Post by NZBC on Jun 11, 2011 23:31:28 GMT 12
A WARNING TO INSURERS. CANVASSING- EXTRAORDINARY. CHINESE AND AGENT.
When a man wants to work a point it is just as well not to start with a Chinese, as the sons of the Flowery Land are generally remarkably well able to look after their own interests. A man who awaited upon Sing Kee Jang yesterday is no, doubt now regretting that one Chinee had been taught to read and write. Sing Kee Jang, it may be explained, keeps a fruit shop in Grey-street, near the Market Hotel, and yesterday there called upon him a slightly built | man about live feet ten inches in height, of dark, complexion, dark hair and moustache, and attired in dark tweed. This gentleman inquired politely if the place, was insured. Mr Thomas Quoi was standing in the shop,and at once entered into conversation with the would-be insurer, telling him that the place had not been covered for the last three yeacs. He asked the man what was the premium, and was told 21/-. Mr Quoi replied it was 10/5 before, because the premises were built in brick. The man asked to see the back of the premises, and after being shown round offered, to take the risk at 15/ per £100 stating he represented a leading N.Z office. Mr Quoi agreed for 4oo, and the man pulled out a paper, but probably was not aware that he was talking to a Chinese who could read and write in English. As soon as Mr Quoi saw the paper was not headed with the name of the company which the man claimed to represent his suspicions were aroused. Whether, or not this was noticed by the man it is impossible to say. but he hurriedly put the papers back in his pocket and said "I will come back this afternoon," ancl Mr Quoi replied, "All right, my mate will be here." Mr Quoi waited until after 3 o'clock, and then went out, but first told the other Chinese to pay no money. The man returned about 5 o'clock, and told Young Show that he had got it all fixed up at 15/- He added, "I will make out Ihe receipt," and drew out some paper, and wrote upon it. Young Show, to gain time, said 15/ I was too high a premium, whereupon.the man said, ''Give me £3 and I will insure you for £450." Young Show replied that his mate was away, and he could not sign the cheque. The man said, "You have plenty of cash in the shop," but Young Show said they paid everything by cheque, whereupon the visitor said, "Give me half now, and I will come back for the balance in the morning." This also failed, and the man left, promising to return at 9 a.m. to-day. As he did not keep his appointment Mr T. Quoi waited upon the company the name of which had been used later on, and learned that no such man as the' one described was authorised to canvass for that company. Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 196, 18 August 1903, Page 5
When a man wants to work a point it is just as well not to start with a Chinese, as the sons of the Flowery Land are generally remarkably well able to look after their own interests. A man who awaited upon Sing Kee Jang yesterday is no, doubt now regretting that one Chinee had been taught to read and write. Sing Kee Jang, it may be explained, keeps a fruit shop in Grey-street, near the Market Hotel, and yesterday there called upon him a slightly built | man about live feet ten inches in height, of dark, complexion, dark hair and moustache, and attired in dark tweed. This gentleman inquired politely if the place, was insured. Mr Thomas Quoi was standing in the shop,and at once entered into conversation with the would-be insurer, telling him that the place had not been covered for the last three yeacs. He asked the man what was the premium, and was told 21/-. Mr Quoi replied it was 10/5 before, because the premises were built in brick. The man asked to see the back of the premises, and after being shown round offered, to take the risk at 15/ per £100 stating he represented a leading N.Z office. Mr Quoi agreed for 4oo, and the man pulled out a paper, but probably was not aware that he was talking to a Chinese who could read and write in English. As soon as Mr Quoi saw the paper was not headed with the name of the company which the man claimed to represent his suspicions were aroused. Whether, or not this was noticed by the man it is impossible to say. but he hurriedly put the papers back in his pocket and said "I will come back this afternoon," ancl Mr Quoi replied, "All right, my mate will be here." Mr Quoi waited until after 3 o'clock, and then went out, but first told the other Chinese to pay no money. The man returned about 5 o'clock, and told Young Show that he had got it all fixed up at 15/- He added, "I will make out Ihe receipt," and drew out some paper, and wrote upon it. Young Show, to gain time, said 15/ I was too high a premium, whereupon.the man said, ''Give me £3 and I will insure you for £450." Young Show replied that his mate was away, and he could not sign the cheque. The man said, "You have plenty of cash in the shop," but Young Show said they paid everything by cheque, whereupon the visitor said, "Give me half now, and I will come back for the balance in the morning." This also failed, and the man left, promising to return at 9 a.m. to-day. As he did not keep his appointment Mr T. Quoi waited upon the company the name of which had been used later on, and learned that no such man as the' one described was authorised to canvass for that company. Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 196, 18 August 1903, Page 5