1866 - The New Zealand Handbook (11th ed.) - CHAPTER VIII. HOW TO GET TO NEW ZEALAND.

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CHAPTER VIII.

HOW TO GET TO NEW ZEALAND.

THE VOYAGE. --Clipper ships, favoured with fair breezes, now frequently make the run to New Zealand in 80 days; but the average passage is 100. If the vessel be not driven from her course by adverse winds, she will sail near the track marked on the accompanying map, a distance of about 14,000 English Miles. This marine journey may be said to consist of four stages--the first, from Gravesend to the Cape de Verds, which are generally sighted--the second, from the de Verds to Tristan d'Acuna, where, at a distance off of about 500 miles, the vessel is rounding the Cape of Good Hope--the third, from d'Acuna to where she is passing southwards of St. Paul's--the fourth, from that longitude to her journey's end.

Our lady readers, glancing at the map track, might fancy that all the way from Portugal to the Cape it would be nicer and nearer to sail more in-shore. It is not only safer, however, to keep away from land, but by so doing better winds are secured; and if by sailing on a longer line a vessel gets into winds blowing her along ten and twelve miles an hour, day and night, the extra distance she steers to find such winds is amply made up to her by the greater speed they enable her to travel at.

Differing from Canada and our North American colonies in this respect, there is no particular "season" in which to sail for New Zealand. We certainly have to provide for more Passengers from May to October than in the other six months; but our ships sail regularly at intervals of a few days, the year through. It is always hot for a week or two near the equator, and always cool or cold in sweeping round the Cape and St,

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Paul's; but there is no real winter to be encountered either in New Zealand or in going thither, and the practice of our Passengers is to sail when quite prepared, and not to wait for any particular month.

The voyage may seem, and really is, a long one; but when people are pleasant with each other--especially during the first unsettled week of two, which is always the worst time--it passes away far more smoothly and quickly than would generally be believed. Eating, drinking, and sleeping, alone, occupy many an hour of the four-and-twenty; then there is company and conversation, the weekly service of religion, 1 the solace of books, chess and draughts, evening song and occasional dance, the meeting of other travellers on the deep, the painted skies of tropical sunsets, and the novel sights of dolphin and boneta, nautilus and flying fish, albatross and frigate-bird, shark and whale.

Some profitable employment, too, may be found on board; some useful knowledge may be acquired; while there are children and even adults to teach. We have known father and boys fructify many an idle hour making useful fishing nets, while mother and girls of the humbler order of emigrants, providing calicoes and cottons, make up little stocks of apparel worth good pounds to them on arrival.

Thus, what with one thing, what with another, the time passes away; and though in 80 or 100 days at sea there will be tedious hours, the reflective emigrant easily endures them when he remembers that emigration is a tonic medicine, saving or restoring us, and that the voyage it entails is the mere smack of bitter tasted for the moment as we take the draught.

As to health and safety, a voyage to New Zealand in a first-class, well-found, well-commanded, Passenger Packet is now made without fear or risk. The improvement in the construction of ships, the higher training and education of captains and officers, the

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discoveries of experience in perfecting ventilation, the aids of science in enabling us to store our Liners with fresh provisions and abundant water, have so reduced the "perils of the sea," that among the thousands of passengers whom, in the last few years, we have conveyed to New Zealand, the mortality, especially among infants, has actually been less than the returns of the Registrar General show would have occurred among an equal number of people living ashore.

SHIPS. --Our Passenger Packets are vessels of from 1,500 to 2,500 tons--all picked, A1. Ships, carrying-Surgeons, and commanded by experienced Officers. They generally load at the "New Zealand Quay," in the East India Docks, drop down to Gravesend, and then proceed down Channel, without stop or call, to their various New Zealand Ports. They are regularly advertised in the Times; while every information as to Ships on the Berth, Ports of Destination, Days of Sailing, &c, &c, may always be obtained by addressing a line to us at 34, Leadenhall Street.

PROVISIONING SHIPS--Our Chief-cabin Passengers (the same as in the Indian Lines) are supplied with a liberal table, including an abundance of live stock. Indeed, as a large proportion of our Passengers are those who come to us through the recommendations of friends who have preceded them to the Colony by our Ships, and as these recommendations are based partly on the "good table" which they have experienced, we find it best for our own interest, as well as for our passengers', to conduct our sea house-keeping, for all compartments of the Ship, on a somewhat liberal scale; and we venture to think that in this respect those who entrust to us the business of conveying them to New Zealand will never have just cause to complain.

