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No. 18. The Hon. Dr. Pollen to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 282.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 18th December, 1873. I have tho honor to forward the report of the Immigration Commissioners at this port upon the ship " Helen Denny," and to request your attention to the various suggestions therein contained. Tou will observe that a short allowance of flour was served out during the voyage, and that certain articles of the dietary scale for children were short shipped. I have caused a claim to be made upon the agents of the ship for the value of the flour; but finding that the captain supplied the short-shipped articles of dietary, or substitutes for them, from his own stores, I have made no claim on this account. I have, Ac, Daniel Pollen, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (for Minister for Immigration).

Enclosure in No. 18. Commissionees' Repoet on Ship "Helen Denny." Sic,— Wellington, 27th November, 1873. We have the honor to report the arrival of tho ship " Helen Denny," on the 21st instant, with 132 statute adult immigrants. Five deaths occurred during the voyage, all children between the ages of six months and eleven years; there was also one birth. Immediately the vessel anchored we proceeded on board for the purpose of inspecting her and mustering the immigrants. We found the single women berthed in the 'tween-decks under the after hatchway : their compartment was clean and tidy. The matron had a comfortable berth. The married compartment was clean, and tolerably well ventilated. We again draw attention to the position of the store and issuing rooms, which were in this compartment. Families must be greatly inconvenienced by having the entrance to their compartment blocked up by the messmen from all parts of the ship waiting for their rations to be served out. The booby-hatches and ladders to all the compartments are also of a most flimsy description ; the former not being nearly high enough to keep the compartments dry, and the latter being steep, and without a hand-rail or other convenience to assist people going up and down. We noticed that boards had been placed at the back of the ladders in the married compartment: this should also be done in the single women's compartment. The single men's compartment was clean and roomy. The immigrants were all landed the day after our inspection, and taken to the barracks. They appear to be a healthy lot of people, free from organic diseases of any kind. The captain and surgeon stated that they were exceedingly well behaved. The condenser had worked well throughout the voyage, and on questioning the immigrants, we found that they had no complaint to make. One or two of the married people, however, stated to us that the flour had not been served out in accordance with their contract tickets: they merely mentioned the fact, and did not complain of any inconvenience resulting from the short issue. The captain at once stated that flour had been short issued all through the ship by half a pound an adult a week. The single men and women did not know what their allowance should have been, but all assure us they had plenty of everything. On referring to the surgeon's journal, we find the following entry: — " About one month after leaving London, it was discovered that the arrowroot, sago, and preserved soup, was rapidly disappearing. On looking over the quantities sent on board, it was found impossible to go on giving the children the amount set down for each in the contract tickets. The captain agreed to give for their use all the cabin stores of farinaceous food, and so by serving out a reduced ration, to be able to so continue to the end of the voyage. It was also found that there was a difference betw-een the quantity of flour allowed per week on the contract ticket, and the scale supplied to the storekeeper. The quantity issued was according to the storekeeper's scale, none on Friday, thus making three pounds instead of three and a half pounds." It would thus appaar that other articles besides flour were short shipped; but the captain had endeavoured, by issuing his cabin stores, to make up the deficiency. When the immigrants found out that we were making inquiries respecting the short issues, a deputation of all the married men came aft, and asked to see the captain in our presence, and their spokesman then and there assured us that the captain had done everything he possibly could for them ; and that, as a body, they had no complaint to make. We think it right to mention these facts, as otherwise some reflection might rest upon the captain, who, from all we could ascertain, went greatly beyond what was required of him in endeavouring to make the immigrants contented and comfortable. Although tho " Helen Denny " is not, in our opinion, so well suited for the conveyance of immigrants as some of the vessels which have visited this port, more especially as regards the lighting and ventilating of the 'tween-decks, yet, owing to the space allowed the immigrants being much greater than is actually required by law, no evil results have occurred. Captain Peters and Surgeon-Superintendent Scott deserve every credit for the manner in which they brought the ship into port, and they both seem to have gained the hearty good wishes of all the immigrants under their charge. AYe have much pleasure in recommending Dr. Scott for the usual certificate for re-employment in taking charge of immigrants. We also recommend the payment of all gratuities. We have, Ac, Alexandee Johnston, M.D., A H. J. IL Eliott, > Commissioners. John Holliday, )