Wednesday, January 25, 2012

It's the Year of the Dragon, baby

A Tauranga couple who travelled to Auckland for Chinese New Year celebrations will be leaving with one of the luckiest babies to be born in the city this year.

Jessica Lee Wishart, the first child for parents Ian and Ping, was born on Monday, January 23 around 4.57am - the first day of the Chinese New Year and, most importantly, the first day in the Year of the Dragon.

The Year of the Dragon is one of the most important years in the Chinese Zodiac, with many Chinese women scrambling to deliver "dragon babies" because the year symbolises luck and vitality - and success is said to be painted in the baby's future.

Despite knowing Jessica would be a dragon baby, her parents were still surprised at her arrival at Auckland City Hospital, which was three weeks before her actual due date.

"To be born in the Year of the Dragon is very lucky. A lot of women are trying to fall pregnant so their baby is born this year," said Ian.

"We obviously knew [Jessica] would be born in the Year of the Dragon, but we were hoping for her to be born on her actual due date, which was February 14 - Valentine's Day. But she decided this day is bigger."

The couple - who hope their pint-sized newborn will become an engineer - had cleared travelling to Auckland with their midwife and were hoping Jessica would be delivered in their hometown.

"We had cleared travelling with our midwife, but Ping started feeling sick and having contractions on Sunday," said Ian.

"That's when we came to the hospital. We were hoping we could go back to Tauranga, but they said there's no way we could drive all the way down there."

They are hoping to be discharged from hospital today or tomorrow.

Jessica was one of only two Chinese babies born in Auckland on January 23. The second was born at North Shore Hospital.

- © Fairfax NZ News

AMY MAAS

Last updated 11:42 25/01/2012

Jessica Lee Wishart
JOHN SELKIRK/Fairfax NZ

LUCKY BABE: Jessica Lee Wishart was born on Monday, January 23 around 4.57am - the first day of the Chinese New Year.

Jessica Lee Wishart
JOHN SELKIRK/Fairfax NZ
HAPPY PARENTS: Ian and Ping, with baby Jessica, in Auckland City Hospital.



Sunday, January 22, 2012

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Explaining Chinese New Year

Song Lam is from Hong Kong and moved to New Zealand with her family in 1990. She's one of more than 100,000 Chinese living in Auckland, many of whom are gearing up for the biggest event of the Chinese calendar.

The year of the dragon starts on January 23, and this weekend Auckland's Chinese community will begin to celebrate.

When The Aucklander visits, the retired teacher has prepared a table covered with the trappings of Chinese New Year Celebrations.

"In China and Hong Kong we call it Chun Jie, or Spring Festival, because the new year marks the first day of spring. It's the first and most important Chinese festival on the lunar calendar."

She says right now in China, trains will be full as people make their way to family reunions for the all important New Year's Eve banquet. "People will travel a long way so they can all be together for this day." Children are allowed to stay awake until midnight to see in the New Year as it's believed this will give their parents long lives.

She holds up a red envelope covered in gold characters. "On the first day of the year all the children have to dress up nicely and visit their grandparents to wish them a prosperous New Year. The grandparents give them this lai see with money inside for them to buy anything they want."

Children are also offered snacks from the New year candy box; Song has a lacquered red one brimming with treats. Most items associated with the celebration are red as this is the colour of happiness.

She says on the second day of the year, daughters are expected to visit their parents. "And on the third day there is no more visiting because we're very tired and if you visit someone on that day they will be very cross."

In all, Spring Festival celebrations last until the 15th day of the New Year and culminate in lantern festivals. (Auckland's lantern festival begins on February 3).

The Chinese lunar calendar cycles through 12 animals, and 2012 is the year of the dragon. Song says the dragon is a particularly auspicious animal as it represents authority, royalty and strength. "Everyone wants to have a dragon baby; it's a very important year. In China a lot of young couples will rush to have a baby this year."

Song recalls feeling homesick for new year celebrations during her early years in New Zealand. "At that time there were only about 30,000 Chinese in the country. Now there are around 140,000 and we have lots of Chinese organisations which put on celebrations. Unfortunately, in New Zealand we don't have a holiday for the New Year."

Song goes every year to the festival and market day at the ASB showgrounds and the lantern festival in Albert Park. This New Year's Eve she, her husband, younger son and close friends will dine together at a Chinese restaurant.
"We feel very happy being in New Zealand because there are so many chances to celebrate our culture."

AT HOME in Albany, Robert Bao and Sophie Shao are sharing childhood memories of this holiday season.
Their 4-year-old daughter Eileena is dressed in a pink qipao, part of the traditional outfit Chinese children wear for New Year celebrations.

Robert is from Shanghai and Sophie from a small town called Tieling in northeast China. Robert says as a child, New Year celebrations were all about lollies, cookies, firecrackers, new clothes and the wonderful money-filled red envelopes from older relatives. "Usually when we were young we had to give the money to our parents but when we got into our teens we wanted to keep it for ourselves."

He says having negotiated who would host the festivities, his extended family gathered on New Year's eve to begin celebrations with a huge meal. "There would be about 20 dishes or more and my parents would be preparing for days. Every family has a dish or two that they can make really well so we would look forward to eating those special dishes that our own parents didn't know how to make."

For Sophie, New Year's Eve meant going to her grandparents at about 3pm. "We would cook dinner and gather together and watch the CCTV (China Central Television) New Year gala. Meanwhile, the women will begin to make dumplings and the men will play cards or mahjong."

"We would stay together until midnight, do the countdown and then eat dumplings. After the fireworks display we would all go back to our homes."

The celebrations don't end there, says Sophie. It's the start of a week-long public holiday. "In China we only recently started to celebrate Christmas, and we don't have a public holiday on that day. So Chinese New Year is really our big holiday."

On the fifth day of the New Year, fireworks start in the early hours of the morning. "It's believed that if you are the first to let fireworks off the gods will hear them and bring good fortune to your house," says Sophie.

The couple studied and worked in New Zealand between 2004 and 2008, before returning to China for three years. They have now settled in Albany where Eileena will start school this month, and Sophie and Robert are looking for work.

This Chinese New Year's Eve they will host four Kiwi friends for a traditional meal, cooked by Robert. Robert's parents taught him to cook when he was young. "In Shanghai, women have a higher position than men so the men do a lot of the housework and cooking," he explains.

"But in the North of China it's the women who do it," says Sophie. "So a lot of girls in China want to marry a Shanghai boy."

Robert says the guests can expect a range of meat and vegetable dishes and a desert of sticky rice with red beans. "I won't be making as much as my parents used to, maybe 10 dishes."

