D.—3

14

All the immigrants speak highly both of the surgeon-superintendent, Dr. O'Leary, and the captain of the ship, who each received testimonials from the passengers thanking them for their kindness and attention. We have therefore much pleasure in recommending that the usual gratuities, &c, be paid to these gentlemen and other officers of the ship, a3 well as those to the matron, schoolmaster, nurse, and constables, &c. The surgeon-superintendent reports that the supply of preserved or concentrated milk was not equal in quality, and could not be depended on. We also found that the water-closets, &c, were clean and suitable for the requirements of the immigrants. We have, &c, P. Y. O'Cabboll. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. W. K. Htjlke.

No. 19. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Genebal. (No. 219.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 22nd October, 1875. I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of the following documents relating to the "Merope," which vessel arrived at Timaru upon the 23rd September ultimo : —l. Immigration Commissioners'report. 2. Surgeon-superintendent's report. 3. Certified list of births and'deaths upon the voyage. The immigrants were all landed at Timaru, and, in accordance therefore with the terms of the charter-party, the sum of £1 per adult —£225—has been paid to the agents of the vessel. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure in No. 19. Commissionees' Eepoet on Ship " Merope." Sic,— Timaru, 25th September, 1875. "We have the honor to report that the ship " Merope," from London via Plymouth, arrived in port on the 23rd inst., after a smart passage of 84 days from the latter port. Two births and three deaths occurred on the passage, the latter being infants. Tho general health of the immigrants was very satisfactory. On inspection we have great pleasure in bearing testimony to the extreme cleanliness of every compartment of the ship, for which the surgeon and matron deserve every praise. On the usual questions being asked by the Commissioners, the immigrants unanimously expressed their satisfaction with the treatment they had received on the passage. The medical comforts and extras put on board for the children were abundant, and given out as necessity required. The distilling apparatus (which also supplies the steam for cooking the immigrants' food) worked well. There being only one boiler to supply steam for both, very serious consequences would have occurred had any accident happened to it. The single women's hospital was very badly lighted. "We wish to draw attention to a number of pigs being carried for the use of the saloon passengers ; these animals create much unpleasantness, besides causing great inconvenience to the immigrants. The captain, surgeon, and officers performed their respective duties very conscientiously, and we recommend that they be paid the usual gratuities. We have, &c., P. Mclnttee, M.B. P. LeCeen. His Honor the Superintendent of Canterbury. B. Woollcombe.

No. 20. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Genebal. (No. 224.) Sib, — Immigration Office, "Wellington, 25th October, 1875. I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of tho following documents relative to the " Carisbrook Castle," which vessel arrived at Auckland upon the Bth of September ultimo: —l. Immigration Commissioners' report. 2. Certified list of births and deaths. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure in No. 20. Commissionebs' Kepobt on Ship "Carisbrook Castle." Sic, — Immigration Office, Auckland, 20th September, 1875. We have tho honor to report the arrival of the " Carisbrook Castle," from Belfast, on the Bth instant, having on board a total of 3G3 souls, comprising Mr. G. V. Stewart's party of special settlers for Katikati, numbering 238 individuals, with 125 free Government immigrants. The usual inspection took place the same day. The ship had a favourable passage of ninety-one days from port