The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-04-17 00:00:00

less viewed, when compared with C.14.14ti11s and the
United States, will in a great measure be overcome,
and sill in all lir bablity tend to a very large incrrase
of etwgration from Great Britain. In the settlement
awl opening up of a new country great incon-
veniences are alway found in the difficulty of
communication between the town and country
diericts. his has to some extent been overconie
in Victoria, by the formation of railways ; existing
lines will in process of time be largely supplemented
by ~tho.s, the Agent-General for the col, Mita, the Hon.
George Vordon, having been instructed to invite ten-
ders for railway works of considerable magnitude, from
Melbourne to Belvoir on the River Murray, the esti-
mated wait of which will be £2,100,000.

DEPARTURE FROM LONDON OF EMI-
GRANTS FOR CANADA.
In Lgndon, early on Tuesday morning, there was an
exciting 1111 d somewhat painful scene at the St.
Pancras station of the Midland Railway.
The first party of emigrants for Canada, via Liver-
pool. uumberiag about 320, sent out by the East
London Emigration Fund, assembled on the platform
preparatory to leaving their country for the dominion
on the other ot the Atlantic, where they hope to find
permanent comfort and independence. Numerous
friends and relatives of the emigrants accompanied
them, and inany ladies and gentlemen, who have
evinced a deep interest in the welfare of the working
classes, were also present.
The troater number of the emigrants formerly
resided in Whitechapel, Shadwell, Bethnal-green, Pop.
far, and the eastern districts of the metropolis, where
there has been so much distress of late. There were
also several agricultural labourers from Bedfordshire,
strong and able-ls abed men, willing to work, who had
been sent to join the party.
When all had arrived at the station, a substantial
breakfast was provided in a room adjacent, where
men, women, and little children, in family groups,
partook of their last meal in London, perhaps for many
years, and may be for ever. Grace was sung before
and after the meal, and the walls resounded with the
many voices, now and then drowned by the shrill
shriek of the railway engines. It was an unusual
scene, and one not easily to be forgotten. Large
brown parcels containing sandwiches were distributed
to the families and every kind and considerate atten-
tion was paid to the party. So ample was the supply
of provisions that the remains were sufficient for
another breakfast for as large a party. The bread,
butter, and cake, cut into large squares, were distri-
buted 11111.1 g the families who, when warned that the
hour and almost the minute of departure had coma,
were loaded with golKl things and good wishes.
The Rev. Mr. Richardson having addressed a few
words to the crowd around him on the platform, a
hymn was sung, and then the emigrants took their
seats. That the hour of trial had arrived was evident ;
those who had hr-ld themselves the bravest began to
falter and get red about the eyes. Hearty embraces,
with "God bless you," preluded deep sobs and flooos
of tears, and then, suddenly, the train moved with a
jerk from the station, as if to end a painful scene that
was becoming more painful each moment. There was
a loud shout, a waving of hats and handkerchiefs, and
slowly, and in groups, the company in sadness and
sorrow left the platform.
The expense of sending each person out will average
about £3O, including outfit. Two entire sets of gar-
ments have been provided for men, women, and
children, and to the latter have been given boxes of
toys and games much prized by little ones. The emi-
grants were taken from applicants of known good
character indiscriminately, irrespective of religious
sect, and it is to be hoped they will do well in the
country of their adoption.