_D_—No. 16a.

6

EURTHER PAPERS

As there were several nominated immigrants whom their friends were anxious to get ashore, I inspected the ship and mustered the immigrants early yesterday morning. I found the accommodation, general arrangements, and cleanliness all that could be wished. The health was good. There had been four deaths —young children—and four births. Finding that the surgeon, matron, and constables, and that the captain and his officers have performed their respective duties satisfactorily, I recommend the payment of all their gratuities. This recommendation is, however, so far as the captain and surgeon are concerned, subject to an inquiry (which I have promised shall take place) into the matters mentioned in the enclosed paper, signed by many of the immigrants. The quality of the meat is a matter which rests on the shoulders of Messrs. Shaw, Saville, and Co.; the cooking, on those of the captain and surgeon. The inquiry is of so simple a character, that I think it may be left to Mr. Halcombe ; but if it is desired to associate one or more officers with him, I suggest the Collector of Customs and the Health Officer, who is also Harbour Master. The ship came alongside the wharf this morning, when the immigrants were landed, and located at Mount Cook Barracks. A number of the immigrants are for Messrs. Brogden, but as those gentlemen have not yet provided accommodation for their workmen, I offered a portion of the Barracks temporarily, which was gladly accepted. I have, <fee, John Knowles, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works. Under Secretary.

Enclosure in No. 8. Report of the Board appointed to Inquire into certain Complaints made by Immigrants, ex " Halcione," of their treatment during the voyage from London. Sir,— Wellington, 2nd August, 1872. Having carefully examined several witnesses touching the treatment of the Government immigrants on board the " Halcione," from London to Wellington, we beg to present the following report: — As will be seen by reference to the evidence attached, the testimony of witnesses is most conflicting. We are, however, of opinion that the meat served out to the immigrants on board was, at the time of serving out, of fair average quality, with one or two exceptions, and that there is no substantial cause for complaint. We are also of opinion that the cooking was as good as the requirements of so large a body of immigrants, and their want of knowledge how to prepare their food, would allow. We have, &c, , . A. E. Halcombe, The Hon. J. D. Ormond, John Holliday, Minister for Public Works. J. Hackworth.

Eridax, 2nd August, 1872. Present: —Messrs. Halcombe and Hackworth. Mr. Wright, first mate of "Halcione," was present on behalf of the master of the ship "Halcione." Mr. Ralph Crawford on behalf of the complainants. Mr. R. Ceawfoed being called as witness stated: On five occasions the whole of the pork served out to the single men's compartment was putrid and unfit to eat. I took it to Captain Bishop on one occasion, and showed him the portion of the meat served out to our mess; he tasted it and admitted that it was not good. Other of the passengers had gone on previous occasions and made the same complaint. JNo other meat was served out to me on that occasion, and we wrent without meat at all on this and several other times. I did not go to the doctor, because other people had gone to him on the same errand and could not obtain redress. Eor four weeks we had no molasses served out to us, as we should have had under our contract passage ticket. Our rice, which we took to the galley to be cooked in bags given for the purpose, was returned uncooked; and as this constantly occurred, we did not for the last four or five weeks send it up at all. Moneys were given to the cook by many of the Danes, and they were thereby enabled to get their food cooked, when other people who did not pay could not do so. Robert Poeteus, steerage passenger in the single men's compartment of tho ship "Halcione," being called, confirmed the statement of R. Crawford, except that he states that he did not, and is not aware that any others did, complain to the doctor, the captain having ordered that all such complaints should be made to him. He also states that puddings made of flour, suet, and raisins, were returned from the cook's galley uncooked. The Doctor was present on several occasions when these complaints were made. On one occasion, when he was captain of one mess, he took up a cake to be cooked. A Dane was just before him with provisions to be cooked; he handed them to the cook, and they were taken in and cooked. There was money placed on the top of the dishes handed in by the Dane, which money was taken by the cook. There was plenty of room in the oven after the Dane's provisions were put in, but tho cook refused to take mine in. I complained immediately to Captain Bishop, who promised to look into it, and he sent for the cook. Since then we got our cakes cooked, but not our rice or our puddings. Edwin Hibbett, steerage passenger by the "Halcione," in the married men's compartment: I read from notes made at the time : —On 21st May we had no dinner, because tho meat was bad and the soup was burned. On the 24th May, no dinner again for wife and children, the meat being bad. May 28th, the same. The meat was taken on each occasion up to the captain in my presence, and, as far as I recollect, the captain said the meat was fit to eat, and refused to serve out other meat in place of it. On the 17th July, the cook refused to warm our preserved meat except in the tins in which it was