D.—3

42

After making the fullest inquiries, wo found that all expressed themselves as fully satisfied with the treatment they had received from the captain, doctor, and all on board, and had no cause whatever of complaint. Cyeus Goultee. T. Henby Dalton. His Honor the Superintendent, Blenheim. W. B. Teipe.

No. 68. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 34.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 13th February, 1875. I have the honor to transmit herewith the following documents relating to the ship " Margaret Galbraith," which arrived at Port Chalmers upon the 31st ultimo: — 1. Eeport of the Immigration Commissioners. 2. Certified list of births and deaths during the passage. I have, &c., The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure in No. 68. Immigeation Commissionebs' Eepoet on Ship "Margaret Galbraith." Sic, — Port Chalmers, 15th January, 1875. We have the honor to report that the ship " Margaret Galbraith" arrived in port from London on the 9th instant, her passage occupying ninety-seven days. On receiving the bill of health of the immigrants on the passage, as is usual alongside the ship, we found that one case of scarlatina, pronounced by the surgeon-superintendent of the ship as very slight, broke out on board on the 30th November, in a child aged fifteen months, that the child recovered, and that no other case afterwards appeared. Acting on the recommendation of our medical brother Commissioner, we hesitated to clear the ship until the Chairman of the Board of Health was communicated with on the matter. The ship was placed in quarantine pending further orders. The Chairman of the Board having called a meeting on Monday morning, the 11th instant, the Board resolved that the whole of tho immigrants should be removed from the ship to the quarantine station, for the purpose of washing and fumigating their clothes; after which, on evidence being given that the orders of the Board were fully complied with, we were authorized to grant pratique. The ship was also to be fumigated, and on similar evidence being given pratique would be granted. Having received the necessary reports that the instructions of the Board were carried out, we admitted the ship to pratique on Wednesday, the 13th, and the immigrants on Friday, the 15th instant. On making our usual inspection of the ship, we found everything in fine order, the several compartments more than usually clean and well fitted according to the block system. The galley was large and fully sufficient for its requirements, and the condenser more than equal to supply all demands for water. The immigrants, numbering equal to 119| statute adults, of whom the majority were nominated in the province, appeared to be a superior class. They enjoyed excellent health on the voyage, and landed in equally good health. One death, that of an infant four months old, occurred soon after leaving England. It is due to Dr. Batchelor, surgeon-superintendent, that we should notice that to his energy and skill in the treatment of the case of scarlatina which appeared, this department is indebted for the effective manner in which the disease was stamped out at the outset. The whole of the immigrants expressed themselves as satisfied with their treatment. Captain Peebles and his officers fulfilled their duties most satisfactorily, and arc deserving of their gratuities. We have, <fee, Colin Allan. Wm. Thomson. His Honor the Superintendent, Dunedin. John Deysdale, M.D.

No. 69. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 37.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 15th February, 1875. I have the honor to transmit copies of the following documents relating to the ship " Clarence," which vessel arrived at Napier upon the sth ultimo : — 1. Eeport of Immigration Commissioners. 2. Eeport of the Provincial Surgeon. 3. Surgeon-Superintendent's report. 4. Certified list of births and deaths during the passage. There is nothing in these documents which appears to call for special remark by me, but it seems evident that the very large mortality amongst the children may be attributed to tho dietary scale, which was not sufficiently liberal as regards nutritive food. I trust by this time the new dietary scale, which in my telegram of the 29th October last you were instructed to adopt, is now in use, and found to answer its intended purpose. I have, &c., The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.