Category: Chinese

The murder of Ga Poo by Ah Lop September 1857

When a Chinese miner killed a Chinese miner on the goldfields European justice was brought to bear. Clemency followed.

It started on 25 September 1857 at Donkey Woman’s Gully, near Avoca. A miner of doubtful sanity called Ah Lup attacked and killed his tent-mate, Ga Poo. An inquest was followed by a trial at Castlemaine and Ah Lop was found guilty.

The jury recommended mercy on the ground of Ah Lop’s insanity and the death sentence that had been imposed was commuted to imprisonment for life.

Ah Lop was held in various prisons until 1874, when he was transferred to the Metropolitan Lunatic Asylum. He died in there on 29 October 1914, aged seventy-nine.

Shows a court room with judge or magistrate seated with scribe beside him, policemen, jury in foreground, lawyers at table in front of judge, a man standing in box facing judge with policeman beside him, Chinese man standing in box on left of judge.
Courtroom scene by Charles Lyall (about 1954).
A court room with judge or magistrate seated with scribe beside him, policemen, jury in foreground, lawyers at table in front of judge, a man standing in box facing judge with policeman beside him, Chinese man standing in box on left of judge.
State Library of Victoria Accession No : H87.63/2/7B

Ovens and Murray Advertiser (Beechworth, Vic.), 10 October 1857, page 2

SHOCKING MURDER. - Another shocking murder has been committed by a Chinaman, on a Chinaman. On the 25th ult., a Chinese digger named Kinn How Qua [actually Hok Soon], on the Avoca, was awakened by noise of a scuffle, in a neighboring tent. Upon proceeding to the tent, he saw a man named A Lup, striking his mate, Ga Poo, (who was lying in bed) three blows on the head with a pick. He obtained assistance, and secured A Lup. Ga Poo was dead, his head being covered with wounds. A coroner's inquest has resulted in a verdict of wilful murder against the assassin.

Maryborough and Dunolly Advertiser (, Vic.), Thu 6 Oct 1857, Page 2

HORRIBLE MURDER AT AVOCA.

The following appears in the Maryborough Advertiser: — An inquest was held yesterday, at Harrison's Store, Donkey Woman's Gully, Avoca, before F. M. Laidman, Esq., coroner, and the following jury : — Henry Millgate (foreman), Charles Farnsworth, David Bohan, John Bridgewater, Alfred Partridge, John Grant, Joseph Barnett, James Solley, James Starling, William Boyd, Henry Moss, and William Pete, on view of the body of Ga Poo, a Chinaman, who was barbarously murdered by one of his own countrymen. After being sworn in, the jury and coroner proceeded to view the body, which lay in a small tent about one hundred yards from the Store, and which presented a frightful appearance, the head being literally stove in, apparently from blows of a pick, or some instrument of this description. The principal wounds were in the face, and around them were huge masses of vermin, which gave to the corpse a most disgusting appearance. After viewing the body, the jury proceeded to the Locomotive Inn, Avoca, when the inquest was resumed, and the following witnesses examined : — 

A Kinn How Qua, having been duly sworn as interpreter, the witnesses were examined through his medium. 

Hok Soon having been sworn by blowing out a match, deposed : I am a Chinaman, and a digger, living at Donkey Woman's Gully, Avoca ; I lived next tent to deceased ; on last Friday week, the 25th ult., about nine o'clock at night, I was in bed, but heard a noise and got up; it was people quarrelling ; I went to the next tent and saw a pick in the hands of A Lup ; it was the same pick now produced ; he held it in both hands; he struck the deceased Ga Poo, who was lying in bed, two or three times ; he struck him about the head, close to the nose ; I saw him strike three blows ; I sung out for his friend, Sing Soon, to come in ; when he came up we both went in ; deceased could not move ; he was insensible ; we caught hold of prisoner took the pick from him, and tied him up ; we then sent for the police and gave him into custody ; I saw prisoner and deceased together on the Thursday ; the noise that I heard at the time awoke me; I heard three blows before I went into the tent ; I did not hear any cry out ; the man I see before me is the person who struck the blows ; on catching the prisoner I struck him with my hand, but he said nothing. 

To the Foreman : The prisoner was perfectly sober. 

To the Coroner : I do not know whether they had a quarrel before ; prisoner and deceased had been working together. 

To Mr Langley ; It was better than half an hour after I heard the quarrel that the blows were struck. 

Sing Soon deposed : I am a digger at Avoca : I remember the evening of Friday week, the day on which the quarrel was ; I was in my own tent about nine o'clock that evening ; deceased's tent was about 100 feet from mine ; I did not hear any noise. 

This witness did his best to fence the questions, and it was almost impossible to elicit anything from him. The Coroner desired the Interpreter to tell him that if he did not answer he would be punished himself. The interpreter then explained that he was a cousin of the prisoner's. The prisoner also endeavored to address some observations in Chinese to the witness, and was with difficulty prevented.

The examination resumed : I do not know what I was doing that night. Hok Soon sent for me to go into Ga Poo's tent. I went in and saw prisoner with a pick in his hand. I did not see him strike with it. I helped to tie him up. Deceased was lying in bed. He was hurt, and there was blood on the pick. He was bleeding from the forehead. There was a candle lighted in the tent. I stood beside the prisoner while Hok Soon went for the police. The pick now produced is the one I saw in A Lup's hand. Neither prisoner nor deceased spoke to me. The latter was insensible. They used to work together. 

To the Coroner : Prisoner did not speak to me while the other man was away for the police. The prisoner is the man who had the pick in his hand when I went into the tent. I know nothing more about the quarrel. 

Dr Morris deposed : I am a legally qualified medical practitioner, aud reside at Avoca. On Friday week, the 25th ult., about ten o'clock at night, I was called on by the Chinese Interpreter to see the deceased. I found the face suffused with blood from various wounds, not less than five. There was an extensive fracture of the skull in two places. One fracture was at the corner of the eye, which fracture appeared to have perforated the membranes and substance of the brain. The other was close to the ear ; this was also a compound comminuted fracture. The bone was considerably smashed. The other organs were healthy. I believe the blow was struck with such force that the implement itself penetrated, leaving the bones on each side. The fractures were so extensive that it would be difficult to say what was not fractured. One eye was completely destroyed. I could not say that the instrument was exactly a blunt one ; but it was not a knife. The pick produced would be likely to cause such wounds, and I believe I saw it at the place on the same evening covered with blood. Great force must have been used. I have made a post mortem examination in conjunction with Dr. McMahon, and found the wounds described before. No constitution could have recovered such injuries, and I do not believe a full-blooded Englishman would have lived half so long. The internal organs were health. I have no hesitation in saying that the wounds were the cause of death. 

Constable Hicks deposed : I am stationed at Avoca. On Friday night, about ten o'clock at night, in accordance with instructions received, I went to the Chinese Camp, at Donkey Woman's Gully. The information was that one Chinaman had murdered another. I was sent on by the sergeant, and on my arrival found the deceased lying on a stretcher, apparently dead ; his head was so covered with blood, that I could not tell whether it was a man's head or not. The prisoner was lying outside, bound hand and foot to a log. He was bound with cords. No one there could speak English, but one intimated "Man sick inside." I took the prisoner into custody. The pick now produced was given me by Sing Soon. It was given me on asking for the weapon that caused the injuries to the deceased man. I searched the prisoner, but found nothing upon him. He is the man I arrested that night. He has been in custody ever since. 

The coroner briefly summed up, and the jury, after retiring for about five minutes, returned a verdict — "That A Lup did cruelly and wilfully murder Ga Poo, with the pick produced, according to the evidence." 

The prisoner, on being asked what he had to say, said that Ga Poo had played a good many tricks with him. He tried to make him mad. He had been working with him before, and deceased often talked about trying to kill him. Prisoner had a brother, who went to Ararat about a fortnight since, and somebody told him his brother was murdered. Ga Poo, some time ago, threatened to kill both himself and his brother. Prisoner came to the colony in May last, and it was about two or three months since deceased threatened to kill him and his brother. The dispute was about money. 

Prisoner, who bore the examination with the most stoical indifference, was then fully committed for trial at the Castlemaine Sessions, to be held on the 28th October next.

Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Tuesday 3 November 1857, page 5

CASTLEMAINE CRIMINAL SESSIONS.
Friday, 30th October, 1857.
(Before his Honor Mr. Justice Williams.)
Mr. Aspinall acted as Crown Prosecutor.
...
MURDER.
A youthful but repulsive-looking Chinaman was indicted for killing one of his countrymen. Through an interpreter he pleaded not guilty. There being only one interpreter, his Honor refused to proceed with the trial, saying he never would try such cases unless the evidence given in a foreign language was subjected to the test furnished by two interpreters. He said the Chinese Protector ought to be present, and he would adjourn the case.--
Miner's Right.

During the trial a miner called Sing Chong testified: ” he is brother to prisoner, who was often cranky in China, and had been so five or six times since he came to the colony. When cranky, he did not wash his face, and made a mess in the tent. Once in China he chased people with a knife. On the night of Gah Poo’s death he had not washed his face for two days. “

Mount Ararat Advertiser and Chronicle for the District of the Wimmera (Vic.), Friday 6 November 1857, page 2

Castlemaine Criminal Sessions, October 30.
Before his Honor Mr. Justice Williams, Mr. Aspinall acting as Crown prosecutor.
...
MURDER. 

A-Lop was again arrainged on the charge of murder. A-Ki was sworn as interpreter, and Chu-A-Luk was sworn to watch the interpretation. 

Kong Soong said he knew Gah Poo, whose tent was a few yards from his own: in the end of September he went into it, and saw A-Lop using the knife produced : he was killing Gah Poo; he was striking him with it between the eyes, and in the left eye and behind the ear. He used the sharp end of the pick. Witness arrested the prisoner, with the assistance of another Chinaman, tied him with a rope, and sent for a constable. Witness heard some talking in the tent, and, when he went in, found Gah Poo lying down. He had no weapon, and the prisoner had no marks of violence. The talking had lasted for about a quarter of an hour. Prisoner's voice was loudest. Gah Poo and A-Lop were mates, and lived together; they were of one family. When witness entered, Gah Poo appeared to be dead, but afterwards breathed. Witness did not see prisoner strike, but saw him standing over deceased with the pick in his hand. The marks on the pick produced were blood at the time. Gah Poo was a large man. There was no other in the tent when witness entered it.

William Hicks, a constable at Avoca, was called to the Chinese Camp on the 25th September, and when he arrived at the Camp he saw Gah Poh lying apparently dead, with his head covered with blood. The prisoner was tied hand and foot to a tree and was taken into custody. The pick produced was sticking in the ground, and had some blood on it. 

Dr Morris had been called to see Gah Poo on the 25th September. Found a fracture of the bones forming the inner part of the orbit. One eye was quite destroyed. There was a fracture of the parietal bone on the left side. The face was covered with blood. The wounds were fatal and would have required considerable force to effect them. They must have been caused by an instrument like the pick produced. Made a post mortem examination on the5th October. Deceased died from the wounds. 

Prisoner said he was skylarking with Gah Poo and he got a scratch on his face and some blood came out, and the two first witnesses came in and tied them. 

Sing Chong was called, and said he is brother to prisoner, who was often cranky in China, and had been so five or six times since he came to the colony. When cranky, he did not wash his face, and made a mess in the tent. Once in China he chased people with a knife. On the night of Gah Poo's death he had not washed his face for two days. 

His Honor told the jury that if they considered the prisoner incapable of distinguishing right from wrong, they must acquit him on the ground of insanity. 

The Jury retired to deliberate, and in a few minutes brought in a verdict of Guilty, with a recommendation to mercy, on the ground that they were doubtful of his sanity. 

His Honor intimated to the prisoner, that he would forward the recommendation of mercy to the Governor, and pronounce sentence of death.

Age (Melbourne, Vic.), Monday 14 December 1857, page 5

The Chinese man A Lop, convicted of murder at the last Circuit Court of Sandhurst, and sentenced to death, has had his sentence commuted to imprisonment for life. The commutation is grounded on the certificate of the medical officers which state that the man is insane.

A Lop, native of Hong Kong, aged 23 in 1858, was held in the Success prison hulk, Pentridge and Collingwood prisons, and on the Sacramento prison hulk. He was prisoner 3814. In January 1874 he was transferred to the Metropolitan Lunatic Asylum.

Ah Lop died in the Hospital for Insane, Kew, on 29 October 1914, aged 79 years. At the Coroner’s inquest the Superintendant, M. F. H. Gawler, stated 

The records show that the deceased Ah Lop was admitted to the above Institution on the 16th January 1874 on the warrant now produced. He was a quiet Chinaman & suffered from Dementia.

He remained in fair health until about a month ago when he showed signs of heart failure. He was put to bed and treated but died at 8.20 pm on the 29-Oct 1914.

He had no marks and no friends known to the department.

See also:

Wikitree:

A shortage of interpreters at Avoca

In 1873, the death of the well-known and very able Chinese court-room interpreter named Howqua left a significant vacancy in the administration of justice in the Colony. Substitutes were found, but not all of them were as capable as might be desired.

In November 1874 a Chinese miner called Ah Yen sought to prosecute Ellen Sherlock for hitting him with a broom-handle. A man named Ah Wing was a potential interpreter for the court case but there was some difficulty in swearing him in due to religion – he was in the process of becoming Christianised. The case was delayed by a fortnight  and a man named Loo Ching interpreted but the newspaper report of the case suggests he was not very fluent in English.

The Avoca Mail editorialised on the issue reporting the comments of Leonard Worsley, barrister-at-law in Avoca, that  “justice cannot be done because the complainant is a poor Chinaman.”

Shows a court room with judge or magistrate seated with scribe beside him, policemen, jury in foreground, lawyers at table in front of judge, a man standing in box facing judge with policeman beside him, Chinese man standing in box on left of judge.
Courtroom scene by Charles Lyall (about 1954).
A court room with judge or magistrate seated with scribe beside him, policemen, jury in foreground, lawyers at table in front of judge, a man standing in box facing judge with policeman beside him, Chinese man standing in box on left of judge.
State Library of Victoria Accession No : H87.63/2/7B

Avoca Mail, Friday 6 November 1874, page 2

The necessity for the appointment by the Government of a Chinese interpreter was demonstrated in the Police Court on Wednesday last. During the progress of business a case was called on, Ah Yen v Ellen Sherlock, in which the plaintiff charged the defendant with having assaulted him on the 27th of last month. Complainant was unable to speak English sufficiently to give his evidence, and asked for an interpreter, and the question then arose as to where one could be obtained. A Chinaman who was present, named Ah Wing, who spoke English with tolerable fluency, was requested to act; but then came a difficulty as to the mode to be adopted in swearing him. When asked what religion he professed, he said "Church of England," and went on to explain that he had for four weeks been taking lessons in Christianity, but that the minister declined to baptise him until he had received further instruction in his new faith. To swear the proposed interpreter by the match-extinguishing process would, under- the circumstances, have been ridiculous; while the Bench seemed to think that a month's instruction in Christian theology was scarcely sufficient to enable a Chinaman to properly understand all the obligations and responsibilities of the Christian oath. The case had therefore to be postponed until the 18th instant, in order that a suitable interpreter might be obtained— or, failing this, as we suppose, to give Mr Ah Wing an opportunity of completing his religious education — when the course of justice will probably proceed. Mr Worsley made a serious complaint of the delay on the part of the Government in appointing an interpreter in this neighborhood, and added that he was at loss where to obtain the services of a suitable person by the date of the adjournment. This drew from Mr Carr the announcement that the Government would not in future provide interpreters for private cases. For reasons of economy this is no doubt a wise decision, where many of the cases are of so exclusively private a nature that it would amount to a positive waste of the public money to provide an interpreter for every petty squabble in which a Chinaman takes part ; but in some cases — as, for instance, the one before the Court on Wednesday, where the keeping of the public peace was involved — the services, of an interpreter at the cost of the Government might well be allowed, as part of the national machinery for the punishment of offenders against the law. There are many cases daily brought before our Courts of Petty Sessions by private complainants which it would be the duty of the police to move in if the circumstances came to their knowledge, or took place under their personal observation, and in such instances as these the services of an interpreter should be provided. We suppose that if a constable had witnessed the alleged assault upon Ah Yen he would have arrested the aggressor, and the case would then have had the benefit of a Government interpreter. Although only a private summons case, as it now stands, the breach of the peace (if any has been committed) remains the same, and it does seem rather hard that, as Mr Worsley observed, "justice cannot be done because the complainant is a poor Chinaman." Apart altogether from these considerations, it is evident that with our large Chinese populations in all parts of the colony, there should be in every district a recognised and duly appointed interpreter, in order that suitors should not be compelled to engage the first English-speaking Chinaman to be obtained, and we hope that the Government will not longer delay the appointment of one, and also that they will reconsider their determination of excluding all private cases from the duties of their official interpreters.

