No. 12.
Enel. No. 12.
- “ང༽ 8。 2.
126
CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO
It appeared to me very unfortunate that this estate should have adopted in its trans- actions with the Chinese a course different to that pursued by the adjoining plantations; for however just it might have been in the abstract to recover from the people the amount expended in clothing, still it was but probable that less liberal treatment than that experienced on other plantations would cause dissatisfaction. Moreover, I apprehend that if stoppages were to be made, those of Messrs. flyde, Hodge, and Co. had a primary lien on the wages of the labourers.
From the 17th January, when the people first commenced working for money, their earnings have, as elsewhere, been progressively on the increase, viz. -
For the first four weeks
The next four weeks
The next three weeks
7 cents per day's labour. 71 19 11
15
**
For the first two months rations were issued without a charge and independent of the money wages; but since the 1st of April not only have the people been thrown upon their own resources, (which in most cases, it is but justice to say, have ranged from $1 to $1.25 per week), but stoppages have been made for clothing given elsewhere as a douceur.
*Windsor Forest, which next came under inspection, also received Chinese from the "Glentanner," and but one death, in the month of January, had occurred out of the 104 sent to the estate. We found the same liberal treatment in operation here as at " Blanken- burg," and a more healthy and contented set of beings it was impossible to see. rooms were tidy in the extreme, their persons cleanly; and the labours of the day being Their over, they were singing, cooking, and amusing themselves as if totally devoid of care, and as happy as larks. On inspection of the pay-book for the preceding week I found many of the people had earned $1.56, many more $1.12, and that all were fairly in a position. to maintain themselves, and contribute to the advances made by Hyde, Hodge, and Co., if the proprietor will not himself assume them.
The Inst estate visited by his Excellency on the 21st ultimo was the "Haarlaein," in which 45 had been located from the Samuel Boddington ;" and although no deaths had occurred, two were in the hospital with yellow fever, whose chances of life were but very doubtful, and seven others were confined temporarily with intermittent fever and Bores. The remainder were in perfect health, and earning, as the manager informed us, on an average from $1 to $14. At the period of our visit they were, with exception of the sick, on the same footing as all other labourers in the colony, having experienced the same liberality in clothing and household utensils from the owner of the estate as at Windsor Forest and other places.
I regret that the removal of the 45 Chinese from the "Vreedenthorp" to "Anna Regina," on the Arabian coast, has prevented my etabracing in this report all immigrants of this class hitherto imported. I am informed, however, that but one death: had occurred upon that estate up to the date of their departure.
The only two other river estates receiving Chinese, and which I visited yesterday, are the Kleyn Ponderoyen" and "Seloon Ord." To the former 44 were sent, ex "Glen- tanner,” and to the latter 51, from the "Samuel Boddington." The "Kleyn Ponderoyen" Chinese appear to have been a sickly lot from their first location upon the estate, four having lied soon after their arrival, two having continued throughout in the hospital, and eight others being still so weakly as to be unfit for field labour. The remainder were looking healthy enough, and although not so robust as elsewhere, were earning, according to the estates books, sufficient for their proper maintenance.
A
At "Scloon Ord" the last estate embraced in this report, but one death had taken place (in the month of April), and only two were in hospital with intermittent fever. number of others were suffering from the scratches of the cane and itch, but the doctor, who met me on the property, was of opinion that they would be better employed about the buildings so long, and that in a few days they would be perfectly well. At foot you have the number of Chinese allotted to each estate from the three ships that have -arrived, together with the mortality reported; referring to which,
The Hon. William Walker.
March 4, 1853.-S. Boddington."
Esate
Anna Catherina
Scloon Ord
Vreedenthorp
Ilaarlaem
Stewartville
Hague
I have, &c.
(Signed) J. GARDINER MARTIN,
EMIGRATION OF CHINESE COOLIES.
No 42.
127
Copy of a DESPATCH from Lord Harris, Governor of Trinidad, to the Duke of NEWCASTLE.
