57

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the married people in two different compartments, the access to one compartment being by the main hatch and to the other by the after hatch ; in this compartment the bunks were on each side of the vessel, with a wide passage up the centre. The single women were berthed under the fore part of the poop: their compartment was roomy and comfortable but badly ventilated, the principal means of ventilation being through a hospital. Had they been located in the 'tween-decks, and the compartment under the poop used as hospitals, dispensary, and issuing-room, a great deal of unpleasantness and inconvenience during the voyage would have been obviated. There was a gutter-way round the 'tween-decks of this the vessel, which we have before stated to be objectionable. If it had been boarded over, a great deal of noxious effluvium, the existence of which the surgeon frequently refers to in his journal, would have been prevented, for it is obvious that if filth of all descriptions is allowed to run down a gutter-way into the bilge, no amount of pumping will thoroughly carry away all the sediment which is certain to accumulate. There were three hospitals in this vessel —two on deck, and one in the 'tween-decks under the main hatch. The hospital under the poop was in the single women's compartment, and the bunks were inconveniently placed athwartships. The other hospital on deck was next the galley and condenser, and therefore exceedingly warm : the bunks here were also athwartships, while the hospital in the 'tweendecks was without direct ventilation, the only scupper in it having to be stopped on account of leakage. With reference to the hospitals we would direct attention to the surgeon's remarks, which are appended. The galley and condenser were exceedingly good, and if a little forethought had been exercised the " Dallam Tower" might have been made far more comfortable than any immigrant vessel which we have yet inspected. Prom a perusal of the surgeon's diary, we find that the charcoal ran out on the 24th December, the expenditure having only commenced on the 18th, during very damp weather, which necessitated the constant use of the stoves in the 'tween-decks. There were no wind sails, neither were there tarpaulins for the hatches in wet weather. There were also constant complaints during the greater part of the voyage as to the inferior quality of the bread, which appears to have been caused not only from the incapacity of the baker, but also by the bad flour supplied to him. In conclusion, we would remark that no complaints were made to us by any of the immigrants; and so far as we were able to judge from our inspection, everything was carried out satisfactorily during the voyage. A short summary by the surgeon-superintendent is appended. Alexandeb Johnston, M.D., ~\ H. J. H. Eliott, > Commissioners. John Holliday, ) His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington.

No. 90. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 102.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 12th April, 1875. I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of the following documents relative to the ship "Baron Aberdare," which arrived at Auckland upon the L9th ultimo : — 1. Immigration Commissioners' report. 2. Certified list of births and deaths. I desire your special attention to the Commissioners' report, and more particularly to their remarks relative to the position of emigrants who pay their own passages, and to the appointment of tho matron, matters which appear to me to require attention in the manner indicated by the Commissioners. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. William H. Eeynolds.

Enclosure in No. 90. Immigeation Commissionebs' Eepoet on " Baron Aberdare." Sic,- — Immigration Office, Auckland, 24th March, 1875. We have tho honor to report the arrival of the ship " Baron Aberdare" late on the evening of the 19th instant, 100 days from London, with 164 Government immigrants on board. The usual inspection of the ship and passengers was made by us on the following morning. No infectious disease was reported, and only one death took place during the voyage —an infant nine months old, of atrophy. There were two births. The passengers generally expressed themselves satisfied with the treatment they had received, two persons only complaining of an insufficient measure of medical comforts during a term of illness, which, on further inquiry, resolved itself into a question of professional judgment on the part of the surgeonsuperintendent, who, in this instance, considered that the parties had received every necessary attention. The biscuit provided for the immigrants, though not originally of inferior quality, yet owing to a quantity having been packed in bags instead of in casks, a considerable proportion of this article^rad become deteriorated, thereby causing a good deal of dissatisfaction. The flour also was defective in quality, the sample of broad shown us produced from it being very inferior. The baking appears to have been frequently mismanaged, partly through want of skill, and partly in consequence of a defect in the heating power of the oven. . Too much stress can hardly be laid upon the necessity of providing an efficient cook and baker on board immigrant ships on a long voyage, and also on the desirableness of ascertaining if possible, before leaving port, how far the baking and cooking apparatus are in fair working order. Inattention to this, in some instances, has been the occasion of much dissatisfaction. B—D. 3.