IMMIGRANTS FOR NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2194, 19 May 1908, Page 2

IMMIGRANTS FOR NEW ZEALAND.

THE ATHENIC’S PASSENGERS.

“A FINE LOT.”

(Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Alay 18

Perhaps tho Anglo-Welsh footballers were tho most attractive and interesting passengers tho Athenic brought to Wellington yesterday, hut; they were not the most important or the most useful to the Dominion. Packed in the stern of the big liner, were 404 immigrants, all of them coming to New Zealand to begin life again, full of hope, and full of determination, to become good citizens. The immigrants were met by an officer of the Labour Department, who reported that they were “a fine lot,” aiid of the class calculated to make the best colonists. A large proportion were young men, almost all of whom were proficient in some trade. The majority were farmers, who will go on tile land, but there were also a large number skilled in other trades, especially building. Eight farmers were booked for Wellington, and at this port also landed saddlers (2), a miner, and a painter. Nine young women landed to ta'ke up domestic duties, while one hopes to get employment as a shop assistant. All the doiiiestics, except three, came out under engagement, and these three have been referred to the recentlyformed women’s branch of the Labor Department. They will not be long out of employment. Of the third-class passengers for Wellington, 87 were assisted immigrants. while 3o had been nominated by the Immigration Department. The total capital of the assisted and nominated immigrants is about £3OOO, and two farmers, each of whom brought a large family, possess £BOO each. A large proportion of the immigrants, probably a . larger number than usual, came out to take up certain positions, and the others spoke hopefully of their prospects, and expressed themselves willing to do any kind of work, although it was clear that they nearly all preferred, skilled employment. Most of the third-class passengers were hooked for other ports, north or south of Wellington, and there is hardly a- town of any size in New Zealand to which at least one young man is not going.