ONLY A NEW CHUM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16938, 12 January 1923, Page 7

ONLY A NEW CHUM.

CHINAMAN PERPLEXED.

TRANSLATION DIFFICULTIES. A*jr y+w Zealand schoolboy would £rob%bly tell of the difficulty of translating the writings of Cicero and his illustrious countrymen into the English tongue, but the ba«k is really a small one compared wit-h that of making an impromptu translation of the Christchurch Motor Regulations into Chinese. This feat, was necessary at the Magistrate's Court to-day, when Frank Young, a Chinese boy had a cannonade of “To Wits” and Wherefores ” hurled round his startled and uncomprehending ears because he had been iu.discreet enough to indulge in pillion riding and riding a. motor-cycle which had no number 1 ‘ attached thereto.” Frank, who was supported in the court by an elder and more sophisticated countryman, appeared to take a very dispassionate interest in the whole affair, and the only sign of animation was an occasional smile for some person in the body of the court. Frank's friend came up to the bench in a confidential sort of way, and said that Frank "was a new chum, just come from China, and there were no regulations in that happy land.” At the request of the Magistrate he then translated the involved and chaotic language of the regulation into Chinese for the purpose of getting the offender’s plea. After a series of mental acrobatics Frank suddenly realised what- the trouble was about, and he admitted "giving a friend a lift.” but he denied having no number on the motor-cycle. For pillion riding he was ordered to pay cost 9, and for having no number he’was fined. 10s.