EMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1758, 24 March 1874, Page 3

EMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND.

"Anglo-Australian" in the European Mail writes : —

With regard to emigration, I am glad to have to record the continued success of the now emigration regulations issued by the New Zealand Government. During the past month some ten ships have been despatched with emigrants, and I understand that eleven more ships are laid on for the next four or five weeks. About two thousand five hundred souls per month is the number for which Dr Featherston is now making preparation. Fortunately he has succeeded in gaining the confidence of the representatives of the leading Agricultural Union 3in various parts of the United Kingdom, and these are now acting as his recruiting sergeants. Thi3 is the class of emigrants that the colony is moat in want of, and I think the Agent General may well be congratulated on having enlisted the sympathies of so influential a body of " working mon." I am assured that every care is being used in the selection, and that only eligible applicants are passed by the inspecting officers. In addition to the foregoing, I may add that the secretary to the Kent Agricultural Laborers' Union has selected two hundred | adults to go out in the William Da vie to the Bluff, and about seventy-five adults in the Wennington for Wellington. Both these vessels are expected to leave Gravesend about January 14. Just prior to the departure of the Kentish emigrants on board these two ships, a grand entertainment was given at the Corn Exchauge, Maidstone. The two halls were decorated with much good taste. The walls were ornamented with emblems bearing inscriptions such as " Welcome Men of Kent," "Prosperity to the Union," " Hurrah for New Zealand," "A Health to Kentish Farmers," " Owe no man anything," " Success to the Emigrants," "Farewell and thanks to all." A large platform was erected at one end of the great hall, behind which there was % great fir-tree — a Christmas tree — laden with oranges and bowed down with useful preseuts for the emigrants. The proceedings were ably opened by the chairman, Mr Boots, who gave a capital addres3, full of sound advice. Then followed music, singing, and the drawing for the prizes on the Christmas tree ; an excellent address of half an hour's duration was given by Mr C. R. Carter, a New Zealand Government officer ; then more singing and music ; lastly, a good farewell speech by Mr Simmons, at the conclusion of which the band struck up " Auld lang Syne," in which the audience joined. There were from 1500 to 3600 persons present. Next day the emigrants, headed by a band of music, left in a body for the Maidstone Station, and from thence proceeded on their way to Gravesend to join their respective ships. The other Agents-General are also in communication with the secretaries of the leading Agricultural Onions, and a large emigration may be shortly expected. Mr Dutton has been busy in this direction, and will very soon despatch another ship. The Queensland agency has not been idle, and Sir Charles Cowper will send off a vessel before the mouth is out.