Avoca Mail, Friday 6 November 1874, page 2

AVOCA POLICE COURT.
Wednesday, November 4th, 1874. (Before C. W. Carr, Esq., P.M.)
…
Ah Yen v Ellen Sherlock.— This was a summons for an assault alleged to have been committed on Tuesday the 27th ult., at Greenhill Creek. Mr Worsley appeared for the plaintiff and Mr Cooke for the defendant; In opening the case Mr Worsley explained that complainant, a miner, went on to the land occupied by defendant, when the defendant advanced upon him with a broomhandle. Complainant took up his tools to depart when the defendant struck him a severe blow on the left arm with the stick, which blow incapacitated him from following his daily labor, and rendered medical treatment necessary. The complainant, on being called upon for his evidence, expressed his inability to speak English, and desired an interpreter. Ah Wing, who was in court, was requested to officiate, but the Bench declined to swear him for the reason that he had forsaken his old faith, and was only in process of education into the tenets of the Christian religion. As it became evident that a postponement would be necessary, the Bench consented to receive the medical testimony in order to save expense to the parties. Dr Morris then deposed that he had examined the complainant and found swelling and discoloration on his arm. The injuries were sufficiently severe to render the complainant incapable of following his usual employment, and might have been inflicted by a blow from a broom-handle or any blunt instrument. The case was then adjourned to the 18th inst., at complainant's request, for want of an interpreter.

The case was heard a fortnight later with an interpreter named Loo Ching. Ah Yen was successful in his claim for damages. 

Avoca Mail, Friday 20 November 1874, page 2

AVOCA POLICE COURT.
Wednesday, November 18th, 1874. (Before C. W. Carr, Esq., P.M.)
…
Ah Yen v Ellen Sherlock. — This was an assault case which had been adjourned from the 4th inst for the attendance of an interpreter of the Chinese language. Loo Ching now appeared in that capacity to the best of his "lights," which were not particularly intelligible, and the case proceeded. Mr Worsley, barrister, appeared for the Chinaman and Mr Cooke for Mrs Sherlock. Complainant deposed that on the 27th of last month he went on to the premises of defendant's, husband to " take up a claim," and defendant came and struck him on the arm with a broom handle making a bad bruise, which Dr Morris, of Avoca, saw and attended him for. He was much hurt. Dr Morris, as we reported, attended on the last court day and gave evidence as to the nature of the injury Cross examined by Mr Cooke : Had a miner's, right (produced). Had said he would take £1 to settle the matter and would not take out summons. Understood the words, " One pound, no harm." Had a pick and shovel on his arm. Mr Cooke contended that Ah Yen had no right on defendant's land without notice, and that his threatening aspect caused fear on the part of his client, who admitted a blow with the broom-handle but that it was inflicted in self defence. Mrs Sherlock gave her statement of the affair, and the Bench, in deciding, said that certainly there was an assault committed, but it was to some extent provoked. Defendant was fined half a crown with costs of summons and surgeon's attendance also professional fee, amounting together to £1 5s 6d. The amount was paid.

The Avoca Chinese Garden

In 2012 Avoca was one of five Victorian towns with populations under 1500 that were selected by Regional Arts Victoria (RAV) to take part in Small Town Transformations. The projects focused on artistic legacy, creating artworks and arts spaces that would have a lasting impact on place.

It was felt the town’s Chinese heritage had been forgotten. A garden was seen as a way to celebrate Avoca’s Chinese heritage. The Avoca Chinese Garden was created over 18 months and officially opened on 11  October 2014.

Lyndal Jones, Artistic Director for The Avoca Project (2008-2019), was the artistic director for the Chinese Garden. The Avoca Project was the lead partner. Lindy Lee became the lead artist She was assisted by Mel Ogden landscape artist, Martin Wynn plantsman, and a committee of local residents.

Lyndal Jones explained the garden was inspired by the final symbol in the I Ching, the ancient Chinese divination book. “[The symbol] is called ‘Before Completion’ because it’s all about cycles,” … “So you think you’ve finished but in fact you’re just starting.”

The I Ching (Book of Changes), is an ancient Chinese divination text which provided guidance for decision-making. Bundles of yarrow stalks (stalks of the herbaceous perennial Achillea millefolium) are thrown to produce sets of six random numbers ranging from 6 to 9. Each of the 64 possible sets corresponds to a hexagram, the meaning of which can be looked up in the I Ching. The hexagram (卦 guà) is a figure composed of six stacked broken or unbroken horizontal lines (爻 yáo).

The final symbol (hexagram) in the I Ching is hexagram 64, 未濟 (wèi jì), which can be translated as “before completion” or “not yet finished”.  Its inner (lower) trigram is ☵ (坎 kǎn) gorge = (水) water, and its outer (upper) trigram is ☲ (離 lí) radiance = (火) fire.

A pavilion by a Chinese-Australian artist, Lindy Lee, combines traditional design with elements of the Australian shed, including burnt wooden columns and a lick of silver flames running across the roof. Lee also made a scholar rock, often collected and displayed in Chinese gardens.

Chinese plants have been mixed with Australian flora. The pond is filled by storm water from the main street, which is caught and cleaned in a large underground tank. Stones have been donated by farmers in the area, and slate from a nearby quarry.

The site of the 1/4 acre garden is on a former saleyard near the town’s original Chinese burial site. A 30 year lease over the land commenced in September 2013

More than ten years after its opening the garden has achieved its purpose of a sustainable town garden as a place for relaxation, contemplation and reflection.

August 2017
October 2020
January 2021
July 2021
July 2021
July 2021
September 2022
September 2022
September 2022
The garden through the seasons

Walking through the garden of Fire and Water: Notes by Mel Ogden

This is a garden planted with a number of symbolic Chinese plants within an Australian landscape, enfolding them from inside the garden and in the ‘borrowed’ garden beyond. 

Many of these plants have already migrated and are happily settled in Australian gardens.  

This story of successful plant ‘migration’ is a continuous one. The Pomegranate, for instance, migrated thousands of years ago to China from Iran and is now identified with various regions there. Others like the flowering quince (‘Japonica’)and the ‘Mt Fuji’ cherries we have planted are, now more closely identified with Japan although their origin was China. And the Chinese lotus is now a widely identified symbol across Asia, including India.

Our selection has been made on the basis of soil type (strongly alkaline), climate (heavy winter frosts and long hot dry summers) and avoidance of possums (which led us to avoid any of the many fruit trees including pears, peaches, locquats and apricots)  As part of the garden sits on a flood plain, this lower area is planted mainly with River Red Gums and grasses which happily survive inundation. Additionally, the symbolic Chinese plants have been selected to provide colour across the seasons.

Note: Only one plant selected for the garden comes from neither China nor Australia. The Dietes grandiflora, that line the banks of the high path, is native to South Africa. It is used here because it is so drought tolerant. Another South African tree, the peppercorn (now strongly identified as part of the Australian landscape) has been ‘borrowed’ from next door to provide a backdrop to the garden.

