Index	LU=12Apr07	Contact: Dawn Chambers

John Morrison 1870-1879


British Parliamentary Papers 1870 (c.83) p220
Irish University Press series Volume 16 Colonies New Zealand

Correspondence between The Colonial Office and the War Office No. 22
Copy of a letter from the Under Secretary of State for War to the Under 
Secretary of State for the Colonies 20 Jan 1870

Sir, With reference to my Letter of the 13th instant, relative to the 
extension of the grant of the New Zealand Medal to the Local or 
Volunteer Forces employed against the Maoris, I am directed by Mr 
Secretary Cardwell to transmit to you, for Earl Granville's 
information, a copy of a Letter which has been received from Mr John 
Morrison, the Agent of the Colony, on the subject. Signed Edward 
Lugard.

Enclosure in No. 22 Office of the New Zealand Government Agency, 3 
Adelaide Place, King William Street, E.C. 15 Jan 1870

Sir, I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the number and 
date as per margin, transmitting Copies of a Letter, and of its 
Enclosures, from the Colonial Office, on the subject of the proposed 
grant of the New Zealand Medal to the Local or Volunteer Forces 
employed against the Maoris; and in consequence of Her Majesty having 
been pleased to approve of the grant of the Medal to such of them as 
survived at the date of the General Order, directing me to communicate 
with the Royal Mint as to the cost of providing the 5000 medals applied 
for, and the machine for stamping them.

In reply, I have the honour to state that immediately your instructions 
were received, an application was made to the Deputy Master of the Mint 
for the information, and, on behalf of the Government of New Zealand, I 
beg to state that I shall be prepared to defray the cost of the Medals 
and the machine.

The Deputy-Master has been requested to inform me the earliest date 
upon which the Medals and the Machine can be ready for transmission to 
the Colony; for, if the package be not of great weight or size, I would 
seek to send them to the Government of New Zealand by the Overland Mail 
of next week. Signed John Morrison.


Appendices to the Journal of the House of Representatives [AJHR]
1872 Section D1c p4 Enclosure 3 in No.1 The Rev. P. Barclay to Dr 
Featherston - Report of Emigration Work during the last six months.

The interest in emigration [at Plockton, Rosshire] there had been
excited by the fact that, in June 1871, a considerable number of 
persons had left for New Zealand at the instigation of Mr Morrison and
myself, and by the kind assistance of Mr Matheson [of Duncraig and MP
of Ardross, Rosshire]. Some of these had written home charming accounts
of the climate, soil &c of New Zealand, and had spoken of the high rate
of wages, which, in some instances, to these poor West Coast Islanders,
seemed quite fabulous.

Archives NZ Reference Im 6/1/1 - 1872/264
Report of Emigration Work during the last six months
Written by Peter Barclay from 4 India Street 11 June 1872

In December 1871 I went up by request to London and conferred with the
Agent General on Emigration matters. The Agent General said he had
been instructed to ask my services for Scotland and asked if I could
undertake definite work for him there. I said such work was out of my
line of things but that being much interested in New Zealand and being
so courteously asked I would engage in it at least for a time. Then,
and when during the following months the Agent General came to
Edinburgh the terms were arranged.

There after I began to write a tract at his suggestion suitable for
emigrants. But within a few weeks (about 20th January) I went by
invitation to Duncraig the West Coast residence of Alexander Matheson
Esqr., of Andross M.P. for Rosshire. There I remained two days and
addressed a very large meeting of his people at the Village of 
Plockton. The interest in Emigration there had been excited by the fact
that in June 1871 a considerable number of persons had left for New
Zealand at the instigation of Mr Morrison and myself and by the kind
assistance of Mr Matheson. Some of these had written home charming
accounts of the Climate soil Vc. Vc. of New Zealand and had spoken
of the high rate of wages which in some instances to these poor West
Coast Highlanders seemed quite fabulous. The consequence of all this
is that about 70 or 80 go this year from that neighbourhood chiefly
to Hawke's Bay Province by the Ballarat and Mr F. McDonell the local
Agent who has been most useful in going through the people and
explaining matters writes that in his opinion a very great muster
will go during the ensuing year i.e. after letters are received from
those going now.

