D.—3

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attention, and was spoken of in strong terms of gratitude by all classes of immigrants. The third mate appears to the Commissioners to have been totally unfit for the post.of issuing officer —rude and violent in manner, and generally by his conduct to have aroused suspicion amongst the immigrants as to the fair issue of the stores. His language was generally complained of by the immigrants as coarse and frequently indecent. The Commissioners append to this report extracts from the evidence taken at an inquiry extending over four days, and are of opinion that the non-issue of a portion of the children's stores at the commencement of the voyage should involvo a penalty of £20 on the owners of the ship. The Commissioners recommend that the surgeon receive his gratuity, but are unable to recommend him for further employment under the New Zealand Governnent. They recommend that the captain's gratuity be reduced to £20, that the first officer's be paid in full, and that the third officer's be forfeited. The Commissioners consider that the matron and sub-matron, though injudicious, anxiously endeavoured to do their duty, and do not recommend any deduction from their gratuities. Wm. Donald. John F. Eouse. Lyttelton, 28th December, 1876. J. E. March.

No. 14. The Hon. the Minister for Immigeation to the Agent- Genebal. (No. 29.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 2nd February, 1877. I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of the following documents relative to the ship " Oamaru," which vessel arrived at Port Chalmers upon the 16th December ultimo, and was unfortunately placed in quarantine:—l. Immigration Commissioners' report. 2. Certified list of births and deaths. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. D. Eeid.

Enclosure in No. 14 (No. 24.) Commissionebs' Eepokt on Ship " Oamaeit." Sic, — Port Chalmers, Bth January, 1877. "We have to report that the ship " Oamaru " arrived in this port from Glasgow with Government immigrants on the 16th December ultimo, after a passage of eighty-two days. On receiving the usual report, we found that there were thirty-one cases of measles and two cases of enteric fever amongst the immigrants during the passage, that the last case of the former occurred on the Bth December, and that of the latter was then convalescent; that four deaths occurred, two being from measles, one from diarrhoea, and one from infantile exhaustion. The ship was at once placed in quarantine, and instructions were given to the captain to have the immigrants and all their effects in readiness for removal to the Quarantine Station next morning (Sunday). The sick married people and single females were accordingly removed on that day, and the single men on the day following. Instructions were at the same time given to have all the fittings in use by the immigrants removed to the Quarantine Station, to have the ship well fumigated, and the between-decks painted. It is due to Captain Hood that we should here bear testimony to the readiness and promptness with which he complied with our instructions even in the most minute particulars. We accordingly advised that the ship be admitted to pratique on the 21st December. The single men on Goat Island, having washed their clothes and performed quarantine, were admitted to pratique on the following day. The married people without children, and the families the members of which have all had measles previously, having duly performed quarantine, were admitted to pratique on 28th December ; the single females on Tuesday, 2nd January ; and the remaining families, whose period of quarantine had expired without any indication of a fresh case, were admitted to pratique on the sth January. The period of quarantine was prolonged in consequence of the occurrence of three cases of measles after the immigrants were landed on the station. Dr. Hasard, surgeon-superintendent, was in charge, and we have pleasure in recording our sense of the care and attention he devoted to his duties, and the promptness with which he executed our instructions with regard to quarantine. Our inspection of the ship was eminently satisfactory, and the testimony of the immigrants, who were all questioned before leaving the station, goes to prove that the provisions of the Passenger Act and charter-party were fully carried out. The immigrants spoke in terms of the highest praise of Dr. Hasard, Captain Hood, and his officers. We have pleasure in recommending Dr. Hasard for further service under the Government. We have, &c, Colin Allan. The Under Secretary for Immigration, John Deysdale, M.D. Wellington. Wit. Thomson.

No. 15. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 17.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 6th February, 1877. I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of the following documents relative to the ship " Leicester," which vessel arrived at Wellington upon the 20th January ultimo : —l. Immigration Commissioners' report. 2. Surgeon-superintendent's report. 3. Certified list of births and deaths. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. D. Eeid,