27

D.—l.

mentioned before would permit—namely, the inability of the crew and emigrants to understand each other, and the hampered state of the decks. AVith reference to the " Stad Haarlem " generally, the Commissioners cannot but remark that although the emigrants have arrived in good health, and without there having been any serious breach of discipline or accident, thii is mainly due to the excellent management of Dr. Gibson, the Surgeonsuperintendent, the shortness of the passage, and the fine weather experienced throughout. The Commissioners recommend that full gratuities be paid to the Surgeon-superintendent, whom they recommend for further employment, and to the captain, chief officer, and purser, and that the gratuity payable to tho matron be payable to Mrs. A . JonN T. Rouse. H. Macdonald, M.D. Lyttelton, 19th April, 1879. J. E. March.

Enclosure 2 in No. 41. Suegeon-supeeintendent's Repoet on the s.s. "Stad Haaelem." Passage.—The passage has been, as regards weather, an exceptionally fine one, and we were consequently enabled to air the bedding and carry on washing operations ad libitum. The peculiar construction of the ship, and the hamper on the upper deck, prevented in a great measure the holding of concerts and amusements. Notwithstanding this drawback, three very successful entertainments were given during the last ten days. These and races, tug of war, and sports during the day, lessened in a great measure the dulness and tedium of the closo of the passage. The Emigrants in my judgment are a good shipment, breaches of discipline and regulations having been very few, and of comparatively venial character. Health. —Has been throughout the passage very good, no serious or contagious malady having visited us. Only one accident occurred —viz., the breaking of a thigh bone, caused by a fall down a companion-way. Our immunity from general sickness, diarrhoea, ship fever, &c.', I attribute to the fine weather, absence of rain, clean state of bilges, good water-supply, and the excellent arrangements for ventilation in the different compartments made by the despatching officer. The Matron was removed from office for general inefficiency on March 14th, and Mrs. A , a married woman from main hatch, appointed in her stead, none of the single women appearing to me to be fit for the post. Mrs. A , for ten days previous to her taking on of Miss S duties, had (notwithstanding that there were two sub-matrons) been detailed by me to assist the matron in getting the girls to clean, &c. I am disposed to advise that for the future, when largo numbers (50) of single women are carried, competent trained and properly paid matrons should be appointed. The present New Zealaud Government system of selecting some respectable well-recommended woman for that office i 3, in my judgment, mischievous, and likely to interfere with the maintenance of discipline, order, and cleanliness amongst the single women. As evidence against mere respectability, unassociated with previous training, governing the appointment of such an official, I can state that, after carefully looking over the large number of carefully selected women on board, I am forced to the conclusion that not one has the qualifications of a moderately effective matron. My reasons for displacing Miss S were, that she was wanting in tact, that she was lazy, requiring more to bo waited on than engaged in the active dischargo of her duties, and that her language to the girls was at times most objectionable. Tha captain fully concurred with me in the action taken in this matter. Constables. —Three had to be removed for misconduct towards the close of the passage. Stores, Medicines, §c. —Theso were of good quality, tho flour exceptionally so. As usual, the preserved potatoes were not appreciated, aud at the request of the emigrants rice was substituted. In my judgment parsnips ought to bo placed on the dietary scale instead of onions, as the latter smell most offensively on a tin being opened, and undergo rapid decomposition. The Condensing Apparatus worked well, the average amount of water made daily being 800 gallons, and the coal consumption for this purpose being lj tons. The water, except on three occasions, was sweet and clear. Boat and Fire-drill, Sfc, was held eight times during the passage, and the night watches in the 'tween decks were rigidly kept. Births. —Mrs. D J— —, of a daughter, 31st March. Deaths. —Thomas P infant, of bronchitis, on 19lh February, and Henry P infant, of bronchitis, on 21st February, at sea ; Victor C infant, of bronchitis, on 16th March, at Table Bay; Albert X infant, of marasmus, on Ist April, and G F T , two years old, of phthisis, at sea. The Officers s.s. " Stad Haarlem." —My relations with Captain de Boer throughout the passage were of a most pleasant nature. He displayed an anxious desire to do everything calculated to insure the comfort and welfare of the passengers, and was most courteous in attending to and carrying out any suggestions made by me. Notwithstanding the many and arduous duties devolving on him he gave me great assistance in looking after the single women. I believe him to be an upright, honorable gentleman, and, as far as my judgment goes, a good navigator. Senior Officers. —Unlike the captain, the officers had only a limited knowledge of the English language, and this, no doubt, interfered to a very large extent with their efficiency as emigrant ship officials. lam of opiniou that, apart from this drawback, they showed considerable want of observation, activity, and exercise of authority. Junior Officers. —As will be seen by reference to my notes, the third and fourth officers were not only absolutely useless but most annoying and troublesome —chiefly with reference to the single women.