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The Table supplied to Passengers in all other compartments of the Ship than in the Chief Cabin is given in the Dietary Scale below.

SCALE OF DIETARY FOR EACH ADULT, SECOND, AND THIRD, CABIN PASSENGER, PER WEEK.

For all children and infants an equivalent quantity of sago, flour, rice, raisins, suet, and sugar will be substituted for salt meat, if required.

Provisions of the best quality are put on board according to the above scale for 22 weeks, together with an abundant supply of extra stores, as medical comforts, for passengers, generally.

DRINKABLES. --Ale, porter, wines, and spirits are put on board and supplied at the following rates; but, under the provisions of the Passengers' Act, spirits cannot be supplied to any other than Chief Cabin Passengers, save and accept as "medical comforts,"

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under the sanction of the Surgeon; while for the strict preservation of order and sobriety in the ship, and for the good of all, the quantity of wine and spirits, supplied to Passengers of any class is never allowed to be in excess.

(PRIVATE) EXTRA STORES. --We are often asked by our second and third class Passengers whether it be desirable to take a few little "extras." The Dietary Scale given at page 89 will be found fully adequate to supply all necessaries, and to keep up health and strength for even the longest voyage. But, where circumstances admit of it, a few little extras will be found a nice addition to the sea-fare, and will give a little variety to its sameness. Thus, we should advise those who can afford it, especially where there are children, to take with them a small quantity of jams and jellies, some fancy biscuits, some sago, or arrowroot, a little raspberry vinegar, some soda and acid to make a cool drink in the tropics, and such like things as can be packed in small compass, and prepared without much trouble. Preserved milk, also, is a great, though rather an expensive, luxury, There is one preparation of it, however, in the shape of a powder, a small bottle of which makes a quart of milk, at a cost of a shilling. It possesses an advantage over milk preserved in a liquid state, inasmuch as it need not be all used at once. Where there are children, it will be found a very nice thing.

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RATES OF PASSAGE.

For Children, under 12 years, one-half of the above rates are paid. For Infants, under 12 months, no charge is made.

VOYAGE-CLOTHING (THE LEAST) REQUIRED BY SECOND AND THIRD CABIN PASSENGERS:--

Children.

1 warm cloak or outside coat.
2 suits of outer clothing, with sufficient head covering.
7 shirts or shifts.
4 flannel petticoats, or waistcoats.
6 pairs of stockings (half worsted).
2 pairs of good boots or shoes.
1 or 2 pairs warm gloves.

Women.

1 good warm cloak (made with a hood), or 1 good warm shawl.
2 strong gowns, one to be warm, and head covering.
6 shifts.
2 good flannel petticoats,
6 pairs stockings (half worsted).
2 pairs strong boots or shoes.
1 or 2 pairs warm gloves.

Men.

1 good, warm overcoat.
2 suits of outer clothing.
6 shirts.
2 flannel or Guernsey shirts.
6 pairs socks, or stockings (half worsted).
2 pairs strong boots or shoes.
1 Scotch or other cap, and a southwester or good felt hat.
(Chimney-pot hats are not worn on board, nor yet in the colony.)
4 towels, and 2 lbs. marine soap for each person.

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As in each person's common stock of clothing there is generally a portion wearable enough to form half of this Voyage-Outfit, the cost of the new things to be bought will not exceed a few pounds. Of course, where a Passenger can afford it, he may provide twice this outfit. It is a great mistake, however, to think that a large stock of clothing is indispensable for the voyage. Passing through the heat of the tropics, and exposed to cold at the southward of the Cape, Passengers should be provided against both extremes. But this can well be done without making preparations of an elaborate or expensive character. We should, too, advise all passengers to obtain the sea-going portion of their Outfit from one or other of the many respectable outfitters in London, for these Houses have had much experience in the trade, and can give their customers sound, practical, advice.

REGULATIONS OF THE LINE.

