Commissioners Report

The Commissioners on visiting the above ship found the various compartments in a very creditable condition as to the cleanliness and order, and also well lighted and thoroughly ventilated.
The management generally were satisfactory, but the plumbing work was very badly done, especially in the case of the Single Women's closet and bathroom in the poop. The arrangement of the closet was very objectionable, there being three seats opening into one common trough, without sufficient fall to carry away the soil, the supply of water being inadequate and the service ill arranged.
The Commissioners were informed that the Surgeon Superintendent had constantly to seek the services of the Ship's Carpenter to remedy defects in the plumber's work.

Much dissatisfaction was expressed in the married and Single Men's compartments with respect to the dietary scale. Many of those who were in these compartments had been transferred from the Dilawur and held contract tickets, in the dietary scale on which were included cheese, carrots, and onions; none of these were placed on board; some others shewed contract tickets in which these articles were erased as they stated after issue; a third class had tickets in which these were omitted - on enquiry the Commissioners ascertained that these articles are not included in the present Contract and that the fault therefore does not rest with the Charterers. The same however does not apply to the omission of condensed eggs for children; a grave one as there is no possiblilty of keeping eggs fresh beyond the first week or two of the passage.

Appended to this Report are three of the original Contract tickets and other papers held by the Immigrants per Star of India by which the discrepancy will be evident which has caused much annoyance both to the officers of the ship and the Immigrants upon what seems otherwise to have been a very pleasant voyage.

The Commissioners would further remark that the scale posted in each compartment of the ship contained the articles viz: cheese, carrots, and onions, which under the present Contract have not to be provided.

The quality of the provisions was good and the serving out and cooking had been regular and satisfactory. The distilling apparatus had worked well giving an ample supply of water throughout the voyage.

The class of Immigrants was highly satisfactory, this may be especially remarked of the single females who both in physique and in conduct compared favorably with any shipment hitherto received.

Several of the Immigrants had been detained at the port of embarkation, some had been paid the amount allowed for such detention, others, notably Germans not speaking English, had not been paid. - The Commissioners would recommend that in future the Shipping officer should see these claims adjusted before the ship sails.

The Matron Miss Ferrier is very highly commended both by the Captain and Surgeon Superintendent. The Commissioners commend the payment of full Gratuities.

sgd  Wm Donald  R.M.
John J Rowe  J.P.
J E March
Lyttelton, 2nd January 1874

Archives NZ Ref: IM 74/96; IM73/1488 attached; with IM 74/99