1863 - Silver's Guide to Australasia [New Zealand sections only] - General Remarks, p 13-23

[Image of page 13]

SILVER'S

GUIDE TO AUSTRALASIA.

GENERAL REMARKS.

OUR Colonies demand labour and capital; they offer in return high wages and cheap land. The nature of this bargain indicates those who should close with it. Men who have strength and skill; labourers of all sorts; mechanics ministering to the necessities rather than to the luxuries of society; masons and carpenters, smiths and brickmakers; farm-servants who can plough, sow, reap, and fence; lads trained to attend horses and cattle--all these find in any of the Colonies work, wages, and the near prospect of independence. Women who can do house or dairy work, cooks and laundresses, will have ample returns for their services. Parents struggling to maintain large families will, in the Colonies, find their children an advantage instead of an encumbrance. Small farmers who carry their skill, experience, and capital to Australasia can purchase good land at the price which in England they pay for the use of land. Small capitalists who at home eke out a life of undignified idleness, may, if they will but think and act, become wealthy and influential members of a Colony. The money required to establish a young man in a profession here, would, if properly invested in a Colony, make that young man a landed proprietor and ensure his prosperity for life. For all these classes, Emigration should be a matter of earnest consideration, as with many it is already a subject of curious and even anxious inquiry. On the other hand, as a rule, emigration is not advisable for men and women accustomed to sedentary occupations--not for merchants' or lawyers' clerks, shop-assistants, and persons trained to mill and factory work.

But it should also be borne in mind that few persons are from the first absolutely fitted for Colonial life, and that intelligence, good-will, and sobriety, joined to a frame of even moderate strength, may with time and experience help to make a prosperous colonist.

[Image of page 14]

"It is but too common an idea," says Sir Richard MacDonnell, 1 "that a person not good enough for his own country is good enough for the Colonies. There never was a greater fallacy. Prudence, temperance, and sound Christian principles are as necessary in one place as they are in the other. Hard work, and plenty of it is the rule of Colonial life. The apathetic, idle, and intemperate, had better remain here, for they have even less chance there than at home. Clerks, governesses, tutors--in a word, all that relates to the intellectual, is not in the same demand as in the old country, but the sinews and muscles of the industrious labourer are at a constant premium. That which is peculiar to Australia is the wondrous extent of its bush and of its natural pastures. In these is a road to independence and wealth, which, of course, does not exist in Europe; while the quantity of land suited to agricultural purposes as yet unoccupied is another resource unknown to older countries. Hence, a man whose wife and family are a burthen to him here, finds his labour lightened and his children wealth when he settles on a freehold there."

Intending Emigrants have to consider the length of the voyage, the price of passage, and their requirements on shipboard and after landing.

The length of the voyage depends upon the distance of the particular Colony to which the Emigrant wishes to go, from

[Image of page 15]

England; on the route he takes; on the character and capability of the ship, and on the accidents of wind and weather. New Zealand is about 15,000 miles, and the average distance of the harbours of Australia may he quoted at 14,200 miles from England. The shortest route, of about 50 days, is that through Egypt, generally called the Overland Route. Passengers embark at Southampton or Marseilles for Alexandria, travel by railway across the Desert to Suez, where a steamer receives and takes them to the chief ports of Australasia. On the sea route the length of the voyage averages from three to four months.

The prices of passage to the various ports, as quoted by the most respectable brokers, are as follows:--

The amounts quoted arc paid for provisions and passage. The provisions are issued according to the Government dietary scale. Infants under twelve months go free. Children under twelve years pay half price, and are entitled to half rations only. The following are the rations issued in first-class ships; the quantities quoted represent the weekly allowance for each adult:--

[Image of page 16]

In this list no mention is made of first-class passengers, who dine at the captain's table, where they fare as well, in all good ships at least, as in the best English hotels.

