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one case of typhus fever, which proved fatal, occurred on the previous week, and that two cases of typhoid fever were then under treatment in the hospital. On due consideration, we deemed it advisable to place the ship in quarantine, and communicate the facts of the case to the Chairman of the Board of Health. The Board having met on the following day, it was resolved to land all the immigrants on the Quarantine Station for the purpose of washing and fumigating all the clothing in use on the passage, with a view to their early release. It was at the same time resolved that the ship be cleansed and thoroughly fumigated before being admitted to pratique. At a subsequent meeting of the Board, held on the 10th instant, reports'were read from the Health Officer and surgeon-superintendent in charge that the instructions of the Board were being faithfully carried out. It was thereupon resolved that both the ship and the immigrants, with the exception of the sick, be admitted to pratique on Saturday, the 12th instant. The immigrants on that day were removed to Caversham. The ship having been cleared, we made our usual inspection, and found all the compartments in a creditable state of cleanliness, and both well fitted and ventilated. The cooking galley was large and suitable ; and the condenser supplied abundance of good water. "We were well satisfied with all we saw on board, and believe that the provisions of the charter-party and Passengers Act were strictly adhered to. We are also of opinion that Dr. Hoadley the surgeon-superintendent, Captain Strachan, and his officers, fulfilled their respective duties faithfully and attentively, and are entitled to their gratuities. We have, &c, Colin AllaX. Wm. Thomson. His Honor the Superintendent, Otago. John Deysdale, M.D.

No. 48. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Genebal. (No. 54.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, Gth March, 1876. I have the honor to forward herewith copies of the following documents relative to the " Jessie Osborne," which vessel arrived at Lyttelton upon the 30th January ultimo : —l. Immigration Commissioners' report. 2. Surgeon-superintendent's report. 3. Certified list of births and deaths. Complaints having been general amongst the immigrants as to the badness of the bread, owing to the inferiority of the flour and the incompetency of the baker, I have, as in the case of the " Soukar," upon the recommendation of the Commissioners, caused a deduction of £30 to be made from the passage money payable here. 1 may mention that a good deal of trouble has been caused by Messrs. P. Henderson and Co. failing to give proper intimation to the Government in the terms of the charter-party as to their wish with regard to the payment of the second moiety of passage money in respect of this ship. A lengthy correspondence with Mr. C. W. Turner has ended in the money being handed over to that gentleman upon the strength of certain correspondence with Mr. Galbraith and others, of the firm of P. Henderson and Co., forwarded by him for perusal, which leaves no doubt that the intention of the firm was that the money should be so disposed of; but I should be glad if you would point out to Messrs. P. Henderson and Co. the irregularity of such a proceeding. I have, &c., The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure in No. 48. Comhissionebs' Repoet on Ship " Jessie Osborne." The Commissioners report the arrival of this ship on the 30th ultimo, after a passage of eighty-five days. On going alongside it was ascertained that a few cases of scarlet fever had occurred on the voyage, one case actually existing. The Health Officer thereupon ordered the ship in quarantine. All the immigrants were landed at Eipa Island, and after the fittings had been removed on shore, and the ship thoroughly fumigated, she was admitted to pratique, and duly inspected. The 'tween-decks were very lofty, and the light and ventilation good. On inspection of the immigrants after they had been released from quarantine, a general complaint was made as to the quality of the bread, the flour being described as very inferior, and the baker incompetent. A sample of the flour shown to the Commissioners bore out the complaint. The flour was stated by the immigrants to have been bad from the commencement of the passage. A letter addressed to the captain, and his reply thereto, are attached to this report. As in a former case (ship "Soukar"), the Commissioners consider that the charter-party was not complied with, and they recommend a deduction of £30 from the second moiety of passage-money. The matron, Miss Yorke, performed her duties in a very efficient manner. The immigrants spoke highly of the kind and attentive treatment they had received from the surgeon-superintendent and officers of the ship. The Commissioners recommend payment of full gratuities, and the further employment of the surgeonsuperintendent should he desire it. Wm. Donald. John F. Eotjse. Fbedk. D. Gibson. Lyttelton, 11th February, 1876. J. E. Maech.