The couple plan to settle permanently in New Zealand and say they'll always celebrate Chinese New Year. "It's a tradition," says Sophie. "It's a very important time of year for Chinese people."

"And an excuse to make some delicious food and give my daughter some new clothes," says Robert.

CHINESE NEW YEAR EVENTS

Lantern Festival in Albert Park, February 3-5. Free admission.
The 13th annual Lantern Festival will include dragon dancers, acrobats, music, food stalls and a procession of intricate lanterns. It runs from 5-10pm each night.

Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day, Saturday, January 21, 9.30am-4pm, ASB Showgrounds. Free admission.
Attended annually by about 20,000, this year's festival will be opened by Prime Minister John Key. More than 200 stalls will sell Chinese food, arts and crafts. Puppet shows, martial arts displays and Chinese pop bands.

ASB Lunarfest at TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre, Manukau, Saturday January 21, 3-11pm. Free admission.
Plays, dances, music and craft and food stalls. Fireworks at 10pm blow away the mishaps of 2011 and herald in the year of the dragon.

Chinese and Korean New Year Festival, Northcote Town Centre, January 27, 5.30-9pm and January 28, 10am-3pm. Free admission.
Music, martial arts and dance performances from a variety of cultures including Taiwanese, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. Children's activities and Asian cuisine.

NZSO Chinese New Year Concert, Auckland Town Hall, Friday February 3, 7.30pm. Book at The Edge.

NZSO concert featuring conductor Perry So and two talented soloists. Pianist John Chen will perform one of China's most loved compositions, The Yellow River Cantata, composed in 1939 by Xian Xinghai. Soprano Jenny Wollerman will sing Ross Harris' The Floating Bride, The Crimson Village and the combined orchestra will perform Beethoven's Symphony No6 Pastoral.

Auckland Libraries has various activities including 'Storytime for Little Dragons' and dragon-making, calligraphy and lantern-making workshops, tai chi demonstrations, and Chinese paintings. Plus 'Ask me in Mandarin' sessions. See www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz to see activities in your area.

sophie.bond@theaucklander.co.nz Sophie Bond | Friday, January 20, 2012 6:00

Saturday, January 7, 2012

PRICE OF CHINAMEN.

INSURANCES ON CORPSES WORTH .'£2oo APIECE There are apparently two values placed upon a Chinaman in the Empire City. The "live value" placed upon the Celestial fruit-seller by the Wellington citizen is not anything to write home about. But the value placed by Brother John upon himself live or dead is something to make .an ordinary New- Zealander envious. As a rule, if a hale, hearty man, with 40 years work ahead of him, can insure for £500 he is looked npon as affluent, and his offspring promising candidates for the silver-spoon. But such a value does not hold good with a, Chinaman. A dead Chinaman is worth far more than ninny a live European. An illustration of this is afforded by a Wellington insurance company which this week issued three policies, each for £200. on the risk That the bodies of Young Wong, Young Chung, and Young King, the three Chinese who were asphyxiated last week in Tinakori road, would be safely landed at Hongkong. The coffins containing the bodies will be shipped to Sydney, and from there transhipped to the Japanese mail steamer Nikko Maru. The insurances were effected by the local Chinese Association, and the total cost of landing the bodies in Hongkong will amount to over £100. Tlie three men were natives of Gow Fong. in the province of Canton, and they will eventually find a resting-place there among the remains of their ancestors, for the veneration of ancestors is a strong Feature in Chinese national ideals—in fact, it. is almost a form of religion. A Chinaman always hopes to sleep the last long sleep on his native soil, and he usually strives to save enough money to carry his bones back to China from any land where he may have made a temporary home. Northern Advocate , 15 May 1915, Page 7

500 CHINESE CORPSES ON BOARD.

THE SHIP'S CREW SAVED, Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, October 29 The steamer Ventncr, from Wellington, bound for Hong Kong, loaded with bodies of resurected Chinese, struck Caps Egmont on Svnday night, and foundered off Hokianga. Two boats with the officers and pave of the crew landed. The rest of the crew were seen in two boats seven miles out. The steamer Egene came their assistance. The Ventnor had five hundred Chinese bodies on board, and 6400 tons of coal. A "Star" special wire states that on Monday, at 12.40 a.m., she struck the rocks southward of Cape Egmont. After a short time she managed to get off, and proceeded on her way. The water gained in No. 1 hold till Tuesday, when the ballast tanks were found to be full of water, the steamer going down by the head. About 9 p.m. she was goinjg down fast, and all hands were ordered to the boats. They had barely time to get clear when the steamer sank. The Hokianga Heads light was seen at a distance of about ten miles. Two boats, containing Chief Officer Cameron, the second and third engineers, and fourteen of the crew, landed on the Omapere Beach at daylight this morning. Another boat is sighted, and is expected to arrive shortly. Later. The third boat's crew from the Ventnor is reported safe.

DUNEDIN, October 29. The Ventnor was under charter to the Admiralty to take coal from Westport to Hong Kong. The vessel belonged to the Ventnor Shipping Company, of Glasgow, where she was built in 1901. The Ventnor is a staji steamer of SCi'fl tons gross, and 346 nom.nal horse pewer The bodies came from Greymouth. Wellington, and Dunedin. GREYMOUTH, October 29. One hundred and seventy-seven Chinese bodies, or the .bones of the remains of same, were shipped at Greymouth. Some had been in the Cemetery for 20 years, while others had never been interred. The Chinese community here are in a great state of excitement over the foundering of the Ventnor.

WELLINGTON, October 29 The Ventnor was four inches light of her marks, as not sufficient coal had arrived from Westport, and as she was on a time charter, the agents despatched her without waiting for more.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11777, 30 October 1902, Page 5

