EMIGRATION TO CANADA - The Emigration Commissioners state
that the whole number of persons who entered Canada in 1859
by the St. Lawrence and from the United States is estimated
at 20,240, and the whole number who left at 13,943, leaving
6,300 in the colony. The immigration, although small as
compared with that of former years, is considered to have
been in most other respects of a very satisfactory character,
and it is believed that all who have remained in the country
are likely to become permanent settlers, and prove a valuable
addition to the population. There were, however, among the
emigrants from the United Kingdom 331 persons descibed as
clerks, agents and traders, who would find great difficulty
in succeeding unless they have connexions in the colony: and
among those who were assisted by Poor Law Unions in Ireland
were 14 widows with 20 children, who were, as might be
expected, exposed to much distress before employment could be
found for them, and a strong representation on the subject
has been addressed to the Poor Law authorities. Of the adult
males among the steerage passengers from Europe, amounting to
3,081, 34 per cent are described as farmers, and 40 per cent
as labourers or mechanics. These would find ready and
renumerative employment. The number of those assisted to
emigrate by public or private funds was 142, among whom were
21 youths from the London ragged schools - generally stout,
active lads, willing and anxious to make for themselves
useful, and situations were readily found for them. It is
hoped that the abundant harvest of last year, by leading to
an extension of agricultural operations, will furnish an
increased field for labour at good wages, which a properous
[prosperous?] new country can always afford. Great
facilities are now offered for the acquisition of land by
settlers. By communicating directly with the Crown Lands
Department lands may be acquired in entire townships of
40,000 to 70,000 acres at 2s sterling per acre, provided only
that actual settlement be engaged for within a stipulated
period.
