D.—3

64

The stores seem to have been placed on board in a very hurried manner, the store room indifferently constructed, the stowage bad, and the storekeeper appointed quite incompetent. The plumbing work in the single women's compartment soon got out of order, and the solder placed on board was so inferior that it was found impossible to repair the plumbing with it. The matron appointed was in no way qualified to have the charge of single women, for instead of endeavouring to. prevent familiarity between them and the single men and crew, she rather encouraged it. The Commissioners attach to this report the reply from the surgeon-superintendent to the complaints made on board, his report on the voyage, and extracts from his journal. The Commissioners recommend the captain and surgeon only for gratuities. Wm. Donald, ") T ~ n Lyttelton, 15th May, 1875. . J. E. Maech, { Emigration Commissioners.

No. 99. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 149.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 7th June, 1875. I have the honor to transmit the following documents relative to the ship " Hindostan," which arrived at Wellington upon the 22nd May : — 1. Immigration Commissioners' report. 2. Certified list of births and deaths. With regard to the remarks of the Commissioners affecting tho conduct of the captain, upon a careful consideration of all the circumstances I am led to the conclusion that what is complained of was a fault of manner on his part, rather than any intentional discourtesy or desire in any way to obstruct them in the performance of their duty. I did not therefore consider any inquiry necessary into the matter, and authorised the payment of his gratuity. I may further observe that I have given Captain Gregory the opportunity of perusing the report, and have assured him that those portions of it reflecting especially upon his conduct to the Commissioners, as he had not the opportunity of making an official explanation, shall not be made public. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure in No. 99. Immigeation Commissionebs' Eepoet on Ship "Hindostan." Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 27th May, 1875. We have the honor to report the arrival of the ship " Hindostan " on the 22nd instant, with 157 statute adults. There was one birth, and one death—a child twelve months old —during the voyage. The vessel anchored about half-past 5 p.m., and she was immediately boarded by us, we having been on the look-out for her during the afternoon. We had arranged to inspect the immigrants and vessel on Sunday afternoon, and land the passengers on the following day, Monday, the 24th ; but after the manner in which the captain received us, we determined upon not going outside our strict official duty, and we therefore did not inspect the vessel till Tuesday, the 25th instant, after which the immigrants were at once landed. The single women were berthed under the after-hatch ; they had a splendid entrance to their compartment through a high deck-house, which was found very convenient, it being the only means of ventilation in the compartment. The bunks were in blocks, and the compartment was very clean and sweet; but it appeared to us rather dark—in fact we have the same remark to make with all the compartments in this vessel. The hospital was in the compartment, and was poorly ventilated. The married people were under the main-hatch; their bunks were in blocks, without alley-ways. The hospital was on one side of the hatchway, and the dispensary and issuing-room on the other. The ladders were very good, but we would suggest that the steps should be fluted, or a small batten nailed along each step, to prevent persons slipping. One passenger had his leg broken by slipping on the ladder. We cannot say anything in favour of the hospital in this compartment. There was only one good hospital in the vessel, and that is what was termed the " male hospital," on deck. We were pleased to hear, however, that there had not been much necessity for hospital accommodation. The tinware generally was bad: in fact, this is a standing complaint in every ship, and, owing to the leakage from the vessels in which the immigrants keep their drinking-water, the 'tween-decks are constantly kept in a state of dampness. The single men were berthed under the fore-hatch : their compartment was clean. The galley was particularly clean and convenient. The greatest fault we have to find with the vessel is the darkness of the compartments, but as the 'tween-decks were very high, and each passenger had much more cubical space than is required by the Passenger Act, no evil consequences resulted. The passengers appeared to us to be a healthy and robust lot of people, and we find that the surgeon-superintendent speaks well of them in the extract from his diary which is attached. They all spoke in praise of the captain and surgeon, giving them both three hearty cheers when asked if they had any statements to make with reference to the voyage. * * * * We have, &c, Alex. Johnston, M.D. H. J. H. Eliott. His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. John Holliday. * The remainder of this report is not published, vide the letter to the Agent-General. By Authority: Geoboe Didsbobt, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB7s. Price 2s. 3d.]