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in 1863, appointed as surgeon-superintendent on board a vessel conveying a large number of emigrants, and under engagement to the Government of New Zealand. As showing the estimation in which he was held while resident in New Zealand, I may remark that he was nominated as a Justice of the Peace, the original letter (exhibited at this office) bearing the signatures of Sir George Grey and the Hon. Mr. Fox. 4. " The owner of the vessel was not satisfied with the fittings, &c, provided by Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co., and ordered extras to be supplied at his own expense," &c. I was not aware that the owner had placed anything on board which he was not required, in his charter, to provide; but I remember that he supplied an exceedingly small stove for the use of the emigrants; that I commented unfavourably upon it; that Captain Scott, Messrs. Shaw and Savill's representative, rejected it; and that a larger stove was afterwards sent down to the vessel. 5. " The medicine chest was not supplied by the Apothecaries' Company." As explained in an earlier memorandum, the contractors were not, under their contract, required to purchase their medicines from the Apothecaries' Company. It is, however, very desirable that this course should be adopted, and the present and previous contracts provide accordingly. 6. " The captain states that the greater portion of the biscuit shipped for the emigrants was bad," &c. I had no opportunity of witnessing the inspection of provisions in this vessel, as my office duties prevented my attendance at the time fixed for that purpose. I have not concealed my opinion that it would be a wise course to put on board, for the use of the emigrants, white cabin biscuit similar to that which was supplied for many years to the Canterbury ships under the Provincial arrangements, and which invariably gave satisfaction. This description of bread is of course much more expensive than the brown biscuit which is now supplied, but it is believed to be more suitable and nutritious for women and children. 7. "The bedding material was of a veryinferiorquality," &c. As explained in mymemorandum upon the reports relative to the " Wild Duck," the bedding was supplied through Messrs. Shaw and Savill under a contract made early in 1872, and as no samples were furnished to me, I had no power to reject it on account of its inferior quality. In point of fact, the inferiority of the material of which it was composed would not probably be manifest until it had been a short time in use. The bedding and utensils are now supplied by Messrs. Silver and Co., under a contract with the Agent-General, and the work is done in a much more satisfactory manner. 8. " The selection of the matron does not appear to have been judicious." The surgeon remarks on this point, " The matron has acted very well, but an older person would be preferable," &c. The person selected—a young woman aged 24 —was appointed on board. She produced an excellent letter from a minister of religion of whose church she was a member, and appeared to be in all respects the most suitable person for the office. Some dissatisfaction with her appointment was manifested, at Gravesend, among the other women in the compartment, one of the chief complainants being a woman whose levity of conduct had attracted much attention on board. The matter was referred to Captain Forster, who investigated and dismissed the complaint. The matron's unpopularity at the commencement of the voyage appeared to arise from an excess of zeal, as she had issued written rules with reference to the daily reading of the Scriptures, &c. I advised her to relax her rules somewhat in this respect, in order that offence might not be given. 9. "No proper provision is made for the maintenance of the emigrants in London while they are waiting for the vessel to go to sea." The " Jubilee" was not ready at the date appointed, and the emigrants who were not accommodated on board were paid at the usual rate of Is. 6d. per adult per day. The contract with Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co. did not provide for any penalty which could be enforced in the (frequent) event of the ship not being ready for the reception of passengers on the day fixed for their embarkation. When that contract lapsed, and a fresh form of agreement was in preparation, I suggested that a penalty clause should be inserted. This suggestion was adopted, and was found to work well. The provision has not, however, been included in the contract made in the Colony. In the event of the ship not being ready on the day fixed for that purpose, the only consequence to the contractors is the cost of maintaining the emigrants at, say, 2s. per adult per day. But as, during the working hours of one day, they may receive cargo yielding from £150 to £200 freight, they are not likely to be kept to their contract by the fear of any pecuniary loss. In making these observations, I do not wish to imply that there is any disposition on the part of the contractors to take more time than they are entitled to employ in the reception of cargo; on the contrary, I believe the disposition is quite the other way. But it is, notwithstanding, desirable that the Government should have in their own hands the means of enforcing the most important conditions of the emigration contract. October 29th, 1873. Albert O. Ottywell. Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 19. 23, Stephen's Green, North, 7th March, 1873. Mr. Purdon was a pupil of mine at the Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland, where he pursued his professional education. He has become fully qualified, and has been since engaged in practice. Mr. Purdon was a diligent attender in his hospital and collegiate studies, and from his qualifications, his experience, and age, I believe he would suitably discharge the important duties of medical attendant in the office he now seeks in charge of emigrants to New Zealand. J. Morgan, M.D.