D.—3

38

female hospitals were both on deck, and were roomy and comfortable. The dispensary, however, which was under the poop, was small, inconvenient, and badly lighted. The galley and condenser were good, and sufficient for the requirements of the immigrants. We append an extract from the diary of the surgeon-superintendent, from which it appears that the Italian portion of the single men were an undesirable body of people, and that throughout the voyage they caused a great deal of trouble. We informed the captain and surgeon that, if they desired to prefer specific charges against particular individuals, proceedings would be instituted against them , but they declined doing so as their trouble had ended. It is also reported that several people who were , berthed amongst the married immigrants are not married, they having lived together before applying to the Agent for a free passage. In conclusion, we recommend the payment of all gratuities, aud we desire specially to bring under your notice the services of Dr. Evers, who appears to have been unremitting in his attention to the immigrants under his charge, although seriously indisposed himself during the greater part of the voyage. Captain Bockwoldt and his officers also appear to have cordially co-operated with the surgeonsuperintendent in the performance of their duties. We have, &c, Alexander Johnston, M.D. H. J. H. Eliott. His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. John Holltdat.

No. 57. The Hon.'H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 110.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, Ist May, IS7O. I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of the following documents relative to the " Waipa," which vessel arrived at Wellington upon the 2nd April ultimo : —l. Immigration Commissioners' report. 2. Certified list of births and deaths. 3. Eeport upon the case of X McD . The Commissioners' report does not appear to call for any particular remarks; but with regard to X McD , inquiry should be made into the circumstances under which this person was approved as a free emigrant. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure in No. 57. Commissioners' Eepoht on Ship "Waipa." Sib, — Wellington, 10th April, 1876. We have the honor to report the arrival of the ship "Waipa" upon the 2nd instant, with 217 souls, equal to 178 statute adults. There were two births, and we are pleased to report no deaths during the voyage. The vessel and immigrants were inspected the following day, the latter being all landed or forwarded to their destinations at once. The single men were berthed in the fore-part of the ship : their compartment was clean and well ventilated, with plenty of accommodation for the small number in it—viz., 33 adults. The married compartment was under the main hatch, and was equal to the requirements of the immigrants, having plenty of ventilation. The single women were aft: their compartment was a good one, but it appeared to us to be rather dark. No complaint w;as, however, made to us in that respect. The bath-room and water-closet were very convenient, being permanent saloon fittings. Taking everything into consideration, the " Waipa " is a convenient vessel for emigrants, having high hatchway combings, good ventilation, &c, the only objection to her being that she is rather hampered with deck-houses. In our opinion, the hospital arrangements were not good. There was only one hospital on deck, and that was so near the galley and condenser that it would have been useless in cases of fever. The other two hospitals were in the 'tween-decks. This we have always considered to be undesirable, but in this vessel they were anything but convenient. Fortunately, there was so little sickness during the voyage that there was no great tax upon the hospital accommodation. We append a summary of the voyage by the surgeon-superintendent, and we desire to call attention to his remarks with reference to the crew. Frequent reference is-made to this subject throughout his diary, and it would appear that a great deal of trouble, if not absolute risk, was caused by their conduct. Five of the ringleaders were proceeded against before the Resident Magistrate, but the cases were dismissed through some legal technicality. Boat and fire drill were carried on whenever practicable, but the surgeon reports that the instructions, which were posted up in the forecastle, were obliterated by being painted over. Attention is also directed to the case of X McD , who is reported to be suffering from " dementia." It appears that this girl's state was reported to the Agent-General before she left the depot at Blackwall. In conclusion, we have much pleasure iv recommending the payment of all gratuities, and in stating that both the captain and surgeon-superintendent appear to have worked cordially together for the benefit of the emigrants under their charge, which is shown by the fact that the " Waipa " arrived without a single death, although there were a large number of children on board. We have, &c, Alexandeb Johnston, M.D. H. J. H. Eliott. His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. John Hollidat.