CHINESE AT LAW.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17326, 11 February 1928, Page 14 (Supplement)

CHINESE AT LAW.

THREATS OF DEATH. JUDGE ON THE CHINESE WAY. In a dispute between two Chinese laundry proprietors, On Lee, of Hinckley Road, Leicester, sued Frank Wong, of St. James Street, DOncaster, for £l7l lfls alleged to be due on an agreement between the parties dated November 27, 1922. Wong denied liability. Mr J. P. Eddy, for On Lee, said that Wong’s alleged indebtedness to Lee included £156 which Lee bad invested in a club for Chinese which Wong started at Huddersfield. There were 21 members, and a member could have one or two shares. Lee had two shares. There were in all 26 shares, and each member contributed £6 per share monthly.

With 26 shares £156 was raised every month, and Wong as the founder had the privilege of taking the money the first month. Ho took £156. When a member had had a draw he ceased automatically to have a right to another, hut there was an obligation to pay the monthly contribution until everybody had had a draw. Lee, whose ovidenco was interpreted, took the oatli in the ordinary fashion, he having stated that ho was a Christian. He said ho had been 19 years in England and had married an Englishwoman. Mr Farleigh (cross-examining) : “Did you say that you would make it unsafe for the defendant if he did not sign the agreement to repay?”—“No.” “Do you know what the word ‘unsafe’ means in English?" Lee, who had answered some questions in broken English, replied “No.” “Terraces of Night.” Mr Justico MoCardic: "There is a Chinese phrase which'says ‘Beware of tho hidden peril.’ Ask if he knows it.” Lee answered in the affirmative. Mr Justice MoCardic: “Threats are put in Chinese so delicately. If you threaten a man with death you don’t use the word death. You say, ‘I desire to tell you that ere long you will sleep on the Terraces of Night.’ " (Laughter.) Law Sam Lee, another Chinese laundryman, of St. Stephen’s Road, was sworn in the Chinese fashion. The Court Associate produced a candle, and after lighting it asked Law Sam Lee to hold up his right hand and repeat the words: “If I do not speak the, truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, as this candle is blown out may I be blown out likewise.”

Law Sam Lee repeated the words in halting English. Mr Justice McCardic: “Now blow out (the candle." Law Sam Lee complied. Mr Justice McCardie: “That oath binds you, does it?” —“Yes.”

Wong, giving evidence, said he never agreed to be responsible for the money. It was because Lee had threatened to shoot him that lie (Wong) signed a document that lie owed Lee the monev.

Mr Justice McCardie gave judgment for Lee for £l7l 10s and costs.