The Immigrant's Guide to Australia 1853

WHAT TO BRING ONBOARD THE SHIP

Page 96, para 1 The following list of articles for an outfit for a married couple, contains as few things as they could well go with; of course, the more they can add the better, as it is not possible to wash on the voyage, unless it be a few very small things, the supply of water being limited to three quarts a day. For the wife; three cotton dresses, one pair stays, four petticoats, sixteen chemises, two flannel petticoats, twelve pairs cotton stockings, four pairs black worsted ditto, six night dresses and caps, six pocket-handkerchiefs, four handkerchiefs for the neck, six caps, two bonnets, cloak and shawl, one pair boots, two pairs shoes, and eight towels. For the husband: two fustian jackets, waistcoats, and trousers, three pairs canvas trousers, one over-coat, two felt hats, one Scotch cap, sixteen striped shirts, two Guernsey shirts, twelve pairs cotton half-hose, four pairs worsted hose, six handkerchiefs, eight towels, two pairs boots, and one pair shoes, strong but not heavy. Children in like proportion. The family will also require a flock mattress and bolster, one pair blankets, one coverlet, six pairs cotton sheets, two or three tablecloths, six pounds yellow soap, three pounds marine soap, metal wash-hand basin, knives and forks, one quart tin hookpot, one coffee-pot, comb and brush, besides a supply of string sewing materials, tape, buttons, &c. Should a little extra means be at command, let it be expended in laying in small supplies of calicoes, brown holland, camlet, fine canvas &c.; and it will always be desireable that the wife make as many of her clothes on board as possible, as the occupation serves to pass away many an otherwise idle, heavy hour.

Page 96 para 2 A superior class of emigrants,men of a few hundreds, may take the following as a sufficient list for the voyage; three dozen regatta shirts, common, to be used first; one dozen best regatta shirts; six best white shirts, for town; twelve pairs drawers, cotton thread; three dozen pairs socks, cotton or angola, six pairs worsted socks; six pairs shoes or boots, strong but not heavy; one cloth cap; one straw hat and one felt hat, as you generally lose one or two overboard;a south-wester; one pilot-cloth coat; two body coats, alpaca; six blouses; two pairs cloth trousers; three pairs alpaca ditto; ten pairs white ducks; a large canvas clothes-bag; a horse-hair or cocoa-nut fibre mattress; a pair of 40s blankets; eight pairs of sheets; a coverlet; a cabin wash-basin and table; a pair of ship chest of drawers; a looking-glass; combs, brushes, &c.; a ship cabin candle lamp, with 10Lbs. composite candles; 6Lbs. soap; some marine soap, all packed in chests or in the drawers; with tapes, buttons, sewing thread, needles &c.

Page 96 para 2 For the bush he will require, in addition: two pairs moleskin trousers, strapped inside all the way down; four pairs moleskin trousers; twelve Florentine shirts; six pairs boots, strong Wellingtons or ankle jacks; one monkey jacket; two shooting coats; one drab greatcoat, like a soldier's loose made; a pair or two of the best spurs, plated; twelve coarse silk pocket-handkerchiefs; a good head-stall snaffle bridle-the saddle had better be bought in the colony, also saddle bags.

Page 96 para 3 The above calculations are all based upon a voyage of four months;for, although the usual time occupied by good vessels is not more than ninety to ninety-five days, it would not be prudent to arrange the outfit on that scale.

ORGANIZING THE PASSAGE

Page 100 para 1 Passengers are divided into three kinds-cabin, intermediate, and steerage. The first class includes all the poop and stern cabins between decks. Such passengers take their meals with the captain and officers in the cuddy, and are provided with unlimited fresh meat, poultry, beer, wine, &c. The rate of payment varies according to the table furnished and size of the cabin, ranging from £40 to £70 each person; families being charged less.

Page 100 para 2 Intermediate passages cost from £20 to £30, according to dieting and size of ship. The accommodation for those consists fo cabins built up in a temporary manner between decks, about 8 feet by 6 feet, with four or six sleeping berths in each, though four is ample for the space. The dieting of this class is fixed according to a certain scale, consisting of beef, pork, preserved fresh meat, flour, biscuits, raisins, rice, pease, preserved potatoes, tea, coffee, sugar, butter, &c.with three quarts of water daily. Cooking and mess utemsils,and sometimes bedding, are included in the above charges.

Page 100 para 3 The steerage is the lowest class, and for these only sleeping places are put up on either side of the lower deck; though for married people separate berths are erected. Bedding is sometimes added, and always cooking and mess utensils. The scale of dietary for these differs only from the former in being a little less in quality.

