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First Pacific Islanders To New South Wales
Pacific Islanders are brought to New South Wales to work mainly as shepherds. -
European Numbers Increase
European population reaches 1 million. -
South Sea Islanders Kidnapped
South Sea Islanders, mostly from the islands of New Guinea and New Britain, are recruited to work in Queensland cane fields - many are kidnapped in a practice called 'blackbirding'. Disputes between South Sea Islanders and their employers are a feature of life in the sugar fields. Riots take place on Thursday Island and at Mackay, Ingham, Townsville, Rockhampton and Port Douglas. -
First Boatload
In 1863 the schooner Don Juan arrived in Brisbane with the first boatload arrived with the promise of 10 silver a month, food, accomodation and a return voyage home. -
Pacific Islander Labourers
Labourers from Pacific Islands are brought to Queensland to work on cotton plantations, marking the beginning of large-scale immigration of South Sea Islanders. -
Period: to
South Sea Islanders Worked
During this period south sea islander continued to work up until 1901 when some were deported and only a few were forcecd to work, until 1905 when most were deported -
Pacific Islanders Labourers Act
in 1901 the australian government passed the Pacific Islanders Labourers Act, banning Kanakas (South Sea Islanders) from being bought to Australia. The act called for all South Sea Islanders to be deported back to their homes by 1905. -
South Sea Islanders Deported
In 1905 the last of the South Sea Islanders were deported back to their original homes -
Amendment to the Pacific Islands Labourers Act
in 1906 an amendment was made to t he act aloowing only a few south sea islanders to remain on compassionate grounds only