[The ship Ballarat departed London 13 Jun 1872 and arrived at 
Napier 1 Sep 1872]

....

[Edinburgh 6 June 1872]
I have also received the translation of my New Zealand pamphlet into
Gaelic and have put it into the hands of MacLachlan and Stewart who
do nearly all the Gaelic printing here. There will be 1000 printed at
first and the types will stand for a month or six weeks. It will be
given away by the Agents in Gaelic districts and I shall advise them
to give with discretion. It has been translated by F. Macdonell at
Plockton one of the best Gaelic Scholars in the Highlands. He says it
has been very tough work because it touches on so many subjects and
that he would have had less trouble with a volume of sermons four
times as large. I shall consult Maclachlan and Stuart as to his
remuneration for this Work.

...

On the West Coast the people are intensly clannish and as a Rule fond
of their Church consequently any plain statement about special
settlements where they can live near one another and do work for
themselves and others is good. If the Scotch Churches were alive to
their duty and would contrive to send a worthy minister to such a
Settlement a great many would go.

...


AJHR 1872 Section D1B p6 No. 8
Letter from Featherston to Colonial Secretary dated 25 May 1872,
Hamburg.

Mr Seaton, in a letter addressed to Mr Morrison, and forwarded to me
here, dated Portree 16th May says "There seems to be good ground for
the report I wrote you of, that smallpox is very prevalent in Storway,
and said to be of a very bad type."


AJHR 1872 Section D1c p7 Enclosure in No. 2
Mr Morrison to Dr Featherston, 7 Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, 
Westminster, SW, 31 May 1872
Manuscript equivalent: Archives NZ Reference Im 6/1/1 1872/265

Sir, Having undertaken, at your request, to proceed to the Western 
Highlands to complete certain emigration matters, I beg leave to submit 
to you a report of my proceedings. Whilst acting for the Government, I 
granted assisted passages to a few families from Ross-shire. Being 
informed that they had written most favourably concerning the Colony to 
their friends at home, so much so, that several were desirous to follow 
them, I proceeded direct to Loch Alsh, to grant them passages, and to 
make suitable arrangements for their embarkation. At the same time, it 
was expected that by personal interviews with the landed proprietors, 
it would be the means of securing their influence and co-operation. In 
general I am glad to say that this anticipation has been realized.

At Loch Alsh upwards of fifty individuals applied for passages: 
satisfying myself of their eligibility, I had no hesitation in granting 
their applications. In the district of Loch Carron I found the people 
less disposed to emigrate. Some who applied, and whose behalf strong 
representations were made, were unable to provide the money 
contribution required by the regulations. 

While there I instituted inquiries to discover the individuals referred 
to in the list furnished to His Honor the Superintendent of Otago, by 
Mr Finlay Murchison, of Riverton. Fortunately I succeeded, and you will 
observe, from the annexed schedule, that passages are provided for 
several; also, that this had been done prior to the receipt of the 
list.

I likewise visited Portree, in the Isle of Skye; Stornoway, in the 
Island of Lewis; Ullapool, Garve, Dingwall, Inverness, Nairn, Perth, 
and other parts, at which places I communicated with the local agents, 
and did everything in my power to further the object of my journey.

Finding it impossible in a limited time to visit the scattered 
districts in the Islands of Skye and Lewis, and gathering, as the 
result of my observations, that emigrants of a suitable class were to 
be got from those parts, I arranged, subject to your approval, that 
this should be done by one of the Government Emigration Officers. As 
you approved of this suggestion, and were good enough to appoint Mr 
Seaton to undertake this duty, I proceeded to Inverness to await the 
arrival of that gentleman. On his meeting me, I took the opportunity to 
explain to him the duties he had to perform, and the nature of your 
instructions, after which he immediately proceeded to Stornoway.

