EEPOET OE COMMISSIONERS ON SHIP "ENGLAND."

G.—No. 3,

44

No. 6. Memorandum for His Excellency. Ministers have the honor to transmit herewith to His Excellency, three copies of the Eeport presented by the Commission appointed to inquire into certain matters connected with the recent voyage of the ship " England," with emigrants from London to New Zealand, and respectfully request that His Excellency will forward the Eeport to Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies and will at the same time call Lord Kimberley's special attention to section of the said Eeport headed Compliance with the Passengers Act, as affecting the ship ' England.' " Public Works Office, Wellington, New Zealand, sth June, 1862.

No. 7. Dr. Featherston to the Hon. W. Gisborne. g IH _ 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, London, 2nd May, 1872._ I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt, on the 26th instant, of the telegram of which a copy is herewith enclosed. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, I E.'Featherston. New Zealand.

Enclosure 1 in No. 7. (Telegram). „ Wellington 17th March 1872 General and Native affairs continue satisfactory. Ship "England quarantine. Seventeen deaths small-pox measles. Surgeon incompetent. Scandinavians complain of deck passage and bad treatment Copenhagen London. Horneman must not be employed. Investigate and report telly re surgeon s appointment and emigrants' complaints. Take stringent steps for proper examination of emigrants, and for their proper accommodation and treatment. Vaccinated emigrants alone should come. Letter by mail.

No. 8. Dr. Featherston to the Hon. W. Gisboene. glß _ 7 "Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, 2nd May, 1872. I have received, with very deep regret, the intelligence, conveyed in your telegram of the 17th March, of the sad condition in which the ship "England" arrived at Wellington, more especially as no batch of emigrants has been despatched under apparently more favourable circumstances _ The ship had been employed in the service, and was a favourite one on account both of its being well adapted for the conveyance of emigrants, and also for the high character of its commander, Captain Harrington, who was, on this occasion, accompanied by his wife and other members of his !"' olFar from being crowded, the emigrants—only in number equal to eighty-one adults—had, I believe, more than the usual space; but there was undoubtedly a somewhat undue proportion of y°UDf hey were' inspected by the Medical Health Officer, Dr. Humphries, after previous inspection by the surgeon of the ship, and all appeared to be in good health. . All had I understand, produced certificates of having been vaccinated. In Germany and Scandinavia, vaccination has for many years been compulsory. It is rather curious that not only was there the usual quantity of vaccine lymph put on board, but an extra quantity was supplied at the special request of the Surgeon Superintendent. The surgeon (though appointed by Messrs. Shaw, Saville, and Co.) had the necessary diplomas, and, moreover, several medals, which induced Dr. Humphries to make the remark that he was more * sunpry oTp'rovisions, water, &c, was duly examined and passed by the Emigration Officer. The ventilation seemed exceedingly good. lam afraid that it is one of those casualties which will occasionally occur in spite of every possible precaution. The following facts ought to be borne in mind:— . 1. That small-pox has for the last two years been raging m almost all the towns both m England and on the Continent. 2 That the period of incubation of the disease is about fourteen days. 3. That vaccination does not afford absolute immunity from an attack of the disease. I shall make the inquiries suggested in your telegram, and report further. I have, Ac, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. A gent-General.