D.—B

5

The doctor in his journal reports that many of them had not even a change of clothes, and consequently it was utterly impossible to enforce cleanliness. This reflects great discredit on the officer in London whose duty it was to superintend the embarkation. The wonder is that the fever did not rage in a ten-fold degree. We are perfectly satisfied that the captain and surgeon and officers used every endeavour to carry out their respective duties fully and faithfully. If any misunderstanding occurred between the passengers and officers of the ship, it has simply arisen from their endeavouring to keep order, and enforce cleanliness and discipline. We have much pleasure in recommending that the gratuities of these officers be paid. We do not consider the ship at present fit to carry immigrants for the following reasons : —The same complaints as reported in 1873 still exist as regards hatchways, close watertight bulkheads between decks, preventing a free current of air, and the ventilation on deck being badly distributed, owing partly to the great space occupied by deck-houses ; aud this leads us to notice another serious defect in the want of upper-deck space for the recreation of passengers, especially as regards the single women, who by the regulations must be kept in the after-part of the deck, which is completely taken up by the saloon deck-house. Captain Holdich made a complaint against some of the immigrants of insubordinate conduct, in having signed a letter of protest. We referred this case to the Crown Prosecutor, who decided there was nothing apparently insubordinate in their conduct. He also made other charges of insubordination against eight of them. We came to the conclusion that although they were guilty of insubordination, it would be useless attempting to prosecute, except in the case of J A , whose conduct deserved punishment. One of the immigrants, named McL , escaped from the Quarantine Station on 3rd instant in the steamer which took provisions to the island. This case has been heard in the Police Court, and he was fined £5 and costs. The Act does not authorize proceedings to be taken against a person aiding and abetting in the escape of any one undergoing quarantine. We beg to draw attention to the 84th clause of " The Public Health Act, 1872," by which no one can lay an information except the Health Officer, a Custom House Officer appointed under the Act, or some person especially appointed by the Colonial Secretary. This might at some future time cause great inconvenience. We have, &c, I. J. Burgess. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Edward L. Green. Wellington. T. M. Philson, M.D.

Enclosure 2 in No. 3. The Immigration Officer, Auckland, to the Under Secretary for Immigration. Sir, — Immigration Office, Auckland, 30th August, 1876. Agreeably to telegram of 28th instant, I herewith forward a special report of the surgeonsuperintendent relative to the origin of sickness on board the " Bebington." Attached to this report is a letter from the surgeon giving a condensed report of his journal, and, as both these have special references to the diary, I forward that also, and I think it will be seen that Dr. Eussell spared no trouble or exertion in attending to the comfort of the passengers. All his suggestions are forcible and sound, and I venture to hope the Government will recognize the zeal which actuated him in carrying out his arduous duties. Some of his remarks in the diary which ought to receive special attention are initialed by myself, and marked with a double cross in the margin. In the diary on 3rd April, he states he was not requested to examine the provisions previous to leaving England. On the 25th May, he reports his reasons for asking the captain to purchase medical comforts and provisions at Algoa Bay. In the epitome, page 32, there are valuable suggestions relative to hospitals being on main deck ; and on same page the reason is given for having appointed c tra nurses. At page 35 there are certain suggestions relative to remuneration to surgeons. I have, &c, The Under Secretary for Immigration, Edward L. Gbeen, Wellington. Immigration Officer.

Enclosure 3 in No. 3. The Surgeon-Superintendent, " Bebington," to the Immigration Officer, Auckland. At the request of Major Green, I have to report on the " accommodation and comfort of the ' Bebington ' as a passenger ship." In complying, I but reproduce the substance of entries in my official journals, some time since in the hands of the Government authorities. It is true I may somewhat more fully detail opinions and facts, though possibly the records referred to, written long ere I had the slightest knowledge of any previous history of the ship, may have more weight with such as would dare suggest I would be influenced thereby. 1. The vessel is not fast; even the able seamanship of Captain Holdich cannot disprove this assertion, which fact condemns her. 2. She rolls under almost all conditions of wind and weather, and to an extent no ship I have had any experience of approximates. Discomfort to the sane is consequently great; she must to the sick be very distressing. I beg you note E. G 's case (Medical Journal). I there report thus :— "Of bed sores, a word or two applicable to all ' bed cases 'on board: My nurses have been most assiduous in their attention to the sick, and my especial request to examine and take steps to prevent any abrasion of skin has been fully acted on ; but in such a ship all precautions to that end are unavailable ; the continual rolling will, 1 am sure, tend to a fatal result even where acute disease may have subsided." I now declare it did so,