15

D.—3

forward copy of a supplementary report, in which the Commissioners remark more particularly upon the physical and moral character of the emigrants, and tho negligence which must have been displayed in the medical examination and investigation as to antecedents by the local agents attached to your department. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.

Enclosure in No. 24. Supplementary Report of Immigration Commissioners upon " Carrick Castle." Invercargill, 13th August, 1874. In connection with our report on the " Carrick Castle," of the 25th July, 1874, tho Commissioners beg to bring the following points under the attention of the Government: —■ 1. Judging from cases in the two immigrant ships which have arrived at the Bluff, tho "William Davie" and "Carrick Castle," there seems to be a reprehensible desire, on the part of those who obtain a gratuity or head-money for inducing emigration to New Zealand, to thrust on the colony a number of persons utterly disqualified by physical ailments, age, and occupation, to support themselves in a new country such as this. 2. The majority of these are, by their own account, induced to emigrate by the false representations of the appointed agents; notably in the case of old pensioners, who have, according to their statements, been led to believe that they will be employed by the Government as military police. 3. That however reprehensible the conduct of those may be who stimulate such an emigration, that of the inspecting officers who pass the emigrants is infinitely worse, as it is a direct dereliction of a duty for which we presume a specific sum is paid. The Commissioners do not refer to ordinary cases, which, in the hurry of embarkation, might easily be overlooked, but to those which the most perfunctory inspection by unprofessional officers would instantly detect. Although there have been only two vessels direct to the Bluff arrived, several of the immigrants have become permanent inmates of the hospital from the moment of their arrival, and will be a burden on the community till they die. 4. There seems, judging from the conduct of some of the immigrants after they have landed, to have been no attempt made to ascertain their moral character or steadiness of habit before leaving; but that all who have presented themselves as emigrants have been accepted without inquiry, and, in fact, been induced to emigrate by the agents for the sake of the bonus. Walter H. Pearson. Wm. P. Grigor, Surgeon. Thos. Thomson. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington.

No. 25. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 242.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 26th August, 1874. I have the honor to transmit herewith the following documents relative to the ship " Adamant," which vessel arrived at Nelson upon the 7th instant: —■ 1. Report of the Immigration Commissioners, covering the report of the Surgeon-Superin-tendent. 2. Certified list of births and deaths upon tho voyage. I shall be glad to receive an explanation with reference to that portion of tho Commissioners' report which states that " several of the emigrants complain of a long detention at Gravesend, having had orders to present themselves five weeks before the vessel was ready to receive them." I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.

Enclosure in No. 25. Immigration Commissioners' Report on Barque " Adamant." Sir,— Nelson, Bth August, 1874. We have the honor to report the arrival last night of the barque "Adamant," Charles Grant master, ninety-two days out from Plymouth. She sailed with 340 souls (283 statute adults) on board. Three births occurred during the voyage and twelve deaths. These .were due to an outbreak of an epidemic of measles twelve days after leaving port, and which, in the opinion of the surgeon, originated in the depot. The disease was successfully dealt with, so far as limiting it to the quarters of the married people ; but ttvelve infants, all with one exception under one year, were carried off by it, and the concomitant bronchitis and diarrhoea. Fifty children were attacked; the last case of convalescence being registered on 11th July. On mustering the passengers, they all without exception expressed themselves gratified at the kind treatment and attention they had received at the hands of the captain and officers. Similar testimony was given in favour of the surgeon-superintendent, Mr. J. Nuinaßat, two only dissenting— parents of children who had died, who complained of want of attention on the part of the doctor at the commencement of tho voyage ; but considering the high character for skill and attention given to the surgeon by others who had similarly suffered, confirmed as it is by the testimony of the captain and officers, we think the complaint may be considered as not of much importance.