John Ewan will be at Page & Blackmore Booksellers on Thursday 10 August, 5.30 pm to launch his new book, Accidental Immigrants.

When Thomas Powell and his family left Leeds and sailed out to India in the early 1850s, they little realised that within a few years they would be living in New Zealand and facing different futures. The accidental immigrants – along with a growing family of young Powells born in their new home town – played major roles in the formation of Whanganui.

John Ewan, author of Porters in My Past, is a great-great-grandson of Thomas Powell.

Page & Blackmore is at 254 Trafalgar Street, Nelson. Admission is free. If you are unable to attend the launch but would like a copy of the book, Page & Blackmore will reserve you a copy; phone 03-548 9992.