The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-07-24 00:00:00

EMIGRATION TO CANADA.

Lady Henrietta de Grey writing from I, Canton Gardena,
London,, who Is taking such an active part in helping poor
workmen to better their condition, by endoation to a
country where their labour is nee& d, has sent the following
to The Times, and is suggestive to those woo abound in "this
world's goods":—
The season for emigration to Canada is now nearly
over. The East London Family Emigration Com-
mittee, to which I belong, have been enabled by the
subscriptions received in consequence of the letters
which you have been an good as to insert in your
columns, and from other sources, to send out East-end
workmen and their fatuiles to the number of 693.
These men had all good characters, and were reduced
to extreme poverty by scarcity of work. Many had
lost children from fever brought on by want. To pro-
cure food they had parted with almost all their furni-
ture and their clothing, and skilled workmen were earn-
ing the small pittance afforded by breaking stones in
the labour yards.
Letters are now received from them by us full of
gratitude and happiness. All found work immediately
on their arrival in Canada, and the following ex-
tracts speak for themselves as to their present con-
dition.
C. S. M. writes on the 21st of June from King-
ston :
"our passage IFIW a round of pleasure, excepting in tier
cases (slight vases of illness here minutely described, ; the
surgeon of the ship was very*attentive to the patients. Dear
lady, I do not forget my promise made to you on the Tuesday
night before leaving London. I will, If possible, repay that
amount which you so kindly provided for myself and family.
There is no want in this country. I have not seen one
mendicant during the week that I have been here. I wish that
the same could be said concerning London. Servant
girls are wanting in the township of Kingston. I feel cer-
taM that 100 girls now eaniing a scanty living in London
could obtain good situations at Kingston and round about.
Agricultural labourers are in great demand, but servant girls
more Be. I have had five or six oilers for my girl, but the
farmer that I live with has persuaded me not to part w lth
her until she grows older and more accustomed to the country.
I cannot find words enough to convey my gratitude to you.
I trust I shall prove my thanks before long."
S., the father of eight children, writes from
Toronto, June 6, 1869 :
" 1 feel very thankful to Clad to be able to tell you that
when I write this we are well and beginning to be very com-
fortable. Charles is in the baking se foreman, he has 9 dole.
a week, that Is the same as is, We often talk and think
about you. though we are so far away from you; and we
often think how you would like to see us now we are very
happy, and the children look no well and we are able to live
Another writes from Toronto, June 15, 1869 :
•

• .
My husband got a situation at his own trade in a jeweller's
shop in Toronto, and has been working since May 10 at lj
dols, a day, or Os. sterling; far beyond our expectation; and
our eldest boy began at the same time in the same shop as
his father; his apprenticeship is going on for five years,
dohs, a week Is sterling) and a dollar rise each year. Pota-
toes are cheap, butcher's meat from Id. to 6d, a pound at
present, at the fall it will be something like 3d. a pound ;
sugar 6d. I forgot to say coal was very dear, 325. a ton, and
if wood is burnt instead it will become dearer. Notwith-
standing some things being dear others are as cheap, arid,
taking it altogether, we can live much cheaper than in Lon-
don.

There seems to be no sign of things getting better in
the East-end, and the desire for emigration is spreading
and increasing in earnestness every day among the
large number of respectable working men who are
unable to maintain their families in this country.
From want of funds we have been forced to refuse
assistance to several very distressed families, and my
object in writing to you at this moment is to plead their
cause, and I think that if you can spare the space to
insert the particulars of a few cases, chosen out of
many which have been thoroughly investigated, the
charitable public may be inclined to contribute towards
sending them from great want and almost certain ul-
timate degradation to a country where work is await-
ing them and independence a certainty.
•

P. A, and wife, and four chlldren, 14, 11,9. lb St. George's,
E tat —A wood sawyer ; has good character from former
masters; has been out of regular work for four years; has
only had odd jobs; now things get worse; and he has not
averaged Ss. a week since Christmas. Has been and is now
obliged to work in the labour-yard. The parish would sup
ply the family with clothing.
W. and wife, one child, Golden-lane.—A smith's la-
bourer; can do also carpentering or farming work Worked
six years for one master; left through slackness. Ilea lately
walked twenty miles in search of work. but in vain. has
Teen very badly off since Christmas. The wile is a good
washerwoman. NV. is a teetotaller.

I'. and wife, three children, 10, n, 1, St. George's, East
A gun thither, who worked ten years for one master, and
was dismissed two years ago owing to slackness of work.
Since then he has only had casual work, and has not earned
£2 for the last eighteen weeks. Has had to part with his
furniture and clothes, and is thoroughly destitute.

L. and wife, two children, 2, 3 months, Mile-end.—A shoe-
maker by trade, but has w orked the last n years for a vestry
as carman and at roadmaking, Ac. Ile can turn his hand to
anything. Left his place on a new superintendent being
appointed last April, since then has only had two days' work
In the docks. Last week he was thirty-sin hours without
food. Iles no furniture, only abed on the ground, and is very
badly off for clothes.

On an average each individual costs us about .£6.
The amount of the travelling expenses and landing
money is advanced as a loan to be repaid by emigrants.
Our working expenses only amount to £B, which is
for printing, as we have no office or paid agency.
Contributions will be gladly received by me or by
the treasurer, the Hon. Frederick Hobart, 13, Eccles-
ton-square. They may also be sent to Messrs. Cocks
and ihddulph, 43, Chaein.cross, on account of the
fund.