D.—3
12
of opinion that the ventilation is insufficient in the dormitories : I have suggested a method by which this defect may be remedied at a very trifling cost; in all other respects they are quite equal to those in the original building. lam not satisfied with the closet construction; the back portion underneath the seat is made of cement, has a roughened surface, and inclines forward as it descends; the consequence is that portions of the excreta adhere to it, with daily increasing additions, for the removal of which there are no arrangements of any sort made.* The bulk of the soil falls into an open channel, which can be flushed at pleasure by pulling a string opening a valve in a cistern outside. An official is directed to attend to this, but in the intervals of his doing so the soil remains uncovered, tainting the surrounding atmosphere. A continuous flow of water would remedy this, but lam informed on authority that this cannot be obtained; I would therefore recommend McFarlane's trough as being a good and efficient substitute. The sewage from the entire building escapes by a drain discharging itself immediately under the new platform on which the people exercise and amuse themselves ; this leaves it at low water entirely uncovered, and must of necessity affect the atmosphere breathed by those on the platform above, until again covered by the returning tide. I consider this most objectionable. The remedy is a very simple one : it only requires an earthenware pipe of sufficient dimensions carried from the present opening to beyond low-water mark, a matter of a few yards only, and this nuisance will be removed. Of the whole of the internal arrangements, the order, the neatness, and, the perfect cleanliness in which everything is kept, it is impossible to speak too highly; and, if the few suggestions I have made are attended to, I am of opinion that the place is well adapted for the reception and care of the emigrants during their short stay here. The water supply is ample. I have, &c, Francis Fox, Port Sanitary Medical Officer and Consulting Surgeon to South Devon and East Cornwall Hospitals. The Agent-General for New South Wales.
No. 9. Mr. Aechee to the A»ent-Genebaij for New Zealand. Sib, — Queensland Government Office, 1, Westminster Chambers, 15th November, 1883. In reply to your letter of the 13th instant, requesting my attention to the report of the Commission appointed by His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand to inquire into the causes of the outbreak of typhoid fever on board the " Oxford," and asking my opinion as to the sanitary condition of the depot at Plymouth, I beg to say that the assertions made by some of the persons that were examined are not, as regards the sanitary arrangements in the depot, borne out by my personal observations, nor by the reports of the despatching officers employed by this office. Of the comparatively trifling amount of disease that has prevailed amongst the many thousands of emigrants that have passed through the depot on their way to Queensland during the last two years, none has been traceable to infection contracted in the depot. My senior despatching officer reports that, owing to the sudden increase of emigration about the time the " Oxford" sailed, the depot was frequently inconveniently crowded, and the comfort of the people could consequently not be adequately provided for ; but, to remedy this, a large addition has been made to the premises, and the worst evils of overcrowding have thus been remedied. The despatching officer is, however, of opinion that the comfort and convenience of the people are not sufficiently attended to in some details that could be easily and inexpensively carried out. I have, &c, Thomas Abcheb, Sir F. T>. Bell, K.C.M.G., Agent-General for New Zealand. Agent-General.
No. 10. Exteacts from Letter from the Hon. Mrs. Joyce. (In "Friendly Work" for November, 1883.) I am going to interrupt my course of letters this month to give you a typical description of the beginning of an emigrant's voyage. . . . On we go to Exeter. By 4.15 we get to our journey's end : we have a long walk to the emigration depot —seven great vans follow with the baggage—the only fatiguing part of the day. We come to a high wall with great gates in it; a side-door opens, and we see the sea close up to the wharf. " Show your embarkation papers," calls the porter. Each emigrant passes into the office, and gives up her embarkation order to Mr. Grant, the master of the depot. " Single women's quarters to the left," is repeated as we walk along. We enter a large hall supported by square wooden piers, narrow tables and wooden benches beside them: each holds ten, as much like on board ship as possible. The girls sit down and look about them. At the end of the hall there are coloured photographs of scenes in Queensland —grand trees, wide rivers, farm stations, sugar-cane mill, still life and bustling activity, in strong contrast. In a few minutes the tea comes in, a great teapot for each mess, and such plates of bread and butter—it disappears in a marvellously short time ; and then the hum of conversation goes on again, until it is stopped by a call, " Come and claim your luggage !" Each woman goes across to the baggageshed, and, under the auspices of the strong-limbed " Mary," opens her box and takes out what she wants for the night. A tidy girl, who has packed neatly, has her things for immediate use upon the top, and an inventory of all her belongings pasted inside the lid of her box. If she has put her brush and comb down quite at the bottom, and her boots at the opposite corners of the box, she is apt to have the time she takes up in diving and making hay in her box enlivened by caustic
* Since the above report was written Mr. Hill, the proprietor of the depot, has arrived here from London. He informs me that closet arrangements similar to those I have recommended, and working automatically, have been ordered, and are now on their way to Plymouth ; they will be fixed as soon as possible after they have been received. He also admits that the nuisance which now arises from the uncovered sewage at low water must be remedied, and has promised that this shall receive immediate attention. —F. Fox. 28th July.