D.—3

18

Enclosure in No. 21. Commissionees' Eepobt on Ship "Hubunui." Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 26th February, 1877. We have the honor to report the arrival of the ship " Hurunui" on Sunday, the 18th instant. The " Hurunui" originally left Gravesend on the 23rd of September, with 224 statute adults, but from sickness and other causes her number was reduced to 148 statute adults, and she finally sailed from Plymouth on the 20th of November, thus having been two months in getting away from England. We name this more particularly as we feel that the surgeon-superintendent should be allowed remuneration for his services during this long delay. There has been no serious case of sickness or any deaths. Four infants were born during the voyage from Plymouth. We inspected the ship and immigrants early on Monday morning, and were very well pleased to find everything so clean and orderly ; the different compartments had all been kept whitewashed, which we think a great improvement. The single women were berthed under the after hatch ; their compartment was well lighted, and they had abundance of room and fresh air; the bunks were in blocks, with alley-ways all round the sides of the ship. The hospital and bath-room were good and well situated. The married people's compartment was entered from the main hatch; it was found to be very clean, roomy, well ventilated, and lighted; the bunks were in blocks, fitted up on the patent principle, with alley-ways round the sides. The hospital and dispensary were under the main hatch, with the issuing-room on the opposite side—a most convenient arrangement. The single men's compartment, under the fore hatch, was clean, roomy, well ventilated, and lighted; the bunks fitted the same as those in the single women's compartment. The hospital for the single men was a good one, and well situated on deck. We consider the " Hurunui " to be well suited for the conveyance of immigrants, having large hatchways, plenty of side lights, and a good height between decks. The only thing we noticed was that the entrance to the single women's compartment was from the main deck, thus making it difficult to prevent talking between the girls and others. Evidently the surgeon-superintendent had felt the inconvenience of this, as he called our attention to it. The fire drill was carried out as ordered by the regulations. The people were put through the drill while we were on board, showing that they had been well exercised in it. There were no complaints of any kind made. The immigrants were all landed the same day, except one family, the mother of which was not very well, and it was thought advisable to leave them on board until the ship came alongside the wharf. In conclusion, we beg to recommend the surgeon-superintendent for re-employment should he desire it, and that all gratuities be paid. A report by the surgeon-superin-tendent is attached. Alexandeb Johnston, M.D. John Holllday. H. Bunny, Esq. James B. Eedwabd.

No. 22. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. (No 57.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 28th March, 1877. I have the honor to forward, for your information, copies of the following documents relating to the "Oxford" which arrived at Auckland upon the Ist instant: —1. Commissioners' report of the inspection. 2. Commissioners' report upon the case of T D , a supposed lunatic. 3. Certified list of births and deaths. I have, Ac, Geo. McLean, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (for the Minister for Immigration).

Enclosure 1 in No. 22. Commissioners' Eeport on Ship " Oxford." Sir, — Auckland, sth March, 1877. We have the honor to report the arrival of the immigrant ship " Oxford " with 207! statute adults, all well. We made a careful examination of the ship, and found everything clean and regular. There were only three complaints —two about the flour, and one of a bunk being wet constantly during the voyage from a leakage in the deck. These cases were found to be trivial, and we did not consider it necessary to make any special inquiries. T D was reported by the surgeon-superintendent to be idiotic. We shall make a special report of his case to-morrow. The light and ventilation were quite sufficient, and the accommodation in each compartment was adapted for more passengers. The fire drill and muster were regularly attended to. The samples of provisions produced were all of good quality. The surgeon-superintendent conducted his duties satisfactorily, and is eligible for re-employ-ment. In conclusion, we recommend the gratuities to be paid to the captain and officers. We have, &c, Edward L. Geeen. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, I. J. Bubgess. Wellington. T. M. Philson, M.D.

Enclosure 2 in No. 22. Commissioners' Report on supposed Lunatic by "Oxford." Sir, — Auckland, 6th March, 1877. We have the honor to report that an immigrant who arrived by the ship " Oxford" was reported by the surgeon-superintendent to be quite idiotic. We examined this man this morning, and fail to find any evidence of insanity, or anything that would warrant us in recommending him to be sent back to England. We have, &c, Edward L. Green. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, I. J. Burgess. Wellington. T. M. Philson, M.D.