17
considered as admitted. Fifthly, in regard to the crew it is no answer to say that it had been "sanctioned by the officials at Sydney." The vessel did not sail from Sydney with passengers, and the Colonial Authorities would, therefore, have no right to interfere with her manning worthiness. As the "Dayspring" was a vessel of 393 tons, a crew of 14, assuming that number would not have been too many if they had been all efficient sailors. It was most probably too few, considering that 10 out of 14 were South Sea Islanders. Sixthly, in respect to provisions, the circumstances lead to a suspicion that those inspected by the Emigration Officer were never put on board. It will be remembered that the ration was reduced the very day after the ship sailed - before, therefore, there could have been reason to suppose that the provisions would be exhausted on the voyage, and the provisions are described as bad from the commencement.
The Emigration Officer’s excuse that it is impossible that the Officer should personally ascertain the actual quantity of provisions and water on board is very unsatisfactory.