The size of ships is important on a long voyage. Vessels under 500 tons are not likely to afford sufficient accommodation and safety to emigrants. In ships above 500 tons the size is less material, so that the vessels are good, comfortable, and dieted on a liberal scale. The Government has appointed officers, whose duty it is to look after the interests of emigrants and other passengers on long sea-voyages. They see that emigrant vessels are sufficiently provisioned with good and wholesome stores. Vessels about to carry emigrants are detained in harbour until the regulations on this head arc complied with. The following is a summary of the minimum scale, stating the weekly rations to be provided for each adult passenger:--

Beef, 20 oz.; pork, 16 oz.; preserved meats, 16 oz; suet, 8 oz.; butter, 4 oz.; biscuit, 4 oz.; flour, 56 oz.; oatmeal, 16 oz.; peas, 1/2 lb.; rice, 8oz.; preserved potatoes, 8 oz.; carrots, onions, or celery, four-fifths of an oz.; cabbage, 1 oz.; raisins, 6 oz.; tea, 1 oz.; roasted coffee, 2 oz.; sugar, 12 oz.; bread, 8 oz.; water, 21 quarts; mixed pickles, 1 gill; mustard, 4 oz; lime juice, 6 oz.; salt, 2 oz.; pepper, 1/2 oz.

Besides ascertaining the quantity and inspecting the quality of victuals, the Government officers have to see that all the other provisions of the "Passengers' Act" are carried out-viz., that the ship carry the proper crew, steward, cooks, and doctor, and that she be provided with boats in proportion to the number of passengers on board. In one word, stringent regulations have been made for the comfort and safety of emigrants. Still much depends upon a liberal interpretation of the law on the part of the shipowners. Emigrants should take their passages in ships whose owners have the reputation of doing as they wish to be done by.

Independent of the Government inspection, the quality and sea-worthiness of ships is ascertained and attested under the direction of the committee at Lloyd's, and also by the French Lloyd's or Bureau Veritas. The following are the descriptions of vessels to select:--

First-class ships marked in Lloyd's list and advertised A 1; second-class ships marked AE*. First-class ships marked in the Bureau Veritas, and advertised Veritas, 3/3rds. Second-class ships, tolerably good, marked and advertised Veritas, 5/6ths, 3/4ths, or 2/3rds.

The "Passengers' Act" provides that, in the event of a vessel putting back, the owners or charterers are bound to support the passengers until the ship is ready to receive them. If a ship does not sail to its time, the passengers are entitled to an allowance for expenses.

[Image of page 17]

Requirements for the voyage, and the first year after landing in the Colony, should be attended to before starting. All goods sold in London are also sold in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, &c.; but prices in the Colonies vary according to the supplies sent out from home, while emigrants newly landed have enough on their hands without looking out for cheap markets where to provide the necessaries they require. A frequent change of under-clothing is indispensable to health and comfort during a long sea-voyage, and emigrants, previous to sailing, have the best opportunity of making their purchases. For a voyage to the other side of the globe, summer clothes are wanted, as well as warm clothing, as the course of the ship lies through hot and cold latitudes. A man should be provided with two warm suits, with a cap to match, a couple of suits of light clothing, with at least a dozen cotton shirts, and three or four flannel shirts. A good stock of shirts, socks, and handkerchiefs, when practicable, should be laid in, as very little washing can be done during the voyage. The supply of under-clothing should be enough for the whole voyage, if need be, without washing. Women should have a warm shawl and cloak, and two dresses, all good, serviceable, and not showy; they should have an ample supply of chemises and other under-clothing. Both men and women should be particular in getting stout, comfortable boots and shoes. Waterproof suits and flannel shirts will be found very useful.

Besides clothing, emigrants should provide for their comfort and cleanliness by taking with them the following articles:-- For each married couple, 1 large bed, 1 pair of blankets, 2 pairs of sheets, 1 large coverlet, 2 large bags, 2 plates, 2 large mugs, 2 knives, forks, and spoons, 1 hook-pot, 1 water-can, 1 washbowl, 12 towels, 1 teapot, 1 sugar-bowl, 2 cups and saucers, 2 bars of marine soap, 1 razor, comb, and hair-brush, 2 shoe-brushes, 2 pots of blacking, a cabin utensil, 1 strong chest with lock. For each child should be provided:-- 1 plate, 1 small mug, 1 knife, fork, and spoon, with, of course, bedding, &c., in proportion to size and number. The cost of an outfit for a single man or woman is about £6, for a married couple about £10. The cost of an outfit for children varies with their size. Generally speaking, three children under seven, or two between that age and fourteen, may be clothed for about £7.

A railway whistle for signalling in the bush, and a couple of tethering screws to secure horses in rough and dark nights, will be found invaluable by all who have to travel in new countries. Tents, also, are necessary, and, in some cases, indispensable for emigrants intending to settle in the bush.