ENGAGING PASSAGE. --The earlier cabins and berths are secured, of course, the better the choice. A deposit of one-half (forfeited in case of non-embarkation) is paid on engaging the passage. It can be remitted from the country by post-office orders, or, when large in amount, by banker's draft.

FITTING UP CABINS. --Chief Cabin Passengers fit up their own cabins. Second Cabin and other Passengers have berths built for them, but find their own bedding, and any little extra fittings they may think they require. They also provide themselves (according to the number of the party) with knives, forks, spoons, tin dishes and baking dish, a saucepan or two, cups, saucers, and mugs, metal tea and coffee-pot (a hook teapot to hang on the bars of the stove is very handy), water-cans with lids (equal to holding a gallon for each member of the family) and bags, tins, or canisters, to hold a week's small stores and half a week's rations; together with wash-bowl, 4 lbs. of marine soap, towels, brush and comb, and slop pail with lid. A dozen or two hooks to screw into the ceiling and sides of the berths, some tacks, a couple of gimblets, a claw hammer, and a ball of strong string, will also be found useful; and a small filter, though not necessary, is occasionally taken in the second

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cabin, together with a small safety lantern, and 6 lbs. of composition candles. Some admirable hints as to fitting up Cabins, the preparation of sea dishes, the life on board ship, &c, &c, will be found in a little work, which every emigrant should get, called "Life at Sea," price 2d., published by Mr. Street, 3O, Cornhill, London.

BEDDING. --Beds, or (better) good new mattrasses, should be of these dimensions:--Single female, 5 1/2 feet by 18 inches; men's, 6 feet by 20 inches; married couples, 6 feet by 36 inches. Bolsters and pillows to match, and for each mattrass two or three pairs coarse sheets, two blankets, and one strong coverlet. The Second Cabin and Steerage-voyage clothing is described at page 91.

COOKING. --This, for the Second Cabin and Steerage, is done at the public stoves, on deck, by the Cooks of the Ship; and, Passengers of these classes, prepare their own favourite dishes, make their own arrangements for forming themselves into little parties for messing, and keep their own compartments clean and comfortable. 2

ISSUING STORES AND RATIONS. --The Steward and one of the officers of the Ship issue the stores and rations to Second Cabin and Steerage Passengers, at a fixed hour, generally as follows:--water every day, meat and large stores every second day, groceries and small stores once a-week.

LUGGAGE. -- Chief cabin passengers carry 20 cubic feet measurement, Second cabin 20 feet, and Steerage 10 feet of luggage, free of charge: the remainder, if any, is paid for at the rate of 1s. 6d. per cubic foot. Boxes intended for the cabin should not exceed 2 feet 3 inches long, 1 foot 8 inches broad, and 1 foot 3 inches high. Luggage forwarded from the country for shipment must be carriage paid. The name of the passenger and the port of his destination should be painted on each case or package; and then each should have a card tacked on bearing this direction:--"To be delivered at the East India Docks, per New Zealand ship -----------------" All passengers' luggage and goods, too, should be delivered at the docks three days before the sailing of the ship.

N.B. --The luggage necessary to have in the cabin should be marked "cabin," and that the most likely to be "wanted on the voyage," should bear these words, so that it may be stowed in the hold where it can be got it. The linen, &c., required by intermediate and fore cabin passengers for the first week or two is best packed in a handy bag, and all bedding should be clearly marked "cabin."

Every care will be taken of passengers' baggage, but no responsibility in respect of it attaches to the ship unless a bill of lading is taken. This is recommended when there is much extra luggage, and then each package must be marked and numbered.

In cases where passengers are taking goods or a large quantity of effects, requiring the services of a Custom House agent for clearing, we are always happy to act.

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EMBARKATION. --Chief cabin passengers, and generally a portion of the Second, embark at Gravesend the day after the ship has left dock; but Steerage passengers will find it better to embark in the docks. Trains to Gravesend, 30 miles off, leave the Fenchurch Street Station about every hour and a half. At Gravesend, the vessel anchors about half a mile from the pier, and remains there about 24 hours. Shore boats put passengers on board at the rate of 6d. per head when there is a party of four. To save themselves expense, fore cabin passengers from the country, after they have all ready to start, should write and ask us what day they must be at the docks. We would caution them, too, when in London, to give the cold shoulder to any strangers who may kindly offer to assist them in any little matter; for sometimes there are even decent-looking men prowling round the docks and dock streets, whose room is better than their company. If any little difficulties arise, country passengers should at once come to our Office, where they will receive every attention and assistance.

