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D.—2.

45

intendent of Otago has telegraphed to mo at my request, and of which I enclose copy. It is evident, by that report, that these women were sent because the Board despaired of their adapting themselves to a useful life at home. It is difficult to believe that you could sanction such emigration ; whilst, on the other hand, it is as difficult to believe that you could be unaware of the published proceedings of your agent, tho woman Howard, whom, by-the-by, you seem to have employed after informing me that you would not do so, vide your letter No. 551, of 29th November, 1872. At another Board meeting, a copy of report of which I also enclose, legal proceedings were actually threatened in your name to enforce completion of the miserable bargain entered into by Howard. I endeavour to think that you knew nothing about the matter ; but, if so, how singular must be the organization of your department, that, with a proceeding so canvassed in the place, with a ship calling off tho town, and, it is to be presumed, some of your officers in attendance to see the emigrants off, you should have to be informed from New Zealand of what occurred under the immediate notice of your officers. I find it impossible to adequately characterize the indignation such a shipment produces, or the alarm which is felt at the intention which is apparent of sending further similar shipments. I have, &c., The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel

Enclosure 1 in No. 47. Repoet by Immigration Commissioners on Ship "Woodlark." Sir ,— Wellington, 6th April, 1874. We have the honor to report the arrival of the immigrant, ship " Woodlark " on Tuesday, the 21th ultimo, with 2501 statute adults. 18 deaths occurred during the voyage, and 2on the quarantine island, making a total of 20 deaths ; equal to 8 statute adults. 2. The pilot having been previously instructed to take the "Woodlark" direct to the quarantine station in the event of her arriving with disease on board, the necessity for bringing her into the harbour and awaiting our instructions was obviated. Early on the morning of the 25th March we proceeded to the quarantine station, where we found the ship at anchor. Having communicated with the captain and surgeon-superintendent, we learned that tho deaths had been principally caused by scarlet fever, or its after effects, and that the ship had carried the disease all the way with her, the first case having occurred on the 16th December, and the last on the 12th March. One family was sent ashore at Gravesend, on the 15th December, as it was suspected that some of the children had scarlet fever. AYe immediately gave instructions for all the passengers to be landed, with their bedding and baggage which had been used during the voyage, the ship to be fumigated and painted in the 'tween-decks after the fittings had all been removed; the immigrants at the same time to have their baggage, etc., passed through the disinfecting house, and then thoroughly washed. AVo visited the station daily, and found that our orders were being satisfactorily carried out; and on Monday, the 30th March, we inspected the ship previously to admitting her to pratique. 3. As the fittings had all been removed, we were unable to see the ship as she was when the immimigrants were on board; but we believe that she was very much the same as other vessels which have recently arrived here with immigrants. The single women's compartment was well ventilated by a large shaft through the saloon, and six side ports: this compartment had also a bath-room, watercloset, and hospital under the poop. The married compartment had eight side ports, fourteen deck lights, eight patent ventilators, and a ventilator through the deck-house. There were alley-ways round the bunks, which greatly promoted ventilation and cleanliness. The single men's compartment had four deck lights, four patent ventilators, and an air shaft through a deck-house above. Altogether the lighting and ventilating of the 'tween-decks of this vessel w rere admirable ; but we must say, however, that in our opinion there were too many passengers on board for the size of the ship, viz., 323 souls for a vessel of 869 tons, with a 'tween-decks of 6 feet 2 inches in height. We have no doubt that the cubical space required by the statute was allowed each adult, but more is required for a voyage to New Zealand. 4. All the hospitals were on deck : this we consider to be a great improvement, notwithstanding the objections which have been made to their being so placed. The surgeon remarks in his report, that the hospital accommodation was not sufficient; but we see no reason to complain of it, as it appeared to be not only satisfactory, but much better than in many ships we have inspected. 5. The galley accommodation was not sufficient for the immigrants, and there was no separate galley for the ship. The surgeon states that the daily issue of rice for the children was about 60 lbs., while the galley only afforded facilities for cooking about 28 lbs., and great inconvenience seems to have been experienced from tho want of better cooking accommodation generally. The condenser also worked badly, but this, we believe, was owing to the fault of the man who was put on board to work it, not understanding the duty required of him. The engineer was appointed by the contractors to work the condenser; but the captain has informed us that he literally knew little or nothing about an engine. Fortunately there was a large supply of water on board, which was liberally issued to the immigrants. The store and issuing-room and dispensary were under the main-hatch in the married compartment. 6. We mustered the immigrants on the quarantine island on the same day that we inspected the ship. There were some desirable-looking people amongst them, but we regret to say that we were not favourably impressed with their appearance at first sight, and the conduct of many of them since their landing in AVellington has proved that they do not come up to the standard of previous shipments of immigrants. The captain and surgeon complained generally of tho bad behaviour of many of the passengers, but no specific charges were brought against any of them: had there been, we should have considered it our duty to have recommended proceedings to be taken in the Resident Magistrate's Court. 7. Wo have learned that some of the worst of the passengers were selected by a Mrs, Howard at Waterford, and the conduct, both during the voyage and since their arrival here, of some of the single women, or rather married women who have left their husbands and come out to the Colony as single women, would lead to the inference that they must have been picked up off the streets without any

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