THE CHINESE PETITION.

Lake County Press, Issue 54, 14 June 1872, Page 3

THE CHINESE PETITION.

Although pur readers are no doubt alttost tired of the agitation consequent 011 the recent Chinese petition for. Mr Beetham's removal, we venture once more to return to the subject, by givin» co,py inextenso of the petition presented by Mr Macassey, and which we have received from Dunedin. The fact of its never having been before the European population in this district is of itself a Convincing proof-of the vindictive and stealthy manner in which it was carried Out. It is worthy of remark that of the 527 signatures attached to the document 336 were those pf Chinese purporting to reside at Cardroua. This goes to prove that if that district was not the "birthplace'' of the petition, as suggested by us, it was at least the strangest supporter of it. 1 Here is the petition as presented : To. the. Representatives of the Province of () tygo» in the Provincial Council assembled: . . . The humble petition of the undersigned Chinese residents in the •; District of Lake Wakatipu—' " Sheweth — : .'" " '■ That your petitioners have for many years past resided in the district of Lake Wakatipu, engaged in business as storekeepers and goldminers. " That your petitioners have at all times rendered obedience to the laws of this country, _ and have proved themselves peaceable and orderly subjects. That your petitioners have long suffered great hardships and injustice at the hands of the Warden of the-district, whose decisions in mining and other cases in which. your petitioners are concerned are animated by violentprejudice against them, and are consequently oppressive and'ruinous. ' ' lhat from long experience of this injusyour petitioners are compelled to ref 0 trd the Law as merely an instrument of oppression to be used against them, instead ot «.source of protection and redress. That advantage is taken of the notorious prejudice of the .Warden against your petitioners by European miners, for the purpose of inflicting injuries on your petitioners and profiting thereby. That excessive damages and costs are always awarded against - your petitioners, while their complaints are unjustly and unreasonably dismissed. *u Y £? r Petitioners" therefore pray that the Warden, of the district may be removed stead " Wcea "in his And yomfpetitlohersVill eve* pray, &c.