CHINESE LEVANTERS

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2157, 17 February 1880, Page 3

CHINESE LEVANTERS

A rather clever capture of two Chinamen, who had absconded from Nasby was made last week (says the “Mount Ida Chronicle ”) The two had been purchasing water for some time for mining purposes from the Hit-or-Miss Company. Ac the beginning of last week, they had cleaned up their race and 1 realised on their gold, and as their bill was not paid, a pretty sharp eye was kept on their movements. On Wednesday they were missed, and could not be found. It was discovered that two steamers’-were leaving Port Chalmers on Thursday afternoon, aud conjecturing that the Celestials intended to clear out in one of these, the manager of the Company, Mr H. Anderson, started off late on Wednesday night, for Dunedin. He arrived about midday on Thursday, and after visiting the office of the R. M., he was not long in getting to Port Chalmers. He hastened on hoard one of the steamers, but after a long and fruitless search, he had to leave her. By this time the other steamer was casting off from the wharf, and he instantly rushed on hoard her, taking a constable with him. Cabin after cabin was searched, hut without success, until only one remained to be examined. On looking in there were the “ childlike ” Celestials. The very natural wrath of their crediand the sight of the constable’s tmifdrm, quite unmanned them ; and, with tears, their ill-gotton gold was disbursed. One of them disrobed himself, and-from a belt around his body 63 sovereigns were taken. Sixty of these were .retained in part payment of the account, and three were returned to them. Although the total amount clue was not obtained, Mr Anderson considered himself lucky in securing what he did, and the unusual effort he had to put forth was tolerably well repaid.