Emigrants should divide their property into two portions: that which is constantly wanted during the voyage, and that which is not always wanted. The last-named portion should be

[Image of page 18]

packed in a strong chest, marked with the name and destination of the owner. It will be safely stowed away in the lower part of the ship, and occasionally--perhaps twice a month--brought up, to give an opportunity of putting in articles or taking them out. What is wanted for daily use should be packed in a box; one capable of holding clothes enough for two weeks' wear. The size allowed for this box is 2 feet 0 inches long, 1 foot 6 inches broad, and 1 foot 3 inches deep. The owner's name should he painted on it in large letters.

The usual allowance of luggage for second and third class passengers is 20 cubic feet, or 4 feet long, 2 feet 6 inches wide, and 2 feet deep, for each person. A series of pockets on a piece of canvas, to nail inside a cabin or berth, will be found convenient.

Sugar, tea, tobacco, and other small luxuries kept in stock on board ship, may be purchased during the voyage. Biscuits, preserves, hams, and in the case of families with children, arrowroot, sago, tapioca, ground rice, and sugar for puddings, will be found most serviceable on the voyage.

The compulsory idleness of passengers is perhaps among the greatest hardships of a long sea-voyage. Books are a great resource, and a few really good works should be laid in among other stores. It is scarcely necessary to say that the Bible--the Word of Him who holds the waters in His hand--should be the companion of every emigrant. In all well-regulated ships divine service is on Sunday mornings performed by the captain.

Certificates of Good Conduct are invaluable in the Colonies; the obtaining of them from their employers, or the magistrates and clergymen of their districts, is among the most important of the preparations which ought to be recommended to intending emigrants.

Emigrants are provided with Letters of Credit and Bills payable at all the principal places in the Colonies, upon application at any of the Banks having establishments in London and agents in several country towns. In some cases, a small premium or advantage is given to the emigrant; in no case, at present, is a charge made. Risks are thus avoided; and the Letter of Credit enables the holder to draw his money or deposit it upon landing, thus immediately affording him the advantages of a banker. Bank notes are not always readily convertible in the Colonies, and those who take them must be prepared to lose in the exchange.

The insurance of Emigrants' Baggage is also a precautionary measure which cannot be too strongly recommended. Such insurances can be effected with little trouble at a small cost. The rates of insurance are from £1 10s. to £1 15s. per £100. The policies of insurance should be deposited with friends in England.

[Image of page 19]

No young unmarried women should be sent out to the Colonies, unless they be under the protection of parents or responsible guardians. Experience has shown, over and over again, that for the young and unprotected the voyage is fraught with danger.

First-class, cabin, or cuddy passengers, in their preparations for a voyage have to consider the character of the ship in which they take their passage. On the Overland route everything is provided for them, for the Mail Steamers are floating hotels, which find everything for comfort and convenience--board and lodging, attendance, furniture, and linen. Sailing-ships provide for first-class passengers board and attendance, and a cabin, which each passenger has to furnish for himself. On the whole, the difference in the accommodation is compensated for by a difference in the rates of passage. The acquisition of cabin furniture, linen, and other necessaries for the voyage, is not a loss to intending settlers, for the articles which furnish a cabin will do good service in a colonial household.

The personal outfit for a first-class passenger would consist of a moderate assortment of clothing, such as in England constitutes a fair ordinary summer stock--not omitting a Scotch plaid, and pilot or waterproof coat, leggings, &c.

For a Lady: A dark silk dress for voyage; muslin, silk, and other dresses; shawls, mantles, straw hat, bonnet with sunshade; veils, blue or brown; dressing-gowns, cambric muslin chemises, white and flannel petticoats, Indian gauze vests; silk, cotton, and thread stockings; pocket and neck-handkerchiefs, collars and cuffs, silk and kid gloves, calico night-dresses and drawers, cambric sleeping-trousers, night-caps, travelling, work, and dressing bag; looking-glass, perfumery, boots and shoes, one pair with thick soles for wet decks; bathing towels, and travelling rug or wrapper.

The following articles will, more or less, be required by travellers of either sex:-- Clothes, hat, hair, tooth, and nail brushes; dressing-case; sponge with bag; soiled linen bag, with lock; needles, buttons, tape, &c.; railway rug; overland regulation trunk; black leather bag; portable chair; a mosquito net; waterproof ground sheet; medicine chest; writing-case and stationery; Bible and Prayer-book, and a good supply of books for reading on the voyage; railway whistle and tethering screw, with a well-shaped and seasoned hunting saddle--no matter whether it be soiled.