While at Inverness I concluded an arrangement with the Highland Railway 
Company to convey the emigrants by rail from Strome Ferry and 
intermediate stations to Dundee, and thence by steamer to London, for 
the sum of 20s each. This low charge, which is much less than half the 
ordinary rate, was obtained through the influence of Mr Matheson, MP, 
the Chairman of the Company.

Regarding it advisable that the emigrants should not be landed at 
London, but, if practicable, that they should be transferred from the 
steamer to the ship off Gravesend, I proceeded to Dundee to arrange 
this. I also provided that the emigrants should be supplied with 
provisions during the voyage, and as the West Highland train generally 
arrives many hours before the sailing of the steamer, I likewise 
stipulated that they should be allowed to embark immediately upon their 
arrival at Dundee.

My object in dealing thus minutely with these details was to dispel the 
dread entertained of the difficulties and discomforts of the journey. 
It gave universal satisfaction when it became known that a person 
connected with the Government would be sent to take charge of them; it 
shows, as they expressed it, "that the Government really intend taking 
care of us." Although able-bodied and intelligent, from their limited 
knowledge of English and their total inexperience in travelling, they 
have not confidence in themselves. For the future, when circumstances 
admit of it, a similar policy should be adopted. It would also be 
advisable to make it generally known, for such like facilities tend to 
gain the confidence of the people, and will thereby increase the stream 
of emigration from those parts.

In conclusion, I have to state that the experience gained by my visit 
is, that the labouring population is at present unusually well 
employed, and that it is quite indifferent about emigration. This is 
applicable to most of the districts I visited; the Islands of Skye and 
Lewis, and on the main land about Loch Broom and Gairloch may be 
excepted.

The large land grants offered to emigrants by the United States and 
Canada attract a considerable number. The strong desire to be possessed 
of land; the shortness of the passage as compared with the length of 
the voyage to New Zealand; the preference given to steamers over 
sailing vessels; and the large allowances paid to American agents for 
each emigrant, tell with great force against the service to New 
Zealand.

Another feature is the extreme poverty of the people. In general they 
are unable, without help, to provide the money payments required by the 
regulations, but notwithstanding, instances came under my notice in 
which aid was declined as soon as it became known that it was to be 
granted by the proprietor. As before stated many landlords are willing 
to co-operate most liberally, even to the extent of foregoing to those 
desirous of emigrating, all arrears of rent, releasing them from all 
engagements for houses or land, and in some instances offering grants 
of money to provide outfits. The ruling power in these parts appears to 
be commanded by the clergy of the Free Church of Scotland. Large 
numbers would leave if the movement were headed by a popular clergyman. 
Repeatedly my attention was called to this, and I have no doubt of its 
correctness; but knowing that it was a matter you could not encourage, 
I merely refer to it now as one of the incidents of my journey.

List of persons to be sent out to the Province of Otago, and 
particulars concerning them.

Mary Murchison and family, 7 and half adults, Kishorn [*], Hydaspes
Martha Murchison and family, 5 and half adults, Ardnorff [*], Hydaspes

Angus Macdonnell and family, Loch Carron. This individual is reported 
to be dead. Information could not be ascertained about children.

Donald Campbell and family, Isle of Skye. Said to reside about 9 miles 
from Portree; was written to but no answer received.

John McRae and sisters, Loch Alsh. Decline to go on account of father 
being bedridden.
John McRae and sisters, Ardnorff. Will not go.
Donald McRae and family, Ardnorff [*], Hydaspes
John McKerlech and family. Could not be seen.
Jane McKerlech. Won't leave her father.
Grace McKay and Catherine McKay. In service in England.
John Finlayson and family, Ardnorff. Would not decide to go.
Donald Finlayson and family, Loch Alsh. Will never go; 
family in various parts.

Mr Seaton is furnished with the above particulars, and instructed to 
communicate with those who have not replied to the communications sent 
to them.

[*] For these families passages were provided before receipt of the list.