Australian plants

  • Eucalyptus Camaldulensis (River Red Gum)
  • Xanthorrhoea australis (grass tree)
  • Xanthorrhoea minor

With many other Australian grasses and ground covers

Some of these have been selected for their ability to ‘clean’ water and are planted in and around the pond. These include:

  • Anigozanthos flavidus green (tall green Kangaroo Paw)
  • Carex appressa   (tall sedge)
  • Carex fasicularis   (Tassel Sedge)
  • Baumea articulate  (jointed twig rush)
  • Dianella caerulea  (blue flax lily)
  • Eleocharis sphacelata  (Tall Spike Rush)
  • Erimophila debilis (winter apple)
  • Gahnia sieberiana  (red-fruit saw edge)
  • Juncus holoshoenus  (joint leaf rush)
  • Poa labillardierii (common tussock grass)

Winter colour

  • Nandina domestica  (Sacred Bamboo) berries in late winter
  • Chaenomeles  double red (Flowering quince)

Spring colour

  • Wisteria sinesis (Wisteria)   Flowers mid-late Spring         origin: China  
  • Prunus serrulata ‘Mt Fuji’ (flowering cherry)     origin: Japan Korea, China
  • Paeonia      a symbol of spring, it represents nobility and value, female beauty and reproduction.                                            origin: China  

Summer colour

  • Punica granatum (pomegranate)     represents fertility, called ‘100 sons fruit’.   origin: Iran (but also identified with China) Suggested by Melbourne Botanic Gardens
  • Nelumbo nucifera (Lotus)           represents ultimate purity and perfection because it rises ‘untainted and beautiful from the mud’. Medicinal properties origin: China
  •  (day lily)                    represents filial devotion to one’s mother and wealth   origin: China

Autumn colour

  • Ginko Bilboa (maidenhair tree) the nuts represent hope for silver, wealth Medicinal     origin: China
  • Pomelo          abundance, prosperity, represents family unity.    Gift from Mr Russell Jack and the Golden Dragon Museum, Bendigo     origin; China
  • Prunus serrulata ‘Mt Fuji’ (flowering cherry)           origin: Japan Korea, China

Bamboo – the pith represents long life, and the shoots, wealth and a new start Origin; China

See also:

Memorial to the Chinese in the Avoca Cemetery

The Victorian Chinese Memorial Foundation, founded in 2004, is an Australian organization set up to find, preserve, and celebrae the history and heritage of Australia’s gold-rush Chinese.

On Sunday 25 November 2012 the Foundation dedicated a  memorial in the Avoca Cemetery to the Chinese buried there who had lived and worked in the goldfields.  

Among the speakers at the ceremony were Sunny Duong, Chief Executive officer of the Chinese Memorial Foundation; Peter Howell, Chairman of the Avoca Cemetery Trust; and Tony O’Shea, president of the Avoca and District Historical Society, who spoke about the history of the cemetery.

Chinese Memorial Foundation dedication Avoca cemetery 25 November 2012
Chinese Memorial Foundation dedication Avoca cemetery 25 November 2012
At the microphone is Sunny Duong, CEO of the Chinese Memorial Foundation, and behind him is Peter Howell, Chairman of the Avoca Cemetery Trust. In the foreground are the roasted pigs and other food later eaten at the banquet that followed the dedication.

The dedication ceremony was followed by a banquet in the Avoca RSL Hall which three roasted pigs, fowls, and a great deal more.

Many people came to Avoca for the dedication.

Chinese Memorial Foundation dedication Avoca cemetery 25 November 2012
Chinese Memorial Foundation dedication Avoca cemetery 25 November 2012

Chinese Memorial Foundation dedication Avoca cemetery 25 November 2012
Chinese Memorial Foundation dedication Avoca cemetery 25 November 2012

Since 2005, the Chinese Memorial Foundation has erected memorials like Avoca’s at more than fifteen cemeteries. For example, there are now memorials at  Melbourne General Cemetery, Beechworth, Carlyle cemetery near Rutherglen, Linton, Myrtleford, and Creswick.

See also:

Ah Tow (1821 -1888 ), Ah Tow (1838-1877), and Ah Tow (1847-1909)

It seems that there were several men known as Ah Tow living in the Avoca district in the nineteenth century. These men appeared several times in local newspaper reports and other records.

Ah’ (阿) is a prefix often attached to forenames and occupations—never surnames—in southern Chinese dialects. ‘Ah’ is especially common in Cantonese, the predominant dialect of gold rush Chinese.

The ‘Ah’ prefix gives a forename a more informal and familiar air in the way that in English,  ‘Frankie’ softens ‘Frank’ or ‘Peggy’ ‘Margaret’.

In some public documents of the time ‘Ah’ was  mistakenly taken to be a formal title like ‘Mister’.

Ah Tow miner of Avoca (c.1821-1888)

In 1872 Ah Tow miner of Deep Lead, Avoca, gave evidence at an inquest into the death of Teang Kong

Avoca Mail, Saturday 2 March 1872, page 3

... the witnesses speaking Chinese were examined through How Qua, the interpreter. 
The first witness was Ah Tow, who, having been duly sworn in the Chinese fashion by blowing out a match, deposed as follows: — I am a miner, and live at the Deep Lead, Avoca. Yesterday I last saw the deceased alive, at about six o'clock. I went to see him because he had been hurt. About two o'clock' on the Sunday I saw the deceased and Ah Tan and Ah Too fighting in the opium saloon on the Deep Lead, kept by Ah Lin. The last named to were both fighting the deceased and Ah Too knocked him down with his fist, and deceased got up, when Ah Tan kicked deceased on the lower part of his body, and the deceased was pushed out-side. There were some thirty or forty Chinamen there altogether. Deceased went out and lay down inside the door of the opium saloon, complaining of pain. The doctor was sent for at about half-past four and I went for him. The man present, Ah Too, struck the deceased upon the breast and shoulders but did not kick him. Ah Tan kicked him. 
The deceased and Ah Tan and Ah Too had been gambling, and the quarrel was about that. On the 25th, the man in custody and the deceased were gambling at Ah Lin's store on the Maryborough Road. Ah Tan was the gambling master, and the quarrel took place between deceased and him about a division of money. I heard a noise in Ah Lin's room, and on going in saw the man in custody and another fighting the deceased. Dr. Morris now present was the doctor sent for. ...

In May 1887 Ah Tow/ Kow was admitted to Maryborough Hospital.

From the index of Maryborough Hospital Admissions: 

Name:Ah Kow
Date of admission 23 May 1887. 
Age 66
Occupation: miner of Avoca. 
Port of Embarkation Hong Kong, 
30 years in colony
single
Religion Pagan, 
Native of  Canton

The hospital record suggests he was born about 1821 and arrived in the colony in about 1857.

Avoca Mail, Saturday 24 May 1887, page 2

A poor old Chinaman, named Ah Tow, of Avoca Lead, was sent to the Maryborough Hospital last Friday, suffering from severe destitution and debility, He has been helped from the poor-box at the Avoca Court House for some time, past.

Avoca Mail, Friday 27 May 1887, page 2

BENEVOLENT SOCIETY HELP
To the Editor of the Avoca Mail.
Sir — The members of the Committee of the Avoca Ladies' Benevolent Society desire me to inform you that the Chinaman named Ah Tow, referred to in your issue of yesterday, was helped by them from August, 1884, to May, 1886, but they then withdrew their aid, as they were told by various people that he was imposing upon the Society. Since he came from the hospital he received assistance again, as it was thought he was not strong enough to work. The Committee wish this known lest their subscribers may believe that they neglected to help a man in distress.
I am, Sir, &c., 
E, BACON, Hon. Sec. 
Avoca Ladies' Benevolent Society, 
Avoca, May 25,1887.

It seems likely he is the miner of Avoca Lead buried as Ah How in the Avoca cemetery on 18 January 1888. His age was given as 60. He died from asthma. The burial was a givernemnt burial and £0 12s 6d was paid.

Ah Tow miner of Lamplough (c. 1838-1877)

On 31 January 1877 Ah Tow, miner of Lamplough, was buried in the Avoca cemetery. He had died of consumption. He was said to be 38 years old.

Ah Tow hawker and farmer (1847-1909)

On 29 June 1885 Ah Tow, a hawker of Avoca, applied for naturalisation.

naturalisation application
National Archives of Australia Ah Tow – naturalisation NAA: A712, 1885/C7599 Page 4 of 6

He was 35 years old (born about 1850). He had arrived in Victoria in December 1873; he did not remember the name of the ship.

The Avoca Mail of 14 June 1887 reported that Ah Tow had been granted a licence for 1 acre, Glenmona, under section 67 [of the Victorian Land Act 1884].

legislation
Section 67 The Land Act 1884

In December 1877 Ah Tow fell from a horse near Lamplough.

Avoca Mail, Friday 9 December 1887, page 2

A Chinaman named Ah Tow fell from his horse on Wednesday evening. He was found lying, on the road to Lamplough, a short distance above Mr Walker's residence, by a son of Mr Wolfe, who immediately came to Avoca and procured restoratives, with which he succeeded in bringing the sufferer round. According to the Chinaman's statement he was pulled off his horse by one that he was leading, and sustained severe injuries from which he is, however, rapidly recovering.