N.B. --When there is a large family party, or a party of friends going together, especially in the Second Cabin and Steerage, it will be found a capital plan for one or two of the most active members of it to come up to the ship three or four days before the rest, so as to complete the various little cabin, arrangements, and to get so much at-home on board as to enable them to receive and welcome the rest.

SEEING SHIPS IN DOCK. --We are always pleased that our vessels should be inspected by intending emigrants or their friends, for we know that they will bear inspection. But after our ships arrive home on their return voyages from China, India, Australia, or New Zealand, with their cargoes of tea, silk, wool, or what not, we always give them a thorough overhauling; and if any of our country friends should happen to go down to look at the finest packets of our Line, or the finest ship afloat, when they are in this "stripped state," or even when they are in dock taking in cargo and finishing fitting up, they would find them in a very disorderly condition. Indeed, the difference between a ship in dock receiving her stores and freight, with her sails unbent, her decks lumbered up with cargo, and the same ship at Gravesend or in the Channel, all bright, clean, and orderly, cannot be appreciated by those who have not had an opportunity of judging; and if when a passenger is looking at one of our ship, there happen to be any first-class vessel for any part of the world, about leaving dock, such vessel would give him a more truthful idea of the real sea-going look and state of one of our Packets, than the particular ship he might think of going by, if such ship were only preparing for her voyage.

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NEW ZEALAND GENERAL OUTFIT. --Almost the only important question on which practical New Zealand authorities have materially differed has been the question of Outfit:--some, almost recommending the Emigrant to land with little more than a walking stick and a wallet; others, to take almost every article from house and mangle down to pepper-box and rolling-pin. We wish we could tell our readers that the last advice was the best, for if each of our Passengers would carry some good bulky freight with him, he would be so much the better a customer. Judging, however, by the evidence of Colonists, who are now so frequently visiting the Mother Country on trips of pleasure and business, and most of whom we have the pleasure of conveying back, we are bound to say that, in these present days, the small outfit is far better than the big one. Some years ago, when the Colony was more in its infancy, and before trade had made its channels, there were many articles necessary for the emigrant to take which he could now purchase in the shops and stores of the Colony almost as advantageously, everything considered, as he could at-home; and, now, New Zealand outfits cannot well be too small.

At the same time, it should be said that the capitalist or small-capitalist, going to New Zealand to embark in some particular pursuit, might still find it better to take with him certain special things needed in such pursuit than to trust to getting them, just when he wanted them, equally good and genuine in the Colony. Here, however, it is obviously impossible to lay down any general rule; and, here, any of our readers, desiring further information, should write to us and avail themselves of the offer made in our Introductory Remarks. We think, too, that when a family, breaking up any little home or household, is about to have a Sale, they would do well, first, to put aside a few of their best and most portable things to take with them. A little store of table cutlery and linen, a few good blankets, a good carpet or two, any little plate, a few good books, and prints, any little odds and ends of ornament and use,

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are easily packed, cost no great deal in freight, and are familiar "bits of things" which it will be pleasant to have about one in the new house in the New Land; while if any of them have to be replaced there, as would probably be the case, they would cost quite double, possibly quadruple, the money they would fetch at the sale at-home.

With these two exceptions, however, and merely adding that there should be taken a fair stock of clothing of much the same description as would be worn in rural life in England, including a good supply of strong, water-tight, lace-up boots, we unhesitatingly say that, in these days, in fitting out for New Zealand, the passenger's motto should be, as much money as possible, and as few things"

Our mechanic friends always take their most useful tools, and both mechanics and labourers, in addition to the voyage-clothing, described at page 91, which is the least the Government Inspector will let them embark with, should take any little additional apparel they may possess, and any little, box-packing, articles of handy use.