THE FOUNDERING OF THE VENTNOR

The Otago Daily Times reports: The Chinese in Dunedin were closely scanning the map of New Zaaland recently. Some of them had nsver seen it before, and it was only after a search that they spotted Hokianga up near the top of the sheet. They gazed long and eagerly at the sea space. In imagination they probably saw the Ventnor lying on the ocean's bed, with the bones of her five hundred countrymen in her hold; but whether that was the trend oi their thoughts or not they all appear to realise that there is no hope of recovering anything from the vessel, eapecially as its position is undefined. Even if the vessel breaks up the cases would not come to the surface as each of them contains a considerable weight. The occurrence is, of course, regarded as most unfortunate and many of the Chinese, their faces sober at any time now wear countenances on which is very plainly expressed the great depth of their feelings amounting almost to alarm It is the first time anything of the sort has happened to a vessel carrying to the Flowery Land the bones of their fellows. Twenty one years ago the Hoi How sailed from the colony with the first consignment of remains consisting of the bones of about 220 Chinamen, and reached her haven safely. No vessel has come to the colony since that date and it was in tbe Ventnor that the bones, and in a few cases the bodies of the Chinese who have died subsequently to that year were being taken away, like the Hoi How's cargo for reinterment m China. The peace of mind, therefore, of the Chinese residents of Otago, indeed of New Zealand, is considerably disturbed at the present tine, and as a matter of fact it is a subject on which the majority of them will, when questioned say very little. The less intelligent of them it is useless to approach, for at any time they are not communicative and now they will say absolutely nothing. That was the experience of one of our reporters who mixed with a number of them recently. Cape Egmont was also located on the map, and a matter concerning which much surprise was expressed is that the vessel, after striking did not at once make for New Plymouth or return to Wellngton. West Coast Times , Issue 12355, 11 November 1902, Page 4

A Baby's Eyes SAVE CHINK FROM AFFILIATION ORDER.

Country Girl's Curious Confessions. (From "Truth's" Taihape Rep.) The spectacle of a Chinese fruiterer, bereft of his usual blandness, and strenuously endeavoring to extricate himself from the accusation that he was the father of a young, country girl's child was provided m the Taihape Magistrate's Court this week. John did so successfully, and was aided very considerably by the child itself, who was a silent witness for the defence. The Chink was George Ah Chang, who has a fruit shop in Taihape, while the girl of seventeen summers who brought the impeachment against him lived in Utiku, a village six miles south of Taihape. Wearing a smart yellow and white jumper and black hat she said her child was born in July in Wellington in the Salvation Army Home. She said she first, knew Ah Chang m October of last, year through frequently going to his shop. On. Saturday, November 3, she went into the shop about 2 o'clock and Ah Chang and herself got into conversation as to ages. Complainant's 14 year-old brother accompanied her on this occasion and Ah Chang gave him 6d to go and buy an ice cream. The lad did as he was bid and on returning was told to go and have a look round the shops. While, he was away witness felt bad so she said, and Ah Chang gave her an "aspro." He then invited her into his office and after a few minutes, intimacy occurred. She then left, and a fortnight later returned to the shop. She continued to visit the shop weekly after that on her usual shopping round. John denied the. impeachment with vigor, and an important plank in his case was the evidence of Dr. Sinclair, who said if the allegations were true he would expect to see a dark, straight haired child with high cheek bones, bridge of nose flattened, and typical shaped eyes. He would expect to see the characteristics in a general sense. In Chinese and Jewish races the racial characteristics persisted in half-castes. Maori blood was weaker and racial features not nearly so pronounced. He had examined the child whose parentage was in question, and found no traces of Chinese blood in it. The child had brown hair inclined to wave, with blue eyes, cheek bones not raised, and a nose of a European child of three months. The poor little unwanted was here brought into Court and examined, but to the casual observer there was no likenessin it to the man alleged to be the father. After some further evidence the Magistrate declined to make an order and dismissed the case without prejudice. NZ Truth , Issue 985, 11 October 1924, Page 7

THE DISINTERMENT OF CHINESE


CHINESE RESURRECTIONISTS AT WAIKUMETE. DISINTOKRMENT OF CORPSES. A GRUESOME SPECTACLE. Time, 5.30 a.m., on a bitterly cold morning, in Waikumete Cemetery. Half-frozen, a pressman and a photographer attached to the staff of the "Graphic" make their way from the sexton's house to the furthermost corner of the cemetery, where is situated the section for Chinese and Atheists and aliens unprovided for elsewhere. A noise of hammering comes fromi the section, which is a good half mil© from the Aj__glicain and Presbyterian allotments, and on -arrival work found to fee in full operation. The reception of our "reporter and his photographic confrere is the reverse of friendly, and an immediate wrangle ensues amongst the gravediggers, evidently on the subject of the cam-, era fiend's presence. A Chinese halfcaste European insists on their instant ejectment. The sexton, however, who has-been handed proper credentials, proves a firm friend, and insists that he, and not any; Chinaman, or half-caste Chinaman, is in change of the cemetery, and that he has his instructions. Things then calm down a trifle, but the work is resumed amidst much grumbling, and many vindictive and malignant glances are cast at the camera, and muttered curses uttered at the photographer as he dodges round looking for a chance shot. Once, indeed, when the shutter clicks, a furious celestial raises his pick in menace, and mutters a threat to do for the intruders, 'but he thinks better of it, and1 at the intervention of the European coffinmaker a truce is declared until arrival of "the boss." That individual presently arrives. He scans the permit; gloomily enough, and 'bids that the photos be taken forthwith, and the photographer and pressman depart. It toeing pointed out that there is no picture yet to take, and seeing that bluff has no effect, all active opposition as at once and' finally dropped, and no difficulty put in the way of obtaining pictures or witnessing the proceedings save in giving mendacious information, lighting fires to obscure' the graves with smoke, and endeavouring to tire oat the patience of the reporters, etc. By ten o'clock four'graves, are opened, but owing to the non-arrival of some solder and zinc from' Auckland it, is decided' to open only two coffins on this occasion. The first of these contained the corpse of on© Kong Shang, who died in 1891, a young' Celestial of 36. It was thomght that there would be nothing but dry bones there, but the stiff white clay is evidently a preservative, for when the coffin, which is full of water, is .opened, it is seen that the bones have a decided! covering of what had once been flesh/ and1 though -drenched in carbolic acid a sickening odour makes itself feAt at intervals. Directly an attempt is made to stir the body it all falls to pieces, the decomposed flesh falling off in

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 231, 29 September 1902, Page 5




A-GRUMBLE FROM WAIKUMETE. Mr Cochrane asked the Waitemata County Council this afternoon to raise an objection to any repetition of the disinterment proceeding, which had been going on at Waikumete. The exhuming of bodies was a very nasty thing for any district, and had caused a good deal of grumbling at Waikumete. Mr Bruce said the disinterments were sanctioned by law. Mr Cochrane said Southern councils had protested. He was told the scene was flisg-usting in the extreme. The Treasurer said the wet clay soil of "Waikuincte had a preservative effect. At Devonport after a body had been buried a few years nothing remained but bones and the tin plate of the coffin. The Chairman (Mr O'Neill) said it was a matter of sentiment with the Chinese people to take the bodies home. Mr E. W. Alison did not see what they as a council had to do in the matter. Mr Cochrane thought the Chinamen should in future be compelled to bury on a small island if they were determined to disinter. The council took no action in the matter. Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 235, 3 October 1902, Page 5

The Disinterment of Chinese Bodies.

