IMMIGRANTS ARRIVE

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25273, 27 August 1947, Page 9

IMMIGRANTS ARRIVE

NURSES, TIMBER WORKERS AND MINERS

The first of 10,000 immigrants which the Government expects to bring to New Zealand by 1949 arrived in Christchurch yesterday morning. The South Island quota totalled 24, 10 women for the Sunnyside Mental Hospital, 12 timber and coal minters for the West Coast, and one domestic and a timber worker who remained in Christchurch.

The nurses commenced work almost immediately on arrival at lheir new home. Among their number were four experienced cooks. The Medical superintendent at Sunnyside, Dr. A. C. McKillop, said that the staffing position had been considerably relieved by rhe nurses, but the hospital could still do with more.

Only four of the workers going to the West Coast were experienced in the trades to which they were going, but all were convinced they could make a success of their new work. They said they were under contract to stay in their new positions for two .years, and if they left before that time they would be asked to refund their passage money. Farm workers, a merchant seaman, and former servicemen were included m those for the timber industry, while ■he miners’ party comprised a former Irish policeman, a heavy transport driver, and a student teacher. The party was met on arrival by officers of the immigration division of the Labour and Employment Department. The immigrants, all single withdependants, and between the ages °f 20 and 35 years, were selected by £mcers of the division seconded to the High Commissioner’s Office in London, lhey had to pass a medical test, including an X-ray examination, before embarking The party for the West Coast left later in the day.