Page 104 para 3 To young settlers, who are desirous of making their small capital go as far as possible-avoid the cost of cabin or even intermediate passage;engage a space between decks at the steerage price, £20 to £25 each, and employ the ship's carpenter to run up a little cabin,fitting it up with a few useful things, such as a common filter, tin wash-basin and jug, two quart hook-pots, one pint pot, tin plates and dishes, knives and forks, tea and coffee pots, small water-jug, and a ship candle-lamp. Before sailing be sure everything is well lashed down.In addition to the above, a supply of provisions will be found acceptable,as the ship's dietary may not be such as the emigrant and his wife have been accustomed to-say 1cwt.flour, 1 cwt of potatoes, a few pounds of tea, coffee, and cocoa, some candles, a hundred eggs greased and packed in salt, some suet, butter, cheese, and biscuits; a dozen or two tins of preserved provisions, a side of bacon and a couple of hams, with a little wine and some bottled beer. The whole of the above might be had for about £20,which, added to the cost of the steerage passage for a couple, say £45, will not amount to more than the cost of a single cabin passage.

LIFE ONBOARD

    WEEKLY DIETARY SCALE FOR EACH ADULT
Biscuit,per week..............3 lb. Tea,   ..........1 1/2oz.
Beef,  "  ".............1/2 lb  Coffee,..................2oz.
Pork,  "  "...............1 lb. Sugar,.................3/4lb.
Preserved Meat"...............1 lb. Treacle,...............1/2lb.
Soup &Bouillion...............1 lb. Butter,................1/4lb.
Fish,   " ".............1/4 lb. Cheese,................1/4lb.
Flour,  " "...........3 1/2 lb. Oatmeal..................2oz.
Raisins,  " ".............1/2 lb. Lime Juice............1 gill
Preserved Fruit.............1/4 lb. Pickles,..............1 gill
Suet,   " "...............6 oz. Mustard,..............1/2 oz.
Pease,  " "......2/3 of a pint  Salt,...................2 oz.
Rice,   " ".............3/4 lb. Pepper,...............1/2 oz.
Preserved Potatoes..........1/2 lb. Water,.....5 gallons 1 quart
Carrots,  " ".............1/2 lb.   " each infant,1 gallon3qts

Page 101 para 3 Enclosed cabins are furnished to each family, of a size according to the number of individuals. Children above fourteen years of age are provided with compartments for sleeping separate from those of their parents. One enclosed cabin is allotted to seven single females, also an enclosed cabin for seven young men, in parts of the vessel appropriated by classification for those berths. The arrangement of the cabins is such as to provide for perfect order, decorum, and morality.

Page 101 para 4 In each of the ships there is a matron's committee, composed of six females of an appropriate age, which is selected. They undertake the motherly duty of seeing that all the young females are in their sleeping apartments at a proper hour, and are earnestly solicited never to retire to rest leaving any young girl on the poop or deck of the ship.

Page 101 para 5 In addition to the above, there is a general "group committee" on board each ship,to be selected by the whole body of emigrants, whose duty it is to preserve order on the lower deck, and see that deck kept clean;to attend during the issue of provisions, to see that each mess has the proper allowance;and to keep a register of the brands on the various casks of provisions, that they may know they are consuming the provisions put on board for their use. The appointment of the first committee (to act for one month only);at the end of that period the group can elect others.

Page 102 para 1 For the more effectual preservation of order and regularity, all complaints to be made to the surgeon, through the medium of the group committee, in order that he may apply to the captain, should it become necessary, with a view to remedy the cause of complaint. No smoking allowed on the poop, lower deck, or abaft the mainmast on the upper deck. Single men not to go abaft the main hatchway on the lowerdeck, except during meals. One side of the poop deck to be reserved exclusively for the captain's use and comfort, and that of his officers. The passengers to leave the poop deck at half-past eight in the evening, and lamps to be extinguished at ten o'clock, with the exception of three large ones on the lower deck, and one on the poop which will be left burning all night. No lights of any kind permitted in the cabins, and those over the tables must not be removed. No clothes will be dried in the cabins, or between decks. Any fire-arms, gunpowder, lucifer matches, or combustible material of any kind, discovered in the possession of the passengers, will be immediately taken away from them by the captain, and retained by him until the termination of the voyage.

