D.—3

35

Enclosure in No. 52. Commissioners' Eepoet on Ship "Hurunui." Sib,— Wellington, 2nd March, 1876. We have the honor to report the arrival of the ship " Hurunui " on the 23rd February, with 184 statute adult immigrants engaged for the Province of Taranaki. There were five deaths, equal to one statute adult, and four births during the voyage. Early on the morning of the 24th we inspected the vessel, and found all the compartments in good order and clean. The single women were berthed under the after hatch; they had abundance of light, ventilation, and space, the bunks being in blocks, with alley-ways around the sides of the ship. The hospital and bath-room were good, the latter being a permanent fixture for the use of saloon passengers when carried by the vessel. The married people had the use of the main hatch, the compartment being roomy and comfortable, and the bunks arranged as in the single women's compartment. The hospital and dispensary under the main hatch were both roomy and convenient. The single men were berthed under the fore hatch, their compartment also being a roomy and comfortable one, with plenty of light and ventilation. There was also a convenient hospital for males on deck. The whole arrangements on board the " Hurunui" were of a highly efficient character, she having been fitted specially for the immigration trade, thus having many improvements which are not usually met with in vessels of her class. On Saturday, the 26th February, the immigrants were all disembarked, 107 statute adults being forwarded direct to New Plymouth, and the remainder landed in Wellington. We desire to direct attention to the case of a single woman who is reported by the surgeon as having been delivered of a still-born child on the 10th February. This girl is coloured, apparently being an African, and should not, in our opinion, have been sent out as a free immigrant. In conclusion, we recommend the payment of the usual gratuities, the immigrants, upon being questioned, not having made any complaints against either the captain, surgeon, or officers of the vessel; but, from what we have seen and heard of the surgeon-superintendent since his arrival, we regret that we do not feel justified in recommending him for re-employment in the immigration service of the colony. We have, &c, Alexander Johnston, M.D. H. J. H. Eliott. His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. John Hollidat.

No. 53. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Genebal. (No. 85.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, sth April, 1876. I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of the following documents, relative to the ship "Wellington," which arrived at Port Chalmers upon the 19th of March 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. 53. Commissioners' Eepoet on Ship "■Wellington." Sin, — Immigration Office, Dunedin, 21st March, 1876. We have the honor to report that the ship " Wellington " arrived in port from the Clyde on the 19th instant, her passage from port to port being ninety-four days. Her immigrants number 226| adults, thirty-eight being nominated in the province and despatched by the Agent-General, and 212J being selected and despatched by the Agent in Scotland of the Provincial Government. There were two births and four deaths on the voyage: of the latter there was one adult who died of pulmonary consumption, and three were infants, who succumbed to diarrhoea and convulsions. On arriving at the ship, the health report was handed to us, in which we found that four cases of typhoid or enteric fever occurred on the passage among the married people, three of the patients having completely recovered, and one being then in hospital in a convalescent state. Dr. Bogers, the surgeon-superintendent, at the same time reported that the health of the immigrants was all that could be desired, and that there was not at that time a single case of sickness on board, with the exception of the enteric fever case. Having made the usual inspection, we found the ship well fitted and ventilated, and it was evident that cleanliness in the several compartments was insisted upon and well carried out. Disinfectants were also liberally used. The immigrants were well satisfied with their treatment on the voyage; both the provisions and water were sufficient and good in quality. We feel it due to the surgeon-superin-tendent, Dr. Rogers, Captain Cowan, and his officers, to state it as our opinion, from what we saw and heard, that no exertion was spared by them in rendering the passengers comfortable and happy. We have, &c, Colin Allan. His Honor the Superintendent, Otago. Wm. Thomson,