Transcript of Immigration letters relating to the voyage

(1)       Memorandum from the Agent General, Mr. R. D. (G?)ill (in London) to the Honourable Minister of Immigration (in New Zealand) dated 5^th November 1883.

I have to inform you that the steamship ‘British King’ sailed from Plymouth this day having on board 206 souls equal to 177½ statute adults for Wellington, 64 souls equal to 61 statute adults for Hawkes Bay, 18 souls equal to 17 statute adults for Nelson, 19 souls equal to 17½ statute adults for Northland, 19 souls equal to 15½ statute adults for Taranaki and 2 souls equal to 2 statute adults for Marlborough making a total of 328 souls equal to 298½ statute adults.

The following are the payments to be made to the respective officers of this vessel provided they perform their duties of their appointments to the satisfaction of the Government. 

To the Captain                                                                          £25

To the Surgeon Superintendent, Dr. Lovett .de Wolfe         10/- per soul landed alive. 

To the Chief Officer                                                                  £10

To the Matron, Miss Mary Talbot                                            £25 and a second class passage to England if approved for re-employment. 

The scale of payments which the Surgeon Superintendent is authorised to recompense in the case of the sub-ordinant officers is given in a list herewith enclosed. (Note that this list was not among the documents cited by the compiler).

The rate of passage money is £15 per adult and £9 per child between 1 and 12 years. Half payable here and half in the colony. 

o – o – o – o – o – o – o

(2)       Memorandum from the Under-Secretary for Immigration in Wellington, Alexander Johnston (and two others) to the Immigration Office, Wellington dated 21^st December 1883.

Sir,

We have the honour to report the safe arrival of the ‘British King’ on the morning of the 22nd instant (46 days passage).

We found on boarding her there had been very little sickness during the voyage but unfortunately one of the married men, named Baker, had died of inflammation of the lungs. The passengers, through the Surgeon Superintendent subscribed £25.5.9 for the widow. 

There were aboard 74 private passengers only 6 of which were in steerage and 328 Government immigrants. There were (?) all sent on deck while we inspected their quarters which were found to be clean and tidy. After this the roll was called but before answering they were asked if they had any complaints to make, the answer in each case – ‘no complaint of any kind’. We consider the immigrants on the whole to be a desirable class and we learn they have, with the exception of the widow, been readily disposed of.

The fittings and accommodation for the immigrants were well arranged, especially the water closets and lavatories with two exceptions. One of the compartments for the single men appeared small for the number there (?) in it and the coal hatch was situated on the same compartment keeping the place continually dirty with the coal dust. We also think the hospital accommodation small would have been found too limited if sickness had unfortunately broken out.

The Surgeon Superintendent and the Captain and Officers carried out their duties in a satisfactory manner. The Matron, Miss Talbot, we believe carried out her duties to the best of her ability but we do not consider her suitable for the position and cannot recommend that she be retained on the staff of Matrons.

In conclusion we recommend that all gratuities be paid and Dr. Wolfe be employed should he desire it.

I have the honour to be 

Your obedient servant 

(signed) Alexander Johnston 

and two others 

o – o – o – o – o – o – o

(3)       Memorandum from the Immigration Office, Wellington to the Under-Secretary for Immigration, Wellington. 

I have the honour to inform you that this evening the immigrants ex ‘British King’ will have all been disposed of and the depot again empty with the exception of the widow Mrs. Baker and her family who I hope to arrange for during the next few days. 

(signed) James B. (Radivard) 

Immigration Officer. 

o – o – o – o – o – o – o

(4)       Comments made by the Surgeon Superintendent to (?) in 1883 

The general conduct of the immigrants was good. 

The regulations were well (?) 

There was a fair attendance at school and the water was satisfactory, 18 – 20 gallons were produced daily. 

I beg to suggest that the Steerage Steward of Steamers should receive a gratuity of at least £5. He is the Surgeon Superintendent’s left hand and performed the duties which, in a sailing ship are performed by the third officer. 

The Purser, in my opinion, should also receive a small gratuity (?) of the Chief Officer (?) a (?) of £10 and to recommend that the four Officers, First. Second, Third and Fourth should receive each a gratuity of £5. 

(The balance of the letter is impossible to read). 

Memo from Surgeon Superintendent 

Dec 22^nd 1883 

Signed. Lovett De Wolfe

Number of immigrants embarked
 

There were also:-

‘The crew and other passengers, (86 souls) which equals 81 statute adults’. 

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Copyright Gavin W Petrie 2001