ARRIVAL OF THE R.M.S. MERKARA

The B.I.S.N. Company's R.M.S. Merkara, from London, via ports, arrived off Cape Moreton at midday yesterday, and came up the river in the afternoon, with the assistance of the tug Boko. The Brisbane contingent of her immigrants were speedily transferred to the Boko which landed them at the depot shortly afterwards.

The Merkara sailed from London on the 10th February with a total of 387 immigrants, equal to 342 statute adults, who were placed under the charge of Dr. Woodward as surgeon-super-intendent, and Mrs Turnbull as matron.

Nationalities: 202 English, 35 Scotch, 106 Irish, and 44 from other countries. Classification: 110 free, comprising 52 English, 5 Scotch, and 53 Irish; 245 remittance and free nominated, of whom 118 are English, 30 Scotch, 53 Irish, and 44 from other countries; and 32 full-paying passengers.

Occupations : 82 female domestic servants, 98 farm labourers, 20 general labourers, 2 gardeners, 4 miners, 1 bricklayer, 1 engineer, 9 carpenters and joiners, 1 wheel-wright, 1 painter, and 15 others whose trade or occupation is not specified. Social condition: 31 married men, 27 married women, 156 single men, 92 single women, 37 male and 35 female children, between the ages of 1 and 12 years, and 9 infants.

She landed immigrants as follows :— Cooktown, 25; Townsville, 25; Bowen, 3, Mackay, 26; Rockhampton, 63; leaving 290 for Brisbane. She landed 38 tons of cargo at Cooktown, 730 tons at Townsville, 25 tons at Bowen, 18 tons at Mackay, 180 tons at Rockhampton, and has 78 tons for Maryborough, 6 tons for Bundaberg, and 1440 tons for Brisbane.

Captain G. Phillips reports that the R. M. S. Merkara left Gravesend at 4 p. m. on the 10th February, and experienced foggy weather in the Channel; arrived at Malta on the 19th at 8 p.m.; left next day at 8 a.m.; arrived at Port Said on the 23rd at 8 p.m.; entered Canal next morning at 7.15; left Suez at 3.45 p.m. on the 25th; arrived at Aden at 7.20 p.m. on the 2nd March, and left at 8 a.m. on the 4th, the mails being delivered one day late; reached Batavia on the 19th March, at 9 a.m., and left at noon on the 20th, arrived at Thursday Island at 6.30 a.m. on the 29th March, and left at 2 p.m. on the 30th; reached Cooktown at 6 a.m. on the 1st April, and delivered mails to s.s. Wentworth to date; left Cooktown at noon, and arrived at Townsville at 7 a.m. on the 3rd, and left at 12.30 p.m. on the 4th; arrived at Bowen at 3 a.m. on the 5th, and left at 7 a.m.; arrived at Mackay at 6 p.m. same day, and left at 11 p.m.; arrived at Rockhampton at 8 p.m. on the 6th and left at 5.30 a.m. next day. Fine weather was experienced during the voyage out, but we were unfortunate in having head winds. The health on board was excellent. Several entertainments and concerts were got up, and were much appreciated by everyone. The weather along the coast and until arrival in the Bay was stormy and wet.

On Tuesday last one of the single emigrant girls died from brain fever, and was buried at sea. One birth occurred during the voyage.

The Boko took down a number of visitors and friends of the passengers to meet the Merkara, and had an opportunity of visiting the German man-of-war Stosch, lying in the Bay. The officers of the ship were very hospitable, and the band played some lively airs during their stay. The Merkara is now berthed at South Brisbane, alongside Messrs. Parbury, Lamb and Co.'s wharf where she will discharge her inward cargo, and load again for London.