed of. The single women who desired employment were engaged immediately, at wages varying from Bs. to 15s. per week. Complaint was general as to the very bad quality of the bsdding furnished to the passengers. Dr. Waugh refers to this matter in his report; and I was assured by Captain Ashby, that if the weather had not been exceptionally fine during the latter part of the voyage, the passengers must have suffered greatly on this account. I took the opportunity of the departure of the mail by the "Nebraska" on the 4th September, to report to the Agent-General, unofficially, the complaints that had been made. Many of the immigrants have since their landing been attacked with typhoid fever, originally contracted apparently on board ship. I have reason to be satisfied that the duties of the medical officer were discharged with scrupulous attention, and that the captain and his officers did all that could be expected to provide for the health and comfort of the passengers ; but it appeared to me that there was overcrowding to some extent between decks, with perhaps insufficient ventilation at all times, and that the fever may be thus accounted for. Annexed you will be pleased to find an abstract of his medical journal furnished by the Surgeon Superintendent, a classification of the immigrants according to nationalities, and the report of the Barrack Master before mentioned. I have, &c, The Hon. Minister of Lands and Immigration, Daniel Pollen, Wellington. Immigration Officer. 2—D. Id.