STRONG COMMENTS BY A SOUTHERN PAPER - A considerable exodus of Chinese has taken place in tuis colony aunng tne last few years. Most, if not all, the celestial emigrants are returning to the Flowery Land and now that others contemplate removing, the Chinese love of their departed kinsmen is exemplified in a manner, which to Europeans, to say the least (says I'riday's Bruce Herald) is revolting in its ghoulishness. We refer to the wholesale disinterment of Chinese corpses taking place in this Island at the time. From information received, it appears that the bodies of upwards of 400 Chinamen (recently disinterred) are now deposited m depots—chiefly at Greymouth and Dunedin— awaiting transport to their fatherland. On Tuesda- morning a party of ten almondeyed strangers arrived at Milton, and esnquiries as to the purport of their mission elicited the fact that they intended removing all that remained of a deceased countryman, who had been silently reposing in the Fairfax Cemetery for seven long years- Armed -with spades, shovels and grappling iroiv*, the squad, under the supervision of a half-caste Chinaman, proceeded to work. When the long buried coffin was brought to light, the scene which folloewd baffles description. It would take the imaginative pen of a Zola or a Defoe to'fittingly describe in realistic language the revolting nature of the proceeding to a European. The modus operandi as described to us is- as follows:—The Chinese, after immersing their hands in some antiseptic wash, open the coffin and commence to remove any particle of flesh still adhering to the skeleton; they then smoke the bones in an ordinary riddle, and afterwards hold the bones in a wire sieve over a 'brightly burning fire to accomplish the final cleansing. The recital of this is sickening enough in cold print, but the reality faugh! And yet this is the sort of thing that has been going on in Greymouth for months, and is now daily being performed by a paid band ot Celestials throughout the South Island. No doubt it may be said that the disinterment of Chinamen (who have died in a foreign country) by their fellows is in accordance with ancient Chinese religion or national obligations, but such a barbaric custom is. hardly justifiable, considering the sanitary aspect of the matter, judged from a European standpoint. Aqcording to accounts which appear most reliable, nearly every Chinaman in New Zealand has contributed something, according to his means, and the work is being carried out by a contractor and nine men. Those who contribute are presented with a ticket with the amount stated thereon, and this is negotiable in some way when the pilgrims return to China. It is estimated that an expenditure of £20,000 ('ncluding the charter of a steamer, etc. will have been entailted before the skeletons can be landed in China. Altogether the remains of about 450 Chinamen will be shipped. The contractors have been engaged on their unenviable and repulsive task for about ten months now, and anticipate that their labours will be completed in another two months. The carriage of the skeletons is also a matter of comment from a sanitary point of view. The bones after removal from the original coffin, are placed in zinc-lined teak boxes. There is nothing suggestive about these, and being varnished, they might pass for ordinaiy travelling trunks. This receptacle of what was once a human being is consigned to the depot by train, and the tools used in disinterment are bundled into the railway track anyhow. The thought of a consignment of potatoes or other artillce of diet coming to you by the same truck next day is not inspiring. Surely this is a matter for the Health Department. In our wires yesterday it was stated that Dr Mason had the matter under consideration. Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11734, 11 September 1902, Page 2

INSURANCES ON THE BODIES.

Dunedin, October 29. The Alliance Assurance Company had a risk of £4,650 on the Ventnor's bodies, numbering 480, and of this amount £1860 was reinsured in the South British. The bodies came from Greymouth, Wellington, and Dunedin. Wellington, October 29. Of the coffins carried by the Ventnor 489 are insured in the Alliance Company lor £5490, and fungus is insured for about £320 in various offices in Wellington. The Ventnor was four inches light of her marks, as not sufficient coal had arrived from Westport, and as she was on time charter her agents despatched her without waiting for more. THE CARGO OF DEAD CHINESE. With regard to the cargo of about 500 Chinese corpses which were being transported to the Flowery Land it may be mentioned that there was nothing offensive in the manner in which the bodies were treated. After being carefully exhumed, they were packed first of all in air-tight zinc cases. These cases were then inserted in substantial white pine sheaths, sufficiently large to leave a space between the cases to receive a layer of packing, composed of sawdust and tar. It is stated that the transport of the jremains of deceased Chinese to their fatherland is carried out on a species

CHINESE MISSION.

From" Colonist" Feb. 13th, 1903. At the Bishop's School last evenin" Mr Daniel Wong gave an address on the work carried on by him among his countrymen on the West Coast of this diocese and in Wellington- The Rev. J. P. Kempthorne presided, and offered prayer. The Rev. E C Robison then read a portion of the Scripture, and the Chairman briefly introduced Mr Wong, and in doing so stated that that gentleman had won the respect, love and affection of all his countrymen on the Coast, but as the number of Chinese was vastly greater in Wellington than on the Coast Mr Wong proposed in. future to spend more if not all of nis time there. Mr Wong then proceeded to give some description of his work. He explained his work in Wellington that on Sunday he held services in the Mission room in Haining street, and night school four times a week, the attendance being from 15 to 30 men. His daily routine was to study the Scriptures in the forenoon, and in the afternoon to visit his countrymen from shop to shop, or house to house, and tell them about Jesus, and in the evening holding classes for teaching the Chinese to read English, using for that purpose books of Scripture lessons, which He explains, and once a week to teach a class of English gentlemen to read Chinese in order to help him in the work When on the West Coast his work was chiefly visiting the Chinese in their huts and claims, and telling 'them the Gospel message. In Orreymouth he carried on a Similar work as in Wellington. At the Chinese festivals about 300 would assemble at Greymouth, and attend his service held in Trinity Church. He spoke in the highest terms of praise of the help rendered by the Rev. G.York, in the work, and of his kindness to his countrymen. In speaking of the school work in Wellington, he mentioned the great help received from Mr C White and the St. Andrew's Societj. In speaking of the mission work as a whole, Mr Wong said it was beset with difficulties, and a lot of patience and perseverance is required to carry it on to a successful issue. The wreck of the Ventnor and loss of so many Chinese bodies has opened a way for much sion with the Chinese. The Chinese believe that when their friends die their spirits remain with their bones, and so it is most unfortunate to die and be buried in a strange land away from their kindred, with no one to worship at their graves. Thus they believe in sending their bones back to China they are giving pleasure to the dead, and to their descendants to ten thousand generations. About 2t> years ago a club, Chong Sin Tong, was formed in New Zealand to collect and defray the cost of sending back the bones of dead Chinamen to China. The cargo of the lllfated Ventnor cost about £3,000 to collect and 'tranship. They never anticipated the Ventnor would be lost. At first when the news came they thought it must be a joke. When they found it was true many said the Chong Sin Tong Society had done something wrong, and the spirits had caused the ship to sink. Others said the late Sue Hoy had quarrelled with another Chinamen, and had said he would fight him until both their bodies were at the bottom of the great sea. Both these men's bodies were on board the Ventnor, so they say their spirits- caused the ship to sink For himself, Mr Wong believes it was God's wish that these bodies should not be sent to China, and so perpetuate the worship of their bones. Mr Wong expressed great pleasure and thankfulness that the law against opium smoking had been passed in New Zealand. Mr Wong also gave some encouraging and interesting facts about a Chinaman in Wellington, Dye Chum, who helped in the work greatly, and al though not yet admitted by baptism, is nevertheless a believer in the Christian religion. He it was who collected £6 to buy an organ for the mission room, and when there were several sick Chinese in Wellington, and the Hospital authorities helped them, he collected over £100 in one week from his countrymen for the hospital funds. In conclusion, he earnestly asked for prayers' for himself and for his countrymen. At the close prayers were offered 1 f°r mission work generally, and Mr I Wong answered several questions. Colonist, Volume XLVI, Issue 10655, 2 March 1903, Page 1

