D.—3

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had received from the captain, doctor, and officers of the ship, and also with the provisions served out to them. I have, &c, Geo. Thos. Fannin, The Under Secretary for Immigration, "Wellington. (for Commissioners).

No. 44. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-General. (No. 30.) Sir,— r Immigration Office, "Wellington, 9th February, 1876. I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of the following documents relative to the " Conflict," which vessel arrived at Lyttelton upon the 29th January ultimo : —l. Immigration Commissioners' Eeport. 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. 44. Commissioners' Eepobt on Ship "Conflict." The Commissioners inspected this vessel, eighty-five days out from Belfast, on the 29th .January. They found the various compartments well lighted, ventilated, and arranged, and in a very creditable state of cleanliness. The immigrants were, throughout the ship, well contented with the treatment they had received on the voyage, speaking highly of the captain, surgeon-superintendent, and officers. They appear to be of a very suitable class for the colony, being for the most part considerably above the average in physique, and exceedingly well conducted and respectable in appearance. The condenser, by Chapman of Glasgow, had worked well, and was capable of supplying 250 gallons of water in twelve hours. The provisions had been of first-class quality, and the cooking good, especially the baking. The matron appointed by the Agent-General was found to be inefficient and not trustworthy ; she was disrated by the captain and surgeon when about ten days from England, and Margaret Strain appointed in her place. The Commissioners recommend the payment of all gratuities, and the further employment of the surgeon-superintendent should he desire it. Wm. Donald. John F. Rouse. Lyttelton, Ist Februar)', 1876. Fredk. D. Gibson.

No. 45. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-General (No. 48.) Sir, — Immigration Office, "Wellington, 6th March, 187 G. I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of the following documents relative to the ': Shakespeare," which vessel arrived in Port Nicholson upon the 23rd December, 1875: —1. Immigration Commissioners' report. 2. Certified list of births and deaths. 8. Letter from his Honor the Superintendent of Westland, reporting the circumstances under which some of the immigrants who had been sent to that province were forwarded on to Jackson's Bay, but refused to land there, and had to be brought back to Hokitika. I have, &c, < The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure in No. 45. Commissioners' Kepobt on Ship " Shakespeare." Sib, — Immigration Office, "Wellington, Bth February, 1876. Wo have the honor to report the arrival of the ship " Shakespeare " on the 23rd ultimo, with 338 statute adult immigrants from Hamburg. There were three births and two deaths (both infants) during the voyage. In consequence of the surgeon-superintendent reporting that there were cases of typhoid fever at Hamburg when the vessel sailed, and there being a case on board at the time of arrival, and Dr. Uterhart's report showing that there had been several cases throughout the voyage, we considered it advisable to send the vessel and immigrants to the Quarantine Station, in order that they might have an opportunity of cleansing themselves before they were dispersed throughout the colony. On the 28th of January, having satisfied ourselves that our instructions for cleansing the ship had been carried out, we inspected her and found that Captain Jorgensen had faithfully performed the duties required of him, the vessel having been thoroughly fumigated in the 'tween-decks, and painted both inside and out. The single girls' compartment was afr, having a wooden bulkhead fore-and-aft to separate it from the married compartment. The hospital, bath-rooms, &c, were convenient, and the compartment appeared to have been a comfortable and well-ventilated one. The married people had the use of part of the after and main hatches : their compartment was very roomy and well ventilated. Th« bunks were arranged around the sides of the ship : but in our opinion, in which we were supported