D.—No. 16a.

EURTHER PAPERS

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that at the top uncooked. I often gave the cook money, and then I got my food quickly done. The captain returned me the money I gave the cook. All the other Danes also had their money returned. Bobert Wright, first mate on board the "Halcione," states : I myself examined the principal part of the meat served out, both beef and pork. I consider it, without exception, perfectly sound, good, and wholesome. The same meat was used all through the ship. No complaints of its bad quality were made by either the cabin passengers or crew. I know that the captain ordered the cook not to take any money from the passengers, and he had a list made out of money received from the passengers and refunded it. Bobert C. Black, steerage passenger by the " Halcione," having heard Mr. Crawford's statement read, confirms it in every particular, and adds that money was received by the ship's cook from some of the English passengers as well as the Danish.

No. 9. Beport on Ship " Merope." The Immigration Commissioners express their gratification at the appearance of cleanliness and order in every compartment of the vessel. The fittings and arrangements generally were satisfactory ; the distilling and cooking apparatus particularly so, and also the bath-room in the single women's compartment. The surgeon expresses strongly his sense of the advantage of a hospital on deck as provided in. this vessel. The health of the immigrants, with one exception only (that of a case of organic disease), was and had been good. The supply of rations in quantity was satisfactory, but the complaint was universal of the insufficiency of the supply of flour in the dietary scale, being only 8 oz. per adult per day for bread and other food for six days in the week —none being issued on Friday. The Saturday's rations appear absurdly insufficient; 4 oz. of salt meat served out uncooked (bone included), and 2 oz. for children. This was so obviously deficient, that the captain had substituted soup made of preserved meat, with rice, &c, throughout the voyage. There was a large proportion of children between four and twelve years, and the Commissioners consider that in such cases especial dietary allowance should be made, say oatmeal, extra flour, and soup. It was strongly urged by some on board that Boman Catholic passengers should be allowed salt fish on Fridays. Several of the immigrants pleaded hard for cheese as a part of the ration, stating that their wives and children, when suffering from sea sickness, earnestly desired it, when they refused everything else. The surgeon expresses strongly the necessity for including gin among medical comforts. The supply of arrowroot and sago was insufficient as laid down in the dietary scale for infants under four years. There should also be a sufficient supply of porter to permit a daily allowance to nursing women. The matron appears to have fulfilled her duties satisfactorily. The conduct of the single women was well reported of, and the Commissioners were much pleased with the appearance of the immigrants generally. The person acting as schoolmaster was highly commended. The Commissioners recommend all officers for full gratuities. The Commissioners append extracts from the surgeon's diary, and evidence taken by them on board. Wll. DONALD Fred. D. Gibson John H. Bouse Lyttleton, 6th August 1872. J. Edwin March.

Enclosure 1 in No 9. Ship " Mehope."—Extract from the Surgeon-Superintendent's Diary. " With regard to the provisions on board for medical comforts, clause 15 in the contract states that ' Children between one and four years of age are to receive 8 oz. of arrowroot or sago weekly; children under one year old, and if above four months old, 4 oz. of sago or arrowroot weekly.' " There are 56 lbs. of arrowroot and 40 lbs. of sago, 96 lbs. altogether. There are twenty children between one and four years of age who, according to clause 15, should receive 8 oz. of sago and arrowroot weekly, and six who should receive 4 oz. of sago or arrowroot w reekly. That would be equal to nearly 12 lbs. per week; so that if this quantity were allowed, it would not last out the voyage, irrespective of any I might require on emergency ; therefore, I have arranged that only those should receive arrowroot or sago weekly for whom 1 give orders. " I find the hospital on deck a great convenience. Eor comfort, ventilation, quietude, and everything necessary for a patient in a critical condition, it is far superior to the hospital 'tween decks; in fact, I would rather that such a case as that of Isabella Clyde had remained in her own berth than in the hospital 'tween decks. lam of opinion that a hospital on deck should be provided, where practicable, in every ship carrying emigrants. " All the emigrants have behaved well, and deserve every credit for obedience. The constables did their duty thoroughly. " There was no gin as medical comforts, or cheese."