A WHITE WELLINGTON. TO THE EDITOR

Sir—We are lately so engrossed with the affairs of foreign nations that we do not appear to realise that evils connected with them are present and assuming threatening proportions under our very eyes. In this city of Wellington we have a large commercial industry almost exclusively a monopoly in tho hands of the yellow man, and a race of people growing up in our streets with almond eyes and yellow skins. Altogether independent of rite, there are many cogent reasons why the Chinese question should receive more attention at the hand of those in authority. Will any one contend that the Chinese as a race Of people should be allowed to almost completely monopolise tho fruit trade of Wellington? This is a large and important industry, and it is rapidly growing larger. The Chinese shops are growing with the trade. The numbers of the Chinese engaged in it are greater now than they woro ten, yiant ago. Not only is this' so, but the business of the British tobacconist, of tho British grocer, of the British mercer even, us added to the business of the Chinese shop, in which one .can now purchase a Tioat of things other than fruit. One tnjist say tntit the patience and toleration of tho British struggling business man under these circumstances aro wonderful. Ho pays enor mous rents, socialistic laws press heavily upon him, and now he hos as a competitor in his legitimate business tho Celestial, of all men 'It did seem, at one time, that a decado or two would see the ond of tho Chinese reign in Wellington. The poll-tax would prevent him arriving, and the Johns then in the city would gradually go to lay their bones in the Flowery Land. This hope has no chance of being, realised. If ono John goes, another takes his place a tas. of £100 is nothing to John, -who, indeed, even pays that sum to import a Chinese Mutant. There are now in tho city a number of half-caste Chinese piccaninnie the ruling Chinese generation of Wellington. And tho Chinese shops, instead of decreasing, are extending in every direction. What, then, should bo done? I think an extension of the principle we adopt to keep the Chinaman out; should be applied to the Chinese already in tho country. I would license the Chinese doing business in the city (I understand that them are no Chinese fruit-shops in the other cities) and charge £100 a year for the license, which should permit the sale in the shop licensed of fruit and vegetables only, and stringent conditioner should be enforced with regard to the cleanliness and wholesomeneto of the shops and residence of the Chinese and thei" methods of dealing with the fruit sold. Violation of these conditions should lead to a forfeiture of the license. In fact, John should be subjected to strict and tigid supervision. The present Chinese »h6pkeepors only should be licensed if one died, or having made his pile in Cuba street) returned to the Celestial country, there should be that license the less for the year following. In this simple way the Chinese doing business in Wellington could disappear in ten years or so. Muoh moro could be said, but the subject in large and this letter is already too long. I am, etc., H.R.R. Wellington, 19th January. Evening Post, Volume LXVII, Issue 19, 23 January 1904, Page 15

Chinese Resurrectionists,"

[BY TELEGRAPH.] UNITED PREBB ASSOCIATION. Dunedin, 7th February. A rather singular resurrection movement is now being carried on amongst the Chinese. It seems tho frionds of all tho Celestials who came to this colony from one of the Canton provinces, and who died hore. have raised a fund to deport to tho burial places of their ancestors the bones of the defunct. A sooiety here has oharge of the X rations. They employ resurrectionists, are busy not only in Dunedin and throughout Otago, but over the whole oolony, disinterring tho natives of this particular provinoo. In Dunedin 38 bodies have been raised. A speoial storehouse for the bodies has been built near Dunedin, and a considerable number now lie there awaiting shipment to China. Each coffin is properly labelled with the name of its inmate so that no confusion may arise, and this has been rendered the easier as jt full record is kept by some leading Chinese of everyone of their countrymen who was buriod. Rather a quandary arose over the remains of one individual Which had gone to the Professor of Anatomy at the local University. However, the comforting notion that the University was a barbarian burial place satisfied the enquiring friends, and oertsin bones were duly produced, which were accepted, on the word of the professor, as those of line particular deceased. Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 32, 8 February 1883, Page 2

Those Heathen Chinee

Two hundred and ten Chinese from Canton have died in New Zealand. Their corpes have been resurrected, the bones scrapped and will be forwarded to China by the next vessel. It is estimated that it will cost about £6,000 to land the bones inCanton, and the whole of the charges have been already defrayed by the Celestians themselves. One can not help thinking of the commandment of Joseph concerning his bones, and the thought intrudes itself that perhaps these Cantonese may be the lineal descendants of that Israelitish chieftain. Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 168, 21 June 1883, Page 3

THE HEATHEN DEAD.

