11

D.—2

The Crown Solicitor suggests that the proceedings should first be taken against the " Punjaub." I will report to you fully the result. I have only to add that your instructions received from time to time have been most carefully complied with. Immigration Office, Christchurch, J. E. Maech, sth November, 1873. Immigration Officer.

Enclosure 2 in No. 12. Commissioners' Report on Ship " Punjaub." The Commissioners had not tho opportunity of visiting this ship while the immigrants were on board, as, from the prevailing sickness, they wero placed in quarantine on Ripa Island. The fittings of the ship were arranged satisfactorily so far as the berthing was concerned, but tho position of the store-room was very objectionable. A great amount of sickness had occurred during the passage. Measles and fever prevailed from an early period, resulting in 28 deaths, namely, 8 adults and 20 children. It was reported to the Commissioners that the Danish emigrants, numbering 133 souls, had suffered great hardships on the passage from Copenhagen to London, the vessel in which they had first embarked having to put back disabled ; that they were then forwarded in an overcrowded vessel, and reached the Thames in a debilitated state. It was further shown that they were swarming with vermin, and very unclean in person and habits. Measles early appeared among the Danish children, and ship fever broke out soon after. The ship appears to have been crowded, and some portions very improperly so. The medical inspection in London, both of Danes and British, seems to have been very slight. Some of the immigrants report that it was omitted altogether. The discipline of the ship is represented as having been laxly sustained, the single men and single women occupying the main deck together. The surgeon-superintendent was, it is presumed, so entirely occupied with his medical duties (night and day) as to have no time for enforcing the regulations. The water was not supplied according to the contract ticket", a considerable portion being retained for cooking. The condenser did not act well, the water at times being brackish. The Commissioners were also informed that the water was for some time served out between decks (contrary to the provisions of the charter-party), causing great inconvenience to the immigrants, and very detrimental to their health. The provisions were not served out during the early part of the passage in accordance with the contract, but this error was rectified as soon as it was discovered, and the back allowance made good. The supply of medical extras ran short: the surgeon reports that some were never placed on board. The usual dietary for children was not issued. Great complaints were made by the immigrants of the leakage of the ship, and of the want of sufficient air and ventilation. The Commissioners have examined several of the immigrants by this ship. Their evidence is attached ; also extracts from the surgeon-superintendent's diary, and a copy of his report. The Commissioners would strongly recommend that, in future, foreign immigrants should be shipped direct to New Zealand from their own port, and in no case mixed with British subjects. Wm. Donald, A Fred. D. Gibson, I.- • • John F. Rouse, f Commissioners. Lyttelton, 4th November, 1873. J. E. March, J Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 2 in No. 12. Report by Suegeon of Ship " Punjaub." Sic, — Ripa Island, Christchurch, 23rd October, 1873. I beg to tender my report of the voyage of the barque " Punjaub " from London to Port Lyttelton, New Zealand, sailing from Gravesend on the 2nd June, 1873, arriving at her destination on the 19th September, 1873—a passage of 108 days. The official tonnage of the vessel 883 tons. The number of emigrants, 340: Danish, 133 ; British, 207; Children, 102 ; Infants, 25. Before the pilot had left us in the English Channel, measles broke out amongst the Danish children, assuming the nature of scarlatina. I tried a plan to isolate the disease, and got the port quarter boat fitted up as a hospital (the weather being warm) and removed two children. This disease spread rapidly, from having so many children on board. I was compelled to form all the boats on the skids into hospitals : even to the awning cabin all my space was taken up. The weather became unsettled. I had to let it take its sway in 'tween-decks. On tho 14th July I removed a Danish woman into the married females' hospital, suffering, I then found out, from typhoid pneumonia, her husband persisting in stating she only had "cold fever." I had great difficulty in persuading him to the contrary, and in getting her into hospital. Some time after I found out she had been suffering for some time before. This was the first knowledge I had of tho existence of fever on board. It crept on insidiously, and latterly presented a formidable appearance. I was occupied night and day for weeks. I never took my clothes off. I have no hesitation in saying that both these virus were brought on board by the Danes. These people were sadly knocked about coming from Copenhagen to London huddled up on a cattle boat, getting severe weather, the boiler bursting and leaving them helpless on the sea for three or four days, until they were taken in tow by a schooner and brought back to their place of shipment. This rendered them more unfitted for a long sea voyage. They appeared healthy when being inspected at Gravesend, but disease was lying latent in their system, only waiting for the cause which was given, namely, overcrowding, (they were literally packed fore and aft, pigstyes and sheep-pens taking up aii