D.—3

14

Enclosure in No. 15. Commissioners' Eeport on Ship " Leicester." Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 30th January, 1877. We have the honor to report the arrival, on Saturday, the 20th instant, of the fine ship " Leicester," ninety-one days from London, with 287 adult immigrants, all well with the exception of a single girl, named D D , aged twenty-two years, formerly a barmaid in London. We found her suffering from inflammation of the lungs, with severe cough, and every indication of phthisis. There were three births, and two deaths, one of an infant, and tho other of a child over twelve months, reckoning half an adult. The " Leicester " was boarded by us before her anchor was let go, and everything found to be very clean and orderly. The immigrants appeared, except in three or four cases, to be a very desirable lot of people, being nearly all farm labourers. They all expressed themselves very pleased with the voyage, saying that they had been very well fed and looked after by the captain, doctor, and all on board. It was found to be too late to muster and pass the immigrants on Saturday. Monday being Anniversary Day and a general holiday, nothing could be done until Tuesday. On that day we proceeded on board at 9 o'clock, and mustered and inspected the people and ship. The " Leicester "is very well suited for the conveyance of immigrants, having a large amount of space on the poop and main deck, giving plenty of room for exercise; she was also very lofty between decks, and fitted with a good galley and condenser, which worked very well. The entrance to the single women's compartment was from the poop, their hospital being one of the stern cabins; and the bath-room and water-closets were also aft. The matron had one of the saloon cabins next to the doctor's. The main compartment, situated below the poop, was found to be very clean, roomy, and well fitted. There were two air shafts and six sidelights. The bunks were in blocks, with a large space between them, and alley-ways all round the sides. This equally applies to all the compartments. The married people's quarters we.re amidships, with entrances by the main aud after hatches; the bunks on the patent principle, which is a great improvement on the old style. There were three air shafts and eighteen side lights. The hospital for married people was 'tweendecks, facing the main hatch; the issuing-room on the opposite side. The single men's compartment was foward, and entered by the fore hatch. There were ten side lights and two ventilators. The single men appeared to be more crowded than any other part of the ship. Their hospital was well situated on deck. Fire drill, as ordered by the regulations, was carried out once a week, the saloon passengers taking an active part in it. We have much pleasure in recommending the surgeon-superintendent, Dr. Warren, for re-employment should he desire it, and also that all gratuities should be paid. Wo have, &c, Alexander Johnston, M.D. John Holliday. H. Bunny, Esq., Wellington. James B. Eedward.

No. 16. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 27.) Sir, — Imn.'gration Office, Wellington, 7th January, 1877. I have the honor to transmit for your information the following documents respecting the Bhip "Jessie Osborne," which arrived at Auckland on the 19th December last: —l. Immigration Commissioners' report. 2. Immigration Officer's report. 3. Certified list of births and deaths. 4. Correspondence relative to boat and fire drill not being carried out during the voyage. Having made inquiry as to the instructions issued to the captain and surgeon in this respect, I directed that the sum of £10 should be deducted from the gratuities payable to each of them, as a mark of the sense of the Government of the neglect of those officers in not carrying out the important duty intrusted to them. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. D. Eeid.

Enclosure 1 in No. 16. Commissioners' Eeport on Ship " Jessie Osborne." Sib, — Auckland, 23rd December, 1876. We have the honor to report the arrival of the immigrant ship " Jessie Osborne," with 202 statute adults, on the 19th instant. We made a careful examination of the ship, and found everything clean and regular. The immigrants had no complaints, and looked well and healthy. The light and ventilation are not sufficient in the compartments for single men and single women. Had there been much rough weather, the hatchways must have been closed, which would have made the heat excessive. The fire drill and muster, agreeably to the Agent-General's letter of 23rd August, 1876, were not regularly attended to. The captain stated he did not receive any directions on this subject. The samples of provisions produced were all of good quality. The surgeon-superintendent conducted his duties satisfactorily, and is eligible for re-engagement. In conclusion, we recommend the gratuities to be paid to the captain and officers. Four children died on the voyage, the eldest aged two years, and one infant. We have, &c, Edwaed L. Green. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, I. J. Burgess. Wellington. T. M. Philson, M.D.