ladies who have never received any special training, and have neither time nor means to procure it, would probably do wisely to emigrate—that is to say, if they are domesticated and willing to be generally useful. in the colonies competition for situations is not nearly so great as in england, and consequently governesses, companions, mothers' helps, and housekeepers, are more valued, and usually treated quite as members of the family. i give particulars of two of the emigration societies. they gave me most encouraging accounts of the ladies who had emigrated under their auspices, and told me they thought any one, with ordinary good sense, and willing to work, landing in australia or new zealand with a few pounds in her pocket, would be sure to do well.115 they both strongly advise ladies who have friends in any one of the colonies to choose that one to go to, as private introductions are most valuable. intending emigrants should acquire as thorough a knowledge of cookery, all kinds of needlework (including dressmaking), ironing, starching, &c., as they possibly can, it may prove very useful to them.
the government of south australia offers a free grant of land of the value of ￡20, to be selected by the recipient, to any person over the age of twelve, male or female, paying their own passage direct to adelaide, and residing in that colony two years.
the queensland government offers free passages to people describing themselves as domestic servants. this does not necessitate their taking that position on their arrival, but only means they must be willing to enter domestic service if they can get no better engagement. the following is a quotation from their published rules:—"on arrival in the colony, all passengers, unless going out under special agreement, will be at perfect liberty to engage themselves to any one willing to employ them, and to make their own bargain for wages." the queensland government emigration office is at 32, charing cross, london, s.w., where all information respecting free passages can be obtained.
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female middle class emigration society.
president: earl of shaftesbury.
committee:
miss rye.
miss bonham-carter.
miss newton.
miss f. melliss.
mrs. scott.
madame bodichon.
miss baron.
h. green, esq., jun.
w. gilbert, esq.
bankers: messrs. coutts & co, 59, strand.
auditor: rev. fynes webber, sub-dean of st. pauls.
hon. secretary: miss j. e. lewin.
secretary: mrs. sunter.
office:—2, portugal street, lincoln's inn, london, w.c.
rules.
i. the society confines its assistance entirely to educated women, no applicants being accepted who are not sufficiently educated to undertake the duties of a nursery governess.
ii. every applicant is examined as far as possible with regard to her knowledge of cooking, baking, washing, needlework, and housework; and is required to be willing to assist in these departments of labour should it be necessary.
iii. applicants are required to give the names and addresses of four persons as referees, from whom the society may obtain information respecting the position, character, strength, qualifications, and general117 suitableness of the applicant for a colonial life; two of these referees to be ladies with whom the applicant has held situations, and two to be her personal friends. the references are, if possible, taken up personally by the secretaries; and the society hopes, by establishing correspondents in the chief provincial towns, to ensure in all cases a personal interview with the applicant, if not with her referees.
iv. if the information obtained is satisfactory, the applicant, being accepted by the society, receives all possible needful assistance. should she be unable to pay the entire cost of cabin fittings and passage money, the society advances the deficient amount, a legal agreement to repay within two years and four months being signed by the emigrant, and two respectable householders as securities. should an approved applicant not require a loan, she is equally entitled to the advantages of the society's care and protection.
v. the society secures all passages and purchases cabin-fittings on behalf of the emigrants, thus saving much trouble and time. it is also enabled, by the liberality of shipowners and outfitters, to effect a considerable saving of expense. the cost of passage and cabin-fittings is generally about ￡45 first class, ￡25 second class. the society has established regular correspondents at most of the colonial ports. as soon as a lady leaves england, notice of her118 departure is sent by the overland mail to the correspondent at the port to which she is bound. her name, together with copies of her testimonials, are sent at the same time; and, as the notice is received six weeks before the emigrant arrives, there is time to make preparations for her reception, and even to seek for situations.
vi. the business of the society is transacted in the usual manner by a committee, secretaries, and treasurers. the selection of emigrants rests with the secretaries, but the names and testimonials of all persons sent out may be inspected by the committee. cheques are signed by a treasurer and a secretary. accounts are audited yearly. interviews on tuesdays.
women's emigration society.
patron: h.r.h. the princess louise, marchioness of lorne.
council:
the duchess of marlborough.
the duchess of wellington.
constance, marchioness of lothian.
the dowager lady lawrence.
the dowager lady rayleigh.
the lady wynford.
the lady elizabeth cust.
the lady adeliza manners.
the lady caroline tumor.
the lord brabazon.
the bishop of ballarat
the bishop of brisbane.
the bishop of huron.
the bishop of north queensland.
the hon. mrs. francis drummond.
the hon. mrs. stonor.
lady henderson.
lady thompson.
the rt. hon. sir bartle frere, bart., g.c.b., g.c.s.i.
sir henry barkly, g.c.m.g.
sir alexander galt, g.c.m.g.
sir saul samuel, k.c.m.g.
the rev. alex. j. ross, d.d.
mrs. charles kingsley.
mrs. townsend.
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executive committee:
the lady jane taylor, 16, eaton place, s. w. (president).
the marchioness of salisbury, arlington house, arlington street.
the lady emily pepys, 75, victoria street, s. w.
lady fox young, 96, cromwell road.
lady stuart hogg, 14, southwell gardens, s. w.
mrs. e. l. blanchard, 6, adelphi terrace, strand.
mrs. george campbell, 22, queen's gate gardens, s. w.
miss elliott, 29, cornwall gardens, s. w.
miss hubbard, leonards lee, horsham.
miss anna swanwick, 23, cumberland terrace, n. w.
the duke of manchester, 1, great stanhope street, w.
lord william seymour, 1, chesham place.
gen. sir r. c. h. taylor, k.c.b., governor of sandhurst.
major c. c. fitzroy, 4, cranley place, s. w.
james noel, esq., 8, hanover square, w.
bankers:
messrs. ransom, bouverie & co., 1, pall mall east, s. w.
honorary solicitors:
messrs. green & hartcup, 5, verulam buildings, gray's inn.
honorary treasurer:
arthur bradshaw, esq., new crofts, hillingdon, uxbridge.
lady secretary:
miss clune.
honorary secretary:
thomas tully, esq.
office:
new buildings, carteret st., queen anne's gate, london, s.w.
the object of the society is to promote, by means of advice and material help, the emigration to the colonies of respectable englishwomen of all classes. the society inquires into the character, health, and prospects of success of each intending emigrant, and watches over her during her transit from her home in120 england to her place of settlement, taking precautions for her comfort and safety on her voyage, and through its agents sheltering and protecting her on her arrival at her destination until she obtains suitable employment.
it obtains and distributes information as to all the british colonies, their climate, resources, &c., &c.
the society endeavours to find the necessary expenses, by loan or gift, for outfit and passage to women who are of good character but without means. many educated or suitable women, struggling unsuccessfully against the over-competition of the old country, would be glad to emigrate if they were aware of the existence of a society able to afford them serviceable advice and assistance. they cannot go through the government emigration agencies, and are therefore thrown upon the funds of the society. to those who are unable to pay for their passage and equipment, the assistance of such a society is indispensable.
the steamers of the p. and o. company, and of the orient line, perform the passage to adelaide in about six weeks. the sailing ships usually occupy about twelve weeks. the rates of passage vary from ￡15 to ￡75.
cassell & company, limited, belle sauvage works, london, e.c.