Ah Tow died from pneumonia on 1 February 1909 aged 62 years (born about 1847). He had been living in Avoca for 30 years (since 1879). When his death was registered (85/1909) his parents were unknown. The cemetery register gave his occupation as farmer. He was buried in the Wesleyan section of Avoca cemetery.

gravestone Avoca, Victoria
The grave of Ah Tow, in the Avoca Cemetery. (2010)
Uploaded to Wikimedia Commons by user Peterdownunder CC-BY-SA-3.0
AH TOW
RESIDENT OF AVOCA FOR 30 YEARS
DIED 1st FEBy 1909.
AGED 62 YEARS.

Inscribed on his gravestone is Ah Tow’s name in Chinese 朱 兠

In pīnyīn, the modern system for rendering Chinese characters in Roman letters, Ah Tow’s family name was 朱 Zhū. His personal name was 兜 dōu, transcribed in many documents of the time as Tow. The ‘Ah’ (阿) in ‘Ah Tow’, not strictly speaking part of his name, was a frequently-used prefix intended to give a man’s forename an informal, friendly tone. Ah is not used with the family name.

Ah Tow left a will (Public Record Office Victoria VPRS 28/P0003, 110/044 Ah Tow: Grant of probate; VPRS 7591/P0002, 110/044 will).

will of Ah Tow
VPRS 7591/P0002, 110/044 Ah Tow: Will
This the last will and Testament of me Ah Tow of Rutherford's Creek near Avoca Labourer made this nineteenth day of October 1908. I appoint Alfred Henry Wolfe of Avoca Farmer and Francis Henryry Kaye of Avoca Saddler to be my executors. I direct my executors to pay one shilling to every mourner attending at my grave on the day of my funeral but no person is to have any claim unless application is made to the executors on the day of the funeral. I direct my executors to spend ten pounds on my funeral and ten pounds for a headstone and ten pounds for an iron fence round my grave. I direct that all my property be sold by my executors when they deem it convenient. I give each of my said executors the sum of five pounds for their trouble in the ??? of my will. And I give and bequeath the residue of my property to Bridget Blanchfield of Rutherfords Creek spinster for her absolute use and I declare this to be my last will and testament

Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Saturday 15 May 1909, page 23

TRUSTS ACT 1901 No. 1769.- Creditors, next of kin, and others having CLAIMS against the estate of the undermentioned person are requested to SEND in PARTICULARS theroef to A. H. Wolfe and F. H. Kaye, care of E. F. G. Jolley, solicitor Maryborough, on or before the 15th day of June 1909.
Name.—AH TOW.
Usual Residence.—Rutherford's Creek, Avoca. Occupation or Other Description - Labourer
Date of Death of Deceased-February 1st, 1909
E. F. G. JOLLEY, M.A., LLM., Maryborough, proctor for the executors.

Alfred Henry Wolfe and Francis Henry Kaye were executors. A clearing sale realised £160. Disbursements included various fees to do with winding up the estate, funeral expenses including £20 paid to Place & Co. Monumental masons. The balance of £79 was paid to Bridget Blanchfield, the residuary legatee.

probate disbursement
Probate disbursement. VPRS 28/P0003, 110/044 Ah Tow: Grant of probate

The 1872 murder, or was it manslaughter, of Teang Kong

On 26 February 1872 a Chinese gold-miner named Teang Kong died following a brawl the previous day at an opium and gambling dive near Avoca. A coroners inquest determined that the death was manslaughter, not murder.

A quarrel over a gambling game at Ah Lin’s store on Deep Lead had led to a vicious fight between Teang Kong and two men, named Ah Tan and Ah Too. Teang Kong was knocked down, then, on getting to his feet, was kicked in the stomach by Ah Tan. He was pushed outside, where he lay in pain.

A doctor was sent for, but Teang Kong died. A post-mortem examination showed that his bowels had been ruptured. This was determined to have been ‘consistent with death caused by a violent kick.’

On Tuesday 27 February an inquest into Teang Kong’s death was held at the Union Hotel, Avoca. Witnesses gave evidence through Howqua, a government interpreter. The coroner advised the jury that no premeditated intent had been shown, and the jury returned a verdict of manslaughter against Ah Tan. A warrant was issued for his arrest.

Chinese men gambling Melbourne 1868
CHINESE IN MELBOURNE – GAMBLING. (1868, August 8). Illustrated Australian News for Home Readers (Melbourne, Vic.), p. 8. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60448707
Image from State Library of Victoria
Accession No : IAN08/08/68/8

Avoca Mail, Saturday 2 March 1872, page 3

CORONER'S INQUEST AND VERDICT OF MANSLAUGHTER.
On Tuesday last an inquest was held at the Union Hotel, Avoca, before, L. Worsley, Esq., Coroner, on view of the body of Teang Kong, who died on the previous evening from a kick administered on Sunday last. Senior Constable Shanklin had charge of the proceedings, and examined the witnesses. Ah Tow, who had been taken into custody, was present. The jury having been empanelled, and a post mortem examination having been made by Dr. W. S. Morris, of Avoca, the witnesses speaking Chinese were examined through How Qua, the interpreter. 
The first witness was Ah Tow, who, having been duly sworn in the Chinese fashion by blowing out a match, deposed as follows: — I am a miner, and live at the Deep Lead, Avoca. Yesterday I last saw the deceased alive, at about six o'clock. I went to see him because he had been hurt. About two o'clock' on the Sunday I saw the deceased and Ah Tan and Ah Too fighting in the opium saloon on the Deep Lead, kept by Ah Lin. The last named to were both fighting the deceased and Ah Too knocked him down with his fist, and deceased got up, when Ah Tan kicked deceased on the lower part of his body, and the deceased was pushed outside. There were some thirty or forty Chinamen there altogether. Deceased went out and lay down inside the door of the opium saloon, complaining of pain. The doctor was sent for at about half-past four and I went for him. The man present, Ah Too, struck the deceased upon the breast and shoulders but did not kick him. Ah Tan kicked him. 
The deceased and Ah Tan and Ah Too had been gambling, and the quarrel was about that. On the 25th, the man in custody and the deceased were gambling at Ah Lin's store on the Maryborough Road. Ah Tan was the gambling master, and the quarrel took place between deceased and him about a division of money. I heard a noise in Ah Lin's room, and on going in saw the man in custody and another fighting the deceased. Dr. Morris now present was the doctor sent for. 
Camilia Cross sworn said.— I am a miner, and live on the Maryborough Road. I was passing by the Deep Lead, Avoca, on Sunday evening last, when I heard a noise in Ah Lin's store and opium saloon, when I went in and saw the man in custody and another man and the dead man fighting. The last witness was trying to part them. I saw Ah Too knock deceased down, and when he got up again Ah Tan kicked him at the bottom of the stomach. Ah Tan had on " Sunday boots." After this I saw Ah Tan go outside and remove his trousers and rubbed himself where he was swollen, and sat down outside the door. 
By a juryman, — I only saw deceased kicked once. 
Dr. William Selwyn Morris, a legally qualified medical practitioner of Avoca, sworn, says — I have made a post mortem examination of the body of the deceased, and find a rupture of the bowels and extravasation of blood on the person above the scrotum. The injury received was done by violence externally, and was, in my opinion, sufficient to cause death in any person. The rupture was quite recent. A kick might have produced the appearances and the ensuing death. 
The coroner pointed out the law to the jury in its distinction between murder and manslaughter, and said no malice prepense, the element of the crime of murder, had been proved. 
The jury returned a verdict of manslaughter against Ah Tan, and the coroner issued his warrant for his apprehension. The Chinaman in custody was not inculpated by the verdict, but was further kept in charge by the police. 
Mr. Cooke, solicitor, intimated that he had been instructed by deceased's friends to watch the case on their behalf, but he asked no questions.

Only the cover of the inquest file VPRS 24/P0000, 1872/1127 is digitised. The victim is named as Teing Coul, his family name is Coul.

Cover of inquest file
Inquest VPRS 24/P0000, 1872/1127 Male Given name : Teing; Family name : Coul; Location of hearing : Avoca

On the Avoca cemetery register he is recorded as Whin Cong. He was a 45 year old miner. The cemetery register records he was murdered. He was buried 26 February 1872.