When passengers have to furnish their cabins, they should also procure sheets, pillow-cases, towels, blankets, counterpanes; cabin sofa, to swing or stand, or an iron bedstead; patent floatable mattress, horse-hair or flock; a feather pillow; cabin washstand, forming table; small filter; mahogany or teak chest of drawers; folding looking-glass; cabin-lamp; candles; foot-bath and

[Image of page 20]

water-can; carpet or oil-cloth for cabin; Windsor and marine soap; curtains for cabin; floating belt, which forms a cushion.

The quantity of luggage allowed to each passenger varies according to the regulations of companies or private shipowners. On the whole that allowance is liberal, and would include a most elaborate outfit. That made by the Peninsular and Oriental Company is 3 cwt. of baggage for each adult passenger, and 1 1/2 cwt. for children and servants; their charge for extra baggage is £3 per cwt. between England and Australia. In addition to this charge, the over-weight of baggage is liable to payment of 14s. per cwt., charged by the Transit Administration in Egypt.

The luggage should be made up in packages of a convenient size and shape, none of them exceeding 80 pounds in weight. Trunks 3 feet long, 1 foot 3 inches wide, and 1 foot 2 inches deep, are best adapted for the purpose. On the Overland route this size is indispensable, for the Transit Administration will not be responsible for the timely arrival at Suez of any packages which exceed the prescribed limits. The owner's name, destination, and number should be legibly painted on the top, sides, and ends of each trunk; and the printed Destination Labels supplied on board the steamers should be affixed to all packages before landing in Egypt. The trunk intended for cabin use should be specially marked.

The bulk of baggage should be sent on board twenty-four hours before starting; and passengers are strongly recommended to come on board with a travelling-bag or a small portmanteau only.

Overland travellers may either embark at Southampton or at Marseilles. The steamers start from Southampton on the 20th, and from Marseilles on the 26th of every month. The contract time to Melbourne and Sydney is 46 and 49 days via Marseilles, and 52 to 55 days via Southampton. Passages must be secured at the Peninsular and Oriental Company's Offices, 122, Leadenhall-street.

The rate of passage from Southampton, including expense of transit through Egypt, steward's fees, bedding, linen, and attendance, but exclusive of wine, spirits, ale, &c., is--for Melbourne and Sydney, £150. On family tickets an abatement of one-sixth is made when the amount, if charged in full for the whole, would equal the full sum for four adults. Children under two years are free, excepting a transit charge of £5 through Egypt; children under eight pay one-fourth, and under twelve one-half cabin fare. One-half cabin fare is paid for European, and one-fourth for native servants. Half the amount of passage money must be paid on taking the passage, and the other half a fortnight before embarkation. Passengers unable to proceed after

[Image of page 21]

taking a passage forfeit the deposit; a transfer is allowed to another steamer on due notice being given.

The steamer from Southampton touches at Gibraltar and Malta, and reaches Alexandria on the fourteenth day. There the passengers are landed on the Transit wharfs. They next proceed in the Transit omnibuses to the office of the Administration, where they obtain tickets for Suez, which carry them through Egypt free of charge, including meals at two of the stations, Distance, 250 miles; time, 13 hours. At Suez the passengers again embark in a steamer bound for Ceylon, where they change into steamers for the Australian Ports.

GOVERNMENT EMIGRATION OFFICERS.

London............Commander LEAN, R.N., Office, 70, Lower Thames-street.

" J. T. FORSTER, Esq, R.N. [Assistants.]
" Commander WESTBROOK, R.N. Assistants.
" Lieutenant BARNARD, R.N. [Assistants.]

Liverpool., ........Office, Stanley Buildings, Bath-street.

" Lieut. PRIOR, R.N.
" Lieut. SAUNDERS, R.N.
" Lieut. BOURCHIER, R.N. Assistants.
" P. B. ROBERTS, Esq.
" R. EVATT, Esq.

Southampton...........................E. A. SMITH, Esq., R.N.
Plymouth..............................Captain STOLL, R.N.
Glasgow and Greenock...............Captain STEWART, R.N.
Cork, &c...............................Captain KERR, R.N.
Londonderry ..........................Admiral KEELE, R.N.
Limerick..............................Commander ELLIS, R.N.

