Extracted
from The Southern Cross Newspaper published 9 September 1874:
ARRIVAL
OF THE OXFORD
The ship
Oxford from London with immigrants arrived and anchored off the North
Head yesterday morning, and should the wind still continue from the
westward today, the agents of the vesel, Messrs L.D. Nathan and Co., intend
to have her towed up, and the immigrants landed at once. Dr. Philson,
the Health Officer, visited the ship yesterday morning and admitted
her to ........ She brings 360 statute adults. He speaks of the passengers
as being in excellent health and high spirits, and a very desirable
addition to our population.............................. ........................................
months; and Patrick Roche aged 2 years. One died from whooping cough,
Susan Murray, aged 3 years. There are now fifteen cases of whooping
cough on board; strange to say, although it was prevalent in Londonwhen
the vessel left, it did not show itself onboard until about three weeks
before her arrival. The Oxford is a fine roomy iron vessel of 1252
tons register. She left Gravesend on the 9th of June, and therefore
made an ecxcellent run of 90 days from that port to Auckland. Fine weather
has prevailed and the pasage has been a very pleasant one. We are indebted
to the chief officer for the following report which was kindly forwarded
by Catain Burgess: The piolt was landed on the 11th of June, and moderately
fine weather was experienced until the equator was crossed on the 6th
of July, in longitude 29 30 W. Shortly afterward spoke the ship Cathcar?
with immigrants for New Zealand. Had moderate S.E. trades and rounded
the Cape of Good Hope on the 2nd August in latitude 63 S., and ran
down theEasting with fine pleasant weather. Passed to the southward
of Tasmania, made the Three Kings on the 6th of September, and was off
Cuvier Island on the 7th, and arrived in port early yesterday morning.
The following
testimonial was presented by the passengers to the doctor:- To George Good?,
B.A., M.B.M.Ch. Trinity College, Dublin,- "We the passengers by the ship
Oxford from London to Auckland, wish hereby to tender to you our sincere
and heartfelt thanks for the estimable manner in which you have exercised
your important duties as Surgeon Superintendant. The energy , impartiality,
and patience, which we have experienced at your hands greatly tended to our
health and happiness. That you will be fully blest in this world, and rewarded
in Heaven, is our earnest prayer.- Signed: J. SIMPSON, A.AITKINS, and all
their fellow passengers."
