MANY NEW SETTLERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19627, 4 May 1927, Page 12

MANY NEW SETTLERS.

MATAROA'S CONTINGENT. GIRLS FOR FLOCK HOUSE'. FIVE PUBLIC SCHOOLBOYS. HIGH HOPES FOR THE FUTURE. With high hopes of future endeavour and success, 445 immigrants arrived at Auckland from London yesterday by the Shaw, Savill Company's Mataroa. They had left England at the end qf one cold winter and were not discouraged by the prospect of another. The philosophical statement of one man that if he able to work and bring food to h's family and give his children a decent education he would be happy, seemed to be the general outlook of most parauts. " It is the that bring nte to the other side of the world," stated one burly miner, late of the Midlands, and a father of six. "They have little chance of a good start in life in the Old Country just now. We understand that in New Zealand every child has an equal chance in life. And then there is the physical aspect of it. In the crowded, murky Midland towns real fresh air does not come their way often. In our new home I am sure my children will grow up well and fit in the wide open spaces." Auckland is always kind to new settlers, or nearly so. When the cold morning mist lifted the warm sun shone out and from the decks of the steamer hundreds of eyes beheld the pleasing and friendly prospect of green hills away in the distance and the city stirring to life for another day's toil just across the water. First impressions count for much, and the immigrants were well pleased. The Mataroa experienced a fair weather voyage and the health of the party remained good throughout. There were minor ailments among children, but nothing of a serious nature. The inevitable monotony of the sea was broken by calls at three places en route. Clearing Southampton on March 25, the Mataroa called for oil at Curacao in the West Indies on April 7. Continuing her voyage the same day she arrived at Colon on April 10. The following evening passengers were allowed ashore at Balboa and were delighted with the tropical beauty of the city and the brilliant lights. Call at Pitcairn Island. The long journey across the Pacific was broken by a call at the lonely outpost of Pitcairn Island. Here mail and fresh fruit were taken on board. The islanders reported that nothing eventful had taken place. Dances, deck games, children's parties and concerts whiled away the time. Many firm friendships were made and delighted as they were to at last reach their new home, the departure of pany from the Mataroa yesterday v/as tinged with sadness and inevitable loneliness. Included in the party were five public schoolboys, who came out under the Government settlement scheme. They all have farms to go to and were anxious to make a start. Also on board were six girls, ranging in age from 14 years to 17, who are destined for the girls' Block House, near Awapuni. They are the daughters of sailors who lost their lives in the Great War, and Miss Hemington, who was in charge of them, said they were all refined and would be a creditable addition to the Dominion's womenhood. Also in charge of Mist< Hemington were 30 domestics. All Occupations Represented. Of the total oi 445 new arrivals 97 were children and this is a very good average. The largest family was one of nine children, the youngest being a baby in arms and the eldest about 15. There were many families of four and five children. A total of 159 are remaining in the Auckland Province, the remainder being distributed throughout New Zealand. All trades and professions were represented, one man's sole claim to livelihood in the Dominion being his fame as a cornet player. Quite a proportion of the men were miners, but some stated that they were fit for any kind of heavy work. One family—a mother and father and three children—had had previous experience in settling in a new country. Some years ago they set out from England for South Africa, but fortune did not favour thein there, and after losing a considerable sum of money, they returned to England. And now they are in New Zealand with hopes of better luck. They intend to go in for farming. The fashions adopted by the newcomers are always a matter of interest to New Zealand people, but this time Auckland men and women have nothing to learn. One could not help noticing that the girls were very smartly dressed, chiefly in wellcut costumes and felt hats. The Oxford trousers and bowler hats, which were to be. seen on all ships arriving from England a few months ago, were conspicuous by their absence. These had been replaced by sober English tweeds and soft felt hats. Immigrants destined for places south of the Auckland Province left by express last evening.