TOAD IDOL'S CURSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21136, 19 March 1932, Page 2 (Supplement)

TOAD IDOL'S CURSE.

.STORY OF ANCIENT IM

.OBJECT OF CHINESE WORSHIP.

What is the mystery of the beautiful jade-coloured three-footed Chinese toad, of which Chinamen speak in whispers in the water-side'dives of Limehouse? askg a London newspaper. Now in the possession of Mr. J. H. Hardwicke, of Hamptonwicke, the toad is said to be an ancient Chinese idoL It is said that a curse rests on a certain sect of the Chinese people until such a time as it is returned to China, and Orientals in England are very eager to possess it. " The toad came iiito my possession on the death of a very great friend, who used to be in the Diplomatic Service and spent many years in China," Mr. Hardwicke snid recently. "At that time I had no idea that it might have any intrinsic value and it was used as a pot for hyacinths for some time. ' 1 " One day I took the toad to a famous West End art expert, who told roe that it. probably belonged to the third Chinese dynasty, and was worth £2OOO at the very least. I was elated until we began to be pestered by Chinamen and dealers, whose offers I have refused.. " It seems that the three-footed toad was worshipped by the Chinese, and I believe that a curse rests on a certain sect until it is returned to China. Several Chinese have called and wanted to see it, but my wife was afraid that there might be some plot to steal the idol, and put them off."