9

D.—4a,

pointed out that it was as necessary as a staff of surgeons. I have seen no reason to alter my opinion; on the contrary, lam firmly convinced of the importance of appointing matrons specially adapted for the purpose. There can be no doubt that the single women are more likely to look up to and respect the authority of an experienced person than one selected from among themselves. I think, however, there will be some little difficulty in retaining a permanent staff, so long as there are so many good situations for this class of women in the colony. For instance, Mrs. J ,of the " Crusader," was specially selected, and received £25, but she prefers to remain in the colony rather than to return to England, and will shortly send for the other members of her family. Ido not think there can be any objection to this; I merely point it out as the difficulty of retaining a permanent staff. It will, I feel sure, be far more satisfactory to the Government, and more especially to the Agent-General's department, to know that a thoroughly-trained and experienced matron is in c harge of the single women. J. B. March.

No. 10. The Undee-Seceetaey, Immigration, to the Agent-Genebal. (Memorandum.) Wellington, 19th June, 1883. The accompanying copies of correspondence relating to the ship "Eangitikei " are transmitted for the information of the Agent-General: (1) Acting Immigration Officer's report, and (2) list of births and deaths. H. J. H. Eliott, Under-Secretary.

Enclosure in No. 10. The Acting Immigeation Offices, Auckland, to the Undee-Secbetaby, Immigration. Sib, — Immigration Office, Auckland, 2nd June, 1883. I have the honour to report the arrival of the ship "Eangitikei" with 177 adults and 5 infants for Auckland, and 95| statute adults for Hawke's Bay. The five females who were on my list, but scratched off, arrived in the ship. Dr. Erson I found sick in bed when I went on board. I found everything very clean, and the passengers very comfortable, and no complaints. During the voyage they had two births and no deaths. I had the immigrants for Auckland landed, and those for Hawke's Bay kept on board until the large steamer would take them direct to Hawke's Bay and Poverty Bay. The master, Thomas E. Millman, Dr. Erson, and the chief officer did all in their power to make the immigrants comfortable, who were safely landed The class of immigrants arrived were a fine, strong, healthy lot, very suitable for the colony. I have, &c, Edwaed Beophy, The Under-Secretary of Immigration, Wellington. Acting Immigration Officer.

No. 11. The Undee-Secbetaby, Immigration, to the Agent-Geneeal. (Memorandum.) Wellington, 19th June, 1883. The accompanying copies of correspondence relating to the steamer " Westmeath" are transmitted for the information of the Agent-General: (1) Acting Immigration Officer's report, and (2) list of births and deaths. H. J. H. Eliott, Under-Secretary.

Enclosure in No. 11. The Acting Immigbation Officeb, Auckland, to the Undeb-Secbetaby, Immigration. Sib, — Immigration Office, Auckland, 2nd June, 1883. I have the honour to report the arrival of the steamer " Westmeath " from Plymouth on the 17th May, having on board 318 souls, Government immigrants, equal to 281 statute adults. The immigrants were not so comfortable as the immigrants on board ship " Bangitikei: " too crowded, and the water pouring down on them. Dr. Tweed deserves great credit in bringing the immigrants in such a healthy condition, although he lost two young men, Charles Butt and Thomas Menary. There was one birth, a female. The immigrants had no complaints, and the class of immigrants arrived were a fine, strong, healthy lot, and suitable for colonial life. I have, &c, Edwaed Beophy, The Under-Secretary of Immigration, Wellington. Acting Immigration Officer.

No. 12. The Undeb-Seceetaby, Immigration, to the Agent-Genebal. (Memorandum.) Wellington, 22nd June, 1883. The under-mentioned copies of correspondence relating to the steamer " lonic " are transmitted for the information of. the Agent-General, in continuation of the correspondence forwarded with Mr. Eolleston's letter No. 115, of the 16th June: Copies of memoranda by Mr. Eolleston and myself, together with reply of Commissioners, relative to the sale of liquor to the immigrants on board the "lonic." H. J. H. Eliott, Under-Secretary. 2— D. 4a.