ARRIVAL OF THE COUNTESS OF KINTORE
The Star April 29th 1876

The ship signalled last evening turned out to be the Countess of Kintore, as expected, from London, with immigrants 83 days out. The vessel anchored at 11.45 a.m. to-day. The health officers alone had gone off to her, sickness having been reported on board by the Sydney telegrams. The ship is placed in quarantine four deaths from measles having occurred on the passage. One patient is still isolated on account of malignant scarlatina. Measles prevailed on board throughout the passage, and visited all parts of the ship but the saloon. The saloon passengers remain on board the ship. The immigrants have been landed at Ripa Island.

ARRIVAL OF THE COUNTESS OF KINTORE
The Star May 1st 1876 

The ship which was signalled on Friday evening proved to be the Countess of Kintore, from London, with immigrants and fifteen saloon passengers. A fine North-east breeze was blowing on Saturday morning, before which the vessel ran into an anchorage off Ripa Island at 11.45 a.m. Sickness on board having been reported by the Sydney telegrams, the Health and Immigration Officers alone proceeded to the vessel in H. M. Customs steam launch. Arriving alongside, the health report was handed to them, which set forth that there were 197 passengers all told on board, and that the saloon passengers and crew had been free from sickness throughout the passage. Amongst the immigrants measles had broken out on Feb 5th just after leaving. The last case occurred on April 19, and the patient became convalescent on April 27. There were twenty-four cases altogether, and four deaths amongst the children, none of whom were more than three years old. One infant also died from inanition. One case of malignant scarlet fever had also occurred during the latter part of the voyage. The report also showed that every precaution to prevent the spread of the disease had been taken. The patients were kept apart from the others, and clothes &c., thoroughly fumigated, while disinfectants had been largely used. On reading the report, the Health Officer decided at once to place the ship in quarantine, and the yellow flag was hoisted accordingly. On the return of the launch the s.s. Gazelle was dispatched to the ship for the purpose of towing the boats from the ship to Ripa Island. This work was carried out under superintendence of Mr March, Immigration Officer, was safely accomplished by 5.30 p.m. on Saturday.
As all communication with the ship was inderdited, our reporter was unable to obtain a full account of the voyage. Mr March kindly furnished the following information:- The passage had occupied 83 days. The vessel was under the command of Captain Norie, and Dr. Davidson was the surgeon-superintendent. It will be remembered that Dr. Davidson came out as Surgeon-superintendent of the Cicero, and knowing that, every one may rest assured that nothing was neglected on his part to conduce to the general health and comfort of the immigrants.
  The Countess flies Messrs. Shaw, Saville and Co's house flag this trip this trip , and is consigned to Matheson's Agency. The Custom's launch visited the Quarantine Island yesterday morning, the the following report was given by Dr Davidson:- Alfred Stokes, the patient suffering from scarlet fever, is now convalescent and the rest of the immigrants are in good health. The saloon passengers remain on board the vessel, as it is not deemed necessary to send then ashore, no sickness having existed among their number, and after the usual fumigating process has been gone through, they will be released."
  A meeting of the Board of Health will be held in Christchurch , at 10 a.m. today, to receive the report on the ship.