ARRIVAL OF IMMIGRANTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2722, 16 May 1906, Page 4

ARRIVAL OF IMMIGRANTS.

FARMERS AND NAVVIES. AUCKLAND, May 8. The steamer Dray ton Grange, "which, arrived from England to*d«y, brought for New Zealand ports 39 immigrants— 2l for Auckland, nine for Wellington, six for Canterbury, and three for Otago. All are British-born. The men are mostly under 40, and the women between 23 and 30. A large proportion are farmers.

WELLINGTON, May S. . The Tongariro, which arrived 10-day from London, brought 150' passengers in lbs third class. alx>ut half of. wjiom are -navvies- One of them, on being questioned as to what kind of men had arrived, said : " Oh. all sorts, and from all parts of the Old Country J Tlicvc are chaps from Lancashire, Yorkshire, v and other" places — miners, labourers, arid -farm -hands.-." Some of them. who started out as navvies, have changed their minds during the voyage. They bappen to have a little bit of money, and they have decided to take up land." In reply to the question " How •is London?" the speaker si id : "Oil, real bad! There are thousands of chaps out of work, and if only they had the money they'd come out here to try their luck. Only two of the navvies have brought out thoir wives, and the other married chaps are going to find; out first what kind of country this is, and what sort of' iob they're getting 1 ,, before they send Home for the missus and the kidsi" ,

CFk'om Otjh Own Coubxspondent.} WELLINGTON, May 8.

Some 40 navvies, who arrived by thd Tongariro to-day, made early application to the Labour Department, and were exceedingly surprised when they found that there were no billets awaiting them. They were, however, told to call again, and it i 3 understood that they will be sent on to th» North Island Mum Trunk line and other works. They seem to be a suitable class for pick-and-shovel work. Some of the men declared that if they didn't get work the Government would have to send them back again. Some of them, who have a. little money, have decided to take up land if they can get it. The men got passages out for £10 only. Two of them have brought thoir families with them.