3
d.—a
Water. —A Winchester and Graveley's apparatus on board; it burnt about 8 owft. of' coal per diem, and produced — gallons of water of good quality, but insufficient for daily use throughout the voyage. Ventilating Apparatus. —None. General Remarks, —Candles, many of the small stores, and children's stores, especially the soups, were not replenished, causing (great inconvenience. The blankets were very insufficient during the cold weather. The large number of ventilators communicating with the single women's compartments afforded great facility for the passage of letters, &c, below. They ought to have been fitted with strong wire-netting half-way down. Where there is a door leading to the single women's compartment from the main deck, as in this ship, it would be much better if made in two parts; the lower part could then be kept locked, and provisions, &c, handed over it. This would prevent girls standing on the steps and conversing with members of the crew standing under rho break of the poop. I would also suggest that the single men's luggage be not placed in the forehold, where it gets much tumbled about and damaged. I have, &c, G. M. Wasse, Surgeon-Superintendent. P.S.—First voyage with Government emigrants.
No. 2. The Under-Seceetaby, Immigration, to the Agent-Genebak. (Memorandum.) Immigration Department, Wellington, 24th August, 1883. Eefebbing to Mr. Eolleston's letter (No. 156) of the 11th August, relative to the ship " Oxford." , The Agent-General is informed that the commission of inquiry has continued its sittings : and the accompanying extracts from newspapers (New Zealand Times of 14th, 16th, and 18th August, 1883) being reports of proceedings day by day to the present date, are in the meantime transmitted for the information of the Agent-General. H. J. H. Eliott, Under-Secretary. The Agent-General for New Zealand, London.
No. 3. The Ukdee-Secbetabt, Immigration, to the Agent-Genebal. Sib, — Immigration Department, Wellington, Bth September, 1883. In continuation of niy letter of the 11th August (No. 156), I have the honour to forward herewith copies of the report and evidence of the Boyal Commission upon the ship "Oxford." You will gather from this report that the principal ground of complaint of the immigrants lies in the present arrangement at the Plymouth Depot, and, as I am aware that this matter is receiving your careful attention, I need say no more than that the Government will authorize your taking any steps you may deem necessary to bring about a better organization than exists at present. I may refer you to the under-mentioned copies of Hansard for 1883 for statements made by me in the House of Eepresentatives upon the subject, as well as upon the question of the conveyance of immigrants and cargo: Hansard, No. 15, page 270; No. 17, page 365; No. 18, page 454; No. 20, page 24 ; No. 22, pages 186 and 213; also Mr. Turnbull's question of 29th Aogust. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. W» Bolleston..
Enclosure 1 in No. 3, Wμ. F. Dbummond Jeevois, Governor, to Geoege Wallington Gsabham, M.D., London, M.E.C.P., M.E.C.S., London, &c, Inspector-General of Asylums and Hospitals for the Colony of New Zealand; Joseph Henby, L.8.C.5., Ireland, and L.E.C.P., London; and James Hackwoeth, a Collector of Customs for the Colony of New Zealand.—Gbeeting : Wheeeas a ship or vessel called the "Oxford" hath recently arrived in Port Nicholson, in the Colony of New Zealand, having on board certain passengers, immigrants, and other persons for various ■ parts and places in the said colony : And whereas it is alleged that certain of the said passengers, immigrants, and other persons were, at the time of their embarking on board the said ship, suffering from disease, or from the effects of disease, or from other bodily ailment : And it is also alleged that certain of the said passengers, immigrants, and other persons who were on board the said ship at the time of her departure from Plymouth have died on board the said ship prior to her arrival as aforesaid and during her said recent voyage : And whereas it is further alleged that there were not sufficient quantities of coal, candles, children's food, and other stores placed on board the said ship for the use of the immigrants during the voyage, as required by the schedules to the contract published in Parliamentary Paper, D.—s, of 1878, under which the said ship was engaged for the conveyance of immigrants by the Agent-General in London: And that the water placed on board the said ship for the use of the immigrants, passengers, and other persons was impure in quality: And that the said ship was not fit for the conveyance of passengers and immigrants by reason of her dirty condition when the emigrants embarked : And whereas it is expedient that an inquiry should, be held into all and singular the said allegations, and into the circumstances connected with the deaths of such passengers, immigrants, and other persons as aforesaid, and also as to the several matters and things hereinafter mentioned: