RESCUED BY ANZACS WIFE OF A CHINESE AN AUSTRALIAN

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RESCUED BY ANZACS WIFE OF A CHINESE AN AUSTRALIAN GIRL

CAIRNS, 3rd October. In an interview with "The Post" on. his return from Hong Kong last week, the Rev. L. N. Watkins referred to the rescue of an Australian girl from a miseiable life among the coolies by the Anzac unit of the Hong Kong Defence Corps. Queensland files to hand contain an interview with Mrs Lum Mow, the rescued girl, who returned recently to Caiins Six months ago. Mrs. W. Lum Mow, who is only 19 years of age, went to China with her Chinese husband, and to her great surprise found out, after her arrival in China, that her husband was mamed to a Chinese lady. When asked whether the Press story that she was held captive under terrible conditions, and submitted to frightful cruelties -was correct, Mrs. Mow replied- "I was not held captive, and when the Salvation Army and Anzacs came to Shekki I went with them of my own free will. It is correct that I lived under wretched conditions, but not in a hut, as has been stated. The building we lived in was a two roomed dwelling. "After leaving Townsville six months ago with my husband," said Mrs. Mow, "I went to Shekki, about ninety miles fiom the Portuguese colony of Macao, where for the fiist time I found that my husband had a Chinese wife My husband and I remained in Hong Kong for four years prior to going to Shekki, and after going to Shekki I met my husband's people. It was then I found out everything, and family quarrels began. As I could not speak Chinese it was difficult for me to know what was really going on, and my husband would, not tell me much. Asked was it correct that a fortnight after the child was bom show is ordered to work in the rice fields like a coolie, and when she objected she was cruelly beaten, Mrs Mow stated-— "That is not correct, although I lived under wretched conditions." Mrs Mow stated thatwhile at Shekki six Australians with two women oflicers of the Salvation Ainiy, came to Macao on 3rd September. "They were aided by a guide and an interpreter" she said, "and after some time they recued me and my baby, the baby having been taken fiom me by my husband's Chinese wife. I did not ask the Anzacs to come to Shekki When they heard about the whole affair they came there, and I left of my own accord." Mrs. Mow went on to tell of the jealousy which existed as a result of her piesence She stated —"On the third day after our arrival at Shekki my husband's father told us to leave his place, and my husband, his Chinese wife, and myself went to live in a two roomed house I received a very cool reception from my husband's people. My husband's father took all my husband's possessions and rights trom him, because he inanicd me, and, not having sufficient money as a result of his father's actions, we then went to live in two rooms. When we went to live in these two rooms my husband's Chinese wife was veiy jealous of me. I could have left at any time, but the Chinese wife wanted my child, and so did the father, but I would not let them have the baby, which is only a couple of months old. That'was the reason the Army and the Anzacs rescued me. My husband was out of the village when the Army came and took the baby and helped me to pack up. Had my husband been at home at the time there would have been trouble. After I left with my baby trouble arose between the relations, because the baby was taken away. They came to the place, while the Anzaes "waited outside the village m case troublo arose in rescuing the baby and myself Tiouble arose after I left, because the only giandson had been taken away. The boat was caught at Macao the same night and I went to Hong Kong and waited till the Taiping arrived At Hong Kong I stayed at one of the Anzacs' homes One of the most unpleasant features was that I could not talk Chinese, and I did not know what was going on. My Chinese relations used to talk in their own language, and my husband would tell me very little," Asked was it correct that two Australian women were held captive, Mis Mow stated that that was correct, but they were too far inland to be rescued. Members of this rescue party, said Mis. Mow, issued a warning to Australian' women who marry Chinese that they should not accompany their husbands to China. Mrs Mow was asked if it was correct that while in Townsville recently Commissioner Maxwell, head of the Salvation Army, was told that a local girl had disappeared, and her relatives sought his aid. Mrs Mow said, "Yes. It was as a result of Commissioner Maxwell's efforts that I was rescued." Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 108, 3 November 1932, Page 4 paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=EP19321103.2.11&cl=search&srpos=92&e=-------100--1----0chinese+lum--&st=1

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epress.anu.edu.au/anu_lives/transnational/pdf/ch07.pdf A journey of love: Agnes Breuer’s
sojourn in 1930s China
Kate Bagnall

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YULETIDE VANDALISM.

The Lum Mow Affair.

David George Gillan, on remand, was before Mr. Geo. A. Camerson, P.M., in the Police Court on Tuesday morning charged with the wiful de

struction of property, valued at £40 10s 6d, the property of Lum Mow. The case is the outcome of the explosion offireworks at Lum Mow's premises in Stokes Street, on Christmas Eve Mr. T. J. Daly appeared for the ac cused. Plain Clothes Constable Tomlinson gave evidence to the effect that after the defendant and Detective Gooch and Senior-Sergeant ODriscolI arriv ed at the police station on the 18th March last, Detective Senior Sergeant O'Driscoll warned defendant he need not say anything, and Gillan replied 'I understand that. ' Senior-Sergeant O'Driscoll said 'Last Christmas Eve some person entered Lum Mow's shop in Stokes Street, lit some fireworks on the shelf, causing them to explode, and damage other property in the shop. We heard you were going about town that night throwing crackers about; can you remember your actions that night?' Defendant replied he could not remember where he was as it was too far back. He said he may have had crackers that night. In reply to witness defendant said he was usually with someone else. Witness said he had seen defendant Gillan agreed that was so Witness told him that a few minutes before 10 o'clock on Christmas Eve, he was seen at Lum Mow's, and there were two witnesses to say they saw him light the crackers, causing the explosion which damaged other pro perty In the shop. Gillan made no reply. Witness said the two wit nesses said they saw him (Gillan), and had made no mistake. Gillan said everybody knew him in Townsville. Senior-Sergeant O'Driscoll told him he could have a line up if he wished, but Gillan replied he was well known and did not want a line up. About 10.15 a.m. on the 16th March, witness was speaking to a man named Aubrey Ray mond Jurd who was sitting in his

car outside the Central Hotel. While witness was talking to Jurd defen dant and a man named James Short, passed and pulled up about 15 feet away. Jurd told witness something and he told Jurd something. By Mr. Daly. He had been making Inquiries since the offence took place, and the first identifying witness came to the police a few weeks after wards. No arrest was made then be cause enquiries were not complete. Jurd had spoken to him prior to this conversation on the 16th March. De fendant had never been confronted with these two witnesses because he had said he did not want a line up, which amounted to the same thing. He was taken to the C. I. Branch after being arrested, because he had not been questioned. He might have been able to account for his actions that night, and it was desired to give him the opportunity a having a line up. Had Gillan been able to state his actions he would still have been arrested, but witness would have given that evidence in Court. Lum Mow signed the complaint on 13th March, and witness brought him to the police station for that purpose. William Lum Mow, storekeeper, carrying on business in Stokes Street, said the business was owned by his father, Lum Mow, who was in China, and witness managed it. On Christmas Eve witness was behind the counter at 9.55 p.m., assisted by three boys. He noticed Mr. A. R. Jurd and his wife and family stand ing near the rear door; there were 40 or 30 customers In the shop at the time. Witness had fireworks stacked on a shelf against the wall on the customers' side of the counter. Tbe fireworks commenced to go off and people rushed out of both doors. He took the money out of the till and tried to get the Fire Brigade on the telephone, but he was so frightened he could not speak. The Brigade ar rived soon afterwards and put a hose on the fireworks. As a result of the fire the fruit, some patent medicines

and other slock were damaged. The shelves were badly scorched and had to be replaced. The stock was In sured with the South British Insur ance Company, and be made a claim for £55/10/6; he was paid £49/10/6. He did not know the defendant Gillan at all, he had never seen him in the shop at any time. By Mr Daly: He did not know what caused the crackers to explode. A cigarette butt placed in the case would ignite them. None of the boys In the shop knew what caused them to go off. He signed the complaint on the 13th March, and gave a state ment to the police on 20th February. He did not think the incident was a joke; it was no joke to him as it spoiled bis business. Mr. Daly: You did not go to the police station till they came to your shop?— Yes, I wanted to go to the police station; I wanted to see the man who lit the crackers punished. In reply to Sub-Inspector Black more witness said the police were in his shop on the night of the fire and he made a complaint then. Constable Tomlinson had called frequently at the shop about the matter. At this stage Mr. Daly stated1 he would like to know what standing Mr. Ryan had in the case. Mr. Ryan was seated at the counsel table near Plain Clothes Constable, Tomlinson and Sub Inspector Blackmore. The P.M.: Mr. Ryan has made no Mr. Ryan said he did not know Mr. Daly's reason for asking the Mr. Daly: It appears he Is assisting the police. Mr. Ryan: What If I am, what has it got to do with you. Mr. Daly: The police are conduct Evidence was given by Aubrey Ray mony Jurd who stated he was in Lum Mow's shop on Christmas Eve with his wife and family. They were very busy at the time, and there were about 40 or 50 people in the shop while he was there. Witness was on the cus tomers' side of the counter, near the rear door, and every customer was pressing into the counter endeavoring to be served, so that his view of the fireworks was not obstructed. He saw the defendant walk in from the footpath and face the fireworks. He struck a match and put It to the fuse of a big 'bung' and walked out on to the footpath. There was no other person standing in the path between witness and the door. As Gillan reach ed the footpath again the big cracker exploded, shaking the building and knocking down some bottles from the shelf. He also noticed the clock was stopped at two minutes to ten. Just as the explosion occurred witness pushed his wife and two children through the rear door. He noticed some women fall over on the floor, and his son, aged 7, suffered from shock for several days and still did at the sound of a cracker. Witness then went through to the back and opened a side door to let the people out. He then covered his face with his hands and walked through the fumes into the shop to see if Willie Lum Mow and the boys were all right. The fumes were very dense and the floor was strewn with burnt and ex ploded fireworks, while crackers were still going off. He then went outside to see If he could find defendant In the crowd, but could not see him. Shortly afterwards two uniformed police arrived just before the Fire Bri gade. He noticed after the hose had been played on the floor and shelves that the shelves and the brick wall were scorched, and discolored. Witness was in Ayr for about three weeks, and after he returned, about 13th Feb ruary, he was driving along Flinders Street and saw defendant, and pass ed a remark to his wife. On 16th. February witness was in his car in front of the Central Hotel and Plain Clothes Constable Tomlinson csnie up to speak to him. A few seconds later the defendant walked along with another man, whom witness later learned was a man named Short. They stopped and leaned against the win dow nearest the laneway and witness pointed him out to Tomlinson, who told him something. He had seen the defendant about the street several times over a period of a couple of years, but did not know his name. By Mr. Daly: When he noticed the defendant put the match to the cracker he said 'Good Lord has the man gone mad He made a movtowards the fireworks, intending to knock the 'bunger down, but he turn ed to push his wife and children through the door, and as he turned again the explosion occurred. On the

16th March, if he remembered cor rectly, he was waiting for a client. Mr. Daly: I suppose you were told the defendant stood about that spot? I had no need to be told, I had seen him there on two previoua occasions. Mr. Daly. Do you think II was a along at the same time?— No I don't. The prosecution then called Albert Eric Walters, but the witness was not present. Sub-Inspector Blackmore said, un der the circumstance he would have to ask for an adjournment till 10 a.m. on Wednesday. The witness was sub-poenaed and may have been held up by bad roads, but he was to come by rail motor. They could not very well adjourn the case until 2.S0 pm, as another matter was set down then. Mr. Daly: We could come up and Mr. Cameron: Can you guarantee he will be here to-morrow. Sub-Inspector Blackmore: No I can't guarantee. Mr. Cameron remanded the case till 2.30 p.m. When the Court resumed Sub In spector Blackmore informed the Bench thnt the witness had not arrived ana asked for a remand till Saturday morning. Ho understood there had been a lot of rain In the North and Mr. Cameron granted the remnnd and extended ball to the defendant. Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. Wednesday 25 March 1931

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GILLAN CASE. The adjourned trial of David George Gillan in connection with the explosion of fireworks at Lum Mow's premises in Stoke-street on Christmas Eve last, was then called on. The following jurymen were em panelled : Frederick Dalby, William Nesblt Thomas Ackers, Clarence Greenslade, Charles Hugh Kimber. Ernest Norman Synott, Ernest Car volth, Cyril John Smith, William Fifct gerald. John Fraser, James Suter, Charles Isaac Baxter and William Andrew Heath. Mr. Ross, in reply to His Honour, said the trial was adjourned from the last sittings owing to the absence of a material witness. This man Walters recognisance had been seconded, but It was since found he had been notified to appear on 20th May instead of 20 April, and It was not his fault he failed to appear.

His Honour : Tbat has nothing to do with me now, and must be taken up with the Attorney-General. Evidence for the Crown was given by Plain-clothes Constable Tomlinson, William Lum Mow, Aubrey Raymond Jurd and Albert Eric Walters. The principal witnesses were Jurd and Walters, who testified to seeing the defendant Gillan enter tbe shop and place a lighted match toward some shelves containing fireworks. The witness Jurd, who was inside the shop said he knew the man by sight, and did not see him again until I7th February, when he was driving in town with his wife, and Identified him. Walters was subjected to a severe cross examination by Mr. Barry, counsel for Gillan. He admitted his wife lived separately from him, and he served various terms of imprisonment for arrears of maintenance. Questioned concerning the alleged theft of benzine by another man, Walters refused to answer, and was upheld by His Mr. Barry did not call evidence for the defence. In his address he referred the jury to some remarks made by His Honour. Mr. Justice Douglas. Iast year to a Jury on the question of identification. His Honour, In the course ot his summing up, said the remarks of his Mr. Barry referred to were not made in a case like this one. When a per son was unknown to another person who had little opportunity of seeing him. it was a case In which the Jury must exercise caution. If a person happened to sec another man known to him during a certain action, It was a different matter to Identify him. The jury retired to consider their verdlct at 11.55 am. His Honour recalled the Jury at 4.4S p.m., when the foreman announced they were unable to agree. His Honour : Well, you have been out nearly five hours considering a comparatively simple case and I don't think it Is worth keeping you any longer. Tho trial was adjourned to the next sitting of the Court on 16th November. Ball was allowed defendant, self In £100. and one surety of £100 or two of £50. Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. Tuesday 11 August 1931

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RESCUE FROM CHINA

YOUNG TOWNSVILLE

WOMAN

AN AMAZING STORY: HER OWN VERSION:

Stating definitely that she and her baby bad been rescued by the Salvation Army and Australian soldiers stationed at Hong Kong

from a life of misery and humilia tion in the Chinese village of Shakki, 90 miles from Macao, where she had been forced to live

under horrible conditions in the same house as the Chinese wife

of her husband, Mrs. William ' Lum Mow, an attractive Aus

tralian girl-wife, toldan amsting

story of her adventure in China on her return to Australia by the Taiping - yesterday. Thé young woman, who is only 19, is return- ing, with her two months' old

baby, to her parents in Towns

ville.

QUITE BAD ENOUGH.

When shown some of the sensa- tional reports which had appeared in Southern Press, regarding her rescue, Mrs. Lum Mow was surprised. She denied that she was forced to lead the life of a coolie woman amidst the squalid surroundings of Shêkki, but admitted that she had been ignored by her husband in favor of a Chínese wife and that she had been ill-treated by her husband's people. Four days after the young married'couple's ar- rival in Hong kong from Australia they went to Shekki, province of Can- ton, to the home qf her husband's 'father.

COMPLICATIONS.

Family complications were set up immediatly the young white

giri was introdnced into the family home. Lum Mow's parents re- sented the Australian girl's pres- ence and at once set about making things unpleasant for her. The

son was disowned and all his in terests in the father's wholesale. . and retail nosiness were confis

cated.

ALLEGED BIGAMY.

To make matters even worse the young girl discovered for the first time that the parents had

been maintaining Lum Mow's Chinese wife smce his departure for Australia.

The Chinese girl had been chosen as Lum Mow's mate by his father and mother and he had become married to her five years ago, before coming to Townsville to manage his father's business there. The Chinese woman's jealousy and the parents hostility to their son forced the husband to take both his wives to live in a two-roomed attic on the third storey of a villag

shop.

FURTHER BARRIERS.

Practically ignored by her husband the young wife remained in the house until her son was born. Then fu ther-barrièrs arose. When she wanted to return to Australia, her husband people said that she could go but de manded the custody of the baby. This the young mother refused to allow. But she could have returned alone at any time.

THE RESCUE

It was some time before news of the girl's plight leaked through to Hongkong, where six members of the Australian Military Corps stationed at Hongkong and two officers of the Salvation Army made attempts to rescue her. The party went to Canton and subse- quently to Macao, the Portuguese Dutch Settlement, where the girl joined them and led them back to

Shekki. Fortunately her husband was not at home when the res cuers arrived and despite the re sistance of the Chinese wife the

soldiers and the Salvation Army

officers succeeded in helping girl to recover her baby.

The soldiers then issued a warning to the husband's family not to attempt to follow the girl or try to recover the child. The réturn to Hongkong was made safely and the girl was placed on the Taiping, bound home.

JEALOUSY

Questioned yesterday, Mrs. Lum Mow stated that she sent a photo graph of herself, her husband and baby to her people on August 20.

That photograph, she added, caused considerable family trouble, part larly on the part of the Jealous Chinese wife. When asked if her husband's 17 year-old brother was accompanying her, Mrs. Liim Mow saidthat he

not. There had-been talk of his ing back to' Australia with her,

after her exit from Shekki and the warning of the soldiers, he had been

afraid.

While in Shekki, the girl said she saw only two Europeans and

they were only visitors to the place. She saw them passing in the street. Explaining her husband's neglect Mrs. Mow said that had he not taken his native wife back, life would have beèn unbearable for him amongst own people. -She was regarded a intruder.

OTHER AUSTRALIAN GIRLS.

After ber rescue from Shekki Mrs Lum M was told by thesoldiers of two other whit

e girls who, in circumstances similar

to her own, were being held Chinese villages farther inland, The Australians were afraid to venture

in search of them lest serious internatio

nal complications be set up. They however, warned European girls with Chinese husbands not to leave

the larger cities for thc villages

inland.

JUBILANT RELIEF

The whole trouble arose, Mrs. Low Mow. concluded, because she refused to leave her baby boy with her hus- band's people.

"Anyway' she added cheerily, "I am glad to be back in Australia, and only wish that we were-in Townsville Cairns Post (Qld. Tuesday 4 October 1932

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FUNERAL NOTICE BREUER: The Relatives and Friends ot Mr. and Mrs. H. Breuer and Famlly. Mr. and Mrs. F Breuer and Family, Mr. and Mrs. A. Boselli and Son (Ingleham) and Mrs. P. E. Macree and Family, are respectfully invited to attend the FUNERAL of their beloved Father, Father-in-law, Grandfather and Friend. ADOLF EDWARD BREUER (Late The Esplanade Kissing Point), which will move from the Central Methodist Church. Stoke Street City. THIS THURSDAY AFTERNOON, after service which commences at 3 o'clock. Interment at the New Cemetery TOWNSVILLE FUNERAL DIRECTORS. Phones: Day -4037 Night 5271. Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld.Thursday 29 April 1954

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Mr. Adolf Edward Breuer, who was connected with the teaching staff of the Townsvllle Technical College for manv years, prior to his retirement, died on Thursday afternoon, at the age of 80. He Is survived by two sons, Henry and Frank, and one daughter, Mrs. Boselli (Ingham). Townsville Daily Bulletin Thursday 29 April 1954

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STATUTORY NOTICE TO CREDITORS. Re ELIZABETH JANE BREUER, Deceased. PURSUANT to the provisions of 'The Trustees and Executors Act of 1897 notice is hereby given that all creditors and other persons, having claims or demands upon oragainst the Estate of Elizabeth Jane Breuer, late of 'Bayview. Esplanade, Kissing Point.Townsvillfc, in the State ol Queensland, wife of Adolf Edward Breuer, deceased, who died at Towns vllle aforesaid In the Twenty flrst day of March, 1945. are hereby required to send in, in writing, particulars of their debts or claims to Queensland Trