BUSY DAYS AT CASTLE GARDEN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 8, 15 June 1888, Page 29

BUSY DAYS AT CASTLE GARDEN.

(From the N. Y. Sun.)

The annual rush of immigrants from Ireland began in earnest thi season with the arrival of ths Germaniaon Saturday and the Dmbria on Sunday . During January and February 2,188 immigrants landed in Castle Garden, so that it is expected that the total arrivals for the year will equal if not exceed the exceptionally large immigration of last year of 56,860 arrivals. Tbe rusn will last till about November, then the inward tide will flow more slowly until the following March.

Casde Garden on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday was a scene of great activity. The clerks, under Superintendent Jackson were pushed to their utmost capacity, for the yearly flow of general immigration is now at its height. Polish Jews, Germane, Swelea Engiish, French, Italians, people of all nationalities, were being registered iv the big books as fast as nimble pens could write their names. A babel of divers tongues filled the room with a conflict of sounds, but there was no confusion, for a host of interpreters busied themselves in pointing out the straight path to Freedom and a career, dropping a few hints meanwhile concerning the pitfalls that made the way hazardous. The majority of the arrivals, however, were Irish, a class that gives the Castle Garden authorities very lictle trouble, as they not only show a willingness to adapt themselves to their new surroundings, but seem to make our land their own as soon a 9 ttey reach our shores. " Faith, but thim's aquare lot, thim foreigners," afftibly remarked one brawny Irish lad to the Evening Sun reporter, as he pointed to :i Lroup of Hollanders in wooden shces and quaint attire. " But sure, there's room for all of thim," the immigrant added, and then, lugging a big valise in one hand and a kit of carpenter's tools in the other, he marched boldly out into the crowded streets.

Fully 75 per cent, of the Irish immigrants have their passage prepaid by friends who have preceded them to this country, usually by relations, and on their arrival they are either met by their friends in the Garden or tickets furnished them for inland towns. The remaining 25 per cent, pay their own passages and look for work as SDon as they leave the Garden. The number of young women among the immigrants is very large, and, as a rule, the object that brings them to our land is to enter domestic s rvice.

Almost all immigrants are cared for on their arrival by good men of their own race who devote themselves to this work, but in extent of labour and in thoroughness the work of the Mission of the Rosary for the Protection of Immigrant Girls surpasses all kindred efforts. Incidentally all Irish immigrants are looked after by this Mission, but the great object is attended to in an absolutely perfect manner. E /cry young Irish woman, irrespective of religion, or whether she has money or is penniless, is interviewed by the Rev, Hugh Kelly or his asßibtant, Mr. Patrick McOool. Their names are registered, their destinations learned. If they are to go to places at a distance they aro kept in the Mission until the departure of their trains. If in search of work they are boarded until respectable situations are procured.

In a word, the Mission guards the girls from all evil influences they might be subject to as strangers and friendless. The detail of the Mission carries it to a point that the Castle Garden authorities, from pressure of cares, cannot reach.

" Most of the girls who come under our care," said Mr. McOool to the reporter, " give us no trouble at all, and are grateful for the care we take of them We frequently find that young girls contract acquaintances on the ships with young men, often from tha same parts as themselves, who are not as innocent as the girls by any means. By inviting the girls to the Mission all trouble is avoided. When we first began the mission work we found in existence what may be termed an organised gang, whose object was to fleece young immigrant girls, or do worse, and who lay in wait outside the Garden to meet such girls. We have broken that gang up. " Even now, at times, a wrong-minded man will sometimes gain access to the tug 3at the docks and come with the immigrants to the Garden. On this account the steamship agents are very careful to whom they issue passes. When such a party is found among the immigrants Boundsraan Tom Hynes or some other officer quickly expels him."

As a compliment to the late Father Eiordan, the founder of the Mi|fion, the Commissioners of Emigration have just placed a fine portrait of the good priest in their committee room. It is handsomely framed in bronze and gold, and ia greatly adociied by all visitors to Castle Garden. There are many in our city who have never seen thiß havea of prospective citizens. To such a visit will be fruitful of new experiences and thoughts, for the sight is one of the most marvellous ones in this wonderful country.