A CHINESE FESTIVAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 85, 25 September 1869, Page 3

A CHINESE FESTIVAL.

Monday was a great day for China, and a still greater day for the venders of spirituous liquors here. The occasion of the rejoicing was the inauguration of a Joss house which has just been erected. The building is situated at the far end of the Camp, and is profusely decorated with vermillion and fillagree. Inside there are two rooms; the outer one painted vermillion, and having its walls decorated with two not over delicate paintings ; the inner one still in the rough. Monday is, we believe, the great religious anniversary, " all same as Good Friday," an intelligent celes tial informed us. The religious rites consist of roast pork, P.E., and fire crackers, and were joined in with great fervour by many Europeans as well as Chinamen. The feast was laid out in the back room of the Joss house, and all and sundry were invited to do hom age by tucking in. The temptation of eating roast pork cooked by a possible descendant of the illustrious Bobo. who, first of mortals tasted crackling was irresistable. We rejoice to find that the art of roasting has made enormous progress in the realm of the brother of the sun and moon since the eventful epoch chronicled by Charles Lamb. Tndoed the various dishes set before us, seemed not unworthy of Francatelli himself, although an absurd objection to kunophagy, prevented our testing any except the very sim plest fare. The hospitality displayed by our entertainers was of the most lavish .description. The flowing bowl (that is the brandy bottie) Was kept hi constant circulation. One might have literally swum in liquor, and some Europeans made, we believe, a valiant attempt to achieve that feat. Alto gether the entertainment niiist have cost the Chinese a very considerable sum of money. The amount of firecrackers let off was in itself no inconsiderable item. The smell of brimstone pervaded the whole Camp to the mani fest alarm of some worthy visitors who appeared to doubt the " canniness " of the whole concern. Indeed the burn ing of powder and coloured paper were the only actions that appeared to have a religious bearing, unless feasting be accorded an equal claim to that made for fasting by some religions. The whole appeared to our uninitiated eyes nothing more than a gigantic spree, for which Joss was made a convenient excuse. Whatever the religious bear ing of it may have been, the Europeans present were most kindly treated, and will no doubt be extremely willing, to " assist " at the next Chinese festival whenever it may occur. The erection of a Joss house will, in one respect, prove highly beneficial to the community, as it will be possible to ad minister an oath to Chinese litigants which they will have some scruples in breaking. At present the oath is a mere farce, not being regarded as binding the juror by any higher sanction than the mere threat of a prosecution for perjury.