SCENE IN A LAUNDRY.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16749, 16 March 1926, Page 9

SCENE IN A LAUNDRY.

i EUROPEAN WRECKS SHOP. TROUBLE ABOUT COLLARS. The Chinese laundry of “Jimmie and Co.” in Charles Street, looked as if a bomb had exploded somewhere in its mysterious interior the other night, says a Blenheim peper, for its windows were shattered, and practically liic whole contents of the shop—parcels of collars and shirts, old portmanteaux and a hundred and one oilier articles— were scattered all over the street- Lying amid the litter, bleeding profusely from a big out in the arm, and swearing incomprehensibly but none the less fearfully, was the Chinese manager of the premises, one named Ngang Tong—or words to that effect. Inside, a big white man remained monarch of all lie surveyed, auother Chinese who was on the premises having lied the peril helter-skelter as if seven devils were after him. The noise of crashing glass, the shouts of Ihe white mail and Ihe frenzied howling of the injured Chinese and his fleeing countryman speedily aroused Hie neighbourhood and tiie police were summoned, but tho shop-wrecker, doubtless deeming discretion the belter part of valour, quietly withdrew and was conspicuous by liis absence by the time Hie neighbourhood had simmered down. The injured Chinese was conveyed to hospital. From what can be gathered, the cause of the trouble was a missing parcel of collars About seven o’clock the white man arrived in the shop and demanded his collars, but tho shopkeeper- informed him, in very broken English, that he was making a mistake and that (he collars must have been left at some other laundry, because he knew nothing of them. The seeker after frcsli linen, however, was inexorable. “You give me the collar!” lie shouted. “ No Savee.” “No savee. your bally collar!” replied the Chinese, and I lie remainder of Ihe conversation was something In the following strain: — “You savee collar pretty quick, or I break your neck!” pursued the white man. “Collar no good! Him gone now,” protested the Cliinsc. “You flndum collar or I blow your nose!” was the llnal if remarkable threat of the now thoroughly aroused white man. When the unfortunate Ngang Tong again attempted to explain that the collars must have been left elsewhere, the while man vaulted the counter and bombarded the .Celestial with whatever ammunition came to hand—parcels of laundry, a co.iiple of suit cases, a bell, and a heavy piece of iron bring among flic missiles. Under this furious bombardment, four of Hie panes of the shop window were broken. and the while man then came to grips with the Chinese and heaved him through the window, following up Hie assault by throwing after him tho remainder of the contents of tils shop.

By this time the neighbourhood had been aroused and the white man left the se.enc of his triumph. The police arrived and found that Ngang Tong, the injured Chinese, was suffering from !\ big cut in the forearm, probably sustained ns a result of ins- hying passage through the broken window. He was sent to hospital for treatment. His condition was not serious, but, the cut, was a nasty one, and the Chinese was also suffering from shock and hysteria.

The notice arc making inquiries into the affair and the identity of the perpetrator of the outrage—though this is public property—and action will bo taken against him in duo course.