I had been only about five months in the Colony when the cases connected with the "Wealer Chief" and the "Luzon" occurred. I then saw that there was a considerable deficiency in the various departments responsible for the treatment of seamen. The Colonial Surgeon reported to me that he was not provided with the necessary funds. The Harbor Master occasionally secured him a passage, and the Colonial Chaplain had funds at his disposal to procure comforts during the passage, but the Department felt wholly responsible for seeing the men put on board in a proper condition and with the accessories required.
Enclosure No. 1 contains the existing Regulations on this subject, which are posted in the Civil Hospital, the Sailors' Home, and Harbor Master's Office. These Regulations have been practically in force since last June, though dated 5th November last. The publication in the enclosed form was delayed merely to enable me to embody with them the Rules defining the action to be taken in reference to a death in the Civil Hospital, a matter of some difficulty until the necessary contract could be entered into.
If Your Lordship can suggest any further improvement in these Regulations, I shall be glad to adopt it, but I am at present satisfied with their present state.