THE "HEATHEN" UNDER SURVEILLANCE.

Southland Times, Issue 1537, 13 February 1872, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE "HEATHEN" UNDER SURVEILLANCE.

In connection with the spurious gold swindle, a search took place amongst the Chinese residents in town, but nothing of importance was discovered. This can only be considered true as regards the particular object of the inquiry. More was discovered regarding the social habits and domestic condition of this branch of the Celestial world than could be gathered from all the tirade* made by the late Chinese agitation put together. " John's" residence in Invercargill is confined to one establishment— a kind of general rendezvous — situated in Dee-street, not far from the junction of Leet street. The house is one of those dilapidated tenements which were rushed into existence some years ago, when in accordance with a preconceived opinion, Southland was to become a chief place in the Britain of the South, and Invercargill its metropolitan centre. Besides falling a prey to the ravages of time, it baa long since fallen a prey to the accumulated arrears of ground rent. In law, it is what is designated a foreclosed tenement, and between its legal status and its material aspect, there exists that close community of interest which stamps it unconditionally as an eye-sore. It was, our reporter explains, midnight on Sunday 21st when I first made acquaintance with the interior of this ill-omened domicile. The exploration was made under the distinguished patronage, or perhaps it would be more correct to say, protection, of Mr Inspector Fox, and two of his officers. Sentinels were posted outside, so as to cut off retreat. This precaution was adopted in consequence of information obtained that a party of Chinamen had arrived from Orepuki, and it was thought not improbable that they would on closer examination, be able to throw some light on the young almondeyed gentleman, Kee Chang, whose transactions with the Kiverton gold buyers had, as already reported, given rise to some uneasiness. We got access through a court-yard redolent with cesspool scents. These, however, were refreshing, in fact exhilarating, compared with the strong odors which prevailed within. Tour readers may remember that the weather at this time was sultry, and when they are informed that the atmosphere inside the house was surcharged with the breaths and fumes of 15 or 16 Chinamen, newly off a journey, some of whom had evidently been indulging in opium- smokiug, and I should judge the whole of them in smoking stale tobacco, they will understand that the air was none of the sweetest. They had all gone to bed — shakes-down on the floor — and in the faint glimmer of moonlight admitted into the building, the scene suggested the idea of earth-mounds commonly met with in r urai church yards. The Inspector saluted the recumbent forms with the easy grace of one who felt that his visit would not in the least he deemed an intrusion. He bade them good night ; hoped they were enjoying their repose, and that such things as horrible dreams never diaturbed their midnight rest. With the view of completing their domestic felicity, he suggested to them the propriety of getting married and settling down in life comfortably. Nothing could exceed the exquisite urbanity of his whole demeanour. Indeed one might have beeii excused for mistaking him at first sight for a newly-ordained parson, admonishing the younger members of his flock at an ordination tea-meeting. Had Kee Chang been there, as he was not, the mellow tones of the Inspector's voice must have gone far towards relieving him from the embarrassment incidental to the situation. " John " on his part was perfectly courteous. The " boss "of the party in particular was really polite. H« got up and dressed with amazing alacrity ; provided seats for each of his unexpected visitors, and inanswertoa remarkasaured them that smoking was not in the least degree offensive. In fact he produced a plug of tobacco and a box of matches, and told them in as good English a3 he had at his disposal to " fire away." After doing the hospitalities of the establishment, our host (for such he must now be considered) lit his owu pipe, as did each of the still recumbent forms. The idea of the graveyard here returned. Each mound had its head stone peering out from beneath the blankets, and each mouth its clay pipe blowing away in sombre satisfaction. The scene was indeed one highly suggestive of solemn absurdity. The " boss" was not only courteous, but he was actually communicative. His communications, however, were so ordered that it was only on unimportant points that they could be understood. So long as the conversation was general in its application, the replies were perfectly coherent, and in many respects intelligent, but the moment the slightest allusion was made to Kee Chang, the English became so thoroughly tumbledown and intoxicated that not an intelligible word could be piqked up. The officers screwed their mouths into different shapes with the visw of showing the "boss" how to give it expression, h>\t it was no use, he could not make himbr*lf understood. The provoking part of the affair was that the " boas" really appeared to use if anything frantic efforts to become intelligible, but the more he» tried the more confused his answers became. An attempt was made to get some of the others into conversation, but the only reply elicited was, " No savee ; me new chum," accompanied by a doleful shake of the head, as much as to say, I am very sorry indeed. Each of their countenances betrayed so much anxious regret for what ex facie appeared to bo nothing more than an accident of birth', that, after we had withdrawn, and the Inspector had time to exclaim, " These d are deeper than the bottomless pit," the words sounded as if they were* harsh and uncharitable.