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No. 58. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the A gent-General. (No. 113.) Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 2nd May, 1876. I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of the following documents relating to the " Brodick Castle," which vessel arrived at Auckland upon the 24th March ultimo:—l. Immigration Commissioners' report. 2. Report upon the exercise in fire-drill and the regular mustering of the emigrants during the voyage. 3. Certified list of births and deaths. With reference to my letter No. 99, of the 6th ultimo, in which I pointed out the necessity of the instructions to masters and surgeon-superintendents being amended in the direction of affording more definite information with regard to their duties in respect of the fire-drill, I desire that you will, as soon as possible, send me copies of the instructions so amended. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure 1 in No. 58. Commissioners' Report on Ship "Brodick Castle." Sir, — Immigration Office, Auckland, 28th March, 1876. We have the honor to report the arrival of the " Brodick Castle," from London, on the 24th instant, 100 days out, with a nominal roll of 273 Government immigrants. We proceeded to inspect the ship and passengers the same day, and are happy to be able to report favourably of the cleanliness and general good order which appear to have prevailed on board throughout the voyage. Three deaths occurred among the immigrants, comprising a single female named,H. W., whose family also was on board, and G. and E. McG. (infants), the former of rheumatic fever and heart disease, and the latter of consumption. There were no births. No infectious disease was known throughout the voyage, and very little sickness of any kind. Two or three single men are, at present, indelicate health, owing to colds and slight attacks of bronchitis, from the effects of which they have not yet fully recovered. The accommodation for immigrants which this ship affords is of a superior class, as respects room, light, and ventilation. The arrangements generally were very satisfactory, and the provisions of all kinds, including the supply of water and medical comforts, were both abundant and of excellent quality. Notwithstanding, there was, we were informed, very frequent miscarriage in the baking department, either owing to want of tact, or to inexperience on the part of the persons engaged from time to time as immigrants' baker. The immigrants themselves made no complaint upon the subject, but the fact was brought under our notice by the captain and the surgeon-superintendent. Everything appears to have been done that could be accomplished to remedy the evil, by chauging the baker on several occasions, both before leaving England and during the voyage, but with very limited success. The flour was of average good quality. The immigrants expressed themselves well satisfied on the whole with their treatment on board, while their own conduct in general is spoken of favourably by the surgeon and ship's officers. A breach of the 25th section of the charter-party appears to have taken place, inasmuch as there was a single man among the saloon passengers, named G. H., unconnected with any of the married families on board. The captain and the ship's agents here are unable to give any explanation of this, or to state by what means the irregularity in this instance escaped the attention, apparently, of the Despatching Officer in London. No complaint was made to us arising out of this circumstance, and the conduct oLthe saloon passenger in question is reported to have been unexceptionable. We beg to recommend payment of the visual gratuities to the ship's officers and the surgeonsuperintendent. We have, &c, H. Ellis. T. M. Philson, M.D. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. I. J. Burgess.

Enclosure 2 in No. 58. The Immigration Commissioners, Auckland, to the Under Secretary for Immigration. Sir, — Immigration Office, Auckland, 30th March, 1876. Referring to your Memo. No. 72, of the 20th instant, on the subject of fire-drill on board immigrant ships, and to the duty of mustering the passengers, in accordance with the instructions contained in the Queen's Order in Council, we have the honor to report, in the instance of the " Brodick Castle," that on due inquiry we ascertained that fire practice was regularly attended to once a week when weather permitted, so far as the ship's company was concerned, but not as respects the immirants. Captain Thyne explained that, the crew, numbering about sixty hands, being somewhat refractory during the voyage, he deemed it inexpedient to bring the men into contact with the immigrants at fire-drill. He stated, moreover, that he was not aware that he was required by the regulations to exercise the passengers in the manner referred to, otherwise, he admitted, he might have made a selection from among the immigrants for this purpose. We notice that it is intended to issue more definite instructions upon this subject to captains of immigrant ships.