Chinamen in the Saloon.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 922, 2 March 1881, Page 5

Chinamen in the Saloon.

The following is from the Auckland Herald of the 9th inst: —“ Six Celestials proceeded on board the s.s. Arawata yesterday, bound for Sydney, and found their way to the steerage. They carried no superfluous luggage, one’s baggage being stowed in an American bucket, the leading features of another’s being two long-handled shovels, and the remainder formed no remarkable contrast. A fellow countrymen introduced them to one of the fore-cabin stewards, and solicited his kind offices on the voyage, as even the Children of the Sun do not enjoy immunity from sea-sickness. That individual suggested, by way of a joke, that they should go to the saloon. The practical minded Chinamen thought this excellent advice, lifted up their luggage, and walked towards the cabin. Near to the door thereof they encountered Captain Sinclair, who inquired if they were going ashore again. “ No,” laconically answered the spokesman, and they continued their march to the amazement of the worthy skipper. The look of horror and disgust that took possession of the countenances of the dandy waiters as the Chinamen filed, into the cabin was a sight not to ..be easily forgotten by those who beheld it. They regarded the citizens of the Flowery Land with disdain. The Cbinamen were afterwards seen to pay the difference in the passage money: The fashionably gotup stewards were also seen handling their luggage—very daintily, it is true —and removing it at arm’s length to the state-rooms of the Celestial voyagers.”