H.—2

8

Officer, and delivering up their counterparts. Children aro more especially examined as to their having vaccination marks, so that for healthy-looking men and women, the calling over will proceed regularly ; with families, there will be stoppages waiting to see the vaccination marks. In the "England" there was more than the usual delay, the questions asked by Dr. Humphries having to be put through the interpreter. From the inspection (7th December) to the first case (on the 21st December) is an interval of fourteen days: I do not understand that there is any possibility of discovering the existence of measles or small-pox in the system so long before their appearance on the surface. Provision was made for infectious disease by my pointing out to Dr. Leigh, after agreement with the Broker, that there were unoccupied cabins in the poop (there were only two cabin passengers besides the surgeon) which afforded ready means of establishing an isolated hospital if required. The provision for isolation hospital was again repeated by the Clearing Officer at Gravesend. Dr. Leigh presented himself at this office, with his qualifying documents and testimonials, on the 4th December, and after inspection of the documents, he signed his name in our day book. He was subsequently seen by Dr. Humphreys, who with him examined the medical chest, the instruments, and other things used. He also lived on board four days before sailing, in charge of the people, and stood by Dr. Humphrey at the medical inspection. No person connected with this office saw any reason to question but that, from his previous employment and proofs of good conduct, he was in every way qualified and suitable for the appointment of surgeon to the " England." sth. — Subsistence Money. Subsistence money under the 49th section was not demanded by me. The contract tickets are dated the 4th December, the ship left the docks on the Gth, was inspected at Gravesend on the 7th, and sailed at daylight on the Bth. The people were maintained on board for the two days to my satisfaction, the surgeon being in attendance the whole time. The likelihood of catching fresh disease is much lessened by living on board rather than by living in lodgings near the docks, such as strangers could get by the day, with board, at Is. Gd. per adult. Gth. — Passengers' Lists and Clearance. The three passenger lists, when brought to this office and signed by the captain, are examined, and the clearance certificate made out in duplicate. The Emigration Officer then signs the lists and clearances, retaining in this office one copy of each, and handing the other back to the Brokers. The Brokers' copy of the clearance is demanded by the Customs as their authority for clearing the ship under the Act. Captain Westbrook, the Clearing Officer, considered the ship to be then in very good order. I have, &c., Thoh. Foesteh. E. B. Cooper, Esq. Bj Authority: Oiossa Didsbbkt, GoTernment Printer, Wellington. [Price Gd.]