I have much satisfaction in stating that I found all the arrangements for the accommodation of the immigrants very complete, and the vessel herself particularly adapted for the purpose of carrying passengers, having unusually lofty and airy between decks.

The various compartments were very clean and in good order, bearing strong testimony that such has been her condition throughout the passage.

The immigrants themselves (who were generally in good health and in excellent spirits), spoke uniformly in the highest terms of the kind attention they had received at the hands of the Captain, Surgeon-Superintendent, and Officers of the ship; also of the efficient and judicious manner in which the Matron had discharged her duties.

Water and provisions of every description were reported of the best quality, and amply sufficient in quantity, and the officer whose duty it was to serve them out appeared to have won the esteem of all classes, from the just and courteous manner in which he has discharged his functions.

I have much pleasure in recommending the payment of all gratuities.

I have the honor to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient servant,

FREDK. D. GIBSON,

Immigration-Commissioner,

His Honor the Superintendent,

Christchurch.

SURGEON-SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT OF THE SHIP “SIBERIA.”

One hundred and forty Government Emigrants were received on board at the East India Docks, on the 18th November, 1869, all apparently in good health.

Married couples, with children 40
Single men 33
Single women 67

Shortly after sailing, I discovered that one of the single females, Christina Armit, aged 25, was in an advanced stage of phthisis, and on enquiry ascertained that she had been sent out by her friends in the hope of regaining her health. With this exception, and slight disorders amongst the children, all the passengers were healthy.

I am glad to be able to say that this good state of health has been preserved throughout a quiet, fine, and uneventful voyage. There has been no serious illness, no death, no birth; the only disorders have been slight in character, such as catarrhs, febricula, and slight diarrhœa. Amongst the children I have had to contend with some cases of obstinate diarrhœa, from which one or two are still suffering, caused doubtless by injudicious feeding, together with a confined atmosphere and dampness of the floors and berths.

The immigrants’ accommodation has been excellent, the tween decks being exceedingly lofty, well lighted, and admitting of being thoroughly ventilated, and I am glad to be able to state that the conduct of the immigrants has been unexceptionable. In no case has it been necessary to administer more than a slight reproof, and the most perfect cleanliness and decency has been observed throughout the voyage; the only exception to the general comfort has been in the compartment amidships allotted to the married couples; the main hatch being slight in construction began to admit the water at an early part of the voyage, and in spite of every endeavour made by the carpenter under the captain’s directions, it has been found impossible to keep the compartment dry.

I can speak in the very highest terms of the conduct of the Matron (Miss Hunt). She has been throughout most attentive and assiduous, and has, without a single exception, preserved perfect order amongst the single women under her charge.

LLEWELLYN POWELL, M.D., L.R.C.P.,

Surgeon-Superintendent of the Ship “Siberia.”

February 21, 1870.

PROCLAMATION.

WHEREAS by “The Protection of Animals Act Amendment Act, 1868,” it is among other things enacted that no Native Game shall be hunted, shot, taken, or killed in any part of the Colony, except during such months as the Governor shall from time to time, by Proclamation, appoint in reference to the respective descriptions of Native Game within the districts mentioned in such Proclamation.

And whereas His Excellency the Governor hath, with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the Colony, delegated to me, William Rolleston, Superintendent of the Province of Canterbury, so long as I shall continue and remain Superintendent of the said Province, all the powers vested by “The Protection of Animals Act, 1867,” and by “The Protection of Animals Act Amendment Act, 1868,” in the Governor or the Governor in Council, to be exercised only in respect to the said Province.

Now therefore, I, William Rolleston, Superintendent as aforesaid, in virtue of all powers in me vested in that behalf, do hereby proclaim and appoint the months of April, May, June, and July as the months during which all the Native Game mentioned in the fifth Schedule to “The Protection of Animals Act, 1867,” as amended by “The Protection of Animals Act Amendment Act, 1868,” may be hunted, shot, taken, or killed within the Province of Canterbury.

Given under my hand at Christchurch, this seventh day of March, one thousand eight hundred and seventy.

WM. ROLLESTON,

Superintendent.