Edward and Mary Ann Queree to New Zealand

Emigration of Edward
and Mary Ann Queree

This article by Jessie Cummins was first published in the journal of the Channel Island Family History Society

My great-grandparents, Edward and Mary Ann Queree, nee Le Cornu, set sail from London, after travelling from Jersey, on the barque Dilheree on 2 October 1874 as immigrants to New Zealand.

Fast voyage

They arrived at Auckland on 16 January 1875, after a journey of 93 days, one of the quickest for some time.

As reported in an Auckland newspaper, the Daily Southern Cross, on 18 January 1875, the immigrants' quarters were models of cleanliness and order and the immigrants spoke in grateful terms of the kindness and attention shown to them during the journey. A total of 375 persons, including children and babies, arrived in Auckland.

Capt McNeilly reported that there were indifferent winds on starting out, making the voyage tedious, so he took advantage of south-easterly tradewinds and crossed the equator on 14 November, taking all possible assisting winds to cross the Cape of Good Hope on 9 December.

They rounded Tasmania on 4 January, then crossed the Tasman Sea to arrive in Auckland on 16 January.

There were few problems during the voyage apart from a small fire caused by a candle being knocked over, but this was quickly extinguished by water stored in the cabin for passengers' use.

There were three births and nine deaths – all infants except for one man of 25 whose wife gave birth to a daughter before landing in Auckland.

The cost of passage money to the Government for Edward and Mary Ann, three sons and one daughter classed as adults, three sons and one daughter classed as children, was $116. Edward and Mary went first to Napier on the east coast of North Island, and then to Lyttleton in the South Island, where they settled and acquired land near Christchurch. They operated a quarry and planted fruit orchards.

Prosperity

The family prospered, with sons taking apprenticeships in different trades and, when experienced, starting in business on their own account. These included building, cabinet making, saddlery and tailoring.

My grandfather, Walter Thomas, married a New Zealand born wife and moved to Wellington, with a family of three, eventually to become nine who lived to adulthood.

He started a successful carrying business, originally with horse and cart, and bought many cottages, which he rented to tenants.

As his family grew and married, these were sold to them