ASSAULTING A CHINESE INTERPRETER.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 106, 2 October 1874, Page 3

ASSAULTING A CHINESE INTERPRETER.

The Ballarat Tost states that “some time ago a number of Chinese at the Smythes camp were prosecuted for playing ‘fan tan,’ and Ah Yen, the interpreter, gave evidence against them, which so incensed them that they threatened to kill him, whereupon Ah Yen left the camp and came into Ballarat to live. About a fortnight since, however, he went back as far as Haddon, and boldly walked into the camp on Thursday. No sooner was ho recognised than he was speedily knocked down, kicked, and spat upon. A messenger was at once started for the nearest stable to procure abundance of horse manure, which was rubbed upon his face, forced down his throat, and down his back inside his clothes. This process is considered by the Chinese to be the greatest indignity which can be heaped upon a man, and is regarded in the same light as tarring and feathering is by Englishmen. At length the unfortunate interpreter was left upon the ground, exhausted and bleeding from the rough usage he had received. When he had partly recovered from his fright and got his breath again he made off towards Smythesdale, with the intention of enlisting the services of the police, but his object was frustrated, for four of his countrymen followed him, and, laying hold of his pig-tail and legs, dragged him back again to the camp, under a verandah, in which he was deposited without much ceremony. Two sentinels were then armed and set to prevent his escape, and thus matters remained until nightfall, when a cousin of the fugitive got away and sought the aid of the police. Ah Yen was similarly treated at Creswick some month or so ago for a similar reason, and so strong is the feeling against him in having turned spy and informer that it is not improbable, judging by the threat indulged in, that his next assault may be even more deplorable than the one avc have here recorded.