292

proportion of children in our ships has
been in
1853 ...... 35'53 per cent.
1854 ...... 35'20 "
1855 ...... 26'67 "
1856 ...... 29'56 "

In the "Ann Wilson" it was 68'18 per cent. The only year in which the children in our ships amounted to anything like this proportion was in 1852, when from peculiar but temporary circumstances they were allowed to reach the proportion of 64'38 per cent. But as at that time all under 14 were counted as children, and since 1855 all above 12 have been reckoned as adults, even these figures do not represent the real difference between the number of children on board our ships and those on board the "Ann Wilson." The effect of a large number of children on mortality may be understood from the following table.

18. Secondly—No inquiry appears to have been made as to the nature of the diseases which prevailed—the individuals who were first attacked, or the manner in which they were treated. Considering the general tenor of the surgeon’s description of his own proceedings, and the evidence on the inquest as to his medical treatment of Jonathan Deverell, these points were certainly worthy of investigation.

19. Thirdly—It was given in evidence at the inquest, though not noticed before the Resident Magistrate, that wine and spirits were sold indiscriminately to the steerage and cabin passengers. This was a serious infraction of the 62nd Section of the Passenger Act and was calculated to interfere with the discipline of the ship, and to affect the health of the passengers. Whether I did so or not, there is no means of forming an opinion.

20. Lastly—No enquiry seems to have been made into the state of cleanliness of the ship. We have pointed out that some of the passengers complained of the offensive smell proceeding from one of the hospitals, and if the deck was generally allowed to get dirty, which without great vigilance it would be sure to do with so many children on board, and so many dark places, this would be a most efficient cause of disease.

The conclusion to which we come is that the Emigration Officers at Liverpool omitted none of the usual precautions to ensure the proper fitting and provisioning of the "Ann Wilson," and that in respect to the number on board, which is the principal blame imputed to them, they acted in strict accordance with the law. That if in regard to the galley they erred in judgment in passing one of insufficient size, the inconveniences might to a great extent have been remedied by greater energy on the part of the master.

That both he and the surgeon evinced a very culpable apathy in respect to the supply of water, and that there is reason to suppose that the cleanliness and discipline of the ship were neglected; and lastly, that there were causes of disease on board irrespective of the fitting and ventilation of the ship, which were beyond the control of the Emigration Officer or any authority in this country.

21. It now remains to determine the further steps which should be taken in the matter. In the memorandum which accompanied the report of the commissioners the attention of the Secretary of State is called to the fact that the counterpart of the Bond given under the 63rd section of the Passenger Act had not been sent to the Colony in this case, or the case of two other vessels from Liverpool. The duty of transmitting the Bond to the Colony is by the Act imposed on the Customs, not the Emigration Officer, and instructions have been given by the Board of Customs to prevent the recurrence of such an omission. In the present case, as the master escaped from the Colony, and as the Bond gives no power to seize the ship, no further steps could have been taken by the colonial authorities had the Bond been in their hands.

22. In respect to any proceedings in this country, it is clear that the fine of £1,140 for excess of passengers, which was inflicted under a misconstruction of the law, cannot be enforced. But the fine of £600 for the non-issue of water, and £120 for irregularity in the issue of provisions, ought to be enforced if it is possible to do so. The master of the "Ann Wilson" not having returned to this country is at present beyond reach, but the other obliger to the Bond, who appears to be the provision merchant employed in provisioning the ship, might be proceeded against if legal evidence