32 MIGRANTS FOR THE WEST COAST

Grey River Argus, 30 January 1948, Page 2

32 MIGRANTS FOR THE WEST COAST

Next Thursday there will arrive in Wellington, by the Atlantis, the largest contingent of English migrants to be allocated to the West Coast since the inauguration of the New Zealand Government’s assisted immigration scheme. The party will comprise 2'4 men and two women, the former to work in district coal mines, and the latter to join the staff of the Grey Hospital. A few days after them, a second party comprising four women and two men will arrive by the Rangitata. All will proceed straight to the Coast, where arrangements for their reception have been made by the Immigration and Welfare Committee. The arrangements for’ travel from Wellington to the West Coast have been undertaken by the Department of Labour and Employment. Of the 26 male immigrants arriving next month, 25 will be employed in the coal mining industry. Of these, 19 will work at Reefton, four at Paparoa, and one at Blackball. The arrival of the men at Reefton will see the miners’ hostel put into operation for the first time. The main block has _ not yet been completed, and until it is completed the men will be provided with meals at a Reefton hotel. The other male will undertake labouring at Runanga. While two of the women will join the nursing staff of the Grey Hospital, the remainder are taking domestic employment at the hospital and other institutions in the district.