“ME NO SAVEE”

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 July 1936, Page 3

“ME NO SAVEE”

CHINESE AND MAGISTRATE A crossword puzzle, of the Chinese variety, proved too much for Mr. 11. | Morgan, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court| at Greymouth, yesterday afternoon,] and the services of an interpreter had ( to be enlisted, to assist in arriving at, a solution. The case was one in which] John Becker, storekeeper, of Ahaura i (Mr. M. B. James), claimed £lO/1171] from Jimmy Quong, as the balance owing for stores supplied. Quong was not represented by counsel. Apparently eager for action, he stepped into the witness-box, produced a match, and blew it out. before the hearing started. Becker stated that Quong had dealt with him since 1930, but ceased about the end of 1933. He then owed £lO 11/1 for goods supplied since December, 1932. Defendant had a running account, and made occasional payments. Quong was fossicking for gold, and got witness to bring his gold *o the National Bank, Greymouth, for sale. He returned the money to defendant at Ahaura. Becker produced a book, which he stated showed thei whole of the goods sold to defendant;] also the amounts credited against i Quong’s account. Gopies of the account and the credit notes were delivered to defendant, from time to time. In November, 1933, Quong ceased to deal with witness. A parcel of Quong's gold was reported to have been stolen. I The police were brought on the scene, {but they could not find the gold. It was missing for a month, and defendant could not pay Iris account. Three ■ people were suspected of having stolen the gold. A traveller came into [the store, and told witness that Quong had been selling gold in Greymouth. ' Witness reported that to the police. As a result, it was ascertained that Quong had found the missing gold. It had not been stolen, but defendant had merely forgotten where he put it. Quong considered that witness was a rogue, because he informed the police, and he refused to pay his account at the store.

“Jimmy,” said the S.M., “do you want to ask Becker any questions?” “Me no savee!” replied the Chinese. “I think you savee. all right.” commented Mr. Morgan. Quong handed in a written statement.

“Who write this. Jimmy?” asked the S.M., adopting pidgin English, in. an endeavour to make defendant comprehend. “Me no savee!” said Jimmy. After further attempts, the information was! elicited that the statement was written! by Albert Ah Long., . “You tell Tiim what to write?” queried the S.M., and Jimmy agreed that it was so. It was set out in the statement that Quong had been a resident of the district for 40 years, but had never previously been sued for debt. He considered that he! had been done an injustice in this cdse. He said that he save Becker 7ioz of gold, at different thlnes. and he considered that the return from the gold was more than sufficient to pay for his stores. At no timet he said, had he received dockets oi receipts from Becker. At present he was receiving^ charitable aid from the Hospital Board. Becker stated that he took the sold straight to the bank. He had notl ling in his possession from the bank , to show the weight of the gold, 'out said he could get the information. - ~ The S.My I Suppose you realise/that you were in position of tru.yi?—l quite understand. >

You say definitely that you credited him with the value of the gold you sold for him? —Yes.

Becker alleged that Quong used to spend at the rate of £3 or £4 per day, when he was in town, so he “would not have much left for “tucker.” After perusing the accounts, the S.M. said that the credits amounted to about £27. Becker said that ho always gave Quong the whole of the money from the sale of the gold.

Entering the witness-box, Quong held a lighted match while the oath was put: “You swear that you will tell the truth, and if you do not teil the truth your life will be blown out like this match.” He blew out the match.

“You savee that all right!” remark ed the S.M.

“Becker sa.v you no pay him £lO for tucker,” suggested the S.M.

SALE OF GOLD

Quong burst into eloquence, but it was more like Chinese than pidgin English. Lt was finally ascertained that he denied Becker gave him any money for his gold. The S.M. informed Mr. James that he had better find out the amount of gold sold by Becker to the bank. Another spate of words from Quong was accompanied by arm-waving, but it was unintelligible, the S.M. smilingly remarking, “Now it is a case of me ‘no savee!’”

When the ease came on again, after the luncheon adjournment, Mr. James said he had ascertained that Becker sold 7 oz 2 dwts 12 grains of gold at the bank.

Quong reiterated that Becker did not give him the money. The S.M.: Can you prove that Becker did not give you money? “Me no savee!” said Quong. “It seems to me that you don’t want to savee!” remarked the S.M. with the aid of Albert Long, as interpreter, better progress was made. Quong said that he gave Beckf-r 7A oz of gold, but denied that Becker gave him its full value. He gave Long the figures shown in a statement (put in) from memory. He said that he stopped dealing with Becker because the latter would not give him any more stores, and told him to go somewhere else. He considered that the gold he gave Becker was enough to pay for his stores. When Becker refused to give him stores, he refused to give Becker any more gold. He alleged that he was not getting a fair deal from Becker.

The S.M. said it was quite’clear that the parties agreed upon the amount of gold handed to Becker by defendant, as being approximately 71 oz. The bank figures showed that Becker sold that amount, on behalf of defendant. The lai ter was dealing with plaintiff, and getting stores from him. The accounts produced showed that defendant was credited with cash towards his indebtedness, and that the cash came from the sale of gold. The S.M. said he must accept Becker’s evidence that, on occasions, he handed back to defendant portion of the amount received from the sale of gold, and part of it was appropriated, with the consent of defendant, towards liquidating his indebtedness..for stores. Mr. Morgan said he could not accept the allegation that plaintiff had not accounted for the value of the gold handed to him for sale oh behalf of defendant. The S.M. sa.id he was satisfied that the defendant owed the money, and judgment must be given for plaintiff for the amount claimed, with £2/12/- solicitor’s fee,' and' £l/10/Court costs. .. /