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about 230 men and boys. At times, when the emigrants' watercloset was closed for repairs, the three seats had to accommodate in addition about another fifty. The ventilation of all the thirdclass passenger quarters was very defective, these quarters being situated on the third deck, and below the water-line, and beneath that which Government stipulates for the use of free emigrants. The atmosphere was at times most offensive and stifling. The port-holes could not be opened whilst under steam, even in the finest weather. We would also further call attention to the fact that the sides of the ship, upon which many of the third-class cabins abut, are without boarded lining, consequently causing much discomfort to passengers and injury to their bedding from the condensed vapour of the atmosphere streaming down the plates. 2. Food. —ln a letter to the London Daily Nexus in September, 1883, the following sentence occurs with reference to the last voyage of the steamer " lonic :" " Let the fact go forth, that during the voyage fresh meat was daily provided to all the passengers." We have reason to believo, on very good authority, that this statement is incorrect. In our case we have not received an ounce of fresh meat (with the exception of the doctor's patients) since leaving Plymouth on the 22nd September, to the 3rd November, 1883. The bulk of the food was of inferior quality, and insufficiently cooked, and much of it unfit for human beings; consequently most of it was thrown overboard. It was also served up in a very rough manner. Had not many of the passengers provided themselves very liberally, both in England and more especially at Cape Town, with food and luxuries, they must have half starved and suffered from disease, especially the women and children. 3. Incivility. —When washing in the morning passengers were frequently subjected to annoyance by members of the crew cursing and swearing at them, and sweeping the filth of the deck on to where they were standing; as also from man giving out the water, the latter being of daily occurrence. The chief steward of the ship during the whole of the voyage was most uncivil and disobliging, treating representations with studied contumely and occasional threats. The captain and a few other officers have, generally speaking, given satisfaction as far as their civility is concerned. 4. General Complaints. —Furthermore, because of having free emigrants on board, we have been subjected to many annoying restrictions. We think Government or free emigrants ought not to be allowed to travel in the same vessel with ordinary passengers on account of this. Also a flagrant oversight as to the boat provision for life-saving in case of wreck or fire, there being only eight boats and two rafts, capable of carrying about four hundred out of what we believe to be over nine hundred persons. We would most respectfully call the attention of the authorities to these subjects, and recommend that a Government official be appointed on board all passenger ships during the voyage, with full power to see that the law is carried out, and passengers protected from insults upon making complaints, as we have been told they had us at sea and would do with us as they liked. Much dissatisfaction was manifested with respect to the arrangements for passengers' luggage, all boxes marked " Wanted" and " Not wanted " being mixed up together, and in one hatch bags of coal and trunks were mixed indiscriminately. In lifting and lowering boxes received very rough handling and were greatly damaged. The third-class hatchways were not provided with lights. Likewise resolutions were passed that the Colonial Secretary and the President of the Board of Trade should each have a copy of this letter sent to them. And that the sanitary inspector coming on board at Wellington be invited to inspect all sanitary arrangements, and the third-class quarters. And, in addition, an original list of the whole of the signatures be sent to the Colonial Secretary. It has just come to our knowledge, and we wish to call your attention to the same, that very serious complaints were made to and published by a Wellington paper about the middle of June last respecting the accommodation and treatment experienced by the third-class passengers during the last voyage of the steamer " lonic " out from London. Eobeet Kick and 75 others. The Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, London. P.S.—The Committee bog to observe that the 75 signatures appended represent, with wives and families, 191 persons. And, also, in addition to the above, many of the third-class single female passengers desired to sign this letter, but the Committee decided otherwise.—Signed by Bobebt . Kick on their behalf. Wellington, New Zealand.

Enclosure 3 in No. 16. Mr. Kennaway to the Managee, New Zealand Shipping Company. Sic, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 29th January, 1884. I am directed by the Agent-General to transmit to you copy of a memorial which has been sent to him by the Earl of Derby, and which was forwarded to his Lordship by some of the passengers on board the steamer "lonic," containing certain complaints of alleged ill-treatment during the voyage. The matter being now before the Board of Trade, the Agent-General thinks your company may perhaps wish to make some statement to the Board on the subject of the memorial, and therefore communicates it to you without delay. Should you think proper to make any observations thereon through the Agent-General for the information of the New Zealand Government, he would be glad if you could favour him therewith in time for the out-going San Francisco Mail. I have, &c, Waltee Kbnnawat, Secretary to the Agent-General's Department, The Manager, New Zealand Shipping Company.