D.—3

33

No. 49. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the AaENT-GENEEAL. (No. 56.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 7th March, 1876. I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of the following documents relative to the " Otaki," which vessel arrived at Lyttelton upon the Bth February ultimo: —1. Immigration Commissioners' report. 2. Surgeon-superintendent's report. 3. Certified list of births and deaths. The Commissioners, you will observe, referring to the surgeon-superintendent's report, " strongly recommend that clause 3 should be brought under the notice of the Agent-General, with the view of having direct communication between the single women's compartment and the poop, thus preventing the necessity of their going on the main deck." The importance of this has so often before been pointed out by the Immigration Commissioners at most of the ports, that I am of opinion you should insist upon such an arrangement in all your emigrant vessels for the future, and I shall be glad if you will take the matter into consideration with the view of carrying it into effect. I have, <&c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure in No. 49. Commissionees' Eepobt on Ship " Otaki." The Commissioners report the arrival of the above ship on the Bth instant, after a passage of ninety-nine days. The health of the immigrants had been good throughout the voyage. The surgeon reported one birth and two deaths (infants). All the compartments were exceedingly clean, the light and ventilation ample, and the fittings satisfactory. The provisions were of good quality, and no complaints were made. The cooking and condensing apparatus had worked satisfactorily. The appliances in the bath-room in the single women's compartment had also worked satisfactorily, but no bath-room (or any appliances for battling) was provided for men. The immigrants spoke highly of the kind treatment they had received from the surgeon-superintendent, captain, and officers of the ship. The surgeon's report is attached herewith, and the Commissioners strongly recommend that clause 3 should be brought under the notice of the Agent-General, with the view of having direct communication between the single women's compartment and the poop, thus preventing the necessity of their going on the main deck. The Commissioners recommend payment of full gratuities, and the further employment of the surgeon-superintendent, should he desire it. Wh. Donald. John F. Eouse. Fbedk. D. Gibson. Lyttelton, 10th February, 1876. J. E. Mabcu.

No. 50. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson- to the Agent-General. (No. 57.) Sib, — Immigration Office, "Wellington, 6th March, 1876. I have the honor to transmit copies of the following documents relative to the " Soukar," which vessel arrived at Lyttelton upon the 21th January ultimo : —l. Immigration Commissioners' report. 2. Surgeon-superintendent's report. 3. Certified list of births and deaths. You will observe that, in accordance with the terms of the new charter-party, the Immigration Commissioners recommended a deduction of £30 to be made from the second moiety of the passage money, on account of the badness of the bread. This recommendation has been carried into effect. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure in No. 50. Commissionees' Eepoet on Ship "Soukar." The Commissioners report the arrival of the above ship on the 24th instant, after a passage of one hundred and eight days. The weather was not sufficiently favourable to allow the vessel to call off Timaru. The health of the immigrants had been good throughout the voyage. The surgeon reported four deaths and two births. The compartments were clean, more particularly the single women's, and the light and ventilation ample. The Commissioners were pleased to note that the single women had a direct passage from their compartment to the poop, thus preventing the necessity of their going on the quarter-deck. The provisions had been served out in accordance with the dietary scale, and the quality was good, with the exception of bread. Great complaints were made throughout the ship of the badness of the bread on many occasions during the passage, and the sample shown to the Commissioners corroborated these complaints. One great cause appears to have arisen from the hops put on board for making yeast being stowed in the bakehouse, where they were damaged by salt water, and the baker had to make barm as best he could. The Commissioners are of opinion that proper precautions were not taken in the matter; and, as the conditions of the charter were not complied with, they recommend that the sum of £30 should be deducted from the second moiety of passage money. 5.—D. 3.