(No. 47.)
Government House, April 22, 1853.
(Received May 19, 1853.)
MY LORD DUKE,
I HAVE the honour herewith to forward to you a report which I directed the Agent General of Immigrants to compile for the purpose of forwarding, as it appeared probable that you would be desirous of possessing early information of the state and condition of the Chinese who have arrived in this colony.
I have, &c. The Duke of Newcastle,
(Signed) HARRIS. &c.
&c. &c.
Enclosure in No. 42.
SIB,
Immigration Office, April 14, 1853. I HAVE the honour to state for the information of his Excellency the Governor. that on Tuesday the 12th instant Mr. Aynsley, agent of the firm of Messrs. Miles and Kington, called at this office, and reported that the Chinese immigrants located on the "Caroni" estates had refused to receive their monthly pay of three round dollars, as per agreement signed at Namoa. They insisted on receiving four round dollars, and alleged that their countrymen on other estates had received the same sum. Taking the two interpreters, I accompanied Mr. Aynsley to the estates in question. We called first at "Barataria," and there ascertained that the people had been paid four dollars each. On their agreement being explained they immediately went to their rooms, and brought back the dollar for the monthly repayinent of the advance at Namoa. They did so with complete good will. On the "Caroni" estates, after a similar explanation, four dollars were handed to each man; he retained three, and gave one to me. Notwithstanding the interpreter telling them the sick people would be paid in their own houses, they (the sick) came up, either alone or assisted by their friends, to the manager's dwelling, to be paid an imprudence which may cost some of them their lives. On the "Curepe" the people had been paid four dollars each; they asserted that the money being already spent they could not repay at the moment, but would do so next pay day.
Yesterday I visited, with the interpreters, the two remaining estates in this district on which Chinese were located; they had been already paid at the rate of three dollars per month. A marked improvement had taken place in the amount of labour performed since the first visit which I had the honour to report.
On the "Orange Grove" every man but two had finished his task on Tuesday. Sickness still continues to a considerable extent, and the labour of the new immigrant cannot be rated on an average at less than 18. 3. per task. They are fond of good living, and many purchased poultry with their money.
The prevailing sickness is, I apprehend, not altogether due to the accident of their being new comers, as on inquiry I found that the average of serious aftacks amongst the native peasantry and coolies had been greater than for many previous months. I have not yet been able to visit the "Camden" estate in "Conva," to which a lot of Chinese were assigned; but I have this day learned from the houses of Messrs. Hume, Bernard. and Co., the town agents, that, with the exception of sickness to a considerable extent, they are doing well.
With regard to "Cedros," the remaining locality, where two large lots have been assigned, I have much pleasure in annexing the following copy of the Warden's report :-
I have. &c. The Hon. James S. Wildman,
Acting Colonial Secretary.
(Signed)
HENRY. MITCHELL,
Acting Agent General of Immigrants.
St. Marie Estate, April 11, 1853 Knowing your anxiety regarding the Chinese immigrants I beg to state that they are superior to any immigrants I have yet had under my charge. They intelligent and tractable than the African, and cleanlier, healthier, and stronger than the coolie.
They are also giving Mr. Watson, at St. John's, satisfaction.
I. C. G.
January 17, 1859
Lord Elgin."
SIR,
Jumigrants. Deaths.
Estate,
Immigrants. Deaths.
4.
1
Blakenburg
9
9
51
1
47
1
January 12, 1853.-" Glentonner."
45
Jalousie
101
3
4.4
2
Windsor Forest
108
1
To Henry Mitchell, Esq.,
30
2
Kleyn Ponderoven
41
4
Acting Agent General of Immigrants.
271
7
25]
8
Total, 605 immigrants; 18 deaths.
• That is without including the extra expenses of the first month.-- II, M.
Q4
are more
I am, &e,
(Signed)
ANDREW WYLLIE,
Warden.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TITLC.O. 885
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO