EMIGRATION TO HAWKE'S BAY.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 11, Issue 834, 12 March 1867, Page 3

EMIGRATION TO HAWKE'S BAY.

(From the "Times.") Some fire years ago a project was set on foot by Miss B,ye and Miss Lewin, a niece of Mr. Grote, the historian, with a view to supply servants to the colonies of Australia and New Zealand, and to send them out under such conditions that they would escape the temptations and abuses which it is alleged prevail in the ordinary emigrant ships which sail to these countries. When the plan seemed possible of accomplishment and steps had been taken to promote it, Miss Bye proceeded to Australia with a number of single women whom she hud chosen as likely to be benefited by their removal to another land. When she had provided situations for those entrusted to her care Miss Bye made & progress through Australia and New Zealand for the purpose j of ascertaining those settlements in which the supply of domestics was not commensurate with the number of the inhabitants. In New Zealand she applied to nine local governments, and five of them have given her commissions to send out a contingent of servants to the districts over which they exercise authority, and to-day the ship Montmorency (700 tons) sails with 44 single women, 30 married couples, with their children, and 22 unmarried men—making a total of about 150 souls. This vessel has been commissioned by the Government of Hawke's Bay, which is situated on the north-east of New Zealand, and has a population of about 8,000 persons. Its capital is Napier (population 2,000), which is provided with an excellent harbour, called Fort Napier. Miss Bye has recommended the emigrants, who go out to their new homes under very favourable circumstances, to the attention of the local Government. Their passages have all been paid under the condition — which is made imperative by a regular agreement — that they repay £14 out of the £17 expended on their account, after they have resided for a period of three years in the colony in which they have been placed. The arrangements on board the ship which we have named afford the most unassailable safeguards against any interference with that portion of the occupants whose interests are regarded with especial care — the single women. The whole of the poop cabin is reserved for their use, and they are not permitted to hold any further converse with either the married or single male passengers than what is found absolutely necessary for carrying on the business of the vessel. Two or three of the most respectable married men act as constables, and bring food and whatever else is sent from the other parts of the ship to that in which the single women are located. A cabin is set apart in the poop-end for an infirmary, so that in case of illness removal to any other portion of the vessel is prevented. The women are provided with plenty of needlework to employ them during the voyage, while for the employment i of their leisure hours various games and interesting books will be placed at their disposal. The cabin in which they sleep, though not very extensive, is airy and we l ! ventilated, and is approached by a single door and staircase, to prevent even the remotest danger of intrusion. The married people, with their children, occupy the centre, and the single men the fore part of I the ship. It is a feature worthy of notice .in connexion with this experiment that there is no distinction of class ; all are j treated with the same consideration, as well regarding creature comforts as in all the other details of their arrangements. None of the female passecgers have ever been other than virtuous and industrious ; they are for the most part respectable girls reduced to distress by the death of one parent or of both. The promoters of the project consider that since the opportunities afforded are valuable they ought to be offered not to those who have led a life of vice, but to those who have been always honest and well-conducted. To the men the settlement of Hawke's Bay presents great advantages. Its soil is rich and alluvial, and the absence of timber on the greater portion of it conduces to the rapid progress of agriculture. Miss Bye asserts that not more than 6 per cent, of the single women already sent out under her supervision have disappointed her hopes, while not more than 2 per cent, have failed to return the money expended on the means of their transmission. Altogether, the experiment is worthy of consideration; and its results will supply an interesting addition to the social history of the time.