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D.—3

Enclosure 2 in No. 16, The Immigration Offices, Auckland, to the Undeb Seceetaby for Immigeation, Immigration Office, Auckland, 4th January, 1877. With reference to your telegram of the 2nd instant, I now forward a letter from the captain and surgeon of the " Jessie Osborne," stating they w rere not on board at the time of inspection of the ship in London; they also stated to me verbally that the Despatching Officer was not on board when the inspection took place, and the captain only saw him for one hour before departure of ship. The surplus stores have net yet been handed over to me. Edwaed Geeen, The Under Secretary for Immigration, Wellington. Immigration Officer.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 2 in No. 16. Messrs. H. Falconer and W. Allnutt to the Immigration Officer, Auckland. Sir, — Ship " Jessie Osborne," Auckland, 3rd January, 1877. With reference to your memo, of to-day, we beg to inform you that neither of us received any instructions from the Despatching Officer, Mr. Smith, concerning fire drill during the voyage. We have taken care that the fire-engines and hose should be always kept where they would be most readily accessible in case of need, and they have been frequently worked by the crew aud some of the passengers during the voyage, so that there might be no difficulty in getting them at work if their services should be required. We have, &c. Major Green, Huon Falconer, Master. Immigration Officer, Auckland. W. Allnutt, Surgeon-Superintendent.

Enclosure 3 in No. 16. The Acting Under Secretary for Immigration to the Immigration Officer, Auckland. Sir, — Wellington, 15th January, 1877. In reply to your memorandum of the 4th instant, transmitting a letter signed by the surgeonsuperintendent and captain of the ship " Jessie Osborne," in which they state that they did not receive any special instructions from the Despatching Officer in London with reference to fire drill during the passage of that vessel with Government immigrants to Auckland, I am directed to state that, after due inquiry, it is found that Captain Falconer received his instructions from the representative of the New Zealand Shipping Company, dated 15th September last. In the general instructions issued to surgeons by the Agent-General, their attention is specially directed to the question in the following terms : —" I have to call your special attention to the notice which is posted in the between-decks, requiring that all adult male emigrants shall be exercised in fire-quarters drill at least once a week. You will be careful to note in your general journal whenever the crew and emigrants are so exercised, and also on every occasion on which the emigrants are mustered." It is clear that both the captain and surgeon-superintendent of this vessel must have been aware of the instructions respecting fire drill, even though the Despatching Officer may not have specially directed their attention to the subject as he states he did. Under all the circumstances, the Hon. the Minister for Immigration has directed that the sum of £10 shall be deducted from the gratuities payable to the master and surgeon as a mark of his sense of their neglect in not carrying out the important duties iutrusted to them, which might have resulted in very serious consequences. You will be good enough to act in accordance with this direction. H. J. H. Eliott, The Immigration Officer, Auckland. Acting Under Secretary for Immigration.

No. 17. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General. (No. 24.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, Bth February, 1877. I have the honor to transmit copies of the following documents relative to the ship " Waipa," which vessel arrived at Lyttelton upon the 24th 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.

Enclosure in No. 17. Commissioners' Report on Ship "Waipa." The Commissioners report the arrival of this ship on 24th January, after a passage of eighty-eight days. The health of the immigrants had been excellent throughout the voyage. The surgeon-superintendent reported one birth, and three deaths —infants. The Commissioners cannot speak too highly of the admirable condition of this ship on their inspection. The 'tween-decks were scrupulously clean, not a particle of dirt being seen, and in each of the compartments the utmost order and tidiness was observed.