“A GRAND PLACE”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26692, 11 February 1948, Page 4

“A GRAND PLACE”

Immediate Impression of Dunedin IMMIGRANTS ARRIVE One hundred years after the first immigrants reached Otago, a party of 52 men and 15 women from England, Scotland and Wales arrived in Dunedin yesterday to begin a new- life. Like the early pioneers, the latest immigrants revealed great enthusiasm for their new venture and a strong determination to succeed. Expressing deep appreciation for all that had been done for them since they were accepted as immigrants in Britain three or four months ago, they told the Daily Times yesterday that the kindness and hospitality had increased the nearer they came to their new home. The first comment on alighting from the express came from a young Scotswoman. “Aye, this is a grand place,” she said and her comment was endorsed by all approached. Not one could think of the smallest complaint.

The Deputy Mayor. Cr Wright, met the immigrants at the station, and Messrs L. C. Stephens <chairman! and C. J. Hayward, of the Dunedin Immigration Welfare Committee, met the train at Waianakarua and accompanied the immigrants on the final stage of their journey.

everyone, particularly the department and their new-found friends in the city, for ” the truly marvellous reception ” accorded them. All'had made up their minds to leave Britain for abroad, and they agreed that in choosing New Zealand, and Dunedin in particular. their choice had been the right one. After being accepted for immigration. following an interview and medical examination, they had to wait only three months before leaving Britain.

The party, which arrived at Wellington by the Atlantis and Rangitata, came south on Monday night in the Hinemoa and left Lyttelton by the express yesterday. They were accompanied by Mr R. O. McKissock. of the Department of Labour and Employment. which arranged the transport. accommodation and settlement of all immigrants. Two of the party left the train at Ashburton. 10 men and one woman at Timaru. and 11 men at Oamaru. Thirty-nine men and 15 women for Dunedin, as well as eight men for Wainahi and five men for Roxburgh, all left the train at Dunedin, while

Mr Andrew Graham. of Glasgow, used to make tiles for fireplaces before the war, but he will enter the building trade in Dunedin. Mr William Kane, of Falkirk, will take up a position as a moulder with a city firm, and Mr C. V. Dixon, of Burnley, Lancashire, will join the staff of an engineering firm. Others to follow their trades in engineering will be Messrs E. E. Owen, of Bolton. Lancashire, and Mr W. Pit-

the remainder continued their journey to Invercargill. Those for Waipahi will enter the State Forest Service at Conical Hills. The draft for Roxburgh will be employed on the hydro-electric scheme at Coal Creek. The men who will take up employment in Dunedin will be engaged in the welding, moulding, engineering and building trades. The women will work at woollen mills and hospitals and as domestics.

ley, of St. Albans. Hertfordshire., Mr W. J. Riley, of Wimbledon, will join the staff of a city foundry. Publicity in London Most of these men said that thesy were attracted to the Dominion by the New Zealand exhibition in London, where the Dominion was receiving a great deal of publicity. They said they believed they would find in New Zealand the nearest approach to a classless society, and looked forward to the social benefits which were available to a greater extent in the Dominion than anywhere else in the .world. The climate, too, was another attraction to them. Some of the men admitted that they would “ miss the Soccer.” but they added that they had seen the Kiwi Rugby team playing during its tour of Britain, and they were looking forward to seeing the game played in New Zealand. Many of them said they had met New Zealanders overseas during the war, and the servicemen from the Dominion had proved, without exception, “ right fine blokes.” All of the immigrants, both men and women, had the highest praise for the transport arrangements made for them from the time they left Britain until they arrived in Dunedin, and they were particularly appreciative of the care and consideration they had received from the department and the Immigration Welfare Committee. The Welfare Committee has planned social functions and entertainment for the immigrants during the next few weeks, and the department will continue to assist in their settlement.

All the men who arrived in Dunedin yesterday were taken to the Central Battery barracks at St. Kilda. where accommodation has been provided for them. Some of the women are being boarded privately, others will live at their places of employment and the hospital workers will live at the nurses - homes at the Truby King and Dunedin Public Hospitals. All the immigrants will be interviewed by their prospective employers to-day. Served During War All of the men served in the navy, the army or the air force during the war, and most of the women were in the W.A.A-F. or the A.T.S. All said that they had found great difficulty in “ settling down ” to a civilian life again in a country still suffering so severely from the effects of war, and they enthusiastically welcomed the opportunity to begin life anew in a country of which they had heard so many'favourable accounts. Among the women who arrived was Miss Mabel Askin, of Leeds, who served in the A.T.S. during the war. and who will be employed at the Dunedin Public Hospital. Misses Ivy Aitkenhead, of Newton Abbott, Devon, Irene Fox, of Dundee, and Eileen Holland, of Bradford, will work at the Mosgiel Woollen Mills. Miss Grace Ashley, of Hull, who has been living in London since she was demobilised from the W.A.A.F., will be employed at "the Y.M.C.A. hostel in Dunedin. All of these young women told the Daily Times that they wished to thank