THE CHINESE AT THE GREENSTONE.

Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1870, 3 August 1874, Page 3

THE CHINESE AT THE GREENSTONE.

[west coast tjmes.] The number of Chinese at present located upon the Greenstone creek amount to about 200, all of whom, with one or two exceptions are engaged in mining pursuits. On no other diggings about this part of the Coast has " John" dared to introduce his peculiar penchants with so utterly a disregard to the tastes and prejudices of Europeans as in this district. Not only is there a Chinese store where all Asiatic abominations are sold, but there is also a gambling and opium house in full swing. During a recent visit to the district, our reporter was afforded an opportunity of visiting the head-quarter of the Chinese. The first place visited was the store, where any number of strangely smelling packages are displayed for sale, of course not including the inevitable "bird's nest," but omitting that and pig, which John had not in stock, nearly everything else that delights the palate of a Chinaman could be obtained. In connection with this store there is accommodation for those who wish to indulge in opium smoking, and during the time our reporter was present there were some half-dozen of the almond-eyed either under the influence, or preparing to inhale the smoke from the drug. This was done by means of a pipe, formed of a piece of hollow wood or bamboo, round like a flute and about the same length, with a disc-shaped piece of wood near the end. In the disc there is a small hole in connection with the hole in the tube, and with a strip of wire and the aid of a small lamp, the piece of opium is nicely manipulated and inserted into the orifice in the disc, through which it passes into the smoker's month and nostrils. About one shilling's worth of the drug sufficies for a moderately old hand, but the neophytes are generally overcome by a much smaller quantity. The name they give the pipe is " Yung Tun," and to judge from what came under the writer's observation all those present on the occasion of his visit, appeared to look upon " Yung Tun " and the small bit of opium on its top with very longing eyes. The gambling was principally carried on in an adjoining tent, but in order that any of the opium inhalers should lose none of their opportunities, in the store there was displayed all the things needful for playing the game of Fan Fan, or whatever their favorite game of chance may be called. On entering the gambling tent, we (that is ene of the members of the police-force and the writer) found that a game had just been concluded, or seeing the police officer coming in, the banker and players had probably withdrawn from the game as it is said they will when interrupted by the barbarian when they are engaged in anything very illegal, and the writer was the more inclined to believe that the latter waa the fact from the circumstances of several very emphatic Chinese grunts having emanated from those near the door the moment we made our appearance. Everything was, however, as far as could be seen, conducted very quietly, and although a Bose-China-man has set up his emporium of nastiness in the locality, it by no means follows that all the Chinese patronise the store of their- countryman ; on the contrary, the European stores are largely patronised by the Chinese, and, as far as could be learned they contrive to pay cash for all they' purchase.

Prince Arthur appeared in the House of Lords for the first time on 3 une 8, as the Duke of Connaught. Two Cornish miners, James Billings and James Rickards, perished horribly the other day by an accident to the Succor mine, Goldhill, Nevada. A quantity of giant powder exploded, setting tire to the woodwork at the mouth of the shaft, which caved in, burying them alive. The shaft is 600 ft. deep, and their death must have been a alow and horrible one;