Arthur Hicks Peck -weaver?

[spad]

When I researched AH Peck a couple of years ago the estimable Josquin came up with this nugget. "Indeed, the only record I located was a passenger list departing from Liverpool and arriving at Albany, King George Sound, Australia, on 19 December 1908, for "Mr. A.H. Peck," an adult from England who listed his occupation as "weaver," traveling on the ship "Runic" (White Star Line)." This must be him.

I confess I had not been able to fathom why he would give this as his occupation. He was a former medical student, a profession his father had also been in. Where would he have learned to be a "weaver". Was Australia calling out for weavers? However now from the fog of an old mind comes forth this. Is it related to sheep farming. I assume he is joining a firm that is invoved in the production of cloth rather than running the bobbins and shuttles himself. Perhaps in the office staff in a woollen mill. I notice he came ashore a King George's Sound in Western Australia. A quick look at Wikipedia states "Western Australia's sheep industry, a significant contributor to the state's economy, produces wool, sheepmeat, and live sheep, with the Merino breed dominating the flock, and exports a large portion of its products."

Knowing the forum's database of eclectic contributors I look to forward to your suggestions.

best regards

Keith

[Phil1965]

No idea to be honest Keith , but a lot of the WA economy was driven by gold production at that time. In about 1885 gold was first discovered near Halls Creek , but the rush began in the early 1890’s , firstly a short lived reef at Southern Cross , then extended to Bailey’s reward in Coolgardie and a year later to Hannan’s Find in Kalgoorlie. The Murchison kicked off with Cue , Lennonville and Wiluna having a rush shortly after. While not all settlers travelled to WA to be directly involved in gold production the States population tripled in about 15 years , so there was a lot of opportunities for immigrants. As industry and consumers expanded .The industry thrived and propelled what was a poor state to being an economic powerhouse until the Great War began and man power issues became a problem as men left the goldfields to join up.

[Phil1965]

In the first decade of the 20th century , wool production made up 11% of the WA economy, but it was still a primary industry just supplying the raw commodity for export. I’ve seen an article listed in the Albany Examiner in 1920 announcing that the first wool mill in the State would be built the following year.
The advantages of listing a trade for passage to Australia. Assisted Passage was a thing since mid 19th century. Australia was 3 times longer journey and 3 times the cost versus Canada and America for migrating free settlers from Europe. To counter that the colonies ( then States ) offered financial assistance to passengers who fitted the criteria needed. There were 32000 assisted passengers arriving in WA in the first decade of the 20th century ( not an inconsiderable amount as total population at the end of that decade was not much more that 250,000). No idea if saying your a “weaver” would get you a cut price ticket, but one of my ancestors got one for saying he was a chocolate maker ( most of my ancestors got a free ride here at the bottom of a prison vessel)

[spad]

Thanks Phil. However the simplest answer may be he chose "weaver" bacause he was going into the wool industry as an clerk/administrator. Why pick a profession that made sense for the region he was heading for than pick one at random out of the air? I doubt gold prospector would have been something that got him an assisted passage in any era The assisted passage is a policy instituted by Australia but not until the 1940s. The "Ten Pound Poms" scheme. He had lived in India so may have had some knowledge of the industry, or had a an offer of work. His actual profession was "medical student" which would not be a problem or require obfuscation, it would indicate a high level of education. Australia was a member of the Commonwealth and was looking for migrants.

It disappointed me a little that he did not become a Jackeroo

K

[Phil1965]

Fair call Keith , sounds logical.
Yeah I remember the 10 pound poms scheme. Right at the end of it at the start of the 70’s a bundle of Cornish tin miners came out and filled places at the mines where I grew up. Their kids came to our school , they were none too impressed with our surroundings, but fitted in soon enough. Once they accepted we didn’t play soccer at morning smoko or at crib. I’ll leave it there as already gone off topic enough.