25

D.—2,

to have arisen from the crew and others helping themselves to the candles, &c, as I know they have done in other ships, and will do if the officer in charge of the stores does not look well after them. There was the proper quantity of lime, sand, and charcoal supplied to this ship ; in fact, the requirements of the charter-party were fully carried out. There was ample cubic space for the number of emigrants embarked, as, owing to the ship being only 6 feet 8 inches between decks, and not 6 feet 2 inches, as stated in the Immigration Commissioners' report, I cubed the space, and reduced her numbers accordingly. Edwd. A. Smith, E.N., 18th September, 1874. Despatching Officer. " Golden Sea." Letter No. 148, of 3rd June, 1874. Captain complains that he could not get a copy of the charter-party from Despatching Officer, and that he was not aware until he was some weeks at sea that an extra allowance for children was provided. I do not recollect the captain of this particular ship asking for a copy of charter and not getting one, as I always make a practice of giving one to any captain who asks for it. This, however, was no excuse for his not issuing stores, as when the people applied for them, he should have referred to his charter-party immediately; and, again, it was the duty of the surgeon-superintendent to call the captain's attention to any short issue to the people, and to see that they were properly supplied, and, if the captain refused, to report the matter to the Immigration Officer on arrival. Surgeon states that he has no doubt the outbreak of scarlatina arose from a family of Dymes, who were landed from s.s. "Mongol," as Dr. Davidson reported that he had landed that family on 22nd December. The family of Dymes was landed from s.s. "Mongol" by order of Dr. Eccles, the Medical Inspector at Plymouth, and, as far as I could ascertain, Dr. Davidson did not agree with Dr. Eccles that any of the family was suffering from the effects of any infectious disease, but rather that the boy, who appeared delicate, and who had the glands of the throat on one side swollen so as to be plainly visible to any one, was scrofulous; however, Dr. Eccles, in his anxiety that every precaution should be taken to prevent any disease being carried on board the ship, had the family landed, and they were sent to lodgings in Plymouth, and visited constantly by Dr. Eccles,'who, finding his suspicions groundless, reported to me that he considered the family might safely be embarked, and I represented the case to Dr. Humphreys, the Medical Inspector in London, and to the surgeon-superintendent (as I invariably do when people have been left behind sick or suspected), before they were put on board the " Golden Sea;" and I would respectfully call your attention to the fact, that whereas the ship sailed on the 23rd January, no case of scarlatina occurred until the ship was drawing near the end of her voyage, and when she had got into high southern latitudes, where scarlatina frequently breaks out in ships, although there may be no symptoms of it at an earlier period of the voyage. It is gratifying to me that in all respects this ship appears to have given great satisfaction, the ship itself and all the arrangements being highly commended. Edwd. A. Smith, E.N., 18th September, 1874. Despatching Officer. " La Hogtte." Letter No. 180, of 29th June, 1874. Clause 3. Medical Examination of Emigrants. —The surgeon-superintendent, in my opinion, pronounces a condemnation on himself when judging another. I ask, how came he to pronounce a phthisical invalid " healthy " ? It was a part of his duty to see that no person incapable of working by reason of bodily or mental ailment was allowed to proceed in the ship without at least bringing the matter under my notice. Clause 4. Suryeon's Cabin should he ivell lighted, and, lohere practicable, easily accessible to the Quarter-Deck. —I always take care to select a good cabin for the surgeon-superintendent, and see that it is as well lighted as is possible. Clause 5. Positions of Hospitals badly chosen, fyc. —Two of the hospitals were in the poop; it is true they were next the water-closets, but they were separated by perfectly air-tight double bulkheads, with felt between the boards. As to third being a dark hole in the noisiest part of the 'tween decks, this is simply untrue ; the hospital was on the starboard side, abreast the main hatchway, with a scuttle in the side ; this third hospital would also have been in the poop had there been room, but to have done this would have necessitated putting part of the single women below, and I considered it far better that they should all be in one compartment where possible. I have never shown any disposition to disregard any recommendation that may be made which is likely to improve the comfort and well-being of the emigrants, and I feel the remark in this clause 5 most unjustifiable, —" It may bo a very simple matter for the Inspecting and Despatching Officer to slur over their work in the manner in which it is only too evident that they do, but it is serious for the poor sick emigrants, who in consequence are exposed to unnecessary suffering and hardship," as I never was before, during the number of years I served under the Emigration Commissioners, accused of neglecting my duty, but the contrary; and I believe, Sir, that you are satisfied that since I have had the honor of serving under you, my time and best abilities have been devoted to carrying out this extensive emigration with the greatest amount of comfort to the people possible. Clause 6. Fittings not complete, Sfc. —There were some things incomplete when the emigrants embarked, and had there been a d,ep6t to fall back upon, they would not have been put on board; but the surgeon-superintendent's statements are greatly exaggerated, and it seems to me he has attempted to raise himself in the opinion of the colonial authorities by imputing blame to other people. His 4—D. 2.