D.—2

6

of bilges and all other parts to be carried out. We would draw attention to the want of proper supervision which occurred in the case of the single women when sent from the depot at Plymouth into private lodgings, this being as necessary for sanitary as for moral reasons. The SurgeonSuperintendent in his report speaks of the insufficient bed-clothing provided on board the ship; of the grave inconvenience caused by the want of candles, children's stores, spare glass, and tarpaulins; also of the leakiness of the decks. These are matters worthy of consideration. We would point out that an apparent discrepancy exists in the contract for the conveyance of immigrants, &c, to New Zealand as to the quantity of preserved soup to be shipped, and to be issued to each child. The quantity of coal originally taken on board was seventy-five tons, which is certainly not more than is required to keep the condenser working in accordance with the regulations. What amount was consumed on the first voyage, and during the refitting of the vessel, we have no means of ascertaining; but great neglect occurred in not making up the deficiency before commencing the second voyage. With regard to the outbreak of fever on the first voyage, although the water was the probable cause, it is quite possible that the disease may have been introduced in another way, and we think the illness of the assistant cook might possibly have some connection with the matter. The fouling of the bilge-water, which undoubtedly occurred in emptying the tanks at Cardiff, is in. our opinion of much greater importance as a possible cause of the reappearance of the fever. Although on the second voyage complaints arose as to the rustiness or muddiness of the tank water shipped at Cardiff, there is no reason to believe that it caused any illness : in fact, the first case of fever came under medical treatment when this water had only been four days in use, and could not, therefore, have been caused by its use. We are of opinion that the patient, S ——-, alluded to in the last paragraph, may have contracted the disease before embarking; and that in the succeeding case of M N , although the length of time which elapsed between embarkation and the commencement of her illness is longer, the same possibility exists. We chink that the hospital provided for the single women was a suitable one. That for the single men was too small and too little ventilated, especially when bad weather compelled the closing of the door. The deckhouse used by the apprentices would have been far more suitable for a hospital, but the captain informs us that he could not have spared it for that purpose, having no room for the apprentices elsewhere. Wo forward for the information of your Excellency the following papers : Commission, Evidence, Surgeon-Superintendent's Eeport, Parliamentary Papers D.-4, Copy of Minutes. Geobge Wallington Gbabham, M.D., Chairman. J. Henry, L.E.C.P., London, L.E.C.S., Dublin. J. Hackwobth, Collector of Customs.

No. 4. The Hon. the Ministbe of Immigration to the Agent-Genebal. Sic, — Immigration Department, Wellington, 2nd November, 1883. You will receive by this mail a number of copies of Dr. Hector's Handbook. I hope by next mail to forward you copies of a new edition of the Land Guide. I send herewith printed announcements requesting persons who wish for information on the subject of the Crown lands to apply at your office and at the offices of the Commissioners of Crown Lands in the colony. I shall be obliged if you will have this notice inserted as a fly-sheet, or inset, or otherwise in any pamphlets you distribute. It is frequently brought under my notice that persons coming to the colony are at a loss to know where to obtain the requisite information, and it is needless for me to observe that such information as they do get, otherwise than from Government officials, is liable to be of an interested character. I was pleased to learn from you, in an official communication, that your Handbook of New Zealand was in a forward condition, and-it is satisfactory to know that you were able, in accordance with the authority previously given you, to secure the services of one so well qualified to assist in the matter as Mr. Gisborne. It is very desirable that these handbooks, with their maps, should be placed on board of steamers leaving for New Zealand. I have already given to the New Zealand Shipping Company the few remaining copies of last issue (No. 5) of " The Crown Lands Guide " to place upon their steamers, with the notice to which I have already referred. The maps should be mounted, on calico, and the books should be marked with the ship's name and become part of her library. Perhaps it might be well to ask the P. and 0. and Orient lines to give a place to these books in their libraries. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. W. Eoileston.

ISIo. 5. The Hon. the Minister of Immigration to the Agent-Genebal. Sir, —■ Immigration Department, Wellington, 3rd November, 1883. You will receive by this mail the departmental reports upon the ships " British Queon," " Taranaki," " Westland," and " Nelson." The reports are throughout of a satisfactory character, as showing the care which has been taken both in the selection and despatch of the immigrants, and also as reflecting, with one not very important exception, great credit upon those in charge on board the several vessels. I desire to call your attention especially to the case of the " Nelson." I have, &c, W. Eolleston, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Minister of Immigration.