RULES AND REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO SHIP-BOARD LIFE

Page 103 para 2 With the view of promoting order and health on board passenger ships the following rules have been put in order:

1. Every passenger to rise at 7 A.M. unless otherwise permitted by the surgeon, or, if no surgeon, the master.
2. Breakfast from 8 to 9A.M., dinner at 1 P.M., supper at 6P.M.
3. The passengers to be in their beds at 10 P.M.
4. Fires to be lighted by the passengers' cook at., and kept alight by him till 7P.M.,then to be extinguished,unless otherwise directed by the master or required for the use of the sick.
5. The master to determine the order in which the passengers shall be entitled to the use of the fires for cooking. The cook to take care that this order is preseved.
6. Three safety lamps to be lit at dusk, one to be kept burning all night in the main hatchway, the two others may be extinguished at 10P.M.
7. No naked light to be allowed at any time or on any account.
8. The passengers, when dressed, to roll up their beds,to sweep the decks (including the space under the bottom of the berths),and to throw the dirt overboard.
9. Breakfast not to commence till this is done.
10.The sweepers for the day to be taken in rotation from the males above 14, in the proportion of five for every one hundred passengers.
11.Duties of the sweepers to be to clean the ladders,hospitals,and round-houses,to sweep the decks after every meal, and to dry holystone and scrape them after breakfast.
12.But the occupant of each berth to see that his own berth is well brushed out, and single women are to keep their own compartment clean in ships where a seperate compartment is allotted to them.
13.The beds to be well shaken and aired on deck and the bottom boards, if not fixtures, to be removed and dry-scrubbed and taken on deck at least twice a week.
14.Two days in the week to be appointed by the master as washing days, but no clothes to be washed or dried between decks.
15.The coppers and cooking vessels to be cleaned every day.
16.The scuttles and stern ports, if any, to be kept open (weather permitting)from 7 A.M. to 10P.M., and the hatches at all hours.
17.Hospitals to be established, with an area, in ships carrying one hundred passengers, of not less than forty-eight superficial feet, with two or four bed-berths;and in ships carrying two hundred passengers, of not less than one hundred superficial feet, with six bed-berths.
18.On Sunday the passengers to be mustered at 10A.M.,when they will be expected to appear in clean and decent apparel. The day to be observed as religiously as circumstances will permit.
19.No spirits or gunpowder to be taken on board by any passenger. Any that may be discovered to be taken into the custody of the master till the expiration of the voyage.
20.No loose hay or straw to be allowed below.
21.No smoking to be allowed between decks.
22.All gambling,fighting, riotous or quarrelsome behaviour, swearing and violent language, to be at once put a stop to. Swords and other offensive weapons, as soon as the passengers embark, to be placed in the custody of the master.
23.No sailors to remain on the passenger deck among the passengers except on duty.
24.No passenger to go to the ship's cookhouse without special permission from the master, nor to remain in the forecastle among the sailors on any account.

ARRIVAL IN AUSTRALIA

Page 106 para 3 Emigrants have to pay all expenses attending the landing of themselves and their baggage, and their conveyance from the ship to the town of their destination.

Page 106 Para 4 The best time to arrive in Australia is between the months of November and February, as during that period the sheep-farmers and stock-holders come down to the towns with their drays of wool or herds of cattle for sale, and are prepared to hire and take back with them fresh supplies of labourers with their luggage. Page 106 Para 5 Emigrants should beware of lingering in the towns, where they can do little more than waste their substance. Should there be no farmers in from the bush at the time of arrival, let the labourer start off in quest of work; if he have a family, they may be left in charge of any respectable party with other fresh settlers. He will be sure to find work at no great distance, and, at any rate, always a shelter and a meal at night, with a hearty welcome.

Page 106/107 para 6 Small capitalists intending to turn farmers cannot do better than deposit their means in one of the banks for one year, whilst they look about them, with a view to pick up information as to country, mode of life, cattle, and many other matters. Nothing should be entered upon rashly, especially the purchase of cattle, which should never be done until a run or a farm be secured.

REQUIREMENTS OF BUSH LIFE

Page 111 para 1 Set of splitting wedges. Generally half-a-dozen go to one set; only one set is required. Broad axe. Adze.(remember all tools that require grinding may be ground at the settlement) Spades for digging post-holes-a peculiar sort, to be purchased at the company's store. Also common spades. Spud and pick; to be procured from blacksmith. Hoes; these also are a purely colonial article, twelve inches in the blade, strongly supported on the back, and with thoroughly substantial eye. The smallest settler should have at least four. With these tools and implements a crop may be got in; without then, not unless in a very blundering make-shift manner.

