THE CHINESE DIFFICULTY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 175, 26 July 1893, Page 8

THE CHINESE DIFFICULTY.

' MATCH • BLOWING EXTRA.

ORDINARY.

AMUSEiMENT AT THE POLICE

COURT.

Says Rudyard Kipling, in writing of, the " Chinese Lingo :" " Flowery perhaps the land may be, bub the tongue is scarcely thab." The grim irony ot this waa fully illustrated in the Police Courb this morning, when three Chinese witnesses, through the Court interpreter, recounted in their native tongue the woes one of their race, Chum Loy, was subjected to at the hands of two European lads. These two lade, named Charles Carter and James McNair, were charged with having unlawfully and violently assaulted Chum Loy. Carter was charged with having, assaulted Chum Loy by striking him on the face with a stirrup, and throwing a stone at him, while McNair was charged with pulling Chum Loy down and holding him to the ground. Dr. Laishley appeared for the complainanb ; Mrßrassey for Carter ; and Mr O'Meagher for McNair. Mr R. S. Bush, R.M., occupied the Bench. The case was adjoumod from yesterday owing to Mr O'Meagher's objection to Mr Thos. Quoi, Court interpreter, acting in thab capacity. Mr Ah Chee, by request, assumed the duties of interpreter, pledging himself to "truly and faithfully interpret the evidence according to the besb of his skill and ability." To mako this tho more binding upon him he blow oub a lightod match, signifying thereby thab if he should prove false so might his spark of existence be also snuffed oub.

Ah Chee thon endeavoured to administer the oath to complainant, bub had to stop somewhere near the middle to inform the Court thab he could not really make the man understand, as he was from a different part of tho Empire Coleatial. Ah Chee wenb ab ib again, however, and after a mighty struggle, in which Ah Cheo gesticulated like a windmill, and ChumLoy made a whistling noise like a bird, the oath waß successfully administered. Said Ah Chee, again addressing the Court, " I do-ec not know-ec about dis caso."

" Thab's the very reason we gob you," replied the Bench, with a smile, "Ah, me see, me see I" answered the apt pupil in British justice. "Me see, me see!"

Dr. Laiahley then proceeded to pub the quosbion to Ah Chee, who. transmitted the same bo Chum Loy.

Witness deposed that be was a markot gardoner ab Arch Hiil. On Saturday evening last about half-past eight he was on his way to town. When passing the Arch Hill Hotel he noticed two young men sitting under tho verandah of a shop opposito. He identified the two accused aa the young men.

Ab this stage Dr. Laishloy put the question :'." Had the young men anything with them ?" Tho answer camo back, " Yes, a whip or a stick." At this reply Dr. Laiahley, who had by his side Mr Thos. Quoi, informed the. Bench that he had beon advised that the question had not been properly put. This was a poinb which oven the Magistrate with his legal knowledge nnd expeiienco could nob decide, and he admitted as much.

Ah Chee smiled blandly, and tried again* If he had stuck a pin in the witness, the offect could not hava been moro Btartling. Mr Chum Loy started h_3 windmill operations again, chanting the whilo whab appeared to bo one of the most obtuse selections of Browning, read backwards, with whistling bars betweon tho verseß. "Ho replies," said the interpreter when ib was all over, *' that they had a stick. Ho aaya the word thab moans' stick 'to me. I cnil that a gas-pipe," said Chee in illustration, " ho mightee Bayeo something else." Dr. Laiahley again laid a charge against Chee'a rendition. The Bench was puzzled.

Mr O'Meagher challenged the learned doctor's knowledge of Chinese and said that Mr Quoi had nn standing in tho Court.

The Bench ruled thab iv a case of tb_R kind, Dr. Laiahley had a right to a privato interpreter as a check upon the other. The difficulty was great, for when Chinee meots Chinee, then cornea tho tug of war, and when Chinese differ, who is-to decide ? These were tho two grave maxims that came bo tho minds of all. Ah Chee finally came to the roscue, and admitted he could hardly make the man understand.

The difficulty was solved, and aftor a protesb from Mr O'Meagher, Mr Thomas Quoi was sworn in as interpreter instead of Ah Chee. Mr Quoi, as a Chrisbian, disdained the mabch, and kissed the Bible wibh a smack that would have done credib to a Bush Baptist. From this point the evidence flowed smoothly, Chum Loy saying bhab afber passing tho boys he heard a " shooing " noise, and felt a dog bite him in the 'eg. He kicked the animal, whereupon the accused, Carter, rushed up and struck him with a stirrup iron, knocking him down in the mud. McNair there Btruck him, and upon his rising dealt him,-. heavy blow with a stone on the chest. Witness was so soveroly hurt bhab he bad to turn back home and go to bed. Ho began to spib bioo'd, and thoroupon sent for Dr. Walker.

Dr. Walker testified to the severe nature of Chum Loy's wounds, whilst Ah Tug and Ah Chock, companions of Chum Loy, who were presenb and saw tho occurrence, bub did nob intorfere, gave evidence corroborating thab of Chum Loy. Mr O'Meagher, in oponing for the defence, took exception to tho action of Dr. Laishiey in ollering to supply ovidenco aa to the character of the accused, and calling them budding larrikins. Mr O'Meagher quoted authority bearing upon his words, and said that ib had no bearing upon tho presenb case. He was surprised that any membor of the learned profession should-have taken such a course, and on bohalf of bho Bar be entered hia most vigorous protest. Dr. Laishiey : You have no authority to spoak for the Bar, and to make such assertions againsb him. Mr O'Meagher: I say that I have, as senior member to every member who appoars in Court in Auckland with the excopbion of Mr Button.

Dr. Laishiey: I did not call any evidence. Mr O'Meagher: No ; but you have attempted to do so, which course was quite unworthy of any member of the Bar. I could excuso a man's ignoranco bub could nob pardon this audacity. Dr, Laiahloy : This ia altogether out of place, but if hard things are to be said bhere is no person so liable to have those things said about him as Mr O'Meagher. Mr O'Meagher : There is nobody dare say anything againsb mo outside of this Court. The breeze subsided aa quickly as ib had risen.

The case was proceeding when we wenb to presß. _____________