The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General
31 January 1873
The ship sailed from Hamburg on the 29th July ultimo, and arrived in Port Chalmers on the 6th December, thus making a passage of 130 days. On her arrival she was placed in quarantine, in consequence of having had scarlet and typhoid fever on board during the voyage. The immigrants were admitted to pratique on the 23-12-72, and on the same day received into the Dunedin Immigration Barracks, after which date they were open for engagement. The single men and women were easily disposed off, the former at wages from 12s to 15s per week with board and lodgings, and the latter at from 20 to 25 pounds p.a. I have not, however, been so successful in placing the married immigrants, as farmers and run holders are generally disinclined to employ men with a family of children, and appeared much more so in their case of the fact that they were entirely ignorant of the English language, and consequently could not be made to understand what they were required by their employers.
There were 28 families engaged on farms and stations, at from 30 to 40 pounds p.a., with full rations for their children. The remaining families being in barracks provided for at the Government expense, and there being little or no demand, for them.
I applied to Mr. J Smith, Messrs. BRODGENT’S agent to give them a contract on the Southern Trunk Railway, which he readily agreed to, but before accepting the offer they deemed it advisable to depute two of their number, in whom they had confidence, to visit the work and report.
I took the liberty of employing a conveyance, and accompanied them, with an interpreter, in order that they might clearly understand the nature of the work they were expected to perform, and other minor matters of which it was necessary that they should be informed.
Having decided upon accepting Mr. Smith’s terms I have had to incur the expense of conveying them and their families in wagons to the locality where they were to be employed, fifteen miles from Dunedin, and also to purchase timber to make frames for tents in which they and their families were to lodge.
The immigrants were chiefly composed of Danes, Norwegians and German-Poles, there being only about 14 Germans proper among the number. They appeared to belong to the poorer classes as was evident from the scantiness of their wardrobe. Although the experiment of introducing them into this Province, as farm servants to supplement the labour market has not been altogether so successful as might have been expected, yet I feel gratified in being able to state that those sent to the railway are doing well and making good wages, and I have had reports from their employers from other parts of the country which are equally gratifying. It was, however, rather imprudent to send 100 families in one shipment to this Province, with a view of their being readily absorbed among the settlers as farm servants. 30 families at one time, with a number of young men and women, would be sufficient for our requirements.
I feel that the immigrants per “Palmerston” would be most successful if they were located together in a special settlement as their plodding habits and fertility of resources would enable them to overcome difficulties, and their ambition being less extravagant than the people from the home country, their wants would be more easily supplied.
I may state that I have addressed a letter to His Honour the Superintendent of Otago, asking if the Government would be inclined to sell them land in the township of Greytown, on the Taieri River, near their contract on the railway, with a view of forming a settlement there, and I am glad to state that my proposition was favourably entertained by the Government, as may be seen on perusal of the report of the same on the “MORNING STAR” of yesterday date (30-1-73).
In any future shipments of Scandinavians to the Colony, I would respectfully suggest that English ships should be employed to convey them to their destination, and English teachers, both male and female, be engaged to instruct them in the English language on the voyage. The aptitude of foreigners to learn English is well known, and if such means at I refer to were used, they would acquire such a knowledge of the language as would be of incalculable benefit to them on their arrival in the Colony.
I cannot speak too highly of their quiet, steady, and unobtrusive character as a class. They are very industrious and always appeared very willing to do anything required of them. During their sojourn in barracks they cheerfully conformed to the regulations made for preserving order.”
I have, &c.,
The Under Secretary Colin Allan.
Immigration Office, Wellington.