These officers act under the immediate directions of Her Majesty's Emigration Commissioners, and the following is the summary of their duties:--

They procure and give, gratuitously, information as to the sailing of ships and means of accommodation for emigrants; and whenever applied to, they see that all agreements between shipowners, agents, or masters, and intending emigrants are duly performed. They also see that the provisions of the "Passengers' Act" are strictly complied with, viz.: that

[Image of page 22]

General Remarks.

passenger-ships are seaworthy, that they have on board a sufficient supply of provisions, water, medicines, &c., and that they sail with proper punctuality.

They attend at their offices on every week day, and afford gratuitously all the assistance in their power to protect intending emigrants against fraud and imposition, and to obtain redress where oppression or injury has been practised on them.

GOVERNMENT IMMIGRATION AGENTS.

Sydney ...........G. F. WISE, Esq.
Queensland .....A. C. KEMBALL, Esq.
Melbourne........J. C. TYLER, Esq.
Geelong ..........The Collector of Customs.
Hobart Town.....John D. LOCH, Esq.
Portland Bay....
Launceston ......W. G. SAMS, Esq.
Perth.............A. HILLMAN, Esq.
Fremantle.......G. CLIFTON, Esq.
Adelaide......B. DUNCAN, Esq., M. D.

The duty of these officers is to afford gratuitously to emigrants every assistance in their power, by way of advice and information, as to the districts where employment can most readily be obtained, and also as to the best modes of reaching such districts.

SPECIAL EMIGRATION AGENTS IN ENGLAND.

The following gentlemen act as Special Emigration Agents in this country for the Colonial Governments. The shipping arrangements, however, for the emigrants, except in the case of New Zealand, still remain with the Government Emigration Commissioners.

South Australia ... G. S. WALTERS, Esq., assisted by R. F. NEWLAND, Esq., 5, Copthal Court, E.C.

Queensland ... H. JORDAN, Esq., 17, Gracechurch Street, E.C.

New Zealand General Government ... JOHN MORRISON Esq. ... 3 Adelaide Place, London Bridge.

Nelson Hawke's Bay Marlborough Southland ... Do.

Auckland ... Messrs. RIDGEWAY & Co., 40, Leicester Square.

Canterbury ... John MARSHMAN, Esq., 16, Charing Cross.

Otago ... CRAWFORD and AULD, St. Andrew's Square, Edinburgh.

[Image of page 23]

AUSTRALASIA.

The general term Australasia includes the Continent of Australia and the islands of Tasmania and New Zealand.

The Continent of Australia, from its most southerly promontory, Cape Wilson (lat. 39° 11' S.), opposite Tasmania, and washed by the waters of Bass' Straits, to its most northerly point at Cape York (lat. 10° 43' S.), facing Borneo, from which it is separated by Torres' Straits, extends over more than 28 degrees of south latitude--that is to say, 2,000 English miles in a direct line; while from east to west (or from long. 153° 37' E. to long. 112° 55' E.) it stretches through nearly 41 degrees, which are equal to about 2,500 miles. Hence its whole superficial extent may be roughly assumed to cover two millions and seven hundred thousand square miles, or more than two-thirds the extent of Europe.

The island of Tasmania or Van Diemen's Land lies 200 miles to the south-east of the Continent of Australia. Its greatest length is 250 miles; its greatest width, 200 miles; and its superficial extent is 24,000 square miles.

The three New Zealand islands are about 1,500 miles eastward from the Continent of Australia, and cover an area of 100,000 square miles. The whole of Australasia may be set down as somewhat larger than Europe.

The Climate in the settled parts is temperate. It corresponds to southern France and the northern parts of Spain and Italy. A portion of New Zealand however is less temperate. Almost all the seeds, fruits, and animals which grow and live in England have been transplanted to the various colonies of Australia; they have had a rapid increase, and are, in many instances, greatly improved. All the settlements are young; large tracts of country remain still unemployed and unexplored. On the portions of land actually in use, the colonists have immense flocks of sheep, large herds of horned cattle, and horses celebrated for strength and endurance. Numbers of these last are bought by Government for troop service in India. Large quantities of wool, hides, horns, and tallow are sent to England. Among the chief exports is gold, which is found in many parts of Australia, but more especially in Victoria, New South Wales, and Otago, N. Z.

The Choice of the Colony must in a great measure be influenced by the emigrant's capital and occupation, as also by the special wants of each settlement. Australia is divided into five colonies--viz., Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia. Tasmania forms a separate colony. New Zealand is divided into nine provinces--Auckland, New Plymouth, Wellington, Hawke's Bay, Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury, Otago, and Southland. Each of these