THE TRICKY CHINEE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 108, 12 June 1914, Page 5

THE TRICKY CHINEE.

CIGARETTES AT A PENNY. WONG KOON PINED. A slant-eyed Chinee, with a flat nose, very yellow skin, a brilliant mauve tie, and a smile all over his face, came before Mr T. A. B. Bailey this morning. There was a charge against one Wong Koon of selling a cigarette to a preeorious youth of tender years. The Chinee who appeared turned out not to be Wong Koon, but a nephew of that Oriental gentleman. This fact was discovered after the police and court officials had indulged in a lot of pidgin English.

"Ah!" said Senior Sergeant Mathieson, "Woiig Koon tellum you come here ?''

"Yes," said Chew Lee, with a comprehensive grin. Chew admitted that Wong Koon had sold the cigarette for one penny. The boy said that he wanted it for his brother.

"Ten pounds you are liable for," said the Magistrate. Chew Lee delivered a passionate address in mixed Chinese and English, the effect of which was that his mate did not know the law.

"Fined £1 and costs," said his Worship, "and you tell your uncle about the law.''

Chew Lea disappeared quickly to break the news to the other member of the Koon family.