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satisfied with their treatment. The surgeon, Dr. Pearde, Captain Sellars and his officers, performed their respective duties very efficiently. "We recommend that they be paid their gratuities. We have, &c, Colin Allan. Wm. Thomson. His Honor the Superintendent, Otago. John Detsdale, M.D.

No. 42. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-General. (No. 26.) Sir, — Immigration Office, "Wellington, Bth February, 1876. I have the honor to transmit herewith the following documents relative to the ship ""Waitara," which arrived at the Bluff on the 25th December ultimo: —1. 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. 42. Commissioners' Eeport on Ship ""Waitara." The immigrant ship ""Waitara" arrived at the Bluff Harbour on the afternoon of the 25th ultimoBeing reported clean, she was inspected by the Commissioners on the 27th ultimo. The health of the immigrants during the voyage had been good, no cases of serious illness having occurred. There were two deaths (children), one from convulsions and the other diarrhoea. The compartments were thoroughly clean and airy, the block plan, with passages towards the ship's sides, tending materially to improve the ventilation. All the requirements under the charter as regards hospitals, bath-rooms, closets, &c, were amply complied with. The Commissioners noticed with pleasure that the single women slept in separate bunks, instead of two together, which has hitherto obtained. The divisions also in the mamed people's compartment were boarded up higher than usual, giving greater privacy to each family, though there was room for improvement in this respect. The store-room was large and well situated, and the dispensary in admirable order. The condenser appears to have answered all requirements during the voyage. The conduct of the immigrants during the voyage was reported as having been very good, and they spoke in terms of praise of the conduct of all the officers and surgeon-superintendent. They presented a testimonial, signed by single and married, to the purser, who had evidently been diligent and courteous in the discharge of his duties. The total number of adults landed at the Bluff was 177, of which equal to 24^ were forwarded to their friends in Dunedin per the steamer '' Comerang." The Commissioners have much pleasure in recommending the payment of the usual gratuities to those entitled to them, and in doing so would beg to remark on the superior class of officers in the " Waitara." It is with genuine pleasure and no hesitation that a favourable recommendation can be given in their case. There is little necessity to inquire into the sobriety and efficiency, during the voyage, of such men; their appearance and conduct on entering the port is a sufficient guarantee that their duties had been creditably fulfilled. The Commissioners would strongly recommend the re-employment of Dr. J. H. Boyle as surgeon-superintendent should he desire it, as, in their opinion, he is a credit to the service in which he has been employed. It would be of advantage to the service if men of his stamp were employed, and inferior men, too commonly to be found, rejected. Walter H. Peaeson. Tiios. Thomson. Invercargill, 10th January, 1876. Wm. P. Grigor.

No. 43. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-General. (No. 27.) Sjb,— Immigration Office, "Wellington, 9th February, 1876. I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of the following documents relative to the " Inverness," which vessel arrived at Napier upon the 28th November last: —1. Immigration Commissioners' report. 2. Surgeon-superintendent's report. 3. Certified list of births and deaths. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure in No. 43. Commissioners' Eepoet on Ship "Inverness." Sib, — Immigration Commissioners' Office, Napier, 12th January, 1876. The Commissioners have nothing particular to report on the ship " Inverness " that arrived in Hawke's Bay in November last. The Commissioners carried out their instructions, and found everything in perfect order, and the whole of the immigrants unanimously pleased with the treatment they