A PAGE OF HISTORY.

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1425, 10 November 1923, Page 3

A PAGE OF HISTORY.

HOW DELUDED EMIGRANTS PROSPERED. The deaths of two Italian patriarchs on the Richmond river, which fio.vs through the fertile nurih coast of New South Wales, has recalled one of the most interesting incidents in the settlement of the State. New Italy, where Mr Antonio Mo rand i and Mr Antonio Felicietti have died, is a remarkable demonstration of low grit and determination can overcome the grca rst hardships and disappointments that can afflict those who have abandoned their 'homes and crossed the world in search of livelihood and independence. Of all the brave 'ittJe group of settlers who founded it none has left more honoured memory than Mr Morendi, who was one of the few surviving original settlers, nor Mr Felicietti, who joined them within a few years of the original settlement. For the most circumstantial account of how New Italy came to he founded one must turn to “New Italy,” by Clifford—a work of 1888. Therein it is described how, in January, 1879, Charles du Breil, Marquis de Ray, founded a scheme for the colonisation of “New France, the free colony of Port Breton, in Oceania,” to settle upon New Ireland, an island about 350 miles north east of New Guinea. The climate and fertility of the soil were pictured in glowing colours. Houses and land were'offered; to the Italian emigrants on very favourable terms, the “India” was chartered, and in July, 1880, nearly 300 left for the paradise that was offered. On the j voyage partly owing to the severity j of the climate, but more especially to 1 the wretchedly bad condition of the provisions shipped, 48 deaths took place. On arrival at Port Breton in October, 1880, it was found that no preparation had been made in the way of dwellings, and the heat was frightful. Food ran short and the utmost maladministration prevailed. The India was used as a boarding house for four months, when at length the disgusted and unhappy people prevailed upon the captain to land them in New South Wales. The India left Port Breton in February, 1881, hut through stress of weather and want of provisions had to put into Noumea, New Caledonia, where the French condemned her as unseaworthy and ordered her to be sold. The immigrants refused to stay in New Caledonia, stating that there were only criminals there, and the French Government provided them with passages to Sydney at a cost of £3 each, taking a bill of sale over the condemned vessel and cargo as security. In April, 1881, they were received very kindly by the Government and people of New South Wales, and liberal subscriptions and offers of assistance were received. One of the party proceeded to Woodburn, on the then little known Richmond river, and selected 42 acres of what was regarded as waste scrub land. Others selected, about Richmond Terrace and elsewhere. But the reports from Rosea Comminitti from Woodburn were so encouraging that a number followed him, and soon the whole of the original party established themselves in the colony every since known as New Italy, and by 1885 they had become an industrious and thriving communal colony with their own priest and doctor. In their skill in vine growing and other forms of agriculture, and in their example of self-helpful contentment they have since continued to be an object lesson often quoted throughout that part of the State, and to-day the few survivors of the original party are revered as patriarchs, and honoured with almost Old Testament regard by their descendants.