Unearthing a Shipment for China-Ah Sam's Resurrection Contract. There may be something rational in tho desire of the Chinese to have their bones moulder into dust in the soil of China, but there is nothing human about the manner in which these bones are dug out cf the sand in the City cemetery. There are just now being exhumed the bones of several hundred Mongolians to be sent back to the Celestial kingdom, in accordance with the solemn covenant made by the various Chinese companies with each of their members. From November 17th until yesterday, there have been resurrected at the City Cemetery aboul 180 coffins, with their decaying contents, and this number will probably see a large increase before the year expires. Tbs cause of this wholesale exhumation of bonel is said to be connected with C. C. O'Donnell's election as Coroner. It seems that O'Donnell's anti-Chinese denunciation ha 3 had some influence upon the living Chinese, that in particular they are afraid that he will carry out bis threat of preventing the transfer of human bones to the land of their birth, and that for this reason they c.fB undoing the undertakers' work as fast as possible before the doughty O'Donnell assumes charge of the morgue department of the municipality. Others, however, deny that apprehension of that kind has anything to do with the matters, but say that a combination of circumstances has brought about the transplantation movement. These circumstances are, first, that November and December are "lucky months; second, that a large number of the dead are ripe," having been in the ground for two years or more j third, that the finances of several Chinese companies are in a flourishing condition fourth, thafc freight to China is low; and fifth, that human bones have not been, and are not likely to be, declared contraband of war by the French. But, whatever may be the cause, the fact is that Ah Sam, a semi- Americanised Chinese, has taken a contract to resurrect several hundred of hi 3 deceased countrymen, and that he is now at work carrying out his contract. He has pitched a tent in the plot of the Fook Yam Tong Company, and every morning at 7 o'clock he begins blowing a Chinese immitation of Gabriel's trumpet, with the result that towards evening several waggon-loads of bones, and sometimes more than bones, come rolling into town. Yesterday Ah Sam was digging up the women's corner in the plot. Five living Chinese women were ready to welcomo the planted ones back to light, and whenever a cove would be knocked off the decaying coffins, these Celestial beauties would eagerly bend over the contents, without regard to the direction of the wind, and begin a search for the jewels and money of the late lamented. The first article looked for was generally the coin which is placed in every Chinaman's mouth so that he may get to heaven's gate with sufficient toll to purchase admission. The earrings were the next prize. Then the jasper bracelets would be disengaged from the bones of the hand and forearm, and this done, the professional bone picker would begin his work. Beginning at the feet, these men pick out of the coffin evory bit and sliver of bone, carefully mashing any soft substance be tween their fingers to make sure that not even a trace of bony structure remains in the land of the white devils. The bones are then cleaned after a fashion, and, if it is found that even a joint of the small toe is missing, the grave, the coffin, and the ground are thoroughly searched. When all the bones have been found, they are wrapped in pieces of muslin, each part of the body by itself, and then the whole is placed in a little zinc-lined box, which is ostensibly the package which goes to China. Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 93, 14 March 1885, Page 5

BONES, GOLD, AND THE CHINESE A DISSERTATION ON SMUGGLING.

THE SOVEREIGN IN THE LAUNDRY. The Chinese have notoriously a deep conviction that they ought either to die in China, or at least if they die abroad they should send their bones horne or rather someone else should send them. It is also notorious that they take a delight in sending to China -the savings they accumulate in foreign parts, not in bank credits, but in good yellow gold. It happens that in these unfortunate times gold is "forbidden to export," and any Chinese who packs sovereigns off to Es own land is knowingly or not committing a breach of the law. _It appears that this illegal export is going on. It v/as mentioned at yesterday a meeting of the Central Gnanlber of Commerce and a relationship between bones and gold was established by a speaker who recalled certain incidents of the romantic export of Chinese bones from Australian ports, which were averse to allowing coin to leave the country. The bones over which the colonised Chinese were so solicitous were after the manner of human bones, many of them hollow and in the interstries there was great wealth, ingeniously smuggled away in funereal guise and to a sound of lamentation. Several of the members seemed to have heard of it before, so the story passed for gospel. It was told to point the moral that the Government should keep an eye on the Chinese gold-hoarders. The order paper of the meeting, however, contained a. memorandum that the Government duly had its eye on them. Incidentally it may be said that there have been report* that certain Chinese in Wellington have been in the habit of giving a premium for gold actually paying more for it than it is worth. This should be sufficient to put anyone on his guard. A person who assists "the Chinese to hoard gold presumably for the purpose of export is directly conniving at a breach of a law which has been brought into operation for the good of the State in a very serious time. Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 41, 17 August 1915, Page 2

ANOTHER CHINAMAN INTERVIEWED.

Dunedin, May 8. Being waited on yesterday morning. Sew J Hoy, the well-known Chinese merchant, said that he did not think there was any likelihood of a large migration from the Flowery. Land to the colony. His reasons for holding that opinion were In the first place that he had no advices that such a descent was contemplated, nnd it is unlikely that such a thing would happen without his hearing something about it. Secondly, that there was no inducement for the Chinese to assemble here in force. In the days when the goldfields were in full swing there, used to be large numbers of Chinese, at the Arrow Cardron's Waipori, and Queenstown, and many others stilled about all over the diggings, but the working at these places had ceased to provide profitable employment for the Chinese, and the majority had left the oountry for good. At Waipori alone said Mr Sew Hoy. there used to be about 2000 Chinamm when the gold was being got, but now you will find only some sixty of my countrymen at work there. The effect of imposing a poll tax wonld doubtless keep away many Chinese who might otherwise oome here. Nearly all the men who come here from China added our inform ant, are farmers from the country districts of Canton— men of careful habits, who would not think of starting ont of New Zealand unless they had close on £50 to lay out. They would reckon that the trip would cost them fully that amount. The passage money would, roughly speaking, oome to abont £20 then there is the poll tax of £10, and you won't catoh these men landing here without a penny in their pockets. They know that they will not find work direotly they land, and that it will cost them something to get up country, and they will take care to be provided with a little ready money to last them untill they get started to work. You remember," said he (addressing the reporter) that when three shiploads of Chinese in landed Dunedin about the same time some years ago, all the passengers were out of Dunedin and on their way by wagon in lesss than a week,and these men were of the same class as those that have since arrived. The majority of them get out of town as soon as they can, and are provided with means to go where they have a chance of settling. Yes, I think the poll tax will keep many of these people from coming here, for they wont afford to pay it" Mr Sew Hoy continued that in his opinion the enforcement of this poll tax would lead to trouble. A certain treaty of rights was imposed upon China by the English Government, and the demanding of a poll tax by the colonies was a breach of the agreement entered into between the two countries, for which England might be held responsible, even to the extent of a claim by the Chinese Government for a return of the money thus paid by the Chinese immigrants. 'Englishmen were treated well in China and could go anywhere they liked which was a privilege not accorded to other nations, and it was not right, in the face of this consideration, for the colonies to treat the Chinese as intruders. "Were my countrymen a disorderly lot of men, who gave the colonies trouble, then Chinese authorities might be complained to by the colonies, but what harm are the Chinese doing and as to the try they live cheaper than Europeans, that is a mistake which should be contradicted. Ask the storekeeper, the butcher, the baker, the banks at any place where the Chinese have settled down, whether the Chinamen, are not good custo mers, you will see what these people say but don't ask the hotelkeeper, added Mr Sew Hoy, a with laugh, "for he will not give my countrymen a good name. They are not his best customers. Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXII, Issue 110, 12 May 1888, Page 4

DEAD CHINAMEN THE VENTNOR'S CONTRACT.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent) WELLINGTON, this day.

