Contributed by Graeme Roberts of New Zealand Taranaki Herald Saturday 11 September 1875 page 2 Mr Burton In Lincolnshire To the Editor of the Taranaki Herald. Sir, - Having seen in a recent issue of your contemporary, some strictures and criticisms on your emigration agent and his work in England, and knowing how uninformed on the subject the writer must have been, and having myself been witness to the diligent, discriminating, and unremitting toil with which Mr Burton has spread information, selected suitable emigrants, and the remarkable success which has met with meriting labours, I feel I cannot do less than send a short note of information. Mr John H. White is the North Lincolnshire Emigration Agent, who is acting in conjunction with Mr Burton in procuring emigrants for this Province (Taranaki) and Colony. Mr White was appointed by Dr Featherston and has been co-operating with Mr Duncan, from Canterbury Province, in his tour through North Lincolnshire. Mr White accompanied a party of nearly 150 souls in September of last year to London. They came out by the ship 'Geraldine Paget,' and one of their number, kept a diary of his voyage out, which has been published here, and when it is stated that two thousand have been sold within a radius of some 30 miles, it will be understood that a consequently favourable impression as regards emigration to New Zealand has been made. Mr and Mrs Burton's names are household words through the whole district. He looked for men here of the right stamp. In spreading information advertisements are practically useless so far as the farm labourer is concerned, for as a rule he does not read. The same class really assemble, as they have no political voice or social standing, and there are few rooms available for any meeting on their account. Then their knowledge is so limited that they can hardly be persuaded of the truth concerning the Colony, and their means so small that it is almost an impossibility to raise clothing for the voyage, let alone ship kits and railway fares to the ship. (Mr Duncan paid all railway expenses for last year's party to Canterbury, some 70 besides finding clothing for some at the expense of the Province he represented) Again in months of our winter, November to March, it is impossible to get them to move; so that coping with these difficulties and others I will point out it speaks volumes for Mr Burton's energy and discretion that 500 souls have left Lincolnshire for Taranaki in April, May and June. Another difficulty and great one lies by the bulk of our influential dwellers in the rural districts. Laceby, the centre of our operations. A four mile dusty drive to Grimsby, Mr Burton and Mr White booked the train to Humber. Reaching this place by twenty miles rail-travel, we walked after tea some four miles to a secluded village further inland, also on the river bank, called South Ferriby. Here lay our night's work - a public meeting duly advertised by the Labour League, to which many of the men of the district belong. The place of the meeting was to be of necessity out of doors. No school-room was obtained. Announced to be taken at half-past seven, the chair, and, being the only seat, well called the chair, was vacant till eight, no resident daring to occupy it. By this time the tardy gathering counted some one hundred and fifty squattered on the green bank of a retired highway leading from the village. Mr Burton outlined the Government Scheme of free passages, detailing its conditions. Long walks, and protracted meetings, repeated interviews, and tedious and multiplied letter writing, besides a number of nameless yet necessary duties, have filled up Mr Burton's time as none in the Colony can understand; nor will the worth of his work be known till the physical, social, and moral value of the emigrants he has selected is shown in a prosperous community, an increased revenue and the national consolidation which will, I feel sure, ensure, and be owning to the conscience which your agent has put into his work. Hoping some of my own late neigbours and friends are amongst you ere this arrives, and that you will treat them well, as being good men they deserve to be treated, - I am, &c., John H. White, The North Lincolnshire, N.Z. Emigration Agent. Laceby, near Grimsby, 8th July, 1875.