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Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 232, 21 April 1874, Page 3

We take the following open confession from the Border Watch (a South Australian journal):—'' Mr G. Richardson, of Claraville, has ealled upon us to state that he is not the G. Richardson who was fined the other day at the Police Court for being drunk. The real man sent us the following note, with a requst that we should publish it w :—' I beg to inform the public that I am as respected a resident in Mount Gambier as G. Richardson of Claraville, although he says I am a stranger from Casterton, but I am nothing of the sort. I have been locked up for being drunk, and if a good many respected residents had their dues they would be locked up pretty often.' " What threatened to be rather a serious affair occurred during the voyage of the Tokatea, which arrived at Port Chalmers on Monday, 13th inst., from Hong Kong. Ten Chinese passengers were stowed away in baskets at Hong Hong, and put on board as cargo. On the 17th March they became turbulent, and there being opium on board, they asked the crew to open the hatches and give them it. One of the crew went aft and told the captain what was going on, and it was not till the commander procured a rifle and threatened to shoot them that quiet was restored. Next day the Chinese said if they did not get the opium they would kill the crew and burn the ship ; but the captain took steps to prevent an outrage. On 2nd April, while the second mate was serving out rations, the Chinese closed the hatches and battened him down. No one knew of the occurrence until a Chinaman happened to tell one of the sailors, who, coming aft, informed the captain. He, with th e aid of the crew, rescued the mate, just in time to save his life, he being nearly suffocated. Upon another occasion the Chinese had a row among themselves. They brought one of their people on deck to hang him ; but the captain interfering, they went below, and in a short timo had the man hung up at the main hatch. The mate cut the rope; but the Chinese brought him on deck again in the evening, tied all his luggage on his back, and were about to throw their victim overboard, when the crew interposed, and saved him. He is now Buffering from the treatment received.