YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS AT THE BLUFF.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5214, 8 May 1888, Page 2

YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS AT THE BLUFF.

THE AFGHAN'S PASSENGERS.

AN OUTCOME OF THE AGITATION,

SHOCKING STATE OF AFFAIRS AT

ROUND HILL.

[BPEOIA- TO DAILY TELEGRAPH.]

[OWN CORRESPONDENT.—BY TELEGRAPH.]

IsrvERCAKGiLL, Last night. Tho first train to the Bluff this morning conveyed a number of passengers interested in the Chinese question. A meeting was held immediately after arrival, when a vote of thanks to tho Government for proclaiming the Chinese ports infected was proposed, but did not find a seconder, the feeling being that the Government had not done their duty. There was an impression that the telegram re Government's action was a bogus one, and it was decided to telegraph to Invercargill asking that a further contingent should come do wn. This was responded to, the 11.15 train conveying a number of people. The steamer arrived at tho wharf at 11.30 a.m. Dr. Galbraith having previously given a clean bill of health, while the matter of tho payment of the poll-tax was satisfactorily adjusted, the agents of the vessel giving a cheque for tho required ' amount, it-was stated that a dozen or more ' of the Chinese claimed to bo exempt, but their plea was not allowed. In the meantime a largo crowd was gathered ou the wharf. At the moment tho steamer was made fast a number of Chinamen were seen clustered on the forepart of the vessel and amidship. This was the signal of a tremendous roar of indignation on the part of the spectators, causing the Celestials to duck their heads and seek seclusion. They, however, re-appeared, and were then greeted with mud-oyster shells. One or more of tho missiles struck their mark, and the captain thereupon intervened and threatened the offenders with the rigor of the law. This caused a suspension of hostili ties. Tho Rev.Mr Gordon of this town, who has returned from a) visit to Victoria, mentioned from the steamer that none of the Chinese were to land at the Bluff. This was immediately confirmed by the captain, who stated that 19 of tho Chinese wero to go to Dunedin and tho balance to Greymouth. Ho subsequently added that ho would not allow a single Chinaman to land, nor wodd he permit any ono on shore to interfere with his passengers. He had nothing to do .with thei Chinese question, but simply to protect his passengers. In spite of the assurance given, a good many members of the Anti-Chinese League did not return by the 2 p.m. train, but remained, as they put it, "to see tho steamer off." The police bad made arrangements to swear in a number of the Buff residents as special constables at one o'clock.

The Afghan, which lately* arrived at Melbourne, had no fewer than 268 Chinese passengers bookedf or the different Australian ports. Of this numbe'" 67 were, for Melbourne, 89 for Sydney, 105 for New Zealand and for Tasmania, and 5 for Queensland. As the outcome of the agitation in Victoria, it is probablo that a permanent anti-Chinese League will be formed to prevent furthor shipments of Chinamen, and dealing strictly with those now here.

The Riverton correspondent of tho News; gives the followingparticulars of the position of matters at Round Hill, Riverton:—" At one time this was tho head quarters for tho Chinese working as miners at Round Hill, but the gambling and noise, and Btench from the hovels they occupied, could not be endured. The consequence was that after being brought to Court at different times, it got too hot for them, and they removed in a body to Round Hill. Of course, tho storekeeper at first did a good business with them, but only until their fellow customers got into communication with tho Chinese merchants residing in other places, who supply them now by steamer and rail. They have also obtained on the Round Hill diggings the water rights, oto,, so that if things go on this way they will be masters of tho situation. When any ono of them obtains a few hundred pounds to China he goes. In tho gambling dens at Round Hill there is nothing that pleases " John" so much as to see ono of their number get the whole of tho stakes, as he makes for home. Now let us look at it in another light. I am sure anyone visiting Round Hill, and seeing the number of young girls that these Chinese have stopping with them, would shudder. I have myself met these young women, some highly educated and good-looking, who could converse on almost any subject. What would the parents of such think if, after all their trouble and anxiety about them in their young days, they could draw tho curtain and see them now, brutalized by the ebnitant use of opium, which puts them into a chronic state of stupefaction. The Legislature should at once legislate in such a way that the terms under which the Chinese should be allowed to land would be so embarrassing that they would leave for somo part of tho world where they are in request."