BURNING THE DEVIL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2639, 5 September 1881, Page 2

BURNING THE DEVIL.

“ The * burning of the Devil ’ by the Chinese,” says the “ Maryborough Standard,” “ was not accomplished without great difficulty. Anticipating a disturbance, the local police force were told off for duty at the Chinese' camp. They went there at ten o'clock at night, and discovered that the larrikins had anticipated them, as they had partially demolished a rough fence erected by the Chinese to" keep off intruders. Shortly aftewards a crowd began to gather, and by midnight, when it had been expected operations would be in full swing, there must have been fully 500 persons present, conspicuous amongst whom were a number of roughs. The Chinese, seeing that the demonstration was hostile to them, did not proceed with the ceremony. The crowd lingered, and eventually found their way. into the camp. Doubtless enraged at being thwarted in their intentions, when there was a large assemblage of Europeans in the camp, the doors of one of these stores was thrownopen suddenly and a large can containing live coals was precipitated amongst the crowd, who dispersed in every direction to escape their hot reception. Before they could recover from their surprise, a quantity of tea was also thrown into the crowd. The Europeans at once beseiged the store, and cries of ‘ Pull the place down,’ etc., were quickly responded to. The police, however, interfered at considerable risk to themselves, and a threatened disturbance was quelled. At an earlier stage of the evening the police were assailed with rotten eggs and vegetables, doubtless intended for the heathen worshippers had they attempted to perform their religious ceremonies. The crow d gradually dispersed without doing any open acts of violence and about two o’clock the Chinese emerged from the camp and went through their performance, there being an audience of about 100 persons. The Devil was burnt, and the Chinese returned to their homes about five o’clock in the morning. Those who had remained to the Jinisli were greatly disappointed, for ; there was so much fun as when Dr Jackson’s effigy was burnt,’ said one of theim The police remained on duty to the finish.”