Somewhere I read that there were a number of Irish and maybe English women brought out to New South Wales in the 1830-60 eras for the sole purpose of becoming wives of settlers already here. As I recall the article there was a surplus of males and the administration wanted to balance the population with females able to contribute children to the colony. I cannot find this article now and am wondering if I am having an illusion. I do know of one story where a ship of German migrants arrived in Brisbane and the male bachelors in the colony were waiting at the wharf. The single girls were segregated and the men were enticed to make arrangements with their fathers for marriage. In the case I know about the couple were married the next day. They had a long marriage but wonder way it love or need that kept them going. Any ideas Albert Grulke