CHINAMAN’S LOSS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 13025, 2 May 1940, Page 3

CHINAMAN’S LOSS

FLOODS SWEPT PRIVATE BANK AWAY One heavy loser in recent floods at Ayr (N.S.W.), was a Chinese gardener, Peter Sue, who lost not only his whole plantation on the outskirts of the town but £ 900 in notes. Peter had no faith in banks, and for 13 years carefully saved his money, cohVerting silver into notes of £lO and £5 denominations. These he placed inside coffee bottles, with stoppers which were rub-ber-lined. The bottles in turn were placed in a tin, which was tarred inside and outside, and this was deposited in an old tree stump, which served as Sue’s bank. When tAe flood swept over the garden last week the tree stump was uprooted and carried away.

Sue tried to get to it to rescue his savings, but was beaten back and had to take refuge and see the result of years’ toil swept away.

With his money, Sue intended to give his children, who are in Hongkong, a start in life.

An exhaustive search failed to reveal the missing tin, and he is still hoping that some trace will be found on - the waters receding.