D.—2.

56

The provisions were excellent, and had been served out regularly and in accordance with the dietary scale. The condenser (Graveley's) had worked well, and the supply was ample and good. The immigrants, without exception, were cheerful, and well satisfied with their treatment during the voyage. They spoke very highly of the captain and surgeon-superintendent. The Commissioners are unable to report favourably of several of the single women. There appears to be very few suitable for domestic servants, and the general appearance was not equal to previous shipments. Tho matron was disrated during the passage for allowing intercourse between the single women and the sailors. The Commissioners recommend the payment of full gratuities, with the exception of that of the matron ; the sub-matron who filled her post is recommended for tho gratuity. Wm. Donald. Lyttelton, 7th May, 1874. ' J. E. Maech.

Enclosure 2 in No. 50. Memoeandum by Dr. Haeeis. Ship "Apelles, 7th May, 1874. Suggestions for the better arrangement of Emigrant Ships. 1. That a depot should be made at the port of embarkation, where all the emigrants should be taken care of until the ship is ready, and where they should be examined by the surgeon-superintendent of the ship they are to embark in. He would thus be afforded an opportunity of making observations and notes for his guidance on the passage. 2. That a matron should be appointed whose character should be investigated. Her pay should increase by length of service, and a second-class passage paid for her return to England, as in the Australian service. 3. Each emigrant should have a box, say 2 feet 6 inches long by 12 or 14 inches wide, which should contain clothes sufficient for use on the passage, and would take the place of the present lockers. Boxes would not be required on the passage from the hold. 4. A mess bucket made of zinc, for soup and porridge, holding sufficient for ten persons ; also a can for tea and coffee for the mess of ten persons ; thus doing away with hook-pots. 5. Increase of pay for medical men, after the second voyage, increasing by length of time to £1 per head ; coolie service being reckoned as in the Australian service, and the £50 payable in England not contingent. 6. Single girls' constable should be paid a larger gratuity, considering his duties. 7. The issue of meat on Saturday is not sufficient, viz., 4 ozs., as after it is cooked it offers very little for a meal. 8. The stools are not made strong enough. 9. Water cans should be made with stronger bottoms, as after a month's use there was hardly one that would hold water. 10. The contract ticket should show plainly that, in accepting the ticket, they are held by the printed laws and the Queen's Order in Council. 11. Marine and ordinary soap should be placed on board in equal quantities. 12. Taps placed in the fore part of the ship, for single men to draw water to wash. 13. A tank on the poop deck to supply the single girls' water-closets, as when steam is not up there is no water. 14. A space should be between the single girls and married people, to prevent communication; such space might be used for hospital and dispensary, or for any other purpose. 15. That not less than 100 single girls should bo sent, and it would be better to have single girls and married people only, or married people and single men. 16. The advisability of having an earth closet, so that in very bad weather (and for hospital use) it might be used in 'tween-decks by the women and children. H. G. B. Haeeis.

No. 51. The Hon. J. A'ogel to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 148.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 3rd June, 1874. Herewith I have tho honor to forward copies of the following documents relative to the " Golden Sea," which vessel arrived at Port Nicholson upon 20th April ultimo. (1.) Letter from the Superintendent of Wellington, covering a report from the Immigration Commissioners with regard to complaints made by the immigrants of short issue of water, rations, Ac. (2.) Newspaper report of proceedings in the Resident Magistrate's Court, instituted against the captain for short supply of water. (3.) Report by Immigration Commissioners of the inspection of the ship, with its enclosure, the report of tho surgeon-superintendent. (4.) Letter from the surgeon-superintendent with reference to the fact of a family suffering from the effects of scarlatina having been put on board at Gravesend. (5.) Certified list of births and deaths during the passage. I.'lmmediately upon the receipt of the letter from His Honor the Superintendent, recommending that inquiry should be made into tho complaints made by certain of the immigrants, I gave instructions that a preliminary investigation should be made by the Immigration Officer into the character of the