D.—2

18

The Commissioners also beg to draw attention to the fact of a lunatic having been put on board, as an emigrant, at Christiania. I have, Ac, G. T. Fannin, His Honor the Superintendent, Napier. Secretary to Commissioners. Meeting held on Tuesday, 2nd December, 1873, before the following Commissioners: — Present —Dr. Hitchings, M. Tabuteau, G. T. Fannin. The complaint annexed was read to the complainants, and they entirely acquiesced in its correctness. A copy of the complaint was then furnished to the captain of the " Hovding," with an intimation that proceedings would be taken upon the complaints against him for a breach of " The Passengers Act, 1855." G. T. Fannin, Secretary to Commissioners. To the Emigeation Boaed, Napier. Remarks from the Emigrants on board of the Ship " Hovding." We contracted to go to New Zealand in this ship, bound to leave Christiania, Norway, the sth August, 1873. The contract states that we should be allowed good and substantial food : this we have not got. It is also mentioned in the rules that the master should conscientiously hear all complaints, and deal with us accordingly; but about six days after coming on board, when lying off a small town four miles from Christiania, he stated that if any of the people complained he would put them under arrest. This was against the rules, and what use was it then to complain to him ? One of the emigrants got a list of food from him after some trouble. There is much to complain of in that itself; but what stands in that we have never got, and that we have got have we always been obliged to quarrel to get. Potatoes, as we should have had, have we not got, and no substitute. Weights and measure have we also been deceived in; and for reason of the master not having shipped an emigrant cook, the miserable food we should have had has been for the most part spoiled, and not eatable. Coffee we should have had about 71 lbs. per day, but for a long time we got only 5 lbs., and more times less; in fact, such has been the case with all the rest of the food. Sunday, when we should have fresh meat 1 lb. per man, have we many of us not got more than about 2 ozs., and not one has got the full weight. The salt beef that has been served out to us has been quite rotten, so that no one could eat it, and this he tried to give us on Sunday, the only day we should have fresh meat. Puddings we did not get till we were several weeks at sea, and then only once a week. . When jn the tropics we should have had an extra allowance of water and lime juice, but we got none for several days, and then only on quarrelling for it, the captain maintaining we should have none. Several times he said when we came on shore in New Zealand we would be slaves, and drove with the lash. For a long time we did not get the prescribed quantity of water for cooking, and also we received too small a quantity of water for drinking purposes. Sick children lying in fever, and near death, crying for water, but there was none to give them. Two stoves set up for the use of the emigrants were taken down by the master's orders, that the poor people should not get anything warmed or cooked for the children not able to eat the food that grown-up people hardly could eat. We have been out a long time before any food was allowed for the children, and when it was given out one of the most unconscientious girls in the ship was appointed to serve it out, —one that stole, and used much of it herself. The treatment of the sick has been very bad, and no difference in the food has been made for them. When we were on shore it was told us that everything necessary for sick people was sent on board, but shortly after we came out to sea, the doctor said there was nothing for them. We should also have said when complaints were made to him about the food, that it was good enough for poorhouse people. None of the rules the Government sent on board have been kept—no order or discipline. The master has never held church service, but only kicked up rows. He has been quite careless about the emigrants ; in fact, we have been treated more like wild beasts than Christians. We beg to recommend tho mate Olassen as a straightforward, honest, conscientious man, who has treated the people with the greatest kindness, Ac, and as a man who our countrymen can safely trust if he should be in command of a vessel, and we shall advise our countrymen not to ship on board any vessel Captain Nordby commands. We the undersigned testify on honor and conscience to the truth of this, and that we have not been persuaded to sign it by any one, but have done it spontaneously. We beg that the Government, if they intend to send for more of our countrymen, will take every precaution in order that they may be spared similar sufferings. A copy of this complaint is to be sent to Norway. We have, Ac, E. Greiner, and 78 heads of families, Ist December, 1873. single men, and single women.

No. 20. The Hon. Dr. Pollen to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 284.) Sic, — . Immigration Office, Wellington, 18th December, 1873. Herewith I forward report, with enclosures, of the Immigration Commissioners and of the Immigration Officer upon the ship "Chili," which arrived in Auckland upon the 24th November.