I have not found the death certificate.

Avoca Mail, Saturday 2 March 1872, page 3

AVOCA POLICE COURT.
Wednesday, February 28th. (Before C. W. Carr. Esq.. P.M)
...
Mr Cooke said he had been instructed by the friends of a Chinaman who had been killed in a quarrel, named Teang Kong, to apply for the detention in custody of Ah Too, as an accessory to the cause of his death. 

Detective Duncan produced a warrant to this effect. 

The particulars of the inquest will be found elsewhere, and although the jury had found a ver dict of manslaughter against a Chinaman named Ah Tan, who had absconded, the present prisoner, Ah Too, was not included in such finding. 

Bail was asked for by Mr Worsley, and two Chinamen storekeepers having entered into the usual recognizances the prisoner was released to appear on Wednesday next, to answer the charge of manslaughter.

Avoca Mail, Saturday 16 March 1872, page 2

AVOCA POLICE COURT.
Wednesday, March 13th. (Before C. W. Carr, Esq., P.M.).
There was rather a long entry of cases in the Police Court to-day, some of which had been settled out of Court, and others simply required as judgment. 

In the criminal list was, foremost, the adjourned prosecution against Ah Chow, for aiding and abetting in the manslaughter of Hun Kong, on Sunday, the 25th February last. 

Mr Cooke, as before, appeared to prosecute, and: Mr Worsley defended the accused. 

The witnesses were ordered out of Court, when. Mr Cooke remarked that although the police had not thought fit to continue the prosecution against Ah Chow, evidence would be brought forward that day which would prove that he was seriously implicated in the charge. Facts had come to light which had not been known at the right time— the time of the inquest ; and although Ah Chow was discharged then, an inquiry by the Court having jurisdiction to act upon an information properly laid was now asked for, and witnesses would be called  in support of the charge as it then appeared.

Camillo Crossa was then called and examined by Mr Cooke — I know the opium shop kept by Ah Lim, at Spring Lead, Maryborough Road, and remember Sunday, the 25th March ; Ah Lim also keeps a gambling house ; I saw the deceased man, Hung Kong, in the place with many, other China men, all talking loudly ; there was a row, and great disturbance ; I saw the prisoner, Ah Chow, strike Hung Kong on the breast, and Ah Tan afterwards kicked him.

Leong Hoon examined through How Qua, the Government interpreter, deposed as follows : — I was at the gambling house kept by Ah Lim on Sunday, the 25th February, about three o'clock There was a long table there, and Ah Tan, the gambling master, was at one end, and Kung Kong, the dead man, next him there was a row about a shilling, which Hung Kong had won, and the gambling master took it up ; there was fighting, and Ah Chow, the prisoner, hit the deceased, and I think he kicked him ; Hung Kong, the deceased, tried to get away, but Ah Chow. and Ah Tan stopped him at the door. 

Sheong Kai gave evidence to the same effect which clearly proved that Ah Chow was an active opponent to deceased.

It would be useless as well as tiresome to repeat the details of the evidence, at the conclusion of which Mr Worsley said that he would then offer no evidence or reply if the Bench, decided on a committal. 

Mr Carr said he considered that a prima fucie case had been made out, and committed the prisoner for trial, at the next General Sessions at Maryborough, to be held, on the 20th April, bail being allowed in substantial amounts if forthcoming and capable of justification.

Avoca Mail, Saturday 4 May 1872, page 2

At the Court of General Sessions, held at Mary borough on Tuesday last, Ah Chow took his trial on the charge of killing Hang Kong at the Avoca Lead, on the 25th of February last. The circumstances of the case, as arising out of a gambling transaction, will be fresh in the minds of our readers. Mr Worsley appeared for the prisoner. The evidence adduced was identical with that given at the inquest and subsequent police court proceed ings at Avoca, and clearly proved that blows and kicks were administered to the deceased by the prisoner and the man Ah Tang, who has not yet been arrested. Dr Morris gave evidence that the cause of death was rupture of the bowels caused by external violence, and Mr Worsley made a powerful address on behalf of the prisoner. The jury brought in a verdict of guilty, and the prisoner was then sentenced to four years on the roads or other public works of the colony. 

I do not think Ah Tan was ever caught and prosecuted.

1855 evidence given by Howqua when examined by the Gold-Fields Commission

In January 1855 Howqua gave evidence before the Commission appointed to enquire into the conditions of the gold fields of Victoria.

Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Wednesday 17 January 1855, page 5

THE GOLD COMMISSION -The Commission held a meeting yesterday morning at the Treasury office : -present, Mr Westgarth, Chairman , Mr Hodgson, Mr Wright, Mr Fawkner and Mr O’Shanassy, M.L.’Cs.

… The condition of the Chinese at the diggings was also the subject of attention, the probable influx of the Chinese into this country being considered, and the best mode of facilitating the stay in this country of those already here, as the return of Chinese to their own country laden with gold, tended to create a rush of new immigrants. The witnesses examined were Mr. Mollison, Mr. Corrie, Mr. Cope, and Howqua, a chief of the Chinese diggers.

Argus, Monday 16 April 1855, page 7

THE CHINESE.

The increasing importance of the matter of Chinese immigration induces us to publish the evidence given by Howqua when examined by the Gold-Fields Commission, at Melbourne, on the 15th January.

Howqua examined.

Have you been long in this colony?—Eleven months. I came here from England.

Had you been in England long?—Nine years.

Have you been in California?—I have not been in California.

Have you been digging here?—I have been to the different diggings.

Where?—Ballaarat, Bendigo, Castlemaine, Mopoke and Forest Creek, and Simpson’s.

Did you find many of your countrymen at the diggings? A great many.

How many do you think there are of your countrymen altogether in this colony?—I think there will be 10,000 altogether.

What part of China do they principally come from?— They come from 4 District. My countrymen are from 5 District—Canton.

You come from the town?—Yes.

Where?—Outside Canton. The Tartars are from 4 District, and the 5 District are the Chinamen.

Are they mostly Tartars here?—Mostly. Not many Chinamen?—No.

The Tartars come from 4 District, and the Chinamen from 5 District?—Yes.

Have they a good feeling amongst themselves? — The Tartars are fond of gambling, and the Chinamen do not like it. Chinamen like digging, and a Chinaman makes more money and keeps it. A Chinaman will accommodate himself to the English habits, the Tartars do not. The Chinamen like to stay here, the Tartars like to go home.

What is the difference between a Tartar and a Chinaman in the face; do you know them when you see them?—They are greatly different; the Chinamen are rather fair; the Chinese Tartars are rather darker.

Do they both live in the same way and cultivate the ground for rice?—Yes.

Have they the same laws and customs?—Yes.

Are you a Chinaman?—Yes.

Not a Chinese Tartar?—No.

The Government is Tartar?—Formerly it was; now the Emperor is a Chinaman. The son of the last Emperor, who was a Tartar, has been put aside.

Which is the most powerful body in China?— I think the Chinamen have the greater power now. The Chinaman goes up to any store and buy anything, and pays and goes away. The Chinese Tartar goes up to a store and buys something, and puts anything he can up his sleeve and goes away.

When did you leave China?—I left China in 1846.

Have you been there since?—No.

Do you hold communication with your friends in China, by letter?—Yes.

Do the Chinese here as a body, communicate with their friends in China?—Yes.

And receive answers?—Yes; they write letters and put them in the post, and they are sent to Jardine, Matheson, and Co.

Do the Chinese hear of these letters in China and see them?—Yes.

And those letters bring them down here? Yes; bring them to the diggings.

Have they not hand printing in the towns in China, by which they can print those letters?—Yes.

Have you any reason to know that those letters sent from here are printed and circulated there?—No; I have been out so long.

What is the practice as to the Chinese that go abroad; are their letters printed in China in their absence?—They may be I cannot tell.

Has any letter of yours been printed, do you think?—Yes; in China.

In the Chinese language?—Yes.

Does it get much circulation?—In China, people are not so clever as the English gentlemen; my countrymen are rather stupid.

But by printing in the sheet they circulate some news among the people, do they not?—Yes, news just like a newspaper.

How is the circulation kept up for a printed document. Supposing there is a document printed in the street in one town, is that circulated much over the whole of China?—No, only over one district.

Do people buy these printed papers?—Yes.

