IMMIGRANTS IN OTAGO.

Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1631, 24 November 1874, Page 437

IMMIGRANTS IN OTAGO.

Otago Guardian. We presume the Government are aware of the reports emanating from Mount Ida respecting the sufferings of the immigrants—some sixteen families—who were lately despatched to that region, with the understanding that the men were to be employed on the Head Eace there. If they are not already cognizant of the matter, we beg to refer them to an extract from the Mount Ida Chronicle, which appears in another column ; and to point out the necessity which exists for making an immediate and full inquiry. If the facts be as stated, or if they even approximate thereto, a very cruel and grievous wrong has been done. In the first place, the immigrants were sent up to one of the coldest and bleakest parts of Otago—-about 2,000 ft. above the sealevel—in the middle of September, and such a September as has seldom been equalled for severity of weather. In the next, it would seem that no proper arrangements were made for their engagement on the public works; and, finally, no preparation was made for their reception there, nor even for housing them. We are loth to believe that such a state of affairs as is described can be possible; yet, we have no reason to doubt the accuracy of our contemporary, who, dwelling on the miseries to which these unhappy strangers have been condemned by the combined agencies of carelessness and greed, indignantly exdaims, "If these people had represented trout or salmon they would have been cared for. If they had been prize shorthorns, or horses, sheds warm and dry would have been provided for thera; but, being as they are, the wet winter earth, the ruined sod, and the single ply of calico, with the rain misting through it, is their sufficient share to live or die in as they can." Of one thing we feel perfectly assured, namely, that the members of the Executive are not personally to blame. But this fact renders it all the more their imperative duty to sift the matter thoroughly. No considerations should be allowed to shield the offenders. As it now faces us, it is a blot on, and a disgrace to, the management of the immigration business; and it will be seized upon with avidity and made the most of by the opponents of our immigration scheme. On the other hand, if the statements put forth are untrue, or if they are exaggerated, an inquiry is necessary for the satisfaction of the public mind, and for the vindication of all concerned in the transaction. Any way the matter cannot rest as it is. The mind revolts at the inhuman treatment which the women and children are alleged to have undergone ; and if (as the Chronicle states) they were cozened up the country by promises subsequently unfulfilled, no language can too strongly denounce such heartless misconduct, nor any punishment be too severe for the primary offenders, and those who, from thoughtlessness or otherwise, suffered such a public misfortune to accrue.

This is the Mount Ida Chronicle's version t>£ what has happened to some immigrants lately sent up to that district:—" Sixteen families, early in September, were sent up in wagonsj supposed to be going to the Head Eace—the land of promise, of tropical climate without rain. When arriving at Eden Creek the weather was at its Worst (what that worst was will be easily remembered), and the wagons, after going up to the race, returned to,the camp on the main road—the bulk of the men suddenly declaring that it would kill the women and children to attempt to camp where they had gone, up in the wet and snow. The wagoners, however, had done their part of the contract, and a shift had to be made somehow. Through the kindness of the few settlers scattered about the Idaburn, some for a time were able to get an old hut, others a stable, others a ruin of a hut over which they stretched the slight, flimsy tent provided for them. In this way a day or two were got over; but what were the men to do ? They could not work while there was no covering for their little ones; to be idle was to starve. Some tried the Head Race, and found that even the fair promise of 8s per diem—so freely offered in the dep6t if they would go—was not to be fulfilled, but piece-work at rates which simply meant starvation or hopeless debt. A few got employment at the reef, and others drifted away, getting employment as they could. The few families that settled at the reef we can say something of, and they may be taken as representing a fair average of the sufferings endured, as being about the first to get work. One family of four young children were taken in by Mr Howard, of the reef, who gave up to them his own warm hut. Owing, however, to the frightful exposure which had been undergone, the mother was seized with a severe cold, which, settling on the lungs, and inducing weakness, fostered by the want of proper nutriment, has reduced her to a very low condition indeed. She has continued in this state

for over a month, until removed on Tuesday last to the District Hospital. Another family—the husband being employed at the reef—cowered in a deserted sod wing, originally put up as a break-wind to a tent, the sides of which were broken down. Over these crumbling remains one of these wretched tents (so graciously supplied without any fly) was stretched, the ends.being pegged in between sods and stones as best they might. 'On windy days, such as last Saturday, in snow squalls I had to get my father up from the pit to come and fix the roof, which had blown off or nearly so,' said the mother of this family of four children—one five months old, at the breast. Hearing a woman was lying ill in this hovel, we had gone to it, but there being no door, but an aperture 3ft. or 4ft. wide, a bit of loose calico blowing in, and seeing, as we passed, when the inmate—looking pallid and nervous as a ghost—put her head out. At once turning, we saw that she was in a very low state, scarcely able to stand—her limbs all trembling, and complaining of great pains in the chest, with a terrible cough. ' I have not been able to eat a bit of anything this good while, and the child lying across me seems to crush me like ;' and then, when we said that the child should be taken from her,' Oh, but I have nothing for it. It would starve. I have no milk to give it.' . . . The next family were a little

better —though no better secured from the weather; the mother, with perhaps a stronger constitution, and better spirit, had battled through the same attack—the angry-toned cough being still retained. Two mothers (of eight little ones) out of four had to be brought into the hospital not a day too soon, fairly starved with cold, reduced to such a low state that the greatest care and nursing will be necessary to enable them once more to look after their young ones dependent upon them."