D.—3

20

ship and immigrants, and report as follows: —The accommodation between decks exceedingly good,, being commodious, well ventilated, and the bunks well arranged away from the sides of the ship; the general appearance clean and comfortable. The provision issumg-room being between decks, within the married people's compartment, was a source of great annoyance to the occupants of that compartment, and should, in the opinion of the Commissioners, have been on the main deck. The deck-room was sufficient excepting for the single women, half the poop deck having been denied them to accommodate cabin passengers. Clause 26 of the contract provides that "no single men shall be taken in the ship as saloon passengers without the consent of the Queen,"" and the Commissioners regret very much that this provision has not been strictly adhered to. Three single men were cabin passengers by the " Northampton," and not only were the single girls restricted to one-half the poop deck in consequence, but it was next to impossible for the matron to prevent communication between them and the cabin passengers. The hospitals oh deck were not well constructed ; they were found to leak on the top and sides, and the partitions between the male and female hospitals were merely double half-inch planking, so that what took place in one part could be heard in the other. The cooking apparatus was found to be very complete and sufficient. The distilling apparatus has continued in good working order all the voyage, and is capable of distilling 500 gallons per diem. The average quantity distilled was 300 gallons per diem. The lavatories on deck were very convenient. Eire drill was not commenced until the 14th February, but after that date it was continued regularly every week with the use of engines and hose. The provisions were examined and found to be of good quality. The immigrants were all mustered and individually questioned by the Commissioners. No complaints were preferred against the captain, surgeon-superintendent, matron, or any of the officers of the ship by any of the immigrants, but on the contrary many of them expressed themselves thoroughly satisfied with the treatment they had received ou board. A document was, however, handed to the Commissioners, signed by 103 immigrants, setting forth that during the early part of the voyage the full quantities of some of the articles to which they were entitled by their contract tickets had not been supplied, and, further, that they had not received their full allowance of water. On concluding the examination of the ship and immigrants, the Commissioners were informed by the surgeon-superin-tendent that he was sorry to say he and the captain had disagreed, and handed to the Commissioners a long statement of complaints containing charges against the captain and matron. The captain then said that if the doctor brought charges against him, he had charges to make against the doctor. The Commissioners thereupon opened an inquiry into all the complaints, which lasted three days and a half, many witnesses being examined, and after a careful investigation came to the following conclusions: —■ Short Issue of Rations. —It appears that for the first six weeks of the voyage there had been a mistake made in the issue of rations and water for children. This was found out by some of the immigrants, who represented the matter to the captain, who, after some discussion with a deputation he had appointed to meet him, agreed, although he thought his contract and the immigrants' contract tickets were at variance as to the quantity of water for children, to supply the full quantity of water mentioned in the ticket, and not only to give the full rations claimed for the future, but also to make up the deficient supply for the past six weeks. This was accepted by most of the immigrants, some six or eight only declining. The immigrants also complained that out of the three quarts of water allowed, two quarts w rere required by the cook for tea and coffee, &c, leaving them one quart only for washing and drinking ; whereas they considered the water for tea and coffee should have been taken from the quantity allowed for cooking. The captain contended that tea and coffee rations were not supplied in a cooked state, and that the water required for them must therefore be supplied from the three quarts allowance. The contract is by no means clear about this, and the Commissioners think it should be put beyond dispute, and that if the captain's view of the question be correct the supply of water should be increased, as one quart of water is not a sufficient supply for washing and drinking. Tho Commissioners are quite satisfied that there was no intention to deprive the immigrants of their proper supply of rations ; that they had plenty of food all the voyage ; and the deficient supply having been offered to them, they have no real grievance. Disagreement between Captain and Surgeon-Superintendent. —On the 31st of January, a fortnight after leaving port, the captain and surgeon disagreed as to the right of conducting Divine service, and from that date until the arrival of the ship at Nelson they have continued to disagree, and a bad feeling has existed between them throughout the voyage. Although this of course made it difficult for them to work harmoniously together, the general welfare of the immigrants does not appear to have suffered in consequence. The Commissioners, after considering the charges made, finding that the more serious charges could not be sustained, that others were of a trifling nature, and feeling satisfied also that none of them would have been preferred at all but for the quarrel, desire to express their opinion that, so far as they are able to judge, Captain Clare and Dr. Kesteven have performed their respective duties in a satisfactory manner, and that no charges have been sustained in any way reflecting on their characters. Charges against the Matron. —Some charges were preferred against the matron of allowing communication between the single girls and the cabin passengers, contrary to the regulations; but from the evidence taken, the Commissioners are of opinion that the matron did her best to prevent it, but having fifty-three single women under her charge without any assistance, and the cabin passengers being allowed on the same deck, she was unable to enforce a strict observance of the regulations. With reference to the case of lunacy, which has been a source of great trouble to many on board and to the surgeon in particular, from information given to the Commissioners, it appears that some four years ago the young man S was placed under restraint, but since that time his mind had so much improved that his friends thought it safe to allow him to join his brothers in New Zealand, and as a man named X , who was going by the " Northampton," was well known to S 's friends, application was made for a cabin passage by that ship. This was very properly refused by the AgentGeneral, but by some means S was put on board as an emigrant and placed under the charge