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No. 20. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigeation to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 237.) Sib,- — Immigration Office, Wellington, 18th August, 1874. I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of the following documents relative to the ship " Carrick Castle," which arrived at the Bluff upon the 13th July, 1874 :— 1. Immigration Commissioners' report. 2. Certified list of births and deaths. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.

Enclosure in No. 20. Immigration Commissioners' Report on Ship " Carrick Castle." Immigration Office, Invercargill, 25th July, 1874. The immigrant vessel " Carrick Castle" arrived at Bluff Harbour on the 13th July, 1874, at 4 p.m., having left on 27th April. Health.—"Ftotn inquiry the Commissioners learned that the health of the immigrants during the voyage had been very good. Provisions. —That the provisions were good, and had been served out in accordance with the dietary scale and to the entire satisfaction of the surgeon-superintendent. Water. —That the supply of water was ample, the distilling apparatus having worked well. Conduct. —That the conduct of the immigrants in each compartment had been on the whole very good. Class. —The immigrants were all of the labouring class, and on the whole better fitted to meet the requirements of the district than those previously sent out. Cleanliness. —From personal investigation the Commissioners ascertained that the ship had been kept thoroughly clean, great care having been exercised in this respect. Compartments. —That the compartments were arranged according to contract, as also the hospitals, of which there were three. Bath-room. —That a bath-room, with proper appliances, had been provided in the single-women's apartment, in which was one closet. Complaints. —The immigrants on the whole spoke gratefully of the kindness shown them by the captain, doctor, and officers of the ship. Two hundred and forty-four adults. —The total number of adults landed at the Bluff was 244, of whom equal to 10J adults elected to proceed to Dunedin to join their friends. Births and Deaths. —The surgeon-superintendent reports four births and six deaths during the voyage. General Remarks. —The arrangements of the whole vessel were very similar to those of the " William Davie," of which vessel and arrangements the Commissioners reported so favourably. We have much pleasure in recommending the following gratuities to be paid to the officers: — Captain Thyne, £25; surgeon-superintendent, £172; first mate, Robert Slater, £10; third mate, Stephenson, £5 ; purser, £5; together with the other gratuities usually given to matron, constables, and schoolmaster. The Commissioners have much pleasure in commending the captain, surgeon, and officers of the ship for the untiring energy and zeal which they have displayed during the voyage in securing, as far as possible, the comfort of the immigrants. The small number of deaths speaks well for the healthy condition in which the passengers have been preserved. It appears that during the passage the temporary main hatch was washed away, necessitating tho closing of this hatchway altogether from time to time for the comfort of the passengers, and the opening of a passage through the single-men's compartment. As the loss of a main hatch at a time when the vessel's decks are frequently getting filled with water must be the source of great discomfort to the passengers, from the amount of water which must necessarily get below at the time, we are of opinion that such hatches should be more substantially made than they generally are ; and that instead of the top being made at an angle of about 45 degrees, which gives to a wave falling on board its greatest effect, that they should be arched or otherwise constructed so as to better withstand the force. Notwithstanding the completeness of the general arrangements of the ship, the Commissioners feel compelled to call attention to the dispensary and issuing-rooms, which were cramped in size and badly situated, being immediately under the main hatch. Although, as already stated, the majority of the immigrants are a superior sample, we cannot conclude this report without calling the attention of the Government to the fact that several of them are utterly unfitted for the requirements of a new country; some are pensioners who are physically incapacitated for hard work, and yet have large families of young children. They state that Mrs. Howard informed them that the New Zealand Government would readily employ them as military police, finding them comfortable quarters. If this statement be correct, a grave injustice has been perpetrated, as the men, from their testimonials, have left good employment to become a burden on the colony at no inconsiderable expense. Walter H. Peabson. Wm. P. Geigoe, Surgeon. Tnos. Thomson.