…I beg, however, as the doubt has been expressed, to append an extract from a letter dated 7th February, 1873, received from Messrs. Slowman and Co., bearing on this very point; and in confirmation of Mr. Slowman’s statement, I now append the following extract from the French Veritas:-
“’Palmerston,’ 5/6a.11.4 masts, 950 tons register, two decks with orlop beams, German flag, built in 1853, in Liverpool, iron, five compartments, repaired 1866 and 1868; bottom caulked in 1872, length 75.8, breadth 8.8, depth 7.20 metres; owned by R. M. Slowman and Co., Hamburg.”
I cannot help adding that it has afforded me extreme gratification to find that the Immigration Commissioners at Otago, in their report upon the “Palmerston,” have declared, “We have no hesitation in stating that no emigrant ship ever entered this port better fitted in every respect for the conveyance of immigrants than the ship “Palmerston.” (Report dated 23rd December , 1872.) I have, & c.,
E. Featherston,
The Hon. The Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent General
