A Government Surveyor stated that when the "SS Hongkong" left, she was seaworthy, well found, and in every way fit to convey passengers. In regard to the ventilation, he alleged that the main hatchway was, if not perfectly right, at least fairly good.
The fore hatch was 5 feet square, and the length of the passenger deck was 45 feet, of which 12 feet were open for an air tarpaulin. The tarpaulin thrown over a frame was originally properly fitted with canvas, which, with common care, would have been of more benefit to the passengers than the house. The crew was the same as had been sanctioned by the officials at Sydney for the voyage from there back to Hongkong.
In respect to the provisions, he stated that they had been properly surveyed, and that it was impossible for the Officer to personally ascertain the actual quantity of provisions and water on board.
It appeared to me that these explanations were not satisfactory, and that the ship could not have been in the condition in which she reached Melbourne if she had been seaworthy when she sailed. The lighting and ventilation of the passenger deck, which I examined, were 12 feet square...