D.—3

4

The immigrants for Otago numbered 155 souls, equal to 124 statute adults. There were three births and two deaths on the passage, the latter being children of one year old. Having inspected the several compartments of the ship we found them clean, and well ventilated from side lights and the usual deck ventilators. The passengers expressed themselves as well satisfied with the treatment they had received, and had no complaints to make in regard to the provisions and water, both of which were abundant and of good quality, considering tho largo number of children on board, and disease having broken out early on the passage. Dr. Ellis seems to have grappled with his difficulties with great decision, and in a great measure overcame them before entering port. As the ship proceeds to Canterbury with the remainder of the immigrants, and as she will undergo inspection there, we need add no more. We have, &c, Colin Allan. Wm. Thomson. His Honor the Superintendent of Otago. David O'Donnoghue. N.B.—This report refers only to the Otago immigrants.

Enclosure 2 in No. 5. Lyttelton Immigration Commissionebs' Report upon s.s. "Atrato." This vessel arrived at Lyttelton from Port Chalmers on the 20th inst. The Commissioners report that tho health of the immigrants was upon tho whole good, but many of the children remained weakly from the effects of the epidemic of measles which had prevailed. The physique of the immigrants taken generally was, however, much below that of the average of previous shipments. The general cleanliness of the compartments may be spoken of as fair. The Commissioners had not a good opportunity of judging of the condition in which they had been kept during the voyage, owing to the vessel having been discharging cargo from her main hatch at Port Chalmers, thus materially interfering with the cleanliness of the 'tween-decks. The complaints made were mainly of overcrowding. In one dark corner were berthed six families, including twenty-two children. In this part there had been three deaths ; and the Commissioners cannot but feel that had an epidemic of any more grave character occurred, the result would have been a large number of deaths. The ventilation, with the exception of that portion of the lower deck occupied by about twenty families, was generally good, the arrangement of the berths satisfactory, the 'tween-decks lofty, but in many parts insufficiently lighted. This was especially evident in the single-women's compartment. The distilling apparatus was of extra size, and had worked very well. All the extra stores placed on board by tho Agent-General were exhausted long before the expiration of the voyage, and the surgeon had to draw upon the captain, who kindly supplied the deficiency from the ship's stores. The Commissioners recommend the payment of all gratuities. In conclusion, they wish to make the following suggestions, arising from their inspection of the "Atrato," viz.,— That the laying on a vessel conveying immigrants for two ports is a thing to be avoided, if possible. That the carrying of so large a number in one vessel is to be deprecated ; and that should necessity arise for again shipping a similar number, a second medical officer should be placed on board. At one time of the voyage the surgeon reports having had 120 cases of measles under attendance. Had scarlet fever, typhus, or any of the graver diseases broken out, the attendance necessitated would have been beyond any one man's physical powers. Wm. Donald. John P. Rouse. Lyttelton, June 24,1874. J. E. Maecu.

No. 6. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 207.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 28th July, 1874. I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of the following documents relative to the ship " James Wishart," which arrived at Auckland upon the sth July instant: — 1. Immigration Commissioners' report. 2. Immigration Officer's report. 3. Certified list of births and deaths upon the voyage. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.

Enclosure in No. 6. Immigeation Commissionebs' Repoet on Ship " James Wishart." Sib, — Immigration Office, Auckland, 6th July, 1874. We have the honor to report that we made the usual inspection of the immigrant ship " James Wishart " yesterday morning, the sth instant, immediately after her arrival in port. The