Some Chinaman prints them to make a profit out of them?—Just to make what he calls one cass. Five cass would be one farthing.

Do you think many of your countrymen will come here?—A great quantity come here.

Are there more coming every year?—Yes; more coming every year. In Hong Kong, some Chinamen go home and give good accounts, and say, it is no use going to Sydney, but they come out, and come across here, and go up to the diggings.

The Chinamen take away the water at the diggings, and make the diggers angry?—Yes; that is what I have been speaking about.

Do the Chinese understand now the injury they are doing by taking such a large quantity of water?—Yes, they understand it. In the winter time you go and take plenty of water, in the summer time you cannot take a drop of water.

Are the Government of China favorable to the people coming away?—They were not before, but now the present Government is.

They see them bringing back gold; do the Mandarins got the gold from them when they go back?—No; they keep it themselves, and buy land and build houses.

Can you buy land in China so as to have it to yourselves for ever?—Yes; can buy a piece of land and pay so much.

Can you get land pretty cheap?—Yes; and make a house very cheap.

What position would £500 place a Chinaman in in China?—Very rich; plenty rice.

Is there any law to prohibit Chinawomen from coming here?—I never knew any come, except two from San Francisco.

Is there any law in China to prevent their coming with the men?—No.

Why do they not accompany the men?—There are not a great many of my countrymen so rich as to bring them; they cannot afford it.

Could you bring a Chinawoman from China, and the Mandarins not prevent you?—I suppose any Chinaman, if he had plenty money now, could do all same like English gentleman. A Chinaman might go across from Hong Kong to Port Phillip.

Have you been at Singapore?—Yes.

The Chinese say there the Government do not allow them to bring women to Singapore?— There are plenty there now, and thousands in San Francisco.

Do the Chinese like remaining in California?—Yes.

Do they carry on their religious observances there?—Yes.

Are they carrying them on here. Have you got any joss-house here?—No; no joss-houses, but some like the Wesleyan Society—a great many like the Roman Catholic Society—just like in my country there is a joss-house, but a great many will not go.

The Chinamen here belong to different religions?—Yes.

Do you know the chief of the Chinamen at Ballaarat?—Yes, I know Aloc and Kinsoey.

Are the Chinese following the religion of China?—Some of them,—not a great many and some of them different religions.

Have you one religion all over China?—No; different images,—different gods. In England, they say, “One God, one Spirit, one Jesus Christ.” So in my country they have different images. They take a piece of wood, and make an image; and they take a large stone, and make another to put up; and so on.

There is a new religion there is there not, since this rebellion in China?—Yes; they have burned up the idols altogether, and put them into the river. The Chinese now are all Free-masons, and form one brotherhood. The old Emperor and his son are Chinese Tartars, and the new Emperor intends to carry out all one brotherhood,—Chinamen, and Americans, and Englishmen, and open the country to all.

What number of Chinamen do you expect to come here within this year?—I do not know; I heard of 500 coming on the day before yesterday. A man had come from Hong Kong, and he said some more Chinese were coming.

Do you think 500,000 are likely to come here within the next twelve months?—Plenty of Chinamen go home, and plenty of Chinamen come out.

Would the Chinese buy land and settle down here; are they fond of cultivation?—Yes.

Would they be able to grow wheat and vegetables?—Yes.

Would they rather do that than dig for gold? —All Chinamen like farming.

Do the Chinese complain about anything, or grumble about anything here?—No, there is not much complaint, except that they are short of water just now.

Do the Chinese keep up a communication amongst themselves, so as to be ready to assemble at one time when wanted?—Yes.

You could assemble them all in a month, could you not?—Yes.

Are there not a large body of them under one man?—Not under him; he listens to what is to be done, and takes their orders.

Has he the power of compelling them to go home?—A great number tell him they want to go home, and they give him the money and go home.

Is there not one person who has the control of two or three hundred of them?—Yes.

What advantage does he get from them; do they support him, or does he work; is he a chief amongst them or governor?—No; no governor.

Does he make any laws for them?—No; nothing.

They do not introduce the Chinese laws amongst them here?—No; not at all.

Will those Chinese who go home return here again?—They go home and buy goods and come again.

Do they keep stores?—Yes.

Have they got carts and horses?—Yes; horses and drays. Not like spring carts, and not like a gentleman’s carriage.

In Singapore the Chinamen have fine carriages?—Oh, yes in Singapore they have.

Will the Government take any money from you when you go back?—No.

Any per centage at all?—No per centage at all. If I go home with so much money, I can buy so much land and a house, and buy so many wives—four or five wives, or ten or a dozen. All the merchants have four, five, or six wives.

See also earlier post Ah Kin How Qua (1829-1873)

Ah Kin How Qua (1829-1873)

In the 1850s the Victorian colonial government appointed Chinese interpreters on the goldfields. The great rushes of the 1850s included many thousands of Chinese; interpreters would assist in their administration, especially in legal matters.

One of Victoria’s Chinese interpreters , Ah Kin How Qua, was a young Cantonese, 25 years old, who for the previous ten years had lived in England.

Ah Kin How Qua was born in Canton in 1929. In 1843 he left China to live and study in England until 1854. In February 1854 he arrived in Victoria, Australia, aboard the ‘Invincible‘ and immediately set out for the goldfields.

In January 1855 How Qua gave evidence to the Commission to enquire into the conditions of the Gold Fields of Victoria. His appointment as interpreter followed shortly afterwards. He was frequently called upon to help in court. For example he was the interpreter in the 1857 trial at Avoca concerning the murder of a Chinaman known as Ga Poo.

How Qua applied for naturalisation on 25 August 1861.

Naturalisation petition 2nd page
National Archives of Australia NAA: A712, 1861/U7248 Howqua, Ah Kin – Naturalisation

He stated he was born in Canton in 1829. He had emigrated to England in 1843 where he resided for eleven years and where he embraced the Christian religion. He arrived in Victoria in 1854 on the Invincible (Johnston master). He was engaged in gold mining. In 1855 he was appointed Government Chinese Interpreter in 1855 and is now in the service of the Government as an interpreter at Avoca. He was seeking naturalisation so as to be able to hold real estate as well as to possess other rights.

In 1858 How Qua married Eleanor ‘Ellen’ Caroline Derrick. Eleanor’s family had migrated from Somerset, England; she arrived in Victoria as a 15 year old 1856.

Their children were :

  1. William 1859–1862 died young
  2. Henry 1862–1942
  3. James 1864–1870 died young
  4. Clara 1867–1936
  5. Louisa 1871–1952
  6. Eleanor “Ellen” 1872–1950
  7. Albert 1874–1949

In 1864 How Qua was one of the founding members of the Loyal Avoca Lodge of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, a friendly society set up to protect and care for its members and the community. At that time, of course, there was no welfare state or government health service.

How Qua was pictured with fellow Lodge members in his regalia.

Memebers of the Loyal Avoca Lodge of Oddfellows
Ah Kin HOWQUA Member of the Loyal Avoca Lodge of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, one of the few original members who were initiated at the opening of the Lodge.
Photo uploaded to FindAGrave by user Blask.

In the early 1870s How Qua and his wife Ellen established and ran the Percydale Hotel at Fiddlers Creek in the District of Avoca. It stayed in the family for many years after his death.

