"THE FIVE DAY WEEK"

A ship sailed from Britannia’s shores
Bound far across the sea
Unto New Zealand’s distant land,
And many a soul bore she.

The gallant ship ploughed proudly on
With snow white wings upspread’
She kissed the billows’ crested tops
While on her course she sped.

The weeks rolled on in happy dreams
With visions of the past,
The youthful mind, sweet fancies, crown
Of many a year to last.

The gallant ship rode nobly on
And reached her promised haven;
They viewed their new adopted land
And breathed their thanks to Heaven.

‘Twas Friday night they did arrive,
Two rockets they did fire;
To wake Otago was their aim
And reach their cherished spire.

The pilot duly came aboard,
"’Tis Saturday ye well may ken!
Why, nae one works sae late
A yonder in the Toon."

"The Sabbath too ye must all keep
We mauna work lest they shall weep
. I must away and leave her bide,
A rolling in the deep tide."

"The morrow we’ll hae a tug
And lug ye into port.
Then later in that very day
To Dunedin’s captain ye’ll all report."
..........ANON.


THE PASSENGER LIST DUNEDIN

SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1861. The "Lady Egidia" anchored outside the Heads at 8.30 p.m.

MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1861. The "Lady Egidia", 1236 tons, Captain Curry, from Greenock, with immigrants and general cargo, was towed up to Port Chalmers by the "Geelong", and anchored at 5 a.m.

UNASSISTED PASSENGERS:

Cabins:

ASSISTED PASSENGERS:

STATISTICAL DATA

The occupations of the assisted immigrants are:

Editorial Comment Feb 1st 1861

The "Lady Egidia" , from Greenock, arrived at otago on Sunday last after a passage of 104 days. She anchored about two miles of the Heads and was on the following morning towed up to Port Chalmers by the "Geelong".

She is the largest vessel which has yet come to Otago, and was, e understand, drawing 18 feet when she came in. Her safe arrival at Port Chalmers without touching ground is a satisfactory repudiation of the assertion that the water in the harbour is becoming shallower. She belongs to Potter, Wilson & Co., of Glasgow, the same firm to whom the "Bruce" and the "Cheviot" belong, and who have made offers in the Provincial Government to bring out immigrants on advantageous terms. The application has been referred to the home agents with a request that they will give Potter Wilson & Co. preference over other tenderers, other matters being equal.

The "Egidia" brings the largest number of passengers ever landed in Otago by one vessel, and gives an addition to our population of upwards of 400 souls. The "Egidia" experienced some unpleasant weather at starting, but we understand the voyage on the whole has been an agreeable one. Some complaints have been made of breaches of the Passenger Act, which will be enquired into. We believe they are not, however, serious charges, possibly they may be only the inconveniences indispensable from a long voyage with a number of passengers and will shortly be forgotten.

The supply and provisions of water, as regards both quantity and quality, is favourably reported on by the passengers. We however regret to learn that there have been 32 deaths on board-the whole with the exception of two being children. The deaths of the two adults was to have been expected from the state of health in which they left the home country, but the loss of so many children we are persuaded must arise from want of proper care and attention on the part of the medical officer. There is nothing in the voyage to New Zealand, either in its length or the latitudes passed through, to make it destructive to children. Want of ventilation and a sufficiency of nourishing food is, we are certain in most cases, the cause of the deaths of the children.

Medical comforts are usually most liberally supplied by the owners of the ships. In this case there appears to have been no exception to this rule. We can therefore only come to the conclusion that due care has not been used. we have again and again urged upon the agents the necessity of being careful in the selection of the medical officer in charge, as upon him depends to a great extent the comfort and safety of the voyage.

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Further Extract from Local Paper

On Monday afternoon the "Geelong" brought up the passengers to Dunedin. The jetty was crowded by the inhabitants of the city who came down in numbers to welcome friends and catch a peep at the new arrivals who, judging from the loaded deck of the "Geelong" were glad enough to be at their journey’s end. The male immigrants, with a few exceptions, appeared to be hale, strong, hearty fellows who will be an acquisition to our community. They were all quickly housed in the immigration barracks, which affords ample accommodation.

The demand for the services of the new arrivals was as usual considerable, and numbers have already found permanent sitiuations. The young men and female servants have no difficulty in this matter--the married people with large families are not so readily absorbed, but temporary work is provided for all.. We understand that some of the young men have refused offers of £50 per annum with rations. We have no wish to interfere with their making the best bargain they can but we must advise them that permanent situations at such rates are far better than the apparently high rate of 7/- per diem for day labour, when the expense of board and lodging in the town and the loss of time from broken weather is taken into consideration.

No doubt-- the "Egidia" having arrived just at the commencement of the harvest-- there is a great demand for the services of able-bodied men who understand farm work; but all immigrants should look to permanent situations in the country as the thing most desirable for them

The Government at the present time is employing a large number of hands on public works, and of course is taking advantage of fine weather to finish road making as fast as possible before the winter sets in. The Government expenditure for some time has been at a rate of £10,000 per month-- this rate will however not be maintained, and therefore it is prudent for those who have the offer of permanent situations to take them. With these few words of practical advice, we have to give those who have become our fellow colonists a hearty welcome to Otago, and to express the wish that they may prosper in the land of their adoption.

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ADVERTISEMENTS IN LOCAL PAPERS, FEBRUARY, 1861

For Bombay
"Lady Egidia", 1238 tons, will sail about 12 Feb, for Bomabay
Has very superior accommodation for passengers. Dalgety, Rattray & Co., Agents.

---------------

Robert MacKay: Tailor and Clothier
Princes Street
to arrive per "Lady Egidia"
large stock of hats and caps to be sold wholesale and retail.

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Sale by Auction
Flour, tea, groceries etc.,
Friday 8th February, ex "Lady Egidia"
James Paterson & Co.
100 barrels American flour, 20 barrels pearl barley, 4 chests finest Ceylon tea, 5 h/hds. Campbelltown whisky, 4 quarter casks pale brandy, 2 h/hds. dark brandy, 2 h/hds. port wine , 10 crates earthenware of first class quality and for unreserved sale.

Ex "Lady Egidia"
A splendid asssortment of Drapery, glass, stoneware, toys, etc.
A.R. Logan : Princes St.

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Just Landing ex "Lady Egidia"

100 barrels American flour, 20 barrels pearl barley, 2 cases saddlery, 10 cases ling fish, 6 best iron ploughs, 81 packages cordage, yarn and oakum, 150 bags salt, 15 casks soda crystals, 2 h/hds fine whisky, 8 casks refined sugar, 4 chests fine tea, 10 boxes Tennant’s pale soap.

Jas. Paterson & Co

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