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D.—ld

I found that several of the children had brought some spelling books and slates with them, so that 1 managed to form them into divisions, and to set one part of them writing or summing on slates whilst the others read out of some small hymn-books. There were no instructions put on board the " Pleiades " for me, but I have acted as far as I could up to the doctor's orders —viz., to hold the school on the quarter-deck for four hours per day, and to form an adult class amongst those single men who desired to receive instruction, which 1 have done, but have kept no registry of them. The school had been held daily (with the exception of ten days) till the 13th of November; the following four or five days we. had very rough and stormy. Commenced again on the 18th, and held school on the 19th ; but the weather being so cold and wet I set them to lessons between decks for several hours, not having any orders to hold the school below the deck. Since the 19th I have kept no registry of their attendance, the weather being so changeable that I could not have school more than two days in the week. I find that (with the exception of two or three children from London) they are very backward in their education. The single men are of a pretty well educated class, considering that they are principally from the country. Richard Coker. P.S. —I should also mention that there was a Teacher's Arithmetic, a Treatise on Elocution, and a Scriptural Extract for Teachers.

No. 40. Memorandum No. 19, 1873, for the Agent-General, London. Referring to Memorandum No. 5, 1873, of the 11th instant, transmitting the Commissioners' report on the ship " Chili," at Napier, 1 now enclose for your information copies of two reports by Dr. Macau, the surgeon-superintendent of that vessel. Lands and Immigration Office, G. Matjuice O'Horke. Wellington, New Zealand, 24th January, 1873. Enclosure 1 in No. 40. Mr. J. J. Macan to the Immigration Officer, Napier. Sib,— Ship " Chili," of!' Napier, 29th December, 1872. I have to report the following births during our passage from England :— Mary Ann, wife of Ralph Bennett, daughter, October 3rd; vaccinated. Mary, wife of Jos. J. Baley, son, October 13th; vaccinated. Maria, wife of G. Smith, son, October 14th ; vaccinated. Jane, wife of Thos. Nicholls. daughter, November 9th ; vaccinated. Mary Jane, wife of James Bennett, son, still-born, instrumental delivered, December 14th. I have also to regret the following deaths: — William, son of Thomas Nicholls, 2 years ; tabes mesenterica. Eliza, daughter of George Martin, 2 years; measles. Rahab, daughter of George Cook, 4 years ; measles. Jos. H., adopted son of Hugh Pascoe, 8 months; bronchitis. Emily, daughter of George Cook, 3 months ; diarrhoea. Alma, daughter of John Eunge, 11 months; measles. Mary Jane, wife of James Bennett, 21 years; puerperal convulsions. Fanny, daughter of George Martin, 4 years ; measles. I have, &c, Jameson John Macan, The Immigration Officer, Napier. Surgeon-Superintendent.

Enclosure 2. in No. 40. Report of Surgeon-Superintendent, Ship " Chili." I have to thank Captain Bureh and his officers for their ready help under all circumstances iv all that could add to the comfort and well-being of the passengers. Captain Burch has at all times given immediate attention to any suggestions I made ; and Mr. Scott, first officer, was kind enough to give up his berth for a confinement case (my own being also occupied for a similar one) at a time when I was anxious to preserve all parturient women from chance of infection. My most serious difficulty was in securing the assistance of an efficient nurse out of the married women on board. Twenty had infants to attend to ; and of the others, those who were not very lately married had either large families to look after (in two cases five children), or if not incapacitated by sickness or from other causes, declined the situation. Mrs. Dean however volunteered to assist her friend Mrs. Barley in her confinement; and as I found her active and attentive, I appointed her nurse, though I should have preferred an older woman, who had herself borne children. She has since discharged her duties efficiently. The only cases of insurbordination were followed by Such a decided amendment in the conduct of the offenders, that I wish them to be passed over. The constables were appointed as soon as possible after starting, viz :— Joseph Hnell, married compartment, 17th September. John Hicks, single women's compartment, 13th September.