Avoca Mail (Vic.), Tuesday 18 November 1873, page 2

Among the deaths which have occurred in the neighborhood, of very recent time, has to be mentioned that of Mr How Qua, of Percydale, who for many years has acted as Government interpreter of the Chinese language in this and the adjoining Districts. Of late years How Qua has held a publican's license for a house at Percydale, where he had built an assembly room and otherwise rendered his premises available for public accommodation, and here he has resided with his European wife and intelligent young family. A dread internal malady attacked him so virulently, that on the last occasion of his appearance in the Police Court, at Avoca, it was a matter of remark he looked as if death smitten. He became so ill that it was found advisable to try hospital treatment, and accordingly on Thursday last he was sent to the Amherst institution, where he was died on Saturday last. The deceased had been of course Christianized, and was a steady quiet man. How Qua had been for nine years a consistent member of the Loyal Avoca Lodge of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, attending as often as he could, and never having been what is termed "bad on the books." He was one of the few original members who were made and were initiated at the opening of the Lodge. The funeral of How Qua's remains, yesterday, was attended not only by a large number of his countrymen, but by many more of European residents of Percydale and Avoca, storekeepers and others to whom the deceased was for a long time known, and his brethren of the Lodge, to the number of about thirty, preceding the melancholy procession. The service at the grave was impressively read by the Rev E. K. Yeatman, M.A., the Church of England Minister, and the Oddfellows' funeral oration in the Lodge Rood and closing remarks at the grave were read by the N.G. of the Lodge, Mr James Brown. Ah Kin How Qua — for that was his full name — had had much more experience of England than is usual even among the more travelled Asiatics, and his interpretation of the language of the Chinese was uniformly relied on by judges and magistrates. Deceased was 44 years of age, and leaves a wife and several children to mourn his loss

Wikitree: Ah Kin How Qua (1829-1873)

Chinese New Year 1870

No title (1870, February 5). The Avoca Mail (Vic. : 1863 – 1900; 1915 – 1918), p. 2. Retrieved January 26, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article202429695

Avoca Mail 5 February 1870

The Chinese at Fiddler’s Creek, numbering over two thousand, are most enthusiastic in doing honor to the Mongolian new year. Open house in the business establishments is the order of the day while the continuous discharge of crackers and the consumption of Chinese brandy is said to be some thing fabulous. Scarcely a porker or foul, outside the Chinese Camp, is to be had for love or money ; a Mongolian, well acquainted with the facts, states that purchases in the shape of pigs alone have been made at Fiddler’s Creek within the last fortnight to the amount of £1000.

…

Yesterday was the opening day of the Chinese new year, but it passed off very quietly, the grand festivities and fireworks exhibition being reserved till the next new moon. The joss houses were all lighted up, however, and the usual new year’s offer ings of pastilles, etc., were made to the images of Buddha in the different temples, while the moral precepts of the bouses, lamas, and charamen were read out to the devotees by the officiating high priest. As an example of the superstition of the Celestials with regard to ” luck” may be men tioned the fact that Ah Soon, who was to have been charged at the City Court on Monday with deserting his family, through the efforts of his country men obtained the boon of a postponement of his case until to-day, as he believed that if obliged to attend a court of law on New Year’s Day he would inevitably be involved in litigation during the whole ensuing year. Many Europeans could plead guilty to a somewhat similar superstition, though the doctrine of the observance of omens does not, as with the Chinese, form an article of faith.

Fiddlers Creek was renamed Percydale in 1873 and was formerly called Grantsvale

The Onthong / Tong/ Cook family

In 1881 my husband Greg’s great great grandparents John Plowright (1831 – 1910) and Margaret Plowright née Smyth (1834 – 1897) adopted a boy—their grandson—named Frederick Harold Plowright. The child’s father was James Henry Plowright; his mother was Elizabeth Ann Cooke, née Onthong.

Elizabeth Ann Onthong was born in 1862 in Avoca, Victoria, to Thomas Onthong and Bridget Onthong née Fogarty. The Onthong family later used the surname Cook (or Cooke). Elizabeth was the fourth of six children; she had four brothers and one sister, Mary Ann.

Elizabeth’s parents Bridget Fogarty and John Tong were married on 17 October 1855 in the Church of England vicarage at Carisbrook.

marriage certifivate
Marriage certificate (Victoria Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages) for FOGARTY, Bridget and TONG, John; Year: 1855, Reg. number: 2887/1855

The marriage certificate has them both living in Avoca. Neither could sign their name.

John Tong, son of William Tong storekeeper, was born in Amoy, China. His occupation was cook, and he was 26 years old. The certificate notes that he “could not tell his mother’s name (Chinese)”. This presumably meant that he was unable to transcribe the sounds of her name into English letters. He was probably also illiterate in Chinese.

Bridget Fogarty was born at Burr (Birr), King’s County (now County Offaly), Ireland. She was a servant, she stated her age was 21, and her parents were Michael Fogarty, farmer, and Ann Whitfield.

John Tong’s birthplace Xiamen 廈門 (pinyin: Xiàmén) is a city on the Fujian coast of China. For many years, the name, pronounced ‘Emoui’ in the Fujian dialect, was rendered ‘Amoy’ in Post Office romanization.

Amoy’s harbor, China. Painting in the collection of Sjöhistoriska Museet; image retrieved through picryl.com.
Xiàmén is 7,300 km north of Avoca, Victoria. Map generated using Google maps.

At the end of 1854 it was estimated that more than 10,000 Chinese lived and worked on the Victorian goldfields. In 1855 alone more than eleven thousand Chinese arrived in Melbourne, many of them indentured labourers from the province of Fujian via the port of Amoy.

John Tong arrived before the Victorian parliament passed the Chinese Immigration Act 1855, legislation meant to restrict Chinese immigration by imposing a poll tax of ten pounds upon every Chinese arriving in the Colony and limiting the number of Chinese on board each vessel to one person for every 10 tonnes of goods. (£10 was worth about $9,000 today in comparing average wages then and now [from MeasuringWorth.com])

Though at the time of his marriage John Tong’s occupation was cook, he later worked as a miner at Deep Lead near Avoca. Three of his sons were also Avoca miners.

John and Bridget had six children:

  1. William Cook Tong 1856–1925
  2. Mary Ann Cook Onton 1858–1935
  3. Henry (Harry) Cook Onthon 1860–1925
  4. Elizabeth Anne Cooke Onthong 1862–1927
  5. George Whitfield Cook Onthong 1864–1914
  6. Frank Cook 1868–1938

John Tong was also known as Thomas or Tommy Cook. Tommy Cook was mentioned several times in the newspapers. In 1866 he was noted as having “attained considerable proficiency in the English language.” In 1871 his son William gave evidence in a court case and he, William, was the son of “Thomas Cook, a miner, residing at the Deep Lead, Avoca.” In 1875 Bridget bought a charge of assault against her husband, Ah Tong, alias Tommy Cook. He was described as “a tall, powerful, and rather wild-looking Chinaman”. Bridget said he “was very lazy, and when he got any money would go and gamble it away.”

In October 1890 Tommy Cook and his son George Cook gave evidence in the inquest of the death of George Gouge. From the report in the Avoca Mail:

Tommy Cook deposed – I am residing at Deep Lead, near Avoca. I am father of George Cook. Knew deceased. I found the body lying about six o’clock on Friday morning about 200 yards from the hotel …MURDER AT AVOCA. Avoca Mail 7 October 1890

I do not know when and where John (Tommy Cook) died nor where he was buried. Bridget died in the Amherst hospital in 1898 but her death certificate had no details of her marriage or children.

In 1935 the “Weekly Times” had a picture of an old hut on the Avoca gold-diggings.

READERS’ CAMERA STUDIES (1935, February 23). Weekly Times (Melbourne,
Vic. : 1869 – 1954), p. 38 (FIRST EDITION). Retrieved
from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article223890597

A newspaper clipping published in the 1930s claims that this was the hut of Henry, George, and Frank, three of the sons of John and Bridget. The hut was said to have been known as “Cook’s Hut”.

newspaper clipping
newspaper clipping
newspaper clipping
A newspaper clipping published about 1935 from an unknown newspaper in the family history collection of a Cook family descendant
Little Shack Has Varied History
Relic of Golden Days 
MEMORIES of the golden days of Avoca are revived by the picture appearing in this issue of an antiquated tenement known as "Cook's Hut." It was one of the first places erected on the Avoca Lead ...
This hut has for about 80 years stood the test, and remains in fair order at present. Old stone chimneys and mossy mounds mark the site of other early day dwellings on this famous diggings, but the hut is good for a long time yet.
IT is built on the fringe of the lead which proved so the days when Avoca boasted thousands of inhabitants. Close by lives Mr. Alex Smith, but the hut itself is now unoccupied.
The little shack has had a varied history. At one time it was utilised as a church and Sunday school, and later on it had different occupants. The late Mr Harry Cook lived there for many years. With his two brothers, George and Frank, he engaged in mining. They were expert shallow alluvial men, and won much gold from the lead. Mr Frank Cook now resides at St. Arnaud North.
To give an idea of the wealth won from the Avoca diggings in the early days it may be mentioned that during the first two years of the rush £557,000 worth of money and its equivalent in gold were escorted from here.

This post first published at https://anneyoungau.wordpress.com/2022/04/28/x-is-for-xiamen/

Related post: Finding the parents of Frederick Harold Plowright born 1881

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