D.—3

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to her berth, learnt there was no sickness aboard. On the 22nd we inspected the ship in accordance with instructions, and found everything most satisfactory. The fire-engine and boat service were quickly acted upon after signal had been given. The fire service was in complete working order in three minutes after signal, and the boat service four minutes after word " Man overboard." The cleanliness of the vessel does not require any further comment than everything was as it should be, and the Commissioners have much pleasure in recording their entire approval, as evidenced by the immigrants on inquiry, that the captain and officers of the ship had given every attention to their duties, and that the surgeon, Mr. W. Eogers, had unremittingly attended to the health and cleanliness of the people under his charge. The Commissioners, under instructions No. 349, beg to convey perfect satisfaction of the doctor's proper performance of his duties, and consider him a suitable person to have charge of immigrants. The Commissioners have much pleasure in again congratulating the colony, or rather county, in having a healthy ship to its shores. "We have, &c, G. T. FANirnr. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, H. S. Tiffen. Wellington. J. M. Tabuteatt.

No. 13. The Hon. the Ministeb for Immigration to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 15.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 2nd February, 1877. I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of the following documents relative to the ship " Eangitikei," which vessel arrived at Lyttelton upon the 11th December ultimo: —1. Immigration Commissioners' report; 2. Certified list of births and deaths; 3. Surgeon-Superintendent's report; and to inform you that the recommendations of the Commissioners have been given effect to. Tou will note that the surgeon-superintendent is not recommended for re-employment. I have also to inform you that the Immigration Commissioners do not consider the captain, owing to violence of temper, is a fit person to have command of an immigrant vessel. You will therefore object to his commanding any ship which may convey immigrants to this colony. The agent of the New Zealand Shipping Company applied for a further inquiry upon oath, but, after obtaining a full report from the Commissioners, I did not consider the circumstances justified the issue of a Eoyal Commission. I have not forwarded copies of the correspondence, which is very voluminous; and as neither the surgeon nor captain will be re-employed, there will be no further difficulty on their account. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. D. Eeid.

Enclosure in No. 13. Commissioners' Eeport on Ship "Eangitikei." The Commissioners report the arrival of this ship on December 11th, after a passage of ninety-four days. In the early part of the passage measles prevailed amongst the children. Thirty cases were reported, the first appearing on the second day after departure, the last being convalescent on the Ist October. Six births and eight deaths were reported. The deaths, with one exception (that of a married woman who died of consumption), were from measles or its consequences. The compartment appeared fairly clean on inspection, but from the evidence appended the Commissioners fear that this was not the case throughout the voyage. The quality of the provisions was very satisfactory, and the quantity placed on board sufficient. The special dietary for children does not appear to have been issued during the earlier part of the passage. This appears from the evidence to have been due to the negligence of the issuing officer, the third mate. From the statements of the immigrants, the Commissioners gather that these stores were issued as soon as complaint was made through the surgeon. Statements were made to the Commissioners that spirits had been purchased by the immigrants through the baker, and this was corroborated in a passage in the surgeon's journal. It appears to the Commissioners that this sale was a private transaction of the baker, who sold a portion of his allowance clandestinely to certain immigrants. The Commissioners exonerate the captain' from any knowledge of the transaction. The distilling apparatus worked well throughout the passage, and the fire and boat drill appear to have been attended to, weather permitting. The class of immigrants was satisfactory. The Commissioners regret that a want of harmonious action between the captain and surgeon, and between the surgeon and matron, prevailed throughout the voyage. They cannot acquit either party of fault in this matter. Neither of the three appears to have properly recognized the authority and position of the other. The surgeon's responsible position amongst the immigrants was not understood by the matron, nor the matron's authority over tho single women properly appreciated by the surgeon, and consequently the captain's interference was frequently invoked unnecessarily, creating ill-feeling between himself and the surgeon, and leading to insubordination on many occasions. The Commissioners cannot but consider that it was a grave error of judgment on the part of the captain to cause to be posted in the single women's compartment a mutilated extract from the Passenger Act, clause 60, omitting all those words in the earlier part of the clause referring to the authority of the surgeon. Tho matron's diary shows a disposition to make frequent complaints, mostly of a trivial nature; while the surgeon appears to have been indisposed to pay sufficient attention in those cases where his interference was really required. The captain's interference, when solicited, appears to have been given freely, but in one or two instances with more violence than circumstances justified. The surgeon appears to have performed his professional duties with great kindness and