TAKING MONEY. --Small sums of money can be taken in gold, and placed in one's box, but the safer plan for sums of any considerable amount is to take "Letters of Credit." These can be obtained either at the Banks doing business with New Zealand, or at our own office. We issue them to Passengers by our Line, free of charge. The Passenger pays into our hands the amount he wishes to take with him, and receives in exchange, an Order, a "Letter of Credit," as it is called, on our Agents at the Port to which he is bound. The Letters of Credit are issued in duplicate; and the usual plan is for the Passenger to carry one with him, and to enclose the other in a Registered Letter addressed to himself, to lie till called for, at the Post Office of the New Zealand Port to which he is going--when, on arrival and presentation of either copy of the document, he at once receives the amount

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in gold. Sums of from £10 to £1000 and more, are now generally taken by our Passengers in this way.

TAKING SERVANTS. --Our Chief-cabin Passengers now frequently take with them some favourite domestic servant accustomed to the children, or some good married labourer or handy working man whose wife will help a little in the house on arrival, generally under the agreement that the passage-money shall be repaid, by degrees, out of the high wages current in the Colony. In going to Auckland, too, as shown at page 44, 40 acres are now allowed for each person over eighteen, and 20 acres for each person between five and eighteen, who may be taken out at the expense of any friend or employer; while, under the "Assisted Passage" regulations of other Provinces, we can occasionally get the Government agents to pay half the cost of a third cabin passage for any domestic, labourer, or labourer's family, whom our chief cabin Passengers may wish to help out.

INSURANCE. --Looking at the trifling cost of insurance, it ought not, we think, to be neglected by Passengers, for in the finest ships afloat accidents, causing loss or damage of goods, may occasionally occur. If effects are well packed in zinc or tin the rate we charge is 30s. or 35s. per cent, on the value insured; if ordinarily packed, from 35s. to 40s. Amounts exceeding £100 should be ordered to be insured as long as possible before sailing.

ARRIVAL IN THE COLONY. --On reaching their destination, our passengers have the right of remaining on board 48 hours after arrival, and in any little matters of doubt or difficulty, sometimes arising when strangers first land in a new country, our Representatives at the port of arrival will gladly afford them any information or advice which they may require. Furnished lodgings, cottages, and plain comfortable family inns and boarding houses, are now found in all the chief towns.

Mechanics and Labourers, Domestic Servants and

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others, cannot do better then get to work as soon a possible on arrival, at or near the place they land at and thus commence at once to pocket the high wage they will be offered. Where, however, there is a considerable capital to invest in the purchase of land or in agricultural or pastoral pursuits, and the capitalist emigrant is not fairly satisfied with the particular neighbourhood he may have come to, he will do well to settle his family in comfortable lodgings for a few weeks, and take a trip by one of the coasting steamers in order to see if there be any district in any other Province which he would like better.

CONCLUDING REMARKS. --As a Commercial House engaged in the responsible business of conveying Passengers to New Zealand, it is, of course, our interest to promote Emigration thereto. But we should take very erroneous view of what was conducive to our interest, were we, by any exaggerated statements c the merits of New Zealand as an Emigration Field, to seek to attract thither a single person who would no succeed there--for if, by falsely-brilliant pictures of any New Land, a person unfitted for Emigration be led to Emigrate, he very frequently finds his way back to the Old Country, a disappointed, soured Man--when his "ill-reports" of such New Land may have the effect of preventing a dozen fit and proper People, who might have succeeded there, from going thither.

Indeed, the legitimate interests of all who issue Works seeking to direct Capital and Labour to an Emigration Field are best served by depicting it in such sober hues that the Emigrant Reader shall realize not a worse but a better country than he had been led to expect, and, this, we have sought to do throughout every page of the "New Zealand Handbook."

In regard to Colonies and Emigration Fields, we would observe, too, in conclusion, that in respect to the "Advantages reaped by a Man," the chief difference between an Old Country and a Young one seems to us, to be this--namely, that while Industry, Energy

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Enterprise, till the virtues which lead to success in life, are almost equally necessary in each, in the former, owing to over-population, to excessive competition, and to other ills and evils incident to old communities, a Man, work he head or hands ever so hard, does very frequently fail to reap any adequate fruits from his "Life of Efforts"--whereas in a young and growing Colony like New Zealand, Industry, Energy, Enterprise, sooner or later, bring a Man his sure and great reward.

SHAW, SAVILL & CO.,
The Passengers' Line of Packets,
34, LEADENHALL STREET,
LONDON, E. C.