A Chinese Riot in Sydney.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6320, 16 March 1892, Page 4

A Chinese Riot in Sydney.

A riot broke out on March Ist, about midday, among 200 or 300 Chinese, m Piiillri street, opposite the Water Police Court. For some time past (says the Sydney Morning Herald) a good deal of ill-feeling has existed among two sections of the Chinese living in the neighborhood of Paddy's Market and Belmore Park, over a case of supposed attempted blackmailing on the part of a Chinaman named Gwoon Sing. He is reputed to have demanded £20 from Ah Chew, and, when refused, is said to have threatened to get Ah Chew arrested. Ah Chew proceeded against Gwoon Sing on this threat, and had the case tried before a jury of his own countrymen, with the result that it was dismissed. Ah Chew then had Gwoon Sing arrested by Senior-Constable Bevan on the same charge, and the case came on for hearing in the Water Police Court. The case is a complicated one, as was seen when evidence was taken. Ah Chew stated that he had won £230 at the accused's house at pak-a-pit, and that lie had not been paid. Other charges of fraud were stated on both sides. After Messrs P. J. Healey and Abigail had stated their case for the prosecuton, and Mr Shorter had spoken for the defence, Mr B. Lee, S.M., said that he did not believe the witnesses for the prosecution, and would accordingly dismiss the case. Immediately the interpreter had informed the accussed that ho was discharged, the Chinese left the Court in haste, and in a few seconds loud yells were heard in the street. The police — four in number — ran into the street and found the Chinamen ill a desperate conflict. Every one of them was armed with some weapon, the commonest of which was an iron rod, about 2 feet 6 inches long, with cane strapping as a handle. Others had knives, knuckle-dusters, stones, and long bamboo rods found favor with a few. Senior-Constable Beadman, and Constables Richardson, Wilson, and Sloggard, endeavored to quell the disturbance. The uniform men were able arrest prisoners without m<fch resistance ; but Senior-constable Beadman, who was in plain clothes, had some nasty encounters — he*wit,h his handcuffs and the Chinamen with their weapons. He was struck several times with iron rods, and was compelled to take possession of a bamboo rod in self-defence. Several times the uniform men were just saved being struck by the Chinese, when effecting a.vests, by the timely inteferance of a man-o'-war's sailor and other Englishmen, who beat the assailants off. One Chinaman was armed ' with a short stick with a knob of iron on one end, weighing 71b or Sib. He had struck one Chinaman on the forehead with this weapon and knocked him on his back, and was in the act of dealing a heavy blow to another Celestial when arrested by the police. Each prisoner as he was arrested was put in the watchhouse, of which Senior Constable Scott was in charge. When about eight or nine prisoners were in the room, they attempted to fight their way past Scott, who was at the door. He, however, armed with one of the iron rods struck the first man who attempted to escape a blow on the head and knocked him back, and the rest gave him no further trouble. Sergeant Garrick assisted in arresting the i^risoners, of Avhom there were 12 in all. A detachment of police from the Lower George street station, under Senior-constable Cubbon, soon arrived, and in a few minutes cleared the street. It was generally understood that this disturbance would take place after the decision of the Court, and the Chinamen had prepared themselves accordingly. One of the factions had carried two baskets containing iron rods covered over with vegetables, and had laid them where they could be obtained at a moment's notice. Others carried the weapons upon their persons. After the street had been cleared a quantity of blood was to be seen on the footpath between the station and the courthouse, and several Chinamen, severely cut about the head and face, remained in the street. Among those that escaped many had serious stabs and skull wounds. Unfortunately, the water police had been called away prior to the disturbance, and SubInspector Hyam was also absent on duty. The police who were present behaved admirably. In the afternoon the prisoners were brought before Mr Benjamin Lee, S.M., charged with riotous behaviour. Being unable to distinguish the Chinamen the police could not charge them with more serious crimes. All were fined 40s, levy and distress. There was a strong force of police in Court, but not many Chinamen put in an appearance in the afternoon. A trip through the Chinese quarters in Lower George-street and the Haymarket yesterday afternoon and last night disclosed the fact that there is a subdued excitement throughout the entire Celestial population, and that the trouble is far from being settled. Yesterday's fight was a cunningly-laid-out affair, and the strategy of the Chinese was as wily as it was clever. Quiet during the hearing of the case, it only remained for the signal to be given for the pre-arrranged battle to commence. The parties had each other marked, and when hostilities had commenced two vegetable men who had been quietly squatting in front of the wool stores trotted their baskets into the crowd, and from these were extracted iron bars and blue metal in wholesale quantities. When the heathen saw their countrymen being lumbered, and had had enough for one day, a rank of about 25 cabs was brought into requisition, and with as many as six or seven in one cab the horses were whipped up, and the ring leaders in the riot got clear away. It is currently reported, and on good authority, that the life of a young Chinese student is in jeopardy for having used his best endeavoured to diminish the curse of gambling amongst his countrymen. He gave evidence at the Chinese Gambling Commission, and he also joined the AntiChinese Gambling League, and for this he is disliked by his countrymen to such an extent that a price has been put on his head. He was openly threatened in Court yesterday, and is afraid that the threat will be carried into effect. Victorian farmers propose a tax of 40s per ton on all imported potatoes. The Victorian Ministry propose to save £10,000 by not holding the usual Easter encampment this year. Serious assaults are getting frequent in Pentridge. Prisoners knock each other about now instead of the warders. Wellington tradesmen have been " had by the tender of silver-gilt shillings for sovereigns. The law gives absolute protection to a person who crosses a cheque or draws it to order. There is a decision of the English Courts which clearly fixes the responsibility of ascertaining the bona fides of the payee on the party paying on such cheque. The Earl of Glasgow was on the eve of setting out for China when he was offered the Governorship of this colony. He and the Countess had booked for Hong Kong in the s.s. Arcadia, to leave on February 5. Near Newry, Ireland, a miser named Murphy, worth £40,000, died from privation, his sister, who lived with him, dying the next day. They even went without dinner on Christmas Day. He died intestate, and the money goes to his two married sisters. Friend — " I have always had an idea that after a couple had been married for some time even their thoughts become to a great degree identical. Am I right, Peck ?" Mr N. Peck — " Fancy you are. About now my wife is thinking over what she'll say to me for coming home so late ; and so am I." "Child, child, you are only seventeen years old, and want to get married. Have you considerad that step well ? Wait a few years longer. You are entirely too young." "I too young? Why, grandma, you often told me that you were only sixteen when you were married." " I— well, yes ;' but then I am your grandmother, you know." The whistle of a locomotive can be heard 3300 yards, the noise of a railway train 2800 yards, the report of a musket and the bark "of a dog a distance of 1000 yards. The fame of Hennessy's Boots is heard all over Poverty Bay. Ladies' German-made Glace Kid Lace Boots (high leg), 8s 6'd.— (Advt.)