THE DISCOVERY OF GOLD

Page 120 Para 2 On the 30th of April 1851, Mr. Hargreaves wrote to the Colonial Secretary that the localities at which he had found gold were Summerhill Creek, Lewes Ponds, and Macquoire River, situated in the Wellington and Bathurst districts, and that he should be prepared when called upon to point out the precise places whereon he had discovered gold.

Page 120 Para 3 By the government instruction, the colonial geologist, Mr. Stutchbury, was advised of this communication, and instructed to put himself in communication with Mr Hargreaves for the purpose of deciding on the best method of procedure. Thereupon it was determined that these gentlemen should forthwith visit the spots indicated, and upon their report such steps should be taken as might be deemed advisable, in keeping with the importance of the undertaking upon which they were engaged.

Page 120 Para 5 It was not long that Mr. Hargreaves discovery lay dormant; having to employ several men to assist him while proving to Mr. Stutchbury the correctness of his statements these soon divulged the nature of their pursuits, and the gold fever broke out with such violence,that Mr. Stutchbury reports, on the 19th of May, or little more than a fortnight from the time Mr. Hargreaves informing the Government where gold was to be found, four hundred persons were busily engaged, and that many, "with merely a tin, obtained one or two ounces a day;,"and "that great confusion was likely to arise as to the way in which the claims of the diggers should be settled."

Page 120 Para 6 On the 22nd of May, it was found necessary to issue a proclamation, declaring the rights of the crown to all gold deposits within the district of New South Wales; and, furthermore, in order to assert this right, Mr. John Richard Hardy, chief magistrate of Paramatta, was appointed gold commissioner, with a staff of ten mounted policemen: he was also authorised to issue gold-digging licences, and to receive payment in gold obtained by the process of amalgamation, at the of ú2,8s. per ounce, or by gold obtained simply by washing, at the rate of ú3,4s.per ounce. At the same time to preserve peace and repress violence and insubordination, he was further empowered to swear in special constables and act with the local police.

REGULATIONS RELATING TO GOLD LICENSES AND CLAIMS

1. Fifteen feet frontage to either side of a river or main creek.
2. Twenty feet of the bed of a tributary to a river or main creek, extending across its whole breadth.
3. Sixty feet of the bed of a ravine or watercourse.
4. Twenty feet square of table land or river flats.

• These claims to be secured to parties only as they may continue to hold licences for the same, except in case of flood or accident.
  
• Licences liable to be cancelled on conviction of the holders selling spirits or of any disorderly and riotous conduct.
  
• Persons found working alluvial gold on public or private lands without a licence, to pay double licence fee.
  
• Disputes as to claims to be settled by the Commissioners.
  
• Licences to dig on lands alienated from the crown to be issued only to the proprietors,or persons authorised by the proprietors in writing to apply for the same.
  
• The fee for such licences to be fifteen shillings per month. Licences for draining ponds and water holes for the purpose of obtaining alluvial gold to be obtainable on paying as many licence fees as shall be proportionate to the area of the waterhole, calculating twenty-five feet square for every licence.
  
• Reservoirs and dams for the purpose of washing gold to be constructed on the permission of the Commissioners.
  
• Owners of claims employing labourers, and paying licence fees for them, allowed to transfer such licences to other labourers.
  
• All person searching for matrix gold, by working auriferous quartz veins, to pay a royalty of ten per cent,on all gold obtained, to an officer appointed by the Government. The party working the vein to come under a bond in the sum of £1000 to pay such royalty. The Government officer to reside on the land, and to have access to the buildings and premises and to all books and accounts connected with the production of gold.

  Page 122 Para 2 "The claim to consist of half a mile, and in the course of the vein, with a quarter of a mile on each side of the vein reserved for building purposes, &c.
  "The right to cut timber and to use water on the land to be granted.
  "The claim to be forfeited by neglecting to pay the prescribed royalty, by not employing twenty persons, or machinery, calculating one horse power to seven men, within six months after the application for the claim has been accepted, or by ceasing to employ that number subsequently, by the employment of unlicensed persons to work alluvial gold on the claim, or violating in any way the terms of the bond.
  "The duration of the claims to be three years, to be extended further under instructions from her Majesty's Government, if the conditions of the bond have been fulfilled.
  "No portion of land previously occupied and claimed for alluvial gold will be open for selection for matrix gold while it continues to be worked for the former.
  "The royalty for working auriferous quartz on private lands to be five per cent.
  "Persons occupying portions of the gold field for trading purposes to pay licence of £l,10s per month."

Page 128 Para 1 ADDITIONAL GOLD REGULATIONS."