On Saturday evening the steamer Ventnor will leave here for Hong kong carrying 554 coffins containing the bodies and bones of Chinamen who have died in a foreign country which are being taken to a last sleeping place in their Motherland to satisfy the demands of their religion and a wish natural to men of all nationalities. Most of the dead that are being taken away were members of the Chong Shin Tong Society. The agreement between the society and the agents for the charterers provides that a health certificate, as required by law, and all necessary permits to land the coffins at Hongkong, shall be obtained by the society. The coffins are not to he transhipped or disturbed after leaving Wellington under a penalty of £1000, unless such transhipment or disturbance shall be rendered necessary by perils of the sea or unavoidable accident. They must be carried on the tween decks of the steamer, which have been fitted for this purpose, tier upon tier, and heads to the bow. Practically the coffins are all placed in pigeon holes, space being left for the body servants, of which there are six to walk between and perform rites pertaining to the religion of Confucius. The coffins of the dead outside of the Chong Shin Tong Society have to be stored apart from others, and there are separate compartments for the casket in which is the body of Sew Hoy, a former prominent Dunedin merchant. His son, Mr. Kum Poy Sew Hoy, will superintend the stowage of his father's coffin. He is secretary to the Chong Shin Tong Society, and has been the leading spirit in the shipment of his dead countrymen. He was educated at the Dunedin University, he is a cultured speaks English fluently. Captain Ferry, commander of the Ventnor employed in the transhipment of Chinese bodies from various places in the East, and his vessel is one of very few which has been permitted by the Chong Shin Tong Society to fly the Dragoon flag. Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 252, 23 October 1902, Page 2

SHIPPING AWAY OF DECEASED CHINESE THE WORK AT PORT CHALMERS

The cofiins containing the remains of the Chinese who have died in various parts of the South Island during a number of years were taken down to Port Chalmers in several covered railway vans on Friday eveniug, and their removal to ihe steamer Rimu was proceeded with the first thing on Saturday morning. The operation of removing ihe coffins to the after hold of tho steamer was supervised by a party of 15 Chinese, and was watched with curious eyes by a small gathering of Port residents, who probably expected to witness something of an uncommon character. If this were so, their expectations were not realised, the coffins being bandied and slung on board the steamer in precisely the same way as general cargo would have been, and but for the presence of the superintending body of Celestials, at whose head was Mr Kum Poy, Sew Hoy, no one would have known that anything unusual was going on. The coffins with the exception of those containing the remains of the late Mr Sew Hoy and the late Mr Ah Chung, were merely plain cases of a very substantial make. Those containing the remains of £ Chinamen who had died some years ago were somewhat smaller than the zinc lined cases containing Lose whose decease had taken place more recently and ihe former were slung over the ship's side in loto of eight, and the latter in fours. They were all lowered alongside the coffins ihat had come from Greymouth, ani the lot pretty well filled the after hold. That the undertaking portion of the work had been thoroughly carried out there can be no doubt, such a thing as a disagreeable fui°U being entirely absent -the most sensitive could not have detected anything of the kind. The coffins containing the remains of the late Mr Sew Hoy and the late Mr Ah Chung were t>f customary English shaps, and were built of handsomely polished rimu. It may be mentioned that each coffin bore on the end particulars in Chinese characters concerning the deceased whose remains it contained. There were also shipped 11 small case 3in which were the personal effects of the dead men. The number of coffins from Dunedin was 256 (84 large and 181 small), from Greymouth 173 (66 large and- 107 small), and there were 36 on board from Welllington, so that the total was 474. These together with the 11 cases of personal effects, will be taken by the Rimu to Wellington and transhipped to the Ventnor, which will convey them to Hongkong. Mr Kum Poy Sew Hoy, who is president of the Ching Shing Tong or Burial Society, states that the whole process of exhumation and removal was done under the inspection of Dr Ogston and other officers of the Health Department and that no official complaint of any kind has been made. He states, further, that the Burial Society, of which Mr Sue Shea is secretary, has its headquarters in Dunedin, aad the membership throughout New Zealand is about 2500, and represents the Chinese provinces of Pong Ye and Far Yep whence the deceased came. Each member subscribes to 4 the society in proportion to his means, and tbo remains of deceased members are sent to their relatives in China for interment in- the family burial places. The cost of the shipment just sent away, which is the first after a period of 21 years is estimated at £5000. The process of preparing the remains for enclosure in the coffins, as described by Mr Kum Poy Ssw Hoy, was that (where suitably dry) they were carefully washed and dried at the Kaikorai shed. Each bone, even to the finger bones, was then wrappened in new calicos, and the parts belonging to each body placed in a kauri case, which was duly labelled with the name, 0f the person whose body it contained. The remains of those who had died comparatively recently were placed in zinc lined coffins, which were soldered up and placed within outer kauri shells, which were of 1/4 in wood, and securely screwed together and varnished. There was no religious observance at Port Chalmers in connection with the shipment of the coffins, but there was, at the same time, an air of decorem pervading the whole of the proceedings.—West Coast Times , Issue 12342, 25 October 1902, Page 4


BONES AND BODIES. WELLINGTON, October 21 A number of bodies and bones of Chinese have been disinterred from the Karori Cemetery, and will be shipped on the Vent or for Hong Kong, with similar consignments from the South and Westland. Captain Ferry, of the Ventor, says the transport of remains of Chinamen is an everyday occurrence in the East. He had read greatly exaggerated accounts of the proceelings in connection with this shipment and thought much unnecessary fuss had been created. As far as he was concerned, he was iust carrying a few hundred cases of merchandise. The bodies and bones were properly packed and there was nothing whatever to object to about them. Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11770, 22 October 1902, Page 5


