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2

The bertha for the emigrants are fixed longitudinally,—fore and aft, —which, in addition to being more comfortable for the emigrants when the ship rolls heavily at sea, gives the great advantage of four : —First, more in width, the whole length of the space between the two views of berths, which are fixed two in height and two in width on each side of the ship. By the contract, 15 superficial feet is to be allotted to each statute adult. After carefully measuring the deck space, I found that the actual quantity to each adult was nearly 22 feet superficial: the women's hospital, 12 feet x 11 feet 6 inches; men's hospital, 12 feet x 6; a cabin for the dispensary and a bathroom, 12 feet x 12 feet (with two baths, one night commode, a seat, and draining floor,) not being included. Had there been more freight and passengers for the " Palmerston," it is probable that the emigrants now on board would not have been so fortunately situated as regards extra space. A book cupboard, whose shelves are amply filled with German and a few Danish books, forms a little circulating library for the use of the emigrants. At an expense of £2 135., I ordered a quantity of school books and writing materials for the use of such of the 77 children on board as may attend the school, to which I have appointed a German schoolmaster, with a Danish assistant. I was fortunate in securing the services of Mr. P. Bohrdt, M.D., as surgeon for the "Palmerston." He is a German gentleman holding high testimonials, and has served with the German army in the late war as staff-surgeon. He has also been surgeon to two emigrant ships. He has, with myself, examined the medicine chest, and is satisfied. The medical comforts are in excess of the requirements under the contract. Two lifeboats and two other boats in good condition are provided; also a new fire-engine, with proper hose. The water-closets are supplied with water from a cistern fixed at a proper height above the centre of the main deck. The shipment of the locomotives and cylinders was completed on the 27th. The provisions and stores were examined by myself and the Emigration Officer on behalf of the German Government, and werefoundto accord with contract, and the requirements of the German law. The emigrants were mustered on deck, and I may say I found them to be a farm labouring class of people, of a very good kind. About seventy of them are from a farming district called Marienwerder, near to the Baltic, in Prussia. The following is a classification of the emigrants who embarked in the "Palmerston " on the 28th instant, and sailed on the 29th, for Dunedin, Otago: — Married couples, with their children ... ... ... ... 147 adults Single women ... ... ... ... ... ... 49 „ Single men ... ... ... ... ... ... 32 „ Total (including six adults and two children paying their own passages) 228 ~ Nationalities. From Denmark ... ... ... ... ... ... 70 adults From Norway ... ... ... ... ... ... 50 „ From Germany ... ... ... ... ... ... 108 „ Total ... ... ... ... ... ... 228 The contractors permitted me to make several alterations that I deemed necessary for the comfort of the emigrants, in accordance with the contract; and I have the pleasure of testifying to the readiness of the contractors, aided by Mr. Sloman, to carry out in their integrity the various stipulations in the contract. I have, &c, The Agent-General of New Zealand. C. E. Caetee.

No. 2. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. (No. 419.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sib, — 22nd August, 1872. I have the honor to inform you that, in accordance with the Hon. Mr. Reeves' suggestion in Memorandum No. 72, of 12th June last, I shall despatch a vessel direct to the Bluff in the end of September or beginning of October. I have, &c, I. E. Featheeston, Agent-General.

No. 3. The Agent-Genebal to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. (No. 422.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sib,— 22nd August, 1872. In further reference to your Memorandum No. 58, dated 13th May, I have the honor to send, enclosed, a Memorandum by Mr. Ottywell, in reply to some of the observations of the Immigration Commissioners at Christchurch, contained in their report upon the inspection of the emigrant ship " Dover Castle." I have, &c, I. E. Feathebston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.