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D.—3

Enclosure in No. 82. Immigeation Commissionebs' Eepoet on Ship " Oamaru." Sic, — Port Chalmers, 4th March, 1875. We have the honor to report that the ship " Oamaru " arrived in port on the 17th February instant, with Government immigrants, from Glasgow, having made a passage of seventy-eight days. On receiving the bill of health alongside, we learned that two cases of scarlet fever, both being in one family, made their appearance on sth February, and that both children were then doing well. The ship, on the recommendation of the medical Commissioner, was placed in quarantine, and a report made to the Chairman of the Board of Health of the circumstance. The Board having met on the 18th current, it was resolved that the sick family be at once removed out of the ship to the hospital on the quarantine station; that all the immigrants and their luggage be conveyed, the married people and single females to Quarantine Island, and the single men to the station on Goat Island; that their clothes be washed and fumigated; that the cabin passengers be allowed to remain in the ship; that the latter be also cleansed and fumigated; that the whole of the immigrants and the ship be admitted to pratique on Monday, the 2nd March, on sufficient proof being adduced that the instructions of the Board were carried out, and that no fresh case of fever broke out in the meantime. The single men on Goat Island having carried out the instructions given them as reported by Captain Parnie, who was in charge of this station, were accordingly admitted to pratique on the Ist March, and conveyed to Caversham depot. With respect to the immigrants on Quarantine Island, it happened that on the day previous to that appointed for their release, Dr. van Hemert, surgeon-superintendent of the ship " Gareloch," who was in charge of the station, reported that a fresh case of scarlatina appeared in the family left on the island of the ship " Gareloch's " immigrants, who had already two children in the hospital suffering from the disease, this family being foolishly allowed by those in charge to mix with the " Oamaru's " immigrants. The Board appointed Dr. Brown, its medical member, and Dr. Drysdale, the medical Immigration Commissioner, together with the Health and Immigration Officers, to visit the island ; the two former to land and make a thorough inspection of the patients, and report the result of their investigation on the following day. The Board accordingly met on the 3rd instant, to receive the report of Drs. Brown and Drysdale, from which it appeared that the case reported by Dr. van Hemert was not that of scarlatina. It was at the same time resolved that all the healthy immigrants be admitted to pratique on the following day. The following is a summary of the immigrants by this ship:—4B families, 205 souls = 158 adults ; single men, 59 souls =59 adults ; single women, 15 souls =15 adults: total, 279 souls = 232 adults. We admitted the ship to pratique on the Ist instant, in accordance with the resolution of the Board of Health, and made our usual inspection. We found everything on board in first-rate order, the several compartments being well fitted and scrupulously clean. The ship, which is 1,305 tons burden, being expressly built for the New Zealand trade, and now on her first voyage, is furnished with every improvement calculated to promote the health and comfort of passengers, her 'tween-decks being lofty and well ventilated. She is commanded by Captain Stuart, who has had considerable experience in the passenger trade to Otago, and whose energy and skill, in conjunction with Dr. Eichards, the surgeon-superintendent, in taking immediate measures to stamp out the disease on board on its first appearance, cannot be too highly commended. The immigrants, one and all, speak in high terms of their treatment on the voyage. We believe the provisions of the Passengers Act were faithfully administered. We have, &c, Colin Allan. Wm. Thomson. His Honor the Superintendent, Otago. John Deysdale, M.D.

No. 83. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 82.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 16th March, 1875. I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of the following documents relative to the ship " Berar," which arrived at Port Nicholson upon the 22nd January : — 1. Immigration Comissioners' report. 2. Eeport by the Surgeon-Superintendent. 3. Certified list of births and deaths. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure in No. 83. Immigeation Commissionebs' Eepoet on Ship "Berar." Sib,— Wellington, 12th February, 1875. We have the honor to report the arrival of the ship "Berar" on the 22nd ultimo, with 343 souls, equal to 280^ statute adults. There were four births and nineteen deaths during the voyage, and two on the Quarantine Station. As scarlet fever was raging on board at the time of arrival, the pilot took the ship direct to the Quarantine Station. We proceeded there as speedily as possible, and, to our regret, we found that there had been a great deal of sickness during the whole voyage; but, as a Eoyal Commission has been issued to inquire into the cause of sickness on board this vessel, it is not necessary for us to go as fully into the subject as we otherwise should. After the immigrants had been landed the ship was thoroughly fumigated and painted inside and out; she was thus enabled to be