FAN-TAN AND ITS CONSEQUENCES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 221, 4 December 1875, Page 20

FAN-TAN AND ITS CONSEQUENCES.

(From the Border Post.) The gambling propensities of that heathen Chinee are well known, and it is believed that the cliild-like and bland immigrants from the Flowery Land who have settled at Albury are no exceptions to the prevailing mania for hazard. Large sums of money have from time to time changed hands at the exciting game of fan-tan in the local encampment, and we are told that many a celestial who had stacked and lost his last dollar, not only wept bitterly, but found his way into the interior, or the Murray, and shuffled off this mortal coil, either by the rope, the knife, or the watery element. However, matters were kept quiet until Monday night, when an altercation arose between All Ping and Him Quong. The latter, a pigdrover, if we are correctly informed, insulted the former, who appears to be a respectable Pagan. Ah Ping retorted, and in the language of Confucios told Him Quong that he was a “ b y Gundagaigeese pig-driver.” Anong, who is a pig-doctor, and who has the reputation of having cured many of these animals of the blind-staggers, and who, by the way, drives hordes of them from Gundagal to the Beeehworth market, with that charming simplicity which characterises liis countrymen, seized a piece of quartering, and therewith engraved his mark on the right eyebrow of All Ping. The latter was stunned, large quantities of 1 dood flowed from the wound, and were it not for the skill of Dr. Andrews, the people of the Federal City would have an opportunity of witnessing the imposing ceremonies attendant upon the obsequies of the Chinese. This is, however, an ex, parte statement, for unless the cut is “ squared” by a few pieces of gold, both parties will figure before the local Bench of Magistrates on Friday morning. If so, each will he supported by the legal profession, and as objections will be taken to the extinguishing of matches, and the kissing of the “ barbarians’ book,” the decapitation of roosters, and the shedding of innocent blood must take place before the majesty of the law can he upheld. We will have a livcly-cum-deadly scene on that morning.