D.—2

5

There were six ports on each side, which were easily opened and shut, as well as a large ventilator 2 ft. x 6 ft., which went up through the deck-house above. The masts and pumps were ventilators, and there were six patent ventilators on the deck and two through the poop. There were also six deadlights on each side, and one large skylight. Owing to the provision for thorough ventilation, the thermometer never stood higher in the 'tweendecks than in the saloon. Another great improvement was the situation of the store and issuing rooms, which were on deck, and easily accessible. The galley was large, and the stove was so well adapted for the cooking requirements of the passengers, that we recommended the Government to purchase it for the permanent use of the Quarantine Station. The ship was at once admitted to pratique. On Monday, tho 6th instant, we inspected the immigrants on the island, sending the portion for Hawke's Bay direct by the " Luna," and were well pleased to find the immigrants in such a good state of health, and with one exception, so far as we could judge, there were no cases of chronic or organic disease amongst them. This exception was that of a woman afflicted with epilepsy, who fortunately was a nominated immigrant coming to her friends. On the whole, we consider that the immigrants by the " Douglas " are well adapted to the requirements of the Colony. They have now all been brought over from the island. We append a report from the surgeon-superintendent, and beg to direct attention to his suggestions, with which we concur, as to offering prizes to immigrants for order and cleanliness, and also to the position and responsibility of the purser who has charge of the stores. AYe recommend the payment of all gratuities, and we consider that Dr. Tuck is in every way qualified to take charge of Government immigrants. Captain Wilson has also ably assisted the surgeon-superintendent in tho performance of his duties. We have, Ac, Alexander Johnston, M.D.,) H. J. H. Eliott, > Commissioners. John Holliday, ) The Under Secretary for Immigration, Wellington. Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 5. Extracts from Report by Surgeon of Ship " Douglas." , Gentlemen, — Somes' Island, sth October, 1873. I have already submitted to your notice my journal of daily occurrences, medical and general, which I thought it my duty, as the surgeon-superintendent, to commit to writing at the time of occurrence. In this paper I wish to remark on the conduct of the officers of the ship, and those appointed by me from amongst the immigrants themselves. I also wish to call your attention to a few remarks on the ship, and, in accordance with the wishes of the Agent-General in London, I respectfully submit to you a few suggestions for the health, comfort, and safety of future immigrants. #"# # * # # # # # # # * Tho emigrants' luggage should be carefully searched before embarking: many had spirits with them, and lam told most of the single men revolvers. Weights and scales also should be disallowed: it causes much unpleasantness. The Agent-General's representatives should explain to emigrants in regard to the soap, and also they should be thoroughly enlightened as to the extras for children. The clause in the charter in regard to the extras for children is most vague, and requires revising. During the voyage out we have carried it out to the letter, but I am under the impression that the intention is different. The patent ventilators could be easily improved by rendering them watertight, and there should be some means of fastening them between decks. As they are now, it offers a ready means of conversation or medium of correspondence, after dark, with the single women. In the married quarters there should be a special provision made for a head constable, or master-at-arms, whose duties would be analogous to the matron's in the single women's compartment. He should, before sailing, have his instructions, and his position assigned him in the ship, His duties should be to keep order in that department; suppress swearing, quarrelling and card playing after a reasonable time ; to receive instructions from the surgeon-superintendent, and see that the other constables did their duties creditably. The surgeon should be supplied with a few stock bottles and more empty bottles. My impression is that the condensed water would be much improved and rendered more wholesome by the addition of a smafl quantity of lime water. Emigrants, before embarking, should be examined to see if they are clean. Several came on board in a dirty condition, and it makes it most uncomfortable for other emigrants. A larger stock of sulphur should be put on board for fumigation purposes. A prize or prizes should certainly be offered to those who kept their bunks in the neatest and cleanest manner during the voyage out, and every Sunday morning the captain and surgeon -superintendent, after the inspection between decks, should post up in a conspicuous place the names of those whose bunks were considered in the best order, and also those in the greatest disorder, —say four or six on each list. In my opinion, the purser of an emigrant ship should be a substantial man, and under bond to the contractors. He should be held responsible for the reception and distribution of stores of all kinds :he should take his position in the ship with duties quite distinct from those of either the captain or surgeon-superintendent. As long as the surgeon-superintendent's requisitions are met, he should in no way concern himself about the stores : in the event of medical comforts or other stores failing, the surgeon-superintendent should then request an explanation from the purser.