A CHINESE DEPUTATION

Our Chinese fellow citzens evidently understand the game of deputationising. Messrs Sew Hoy and Kwong Sing Wing, who were accompanied by Mr H. Houghton, waited upon the Hon. Mr M'Lean yesterday morning, and brought under his notice what they considered to be a hardship inflicted upon the Celestial race in this part of the world. Messrs Sew Hoy and Kwong Sing Wing are two well-known Chinese merchants.^ carrying on business in Stafford street, Dunedin. Mr Hou&hton explained that green ginger was largely imported from China to Otago, and used as an article of food by the Chinese residents. The duty of 3d per lb levied upon the dried white ginger of commerce, was also levied upon this green einger, which is xiLcd plentifully as a vegetable by the Chinese. Ihe latter thought that this duty was excessive, as it amounted to about 200 per cent, upon tho prime cost. Mr Sew Hot pointed out tnat in Melbourne the duty imposed on the green ginger was only 5 per cent. Mr M'Lean said that if this green ginger could not be manufactured here into dried ginger, the duty certainly looked like a hardship. Mr Sew Hoy said they sustained a further hardship through a great deal of the green ginger going bad during the voyage from China. He had a large quantity in bond at present, and a great deal of it had become useless through decay; yet he was called upon to pay duty for the bad as well as the good. Mr M'Lean said he did not think duty would be charged upon the ginger that went bad. If it were, it would certaiuly be a hardship. He did not see that there was anything to prevent the green ginger from being converted into dried ginger, and in that case if it were admitted at a lower rate of duty, the duty imposed upon dried ginger might be evaded altogether. Until he ascertained whether or not that could be done, he would say nothing further. Mr Sew Hoy was understood to say that they could not convert green ginger into dried ginger. Mr M'Lean thought there was scarcely any necessity for going to China to obtain the green ginger, as it was grown in large quantities in the South Sea Islands. Mr Sew Hoy thought that the ginger grown there could not keep longer than for about ten days. It was grown in Sydney as an experiment, but it decayed too rapidly. That grown in China kept well because of the hot climate, and through its being left in the ground for more than twelve months. Mr M'Lean promised to enquire into the matter, and the deputation left with him samples of the green and dried ginger, of which they brought several packages. Otago Daily Times , Issue 4623, 9 December 1876, Page 3

BANKRUPTCY LAW IN CHINA.

During the hearing of a Chinese bankruptcy case at the Supreme Court this morning (says the Dunedin Star of Monday), Mr Justice Williams said to Mr Sew Hoy, one of the witnesses, that he would like to ask him, as a matter of curiosity, how they managed such affairs in his country. The answer was curt, but to the pomt "No law must pay." Mr Denniston remarked that his friend, Mr F. R. Chapman, who is a great authority on Chinese matters, said that the Chinese always hang themselves when they find they are approaching bankruptcy. His Honor said that, from what he could see of the books in this case, the Chinese system of keeping accounts was a very accurate one. Mr Sew Hoy said that was the case, although in this instance the bankrupts had made some mistakes. Grey River Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 5267, 13 August 1885, Page 4

MR KUM POY SEW HOY




MR KUM POY SEW HOY, The President of the Chong Shin Tong or Burial Society, whose members in New Zealand number nearly 2500. The society provides funds for sending home the remains of deceased countrymen for interment in the family burial places in China.

Otago Witness , Issue 2537, 29 October 1902, Page 36

THE VENTNOR. More Signs of Wreckage. (United Press Association) AUCKLAND . A boat branded "Ventnor" and two boxes containing the corpses of Chinese, washed up opposite Tekao. With regard to the ill-fated Ventnor which foundered- off Hokianga with several hundred coffins on board, containing the exhumed remains of Chinese to be sent to their own country. It now appears- that the coffins were not to be transhipped or disturbed after leaving Wellington under a penalty of £1000 unless by peril of the sea or accident. They were placed in tiers, all with their heads to the bow. There was a separate compartment in which lay the body of Sew Hoy, a former prominent Dunedin merchant. The Ventnor, was one of very few vessels permitted by The Ching Shin Tong Society to fly the dragon flag. Sew Hoy's son was educated at Dunedin University, is a cultured scholar, and speaks English fluently. He is a secretary of the Chinese Society, and has been the leading spirit in the shipment of his dead countrymen whose remains are now at the bottom of the sea. Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10796, 12 November 1902, Page 6




ANCESTOR WORSHIP.

THE CHONG CHING TONG SOCIETY. Mr Sew Hoy, of Dunedin, speaking to a Press reporter at the conclusion ol the Chong Ching Tong case at Christchurch, in which he was a witness, said the Chong Ching Tong was one of the most famous of ttie Chinese societies. It exists for the carrying out of the sacred duty of disinterring the bodies of deceased Chinamen who liave been buried abroad, and conveying the remains to China. Its objects lie at the very root of tlie Chinese religion, that of ancestor worship, and it has existed ever since the Chinese commenced to spread oyer the world. To-day it is a vast organisation, which has its headquarter in China, and of which branches exist in every country where Chinese dwell. The society works on simple but effective lines. Through its different branches it enrols the names of exiled Chinamen desiring to become members, it collects their subscriptions, it defrays the cost of disinterment aud freight, and it arranges for the reception of the bodies in China and their conveyance to their proper destination. In New Zealand, where a branch exists, two shipment of bodies have been made, on in 1885, wliich turned out successful, and one in 1892, which did not, the boat foundering shortly after leaving Wellington. Since then the policy of the New Zealand branch has been changed, and tlie bodies are sent home to China as soon as possible after death. There are now no burial's of members, and consequently no disinterments. Advices are sent to the lieadquarters of the society in China, informing the officials there that so many bodies are coming by a certain boat, expected to arrive at Hong Kong on such and such a dale. Tlie caskets containing the bodies are each marked with the name of the deceased, and are easily identified when tlie boat arrives at Hong Kong, tliat being the port where all bodSe» are sent. The headquarter officials superintend Hie landing of the coffins, identify each one, and forward them to the relatives of the deceased in whatever part of China, they may live. The loss of the Ventnor was mentioned and the interviewer inquired what would be the effect of the circumstance tliat the bodies were permanently expatriated from China. Mr Sew Hoy replied that m such a case a silver plate, bearing the name of the deceased, is either buried in China or kept in the house of the relatives, whichever the latter prefer. That place takes the place of the body in representing the spirit of the deceased, and wherever the place is, there also is the spirit. No further subscriptions had been collected since the 1902 shipment, but the society, out of the funds in hand, contribute £9 towards the cost of sending home a deceased member. The remainder of the cost, some £30, was made up by the relatives. Should the work of collecting further subscriptions be dropped, either the relatives would have to send home the bodies or the headquarters m China, would have to defray the cost. The New Zealand society, Mr Sew Hoy added, owns some valuable properly in China, and the revenue from that would probably be sufficient to continue the £9 subsidy. Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 10233, 16 December 1904, Page 4


DEATHS

On the 13th October, at Canton, the beloved mother of Sew Hoy, merchant, of this city.

Otago Daily Times , Issue 4342, 19 January 1876, Page 4