THE WESTMEATH'S IMMIGRANTS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3700, 25 May 1883, Page 3

THE WESTMEATH'S IMMIGRANTS.

Auckland, This day. One of the single women who came out in the steamer Wcstmeath, named Miss Butt, having written a letter to Mr Brophy complaining of ill-treatment on tho Westmeath, a court of enquiry, before Dr. Philson, Capt. J. J. Bourgess, and Mr E. Brophy, was liclcl at the Harbor Board's office on Wednesday. Evidence was given by Captain Stonchouse, Ills first and second officers, the doctor, and several passengers. The complaint made by Miss Butt was to the effect that her brother Thomas was during the voyage suddenly seized with a fit; that Dr. Tweed was sent for to attend him, but did not respond as soon as she considered right, the result being the death of her brother. Dr. Tweed, in his defence, stated that he was called to visit Butt, and did so at the earliest convenience. He did not think the fit would prove so serious, for the man died within a quarter of an hour after he (the doctor) was called. The captain, officers, and passengers, in their evidence, spoke highly of the attention bestowed on all under tho doctor's care. The Court decided to exonerate Dr. Tweed from all blame. Some of the immigrants complain very bitterly of the imposition they were in a number of instances subjected to before leaving England. They state that a regular system of blackmail levying was practised on them while waiting in the barracks at Plymouth. They say that they were not allowed to leave the depot in that port upon any consideration, a truck shop being set up' inside, at which they "were bound to purchase such things as they were needing before going upon the vessel. Another fraud which they are indignant about consisted in some officious individual overhauling all their packages, and insisting that passengers could not be allowed to take with them for the voyage anything in the shape of extras, which they had provided to supplement the rations which the ship allowed them. These officials declared that it was against all rule to allow these comforts to go on board. In consequence many of the passengers were deprived—robbed, they say—of many little matters Avhicb, while not very valuable in themselves, would have been deemed a treat during their long voyage. The things were left perforce behind at Plymouth, and became tho property of the harpies who prey upon inexperienced emigrants. Dissatisfaction is expressed at tho character of the Westmeath's immigrants, some of the single women having been seen lounging about tho public-houses drinking.