EMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND.

Evening Star, Issue 3782, 8 April 1875, Page 3

EMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND.

( Western Daily Mercury,’ Plymouth, February 4.) The first vessel chartered by the Now Zealand Snipping Company for the conveyance of emigrants to the Colony of New Zealand was the Punj*ub, which sailed from England on June 1, 1873. During the six months of the year ending December no less than 31 vessels were despatched, with 10,000 souls and 40,000 tons of cargo. Last year saw the tide of emi to the Colony making rapid strides, Ihe.Company sent out under the auspices of the New Zealand Government 63 ships, carrying 15,938 passengers, and it is satisfactory to be able to state that not a single casualty has befallen any of the ships. The Wennington, owned by the Lancashire Shipping Company, and commanded by Captain R. Winder, which sailed from Plymouth yesterday, bound to Otago, is the ninety-first vessel the company have despatched. She is 882 tons register, and her burthen is 1,500 tons. She has a full poop and forecastle. Her passengers have been collecting at the Emigration DepOt at Plymouth for some days past, and were embarked on Monday. She carries 132 souls, equal to 111 statute adults, infants under the age of twelve months not being reckoned at all, and two children below the age of twelve years being equal to one adult, the number is made up of 24 married couples, 37 single men, 11 single women, 30 children, and six infants, in addition to five private passengers. The crew (including the surgeon, Dr James Marr) numbers 35, made up of 7 officers, 19 able seamen, and 9 ordinary seamen. The forecastle, where the crew sleep, is comfortably fitted, and. is well lighted. Near here the distillation of fresh from salt water takes place. The condenser is by Gravesley, and makes 500 gallons a day, or about three gallons for each person on board. The compartments reserved for the single men is entered by the fore batch. The compartment is divided by upright boards into bunks, and the berths are in pairs one above the other, and in pairs side by side. They are oo placed that every person in sleeping lies fore and aft. The light and ventilation is exceptionally good, con sidering that these are the ’tween decks of the ship. Light and air is given by means of a large shaft, which is so constructed as not to be affected by bad weather, or to admit the slightest dampness. Another capital idea is that of having the bertha constructed so as not to touch the side of the vessel. There is a clear space of some eighteen inches or two feet from the bulk to the side of the ship, which prevents the damp which naturally arises from the side affecting the beds, and, in addition, provides for a free current of air around the berths. In the single men’s compartment, as throughout the ship, the fittings are of deal. A bulkhead constructed of this wood seperates the single men from the married couples. The compartment for the married folks accommodates the largest proportion of those going out in the Wennington, and this being the most important occupies the most important place. The mainmast passes through it, and below the hatches’ which had not yet been finally fastened down, a portion of the cargo was to be seen —the iron girders for a bridge, rolls of lead, and a large quantity of measurement goods packed up in the usual deal cases. The berths in the married people’s compartment are arranged in a somewhat similar manner to those in the single men’s compartment. This portion of the vessel is scrupulously clean, and the immigrants yesterday morning appeared in every way satisfied and pleased with the arrangements made for their comfort and accommodation. In this compartment, as in the others, a space is allowed between the side of the vessel and the berths. In front of these berths, as well as m front of those in the compartment set apart for thelsingle women, a screen is erected in order to secure greater privacy, and there is ample ventilation and light. At one end of the married folk’s compartment" is a large storeroom containing provisions, &c. ;Talso the hospital, shut off by ventilating bulkheads from the rest of the compartment, with a ventilator drawing it? air from the upper deck. Here also, is the dispensary containing medicines and medical instruments. Access to the place for the eleven single women is gained by a companion ladder further off. In its arrangements it is similar to the others except in one particular, this being the provision of a spacious bath-room, with a constant supply of water and entirely private. The matron is Mrs Reeves. Captain Stoll, emigration officer, went over the ship and expressed himself pleased with the arrange* ments, aud indeed, in every respect, the Wennington appears a model of cleanliness and order. The emigrants on board appear to be strong and healthy and a respectable class of people.