Post by NZBC on Jan 8, 2010 19:02:58 GMT 12
A CHINESE PUZZLE
" BE CUNNING, AND PRETEND YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN." A FATHER'S ADVICE TO HIS SON. Much amusement was caused at a bankruptcy meeting in Auckland on Friday last of creditors in the estate of a Chinese fruiterer by a letter from the bankrupt's father, in which, among other things, some strange advice was given on spiritual matters. Bankrupt replied to questions through an interpreter, stating that he did not understand English. Referring to his examination at the previous meeting, Mr Singer asked the bankrupt whether he remembered being , asked if he had sent money home to China. Bankrupt replied that he did. The amount' he had sent, was £10, and it was to be forwarded through his brother to his father. The money was really owing to his brother, to whom he was indebted to the extent of £50. This latter sum had been absorbed m the business. He had not given his brother a receipt, as it was not customary among the Chinese to give receipts. He did not send to China more than £10. It was not a fact that he had sent £100. A letter was produced, purporting to be an acknowledgment by bankrupt's father of the receipt of £100. The letter was m Chinese characters, and an interpreter said it read thus : — From father to dear son, Joe Hem. — Received your letter . and money, £100, safely, which you gave Joe Ting to send for you. Your brother should have come home, only China is full of robbers, and that is why he did not come. The district, magistrates are no good, belonging to the old Government, hut since March the new Government is better. They look after their duty better. If you are partners with someone you must take care and do your duty. In -your letter you asked me to try and arrange for your wife to come with your younger brother. In the present time it is very hard to , arrange anything for you, but you must try where you are to get some Government people to arrange for you or someone else — someone among the church people, or A. Don, the missioner. You must be cunning, and pretend you are a Christian, and they might help you. If they help 1 you, all right. Yo must do your best if you want your wife out Everything all right in letter and money. I thank you. Mr A. E. Skelton (solicitor for bankrupt) : If the translation was carefully compared with the letter, it would be quite clear that it. was not from the father of the bankrupt. Another solicitor: They have got convenient ways of changing their relations. (Laughter.) The meeting was adourned sine die. Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume IX, Issue 438, 30 September 1913, Page 7
" BE CUNNING, AND PRETEND YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN." A FATHER'S ADVICE TO HIS SON. Much amusement was caused at a bankruptcy meeting in Auckland on Friday last of creditors in the estate of a Chinese fruiterer by a letter from the bankrupt's father, in which, among other things, some strange advice was given on spiritual matters. Bankrupt replied to questions through an interpreter, stating that he did not understand English. Referring to his examination at the previous meeting, Mr Singer asked the bankrupt whether he remembered being , asked if he had sent money home to China. Bankrupt replied that he did. The amount' he had sent, was £10, and it was to be forwarded through his brother to his father. The money was really owing to his brother, to whom he was indebted to the extent of £50. This latter sum had been absorbed m the business. He had not given his brother a receipt, as it was not customary among the Chinese to give receipts. He did not send to China more than £10. It was not a fact that he had sent £100. A letter was produced, purporting to be an acknowledgment by bankrupt's father of the receipt of £100. The letter was m Chinese characters, and an interpreter said it read thus : — From father to dear son, Joe Hem. — Received your letter . and money, £100, safely, which you gave Joe Ting to send for you. Your brother should have come home, only China is full of robbers, and that is why he did not come. The district, magistrates are no good, belonging to the old Government, hut since March the new Government is better. They look after their duty better. If you are partners with someone you must take care and do your duty. In -your letter you asked me to try and arrange for your wife to come with your younger brother. In the present time it is very hard to , arrange anything for you, but you must try where you are to get some Government people to arrange for you or someone else — someone among the church people, or A. Don, the missioner. You must be cunning, and pretend you are a Christian, and they might help you. If they help 1 you, all right. Yo must do your best if you want your wife out Everything all right in letter and money. I thank you. Mr A. E. Skelton (solicitor for bankrupt) : If the translation was carefully compared with the letter, it would be quite clear that it. was not from the father of the bankrupt. Another solicitor: They have got convenient ways of changing their relations. (Laughter.) The meeting was adourned sine die. Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume IX, Issue 438, 30 September 1913, Page 7