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New Zealander, Volume XVIII, Issue 1717, 23 August 1862, Page 4

NONCONFORMIST COLONY, NEW ZEALAND, DEPARTURE OF 800 EMIGRANTSOn the 29th of May, at noon, there was an imposing demonstration at the East India Docks, Blackwell, in connection with the sailing for Albertland, New Zealand, of 800 emigrants, constituting the first portion of the thousand NoneoiUormisls who are proceeding thither to found a new colony. All the morning the trains on the Blackwall and North London railways, and the ateam-hoats from London-bridge, were filled with the etnigranta and their friends, and by 11 o’clock the East India Docks presented a very animated scene, from 8000 to 10,000 peopled having assembled, A considerable number of them made tbeir way to the norib dock where a large inclosure ban been secured for the holding of a farewell service. Although a charge was made of 6d. each person, many hundreds passed through the barriers, and occupied the space in front, and on each aide of a spacious platform erected for the occasion, and which was filled by ministers and gentlemen and ladies who have been concerned in devising and carrying forward the interesting project of which this was the consummation. Baptist ministers and the metropolitan leaders of the temperance movement were by far the most prominent of the occupants of the platform—a circumstance which is accounted for by (be fact that Hie gret body of emigrants arc Baptist* and teatotalleis.

Mr Hrrper Twelvetrees took the chair, and made an exulting speech, expressing his high satisfaction at the success of the scheme, and his conviction that the thousand for whose departure amusements had now been made would be speedily followed by many thousands more—a remark which was loudly applauded. The Rev. William Land-dls, of the Diorama Chapel, Repent’s-park, delivered an elaborate and very eloquent oration. He felt admiration, lie said, for the heroism of many of those who were about to depart on ibis great enterprise; and while advising them to lay their account with many difficulties, he counselled them to bo strong in hope and in purpose ; to have confidence in each other, and to repose unshaken faith in Divine Providence. He held it to be one of the most remarkable of all the emigration movements that bad taken place in English history, and likened it, in some of its matures, to the exodus of the Pilgrim Fa hers to New England 200 years ago. These thousand Nonconformists were not going forth because of persecution, but yet tbeir purpose was largely a religious one. They did not have in view merely the bettering of their own worldly condition, but they desired to sow the seeds of perfect religious equality in tbat far off region, which was destined to become a mighty nation. He earnestly besought the emigrants to beware, on tbe one hand, of any course of conduct which should lead to the breaking down of their design, and, on tbe other, to unite heart and soul for its full accomplishment, pointing out to them tbe disastrous effect which failure would inevitable Lave upon the principles which they cherished, and how success in tins first attempt would bless the colony and promote the welfare of Nonconformists at home He eulogised Mr. Brame, the originator of the undertaking, and spoke in the highest possible terms of the Rev. S. Edgar, the minister elect of the Settlement. Mr Landells concluded his address with a touching farewell.

The Rev. S. Edgar, Mr. Brame, Mr. W. Heaton, of the “ Freeman,” the Rev. J. Penrose, and the Rev. J. C. Middleditch also took part in the proceedings. At the close of the meeting a brass band beaded a long procession to the dock, ot the entrance of the river, where the two ships (the Matilda Wattenbach and the Banover) lay ready for exit, gaily decorated with flags on the rigging of each, and the decks covered with the women aud children and their relatives. A considerable number of ladies and gentlemen, who were provided with tickets to accompany the ships to Gravesend, went on board the Matilda Watteebacb, and at 1 o’clock the gates were opened, and this noble vessel, of nearly a thousand tons register, was towed out, omid the cheers of the thousands assembled on the piers, and as well as ol those on board, the hand playing “ Cheer, boys, cheer’’ in a highly inspiriting style. The Hanover speedily followed, and a salute of six guns having been fired from the Wattenbach, and with the band playing “God save the Queen,’’ both vessels dropped down the river, rnd were soon lost to sight. J’he third ship—William Miles—is to depart on the 10th of July.