14

D.—3.

quality of the stores. Those gentlemen content themselves with a general denial of the defaults alleged against them, remarking that the statement that " the ship was fitted and provisioned with that regard to strict economy, and carelessness for the health and comfort of the passengers, which distinguishes Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and C 0.," is simply a falsehood. 3. The medical inspection, as in the case of other emigrant ships, was two-fold, namely,— The applicants, prior to their acceptance, produced certificates, signed by qualified surgeons, to the effect that they were free from any bodily or mental defect or deformity likely to impair their usefulness, and from all infectious or contagious disease; and secondly, the whole of the emigrants were inspected at Gravesend by the Government Medical Officer in conjunction with the surgeon-superintendent. It would have been competent for Dr. Diver to object to any person who was suffering from any complaint dangerous to others, or likely to be aggravated by the voyage. He does not, however, appear to have taken exception to any of the persons who passed before him. 4. With reference to the between-deck fittings, it was found to be impossible to use the main hatch as a gangway for the married couples, as the long boat was stowed immediately over the hatch. It was therefore necessary to divide the between-deck longitudinally, and to place the married couples on one side and the single women on the other; the after-hatch being also divided between them. This arrangement would give an appearance of closeness and crowding, which, it will be seen, was unavoidable. The hospitals were placed in the best positions which could be found for that purpose. It should be borne in mind that, under the contract with Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co., the space for hospitals is included in the fifteen feet allowed for each passenger. The consequence of providing large and roomy hospitals would have been very seriously to contract the space in which the emigrants are berthed and messed. Dr. Diver states that the hospital should, in his opinion, be "under the poop, with skylight to open when necessary." It is obvious that, in most instances, it would be impossible to adopt that course, as the single women are berthed in the after part of the vessel, and it would be manifestly improper to place in their compartment the general hospital for women and children. Dr. Diver also objects to the ventilation of the hospital by means of scuttles, and the Immigration Officers appear to endorse the objection; and I notice that, in his report upon the " Michael Angelo " at Dunedin, Mr. O'Donnoghue complains that the women's hospital, which was lighted and ventilated by a portion of a large skylight, was " damp, badly ventilated, and dark." I trust I may be pardoned for remarking that a suspicion that the Immigration Commissioners are occasionally mistaken in their criticisms upon the fittings of emigrant vessels, is strengthened by the extraordinary difference of opinion between different members of the Immigration Commission at Dunedin, which was shown to exist in reference to the general arrangements on board the vessel last named. Messrs. Allen and Thomson express their satisfaction with the general arrangements and condition of the vessel, and state that " the whole of the passengers expressed themselves as fully satisfied with their treatment on board;" while Mr. O'Donnoghue describes the principal compartment as " damp and comfortless," and utterly condemns the hospital arrangements. 5. The store-room was built in the married people's compartment. This is the place usually assigned to it in other vessels, in which the arrangement has completely answered its purpose. It would no doubt have been easy for Dr. Diver to have prevented crowding at the hospital door, by giving directions that the emigrants were to come to the store-room for their provisions in small parties instead of en masse. Similarly, Dr. Diver might have modified other arrangements to which he objected, e.g., he complains that five berths were built in the hospital; he might have given instructions for the removal of two of the berths, if they were not required for sick persons, and they could easily have been rebuilt in case of need. 6. The bedding for the emigrants was supplied under a contract with Messrs. Shaw and Savill, and I could only see that the necessary articles were furnished to each emigrant. This arrangement is now at an end. The outfits are obtained direct from the manufacturers, the bedding being superior in quality to that previously supplied. 7. The Immigration Officer states that " the space in the cooking galley was totally insufficient." It is true there was but one stove. I directed the attention of the Government Officer to the circumstance. He, however, remarked that as the stove was an exceedingly good one, and the number of passengers small, it was unnecessary to provide a second range. The cook was also a very experienced and efficient person, having sailed with Captain Baillie for many years. 8. The Immigration Officer states that the medicine chest was not procured from Apothecaries' Hall, " as has been frequently impressed upon the Agent-General, and which he states in his letter of the March, No. 150, will be the case." The contract made with Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co., under which they were at liberty to procure the medicine chests from any proper druggist, had not expired when the " Wild Duck " was despatched, and the chest for that vessel was not therefore procured from Apothecaries' Hall. A clause requiring that this course should be adopted was, however, introduced into the first charter-party entered into after the expiration of Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co.'s agreement, and this stipulation has since been continued. The medicine chest was placed on board the " Wild Duck" before the vessel left the dock, and as forty-eight hours elapsed between that time and the ship's final departure, there was ample time for Dr. Diver to make a thorough inspection of its contents.