19

D.—2

Since the receipt of these documents there has been telegraphic correspondence relative to a charge of drunkenness brought by the surgeon-superintendent against the captain ; and later, a very serious complaint against the surgeon for cruelty to a female emigrant has resulted in criminal proceedings being taken against him, which are still sub judice. Under these circumstances, and pending the result of the case against the surgeon, and of such further inquiries as may presumably be necessary, I defer any remarks with regard to the state and condition of the ship and immigrants. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Daniel Pollen.

Enclosure in No. 20. Commissioners' Report on Ship " Chili." Sir,— Auckland, 29th November, 1873. We have the honor to report the arrival of the ship " Chili," on the 24th instant, with 111 passengers, 85 of whom are Government immigrants. We boarded the ship inside the North Head, and having ascertained that therejjwas no sickness of an infectious character, proceeded with the usual inspection. The ship was tolerably clean, and the several compartments properly ventilated except that of the single men, which was too much confined and dark. The fresh water, of which there had been a plentiful supply, was procured from a condenser. The provisions were very good. There were two complaints made against the surgeon by George Thorpe and George Savill. The inquiry took place on board at 10 a.m. on the 25th instant. A copy of the proceedings is herewith attached. Relative to the case of George Savill, although we felt bound to condemn the conduct of the second officer (acting under the orders of the surgeon), we do not consider that either of those officers merit any further mark of displeasure from the Government. It was clearly shown that George Savill acted with a spirit of opposition and insubordination towards the surgeon throughout the voyage, and had he been punished without subjecting his wife to the indelicate exposure complained of, we should not have thought it desirable to make any inquiry whatever. With reference to the complaint of George Thorpe, we consider it untruthful and vexatious. We are perfectly satisfied that nothing could have exceeded the kindness and attention of the surgeon to the deceased, and all the passengers spoke in the highest terms of his unwearied exertions for their health and comfort. Mrs. Holmes, who acted as nurse during the voyage, deserves special mention: she was indefatigable in her exertions to the sick, more especially to the poor woman who died ; and we trust the Government will authorize her receiving the highest amount of gratuity. The doctor of the ship stated he would not sign a certificate for the captain ; and when called upon for his reasons, wrote a letter, which is herewith attached, merely saying he did not feel justified in doing so. We have requested the Immigration Officer to apply to the Government for instructions as to what steps may be considered necessary to take in reference to the captain. We have, Ac, I. J. Burgess, T. M. Philson, M.D., Health Officer. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. The Commissioners having heard the charge preferred against Surgeon Coughtrey by George Thorpe, and having weighed and considered the evidence relative thereto, are of opinion that the said charge has not in the slightest been proved, and exonerate the doctor accordingly from all blame of which, if any, must be attributed to the husband. The Commissioners having heard all the evidence of this case, and having considered the several points as brought forward, with the pros, and cons., are of opinion,— That the act of the second mate (under the order of the surgeon), in pulling the clothes off the bed of George Savill and his wife while in bed, was indecent, and a violation of the 21st clause of the abstract of the Queen's Order in Council, dated 7th January, 1864, a copy of which is herewith attached. At the same time, it has been proved that the conduct of George Savill has been insubordinate and reprehensible.

No. 21. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-General. (No. 1.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, Bth January, 1874. I have the honor to forward herewith copies of reports by the Immigration Officer and Commissioners at Auckland upon the ship "Hindostan," which, I am pleased to observe, are of a satisfactory character. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius A r OGEL.