Page image

37

D.—2.

No. 36. (No. 72.) The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-General. Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, Ist April, 1874. I havo the honor to transmit copy of the report of the Immigration Commissioners at Lyttelton, upon the ship " Dilharree," with a certified list of the births and deaths during the passage. The general arrangements of this vessel appear to have been satisfactory, with the exception of the defects in the character of the plumber's work in the baths and closets. This has been a frequent cause of complaint by the several Boards of Commissioners, and I request that you will call the especial attention of your Inspecting Officers to the matter. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Arogel.

Enclosure in No. 36. Commissionees' Repoet on Ship "Dilharree." The Immigration Commissioners beg to report that the above ship arrived in Lyttelton on the llth instant, with 295 souls, equal to 2461 statute adults. On proceeding alongside, the Commissioners ascertained that there had been two deaths (infants) during the passage, but beyond a few cases of hooping cough, the state of health of those on board was satisfactory. Tho Commistioners then proceeded to inspect the compartments, Ac, and they have much pleasure in reporting that each was exceptionally clean, the between-decks very lofty, and the ventilation perfect. The only fault to be found was tho plumbing work in connection with the bath-room and watercloset in the single women's compartment. This was very defective, and on inquiry it was found that the joints of the supply pipe had not been properly fitted, thus causing leakage. The Commissioners have frequently had occasion to report unfavourably on the plumber's work in connection with the bath-room. They trust a little more attention will be paid to this work in future. The immigrants expressed themselves well pleased with the provisions (except in the matter of bread, referred to below) and water served to them during the passage, and for the kind treatment they had at all times received from the captain, surgeon-superintendent, and officers of tho ship. During tho early part of the voyage the bread had given cause of complaint. On inquiry, it was found that the baker was incompetent: he was accordingly dismissed, and one of the immigrants appointed to fill his place. The class of immigrants appeared well suited to tho requirements of the Province. The Commissioners recommend the payment of all gratuities. William Donald, A JonN F. Rouse, > Commissioners. Lyttelton, 17th March, 1874. J. E. Maech, )

No. 37. The Hon. J. Vogel to tho Agent-General. (No. 74.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, Bth April, 1874. Referring to my letter No. 72, of Ist instant, I enclose copy of the report by the surgeonsuperintendent of the ship " Dilharee," upon which His Honor the Superintendent of Canterbury remarks that it " is very valuable, and should, I think, be sent to the Agent-General," and I feel sure that it will receive at your hands the consideration it merits. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.

Enclosure in No. 37. Report by Surgeon of " Dilharee." Sic, — I have the honor to report, with reference to the immigrants under my charge from Plymouth to Lyttelton per ship " Dilharree," as follows : —• The system carried out at the Plymouth depot was most excellent. The advantages of an immigrants' depot there are: Avoiding the tedious Channel voyage; accustoming the people to the regulations required on board ship ; allowing opportunity for arranging tho messes suitably ; isolation from contagious and infectious disease ; permitting the surgeon to observe any signs of infection or contagion breaking out (I had occasion to remove two families, .a child of one being affected with whooping cough, of the other with scarlatina). It would be of advantage, therefore, that the regulation requiring the people to present themselves at the depot by a certain date, say two weeks prior to the date of sailing, should be enforced, and that the depot surgeon or surgeon-superintendent should visit the depot and attend the emigrants every day, or every second day. The medical inspector should be empowered to reject those who are suffering from phthisis pulmonalis: they will not be much improved by a voyage as emigrants, and can be of little benefit to the Colony. Two cases of this kind were under treatment during the entire voyage, continually requiring medical comforts, w-hich are no doubt intended for sickness incurred in the course of the voyage. The marine soap is packed