SECOND REPORT

Tuapeka Times, Volume 1, Issue 43, 5 December 1868, Page 2

SECOND REPORT

On the Chinese residents in the Tua peka District, by Mr. A. BLEWITT Government Interpreter. To the Hon. E. W. Stafford, Colonial Secretary. Pursuant to your Honour's instruc tions dated the 17th January, 1868, I most respectfully beg to submit to Your Honour's notice this my second report on the manners and customs of the Chinese now located on the various goldfields in Otago. 1. The Chinese who now form to considerable constituent portion of the mining population in Otago are seem ingly getting more scattered of late in the various districts here, whereas previously they were generally conf lined to the Dunstan and Lawrence . The Chinese located in the Dunstan district are chiefly of the Sze Yep tribe, and u^e what is commonly known as the Sinking dialect; there are. however, other dialects spoken by this tribe— it all depending as to where a Chinaman comes from; for instance, the Sin-Wey people, who use the SinWey dialect, or those who may come from the higher or lower Sin-Ding territory. Those who live in and around Lawrence are of the Sam-Yep tribe, and use three different dialects namely. Shoon-Tak, Phun-Yee, and Nam-Hoey. Then there are the Haing-Shan, the Toong-Kwun, the Hackah, and thk Tang-Shing men who likewise use vinous other dialects. But, however, I person may make himself understood to the most of them by addressing them in the Canton dia lect, as they almost all come from the suburbs of that city, either in further or closer proximity to it, with the exception of one oi two tribes, who make a practice of using their own dialects, and are but imperfectly acquainted with the above-mentioned dialect. 2. There is also now located at the Hogburn diggings, I am given to understand, a number of about 300 Chinese miners, who have repaired to that district within the last five months from here and other districts, and the Provincial Government interpreter has been placed there, I am informed per manently, by the authorities. It is further expected by the Chinese here that the Hokitika Chinese population will soon be increased; many seem to express a desire to go from here themselves, and also to advise their friends in Victoria to repair to that quarter. I further beg to state that a number Have already left here for that place last week; with reference to which the "New Zealand Illustrated Herald" has thus related : — "A great number of Chinese are now leaving here for the goldfields on the West Coast. It is conjectured that some private infor mation has been received by them which has led to this result." 3. I am given to understand, and I have much pleasure in informing your Honour, that there has been an effort made lately by some of the heads of churches to establish a Chinese Mission in Otago. But, I regret to say, that when established, the Chines mission aries or catechists will find that very strenuous efforts will be required on their part in order to convert the Chinese to Christianity as they be lieve in the moral laws of Confucius and strongly object to the introduction of what they consider "new moral laws," or "new principles" for guid ance. It is notorious to those who have resided in Victoria that, though a mission was established there years ago, and churches built expressly for the Chinese, there have but fee con verts been made, in spite of all the zeal of their missionary, the Rev Mr. Young, of Ballarat, and the labours of several native catechists, who preach the gospel to them in various other districts and goldfields; but of course there is no knowing what may be the fruits of their labours in future. I earnestly trust they will tend to be far more successful. Although some of the Chinese have an idea of a Sup erior Being, the true light not having shone upon them, and being ignorant of the punishment for sin or crime (that we believe attends us for our sins) in a future state of the soul, they commit crimes that they might not commit if they were aware of the pun ishment that attends such sins and crimes. At the same time, I beg to state to your Honour, to my utmost regret, that I have known, on different occasions, Chinamen who professed Christianity, and who were men in whom the European community greatly confided, persistently act wrongly to wards their countrymen, by making false statements in Court in order to obtain their own private ends; but, un fortunately, I not having any proof, dared not complain to the authorities of their conduct. 4. The religious views of the Chinese are, in certain respects, greatly opp osed to Christianity; for instance; the avenging of a father's blood on the head of his murderer is strictly im ierative, according to the moral laws of Confucius; whereas, as a matter of course, we are commanded otherwise. 5. The Chinese, as I stated in my last, are a very superstitious race, and not only worship a number of gods, but make a practice of offering up burnt offerings to the dead. Amongst the gods they worship they have the gods of war, of riches, of literature, and various other deities. They also beli eve in the transmigration of souls. 6, The Chinese, as a nation, have

not seemingly studied what European philosophers assume as being, highly beneficial, both nationally and individually, as regards the marrying of individuals at immature age ; but the raising of children after their ancestors being considered absolutely necessary by the Chinese, they marry at a very early age, and are betrothed at childhood, the ceremonies, concerning which I shall not state this time, for fear of rendering my report too tedious, and thereby encroaching too much on your Honour's valuable time ; but should your Honour seem pleased to permit me to do so, I shall be only too happy to give a more minute descrip tion of this and some of their other customs in my next. 7. The present government in China is under a Tartar monarch, and is called Ty-Sing dynasty, which was established about 250 years ago, soon after the death of the Emperor Chew Tie, of the Bing Chew dynasty, under the auspices of Soon Chee, a Tartar Prince (the circumstances of which I shall explain in in my next) and although despotic, as most of the Chinese governments are, it has a code of laws whereby the Chinese enjoy far greater privileges than they did under the sway of the native Chinese Em perors prior to the Ty Sing dynasty. Previous to this dynasty being esta blished, the Chinese did not wear their tails or plaits as they do now, but wore their hair combed or drawn back, and all in a lump (as it were) on the crown of the head. Their dress was also of a looser fashion, such as the sleeves of their garments, which were also worn longer. 8. The modes of punishing criminals in China are of a far different nature from the modes adopted by other and more civilised nations, and vary in their sanguinary nature according to the crime that is committed. For instance, if a man kill his wife, he is beaten with a few stripes, or otherwise slightly punished; but should a man even accidently kill either of his pa rents, or a wife her husband, the pun ishment inflicted would be of the most severe nature. With reference to obedience to parents, the moral laws of Confucius make it strongly imperative on a man to be obedient, and support his parents ; and I am glad to state that the Chinese on the goldfields make a strict practice of sending home more or less money towards the support of their parents, I dare say an example which ought to be followed by a good many professing Christian principles, but which I am afraid is not followed. Flogging is strictly practised in all instances, and the capital punishment is beheading, and not strangulating. I have much pleasure in announcing to your Honour that, considering their number, there has been but little crime committed in the Province since August, last year. The of the Chinese are daily; in mining pursuits; and many have already returned, to China, having obtained a little money By their labour as raisers on the Otago goldfields. — I have the honour, &c, A. Blewitt.