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From ‘The Western Daily Mercury’- 9th September 1881
Emigration to New South Wales is to be prosecuted with greater energy than has recently been observed. A large sum has been voted by the Colonial Government for the purpose, and Mr. Saul Samuel, C.M.G., the Agent-General, aided by the shipping agents, is vigorously pushing the matter forward. To married couples not exceeding thirty-five years of age, and unmarried women not exceeding thirty years of age, assisted passages are granted. Each adult has to contribute £7, children of three years and under twelve, £3 • 10s., while those under three years are free. These sums include bedding and mess utensils, which become the property of the emigrants. Messrs. Weekes, Phillips, and Co., have been re-appointed the representatives of the New South Wales Government for Devon and Cornwall. Vessels will be despatched from Plymouth at intervals of one month.
In view of the large number of girls who emigrate to the Colonies from the West of England, it may not be out of place to allude to the manner in which some of them conduct themselves on their arrival at their destination; it would almost seem that there are those who stand too highly on dignity. A few weeks ago the ‘Peterborough’ left Plymouth with 396 persons on board, of whom 126 were single women. On the vessel reaching Sydney 100 immediately procured employment, twenty-six remaining temporarily at the Depot. Among the twenty-six there were those who, when ladies and gentlemen came and endeavoured to engage them, arbitrarily stipulated that they should be permitted to go to church when they pleased. These and other little indulgences were agreed to, but girls intending to emigrate would doubtless do well not to emulate these examples. Very few of the girls had been in service before, but the wages they obtained were as good as those granted to experienced servants, the amounts varying from 11s tp 9s per week, or £28 • 12s and £23 • 8s per annum. One girl demanded 16s per week for a situation as cook and general servant, but in this resolve she was backed up by a sister, who had been residing in the colony.
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