• 1.Persons occupying portions of the gold field by erecting temporary buildings.tents.&c.,and carrying on business in any way,shall pay a fee of thirty shillings monthly for the use of the land so occupied by them,and they are required to pay the same on demand and in advance to the officer appointed to receive payment of licence fees.
  
• 2.Persons desirous of establishing claims to new and unoccupied ground by working in the ordinary method for alluvial gold, may have their claims marked out on the following scale, namely--

  (1)Fifteen feet frontage to either side of a river or main creek,to each person.
  (2)Twenty feet of the bed of a tributary to a river or main creek, to each person.
  (3)Sixty feet of the bed of a ravine or watercourse,to each person.
  (4)Twenty feet square of table-land or river flats,to each person.

  Every such claim shall be voided by the failure on the part of the claimant to work the same within ten days after the date of his acceptance,and person found working on such or any other ground without having previously paid the licence fee to the proper officer shall pay double the amount for such licence, and in default be proceeded against in the usual manner.
  

• 3.The licence fee for private lands will in future be one half only of that payable for crown lands.
  
• 4.Persons desirous of working auriferous quartz veins may make application in writing to the commissioner or assistant-commissioner of the gold district,accurately describing the locality. Such applications shall be immediately recorded by such officer in a book to be kept for that purpose, which shall be open at all reasonable times to the inspection of applicants. In case no previous application shall have been made as above directed, and should there be no valid objection to the proposal, the commissioner shall notify to the applicant his acceptance of the same. The applicant shall then enter into a bond, binding himself and two or more sufficient sureties, to the satisfaction of the Government,jointly and severally, in the sum of two thousand pounds, to pay a royalty of ten per cent, on all gold obtained from any part of the land within the limits of his claim to an officer to be appointed for that purpose by the Government. He shall further be bound to permit such officer to reside on the land in the neighbourhood of the works at such spot as may be assigned by the commissioner, and also to give to such officer access at all reasonable times to the buildings or premises and to all books and accounts connected with the production of gold; also to give all necessary facilities for the collection of the royalty, daily or weekly, as may be found most desirable.

  Page 129 Para 1
  

• 5.All buildings,machinery, or other improvements erected or made on the land, shall be considered as additional security for the due performance of the conditions of the bond.
  
• 6.The above claim shall consist of half a mile of, and in the course of the vein, with fifty yards reserved on each side of such vein for building and other purposes. The right of cutting and using timber for building purposes or for firewood from adjacent crown lands, as well as access to neighbouring water, shall also be conceded. The duration of the claim shall be three years, which shall,however,be extended for such further period as upon receipt of instructions from Her Majesty's Government may be determined upon, having due regard to the interests of the parties concerned. At the expiration of the term of their holding, or on the sooner termination of their tenure by consent of the Government, the parties shall have liberty to remove all buildings, machinery, or other improvements erected or made by them, and a reasonable time shall be allowed for that purpose; provided always, that the conditions of the bond shall have been duly fulfilled.
  
• 7.A claim, such as the above, shall be forfeited by the failure of the applicant to enter within a reasonable period into the required bond; by his neglecting to pay the prescribed royalty at the time and in the manner required by the bond; by his not employing at least twenty persons on such claim within six months of the acceptance of hiss application for the same; by his ceasing to employ that number persons on the works for the period of one month thereafter; by obstructing the officer in the proper performance of this duty; or in any other way violating the terms of the bond. Such vein shall then be open to selection by other parties.
  
• 8.Persons desirous of working auriferous quartz veins on their own lands shall be subject to the terms of the above regulations, with the exception that the royalty payable on the gross production of gold shall by five per cent., and that they shall not be compelled to employ any specific number of persons nor be liable to any penalty on their ceasing to work.
  
• 9.Persons desirous of draining ponds or waterholes may make application in the mode above stated to the commissioner or assistant-commissioner of the gold district, and shall be subject in all respects to the same regulations, with the exception that, in the place of the payment of a royalty, the applicants shall bind themselves to employ not less than forty persons for such undertaking during the period of their occupation, and take out a licence for every person so employed; and such claim shall be voided by the withdrawal of such number of persons from the work, unless in case of interruption by flood or other unforeseen accident.
  
• 10.Where more than one application shall have been made for any pond or waterhole previously to the application of these regulations, or shall hereafter be made on the same day, such pond or waterhole shall be put up to tender, the advance being on the existing rate of the licence fee. And it will be understood that such advance shall be paid on any number of persons employed in addition to the forty above determined.
  
• 11.The commissioner or assistant-commissioner is empowered to make such temporary regulation as may be necessary to prevent inconvenience to other licensed person from the carrying on operations of the above nature.