ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE

Dunstan Times, Issue 486, 11 August 1871, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE

[We do not identify ourselves with the opinions that may be expressed by our" correspondents.] THE CHINESE. (to the editor of the dunrtan times. ) Sir,—As a countryman of Chin Suey, uho was a plaintiff in a suit in the Resident Magistrate’s Court, on Tuesday last, I bo-' that you will permit me to make one or two remarks, respecting the way in which the matter was dealt with. In the tirst place the Magistrate ordered proceedings to be stayed until Chin Suey gave security for costs. Whether he had the power to do this or not, is a question upon which I will not venture to express an opinion. Ultimately security was given under protest and the case proceeded wi hj. It was proved that the defendant a fellow servant of Chin Suey’* had thrown a quantity of boiling water over his face an neck, and that he had been obliged to obtain the services of a doctor, for which he paid 3/, 3s. The defendant admitted that she had thrown hot water over him, hut alledged that ho had called her ngly names. The amount of damage Sought to be re covered, was either 15/. or 20/., the sum awarded was 20s. and costs of Court. These facts speak for tho-nselves, and if those gentlemen who are so anxious to hound us oS of the country cun only induce all Magistrates to mete out to us similar justice, to which Chin Suey obtained, they will I have little doubt eventually succeed. The heatberu Chinese may be pardoned for thinking it a trifle strange that one party should have to pay 51. for using insulting language, while another is mulcted in the pnllry sum of 20/ for scalding a man and (according to the medical evidence ) nearly cn ’angering the sight of one of his eyes. My experianco has convinced mo that in England and in bar coliuies-fo iuers, as a m o, obtain the same justice a.s Englishman do. lam therefore qui ; o willing to regard the instance alluded to as ait exception. I remain, Sir, A HEATHEN CHINEE, Clyde, August 8, 1871.

RESIDENT MINISTER AT CLYD.-. (to the editor of the ddnstan times. Sir,—l read in your lastaveok’s paper the nows—gratifying to some extent—that we may soon expset to have a resident Church of England minister among us. Everything seems arranged for the reverend gentleman s coming, and when he arrives at Clyde the Church Committee are to do their utmost to give him a fitting welcome. So far so good, hut tho Rev. Mr. Jones, if he is an ’ordinary mortal, will expect something more than a welcome. Something coming due with the regularity of a bank .hid, to the tune of say 250/. per annum, besides incidentals, making perhaps another 50f. Now are the members of the Committee quite ce tain that the money will ho regularly subscribe I, fully assured that the stipend will he no difficult matter to deal with? For the satisfaction of all, would it not be well to make “assurance doubly 'sure ” and learn with as little delay as may be, the amount of permanent support that can be safely calculated on. Don’t let ns avelcome the reverend stranger wi'h loud pr-testationa and vague promises pf our intentions on bis behalf, and then permit our efforts to dwindle away in mere inertness and indifference, because we find the bur then pressing too heavily. If we expect to get a real earnest working minister amongst ns, ave must pay him well and regularly, keeping bis mind free from all anrie y as to peeuniu-y matters. The first yews’ stipend is already guaranteed, bat if it is intended that thereafter tho minister is to depend, in a great measure, on his own tact and persev ranee in collecting subscriptions, let him by all means clearly understand this before he s'arts on his journey from distant Queensland, d am. Sir, &c. ( PLAIN SAILING. Clyde, Augusts, 1871. ■