D.—2a.

4

14 Balfarat } (RePort dated lst October, 1872.) " Not a single complaint of any kind was made to me by any of the passengers ; on the contrary, they all spoke most gratefully of the kindness and courtesy shown to them by the officers of both vessels. Dr. Gannon especially, whose duties were necessarily rendered the more difficult on account of the mixed nationalities of the immigrants under his charge, deserves the highest commendation for tho admirable order maintained through the voyage, and for the close attention to his duties, which was most gratefully acknowledged by the passengers themselves." 15. St. Leonards. (Report dated 24th September, 1872.) " The immigrants all arrived in good health, and expressed themselves grateful for the care and kindness of the surgeon, and of the captain of the ship. No death had occurred during the passage —one birth. No disease had prevailed The provisions were all good and sufficient, and regularly served. The general appearance of the immigrants of all classes was very satisfactory. The different compartments were very clean." 16. Hydaspes. (Report dated 24th September, 1572.) " The ship has been well fitted throughout, compartments roomy, well ventilated; and we found them all clean and well kept. The passengers expressed themselves as well satisfied and pleased with the treatment received, provisions issued, care and attention bestowed on them by the captain, surgeon, officers, and matron of the ship. They had no complaints, which fact appears to be fully borne out by the flattering testimonials presented to tho captain, surgeon, officers, &c. During the passage there has been one death from consumption, and one birth took place. The health of the passengers appears to have been good throughout, and the sanitary arrangements of the ship complete and well attended to." 17. Belington. (Report dated 26th October, 1872.) " AYe have much pleasure in announcing that no serious cases of sickness among the adults occurred during the voyage. The immigrants appeared in good health and spirits, the provisions were v generally of good quality, and had been served out with regularity. The distilling apparatus was in excellent order, and no complaints were made of the quantity of water supplied being insufficient." 18. Queen Bee. (Report dated Bth November, 1872.) "We met the ship at the North Head, and found all on board well. Two births occurred during tho voyage. There were no deaths, and excepting a few cases of whooping-cough, no illness was reported. The passengers having been mustered, were asked if they had any complaints to make of the treatment during the yoyage. The answer was that they had been well treated and were satisfied, and that the conduct of the officers of the ship had been attentive and kind during the voyage. AYe inspected the several compartments occupied by the passengers, and found them clean and well ventilated, the hospitals in order, and the surgery well supplied." 19. May Queen. (Report dated 31st October, 1872.) " The immigrants were mustered, and after making the usual inquiries, we found that the 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 cases 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." 20. Palmerston. (Report dated 23rd December 1872.) •' We minutely examined the ship, and found her most scrupulously clean, and as to accommodation, both below and on deck, admirably adapted for conveying emigrants. . . . We have no hesitation in stating that no emigrant ship has ever entered this port better fitted in every respect for the conveyance of immigrants than the ship ' Palmerston.' . . . The captain, surgeonsuperintendent, and officers of the ship seemed to have performed their respective duties with kindness, yet with a degree of firmness approaching to military discipline in carrying out the rules and regulations made for the health and comfort of the immigrants, who acknowledge with gratitude the kindness shown to them on the passage." 21. Lady Jocelyn. (Report dated 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 deserved 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. . . . The provisions generally were good, and had been regularly served. The Commissioners report especially on the excellent quality of the preserved meat (Australian)." 22. Agnes Muir. (Report dated 27th December, 1872.) " Shortly after her arrival we visited the ship at the Heads, and the usual enquiries by the Health Officer having been satisfactorily answered, went on board and made inspection of the several compartments in which the immigrants were lodged. We found these compartments clean, well arranged and ventilated. . . . The immigrants, being mustered, were asked if they had any complaints to make; the answer was that they had been well treated during the voyage, and that the officers of the ship, from the captain downwards, had been attentive and kind."