IMMIGRANTS ARRIVE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27391, 17 May 1950, Page 10

IMMIGRANTS ARRIVE

Draft Of 66 From Britain The population figure for the city could be increased by 66 as from the time of the arrival of the express from the north yesterday afternoon, for it brought to the end of their long journey 53 men and 13 women immigrants from Britain. The immigrants were the Otago draft from the party which came out on the latest trip of the Atlantis, and most of the members of the were labourers or tradesmen. Many such parties have arrived in the past few years, and the arrangements which are made on such occasions have become as familiar to those superintending the arrival as they are new to those arriving. The immigrants were accompanied on the train by the immigration officer, Mr P. C. K. Thomson, and the usual brief function was held immediately after their arrival. Taken by bus to the Early Settlers’ Hall, the party was welcomed by Mr A. McMillan, ‘representing the Immigration Welfare Committee, and associated with him were the Mayor, Sir Donald Cameron. Mr F. Jones, M.P., and the Rev. D. J. D. Hickman, National Council of Churches

With the exception of those who were able to go directly to the institutions at which they would live and work, the new arrivals were taken on to the St. Kilda Hostel and the Vauxhall Hostel for men and women respectively. “It has been a pretty good trip, even with the storm in the Tasman, but I am glad to he at the end of it,” said one of the newcomers. Asked how he felt about life in a new country now that he was starting on it. he said. “Ask me that in six months’ time.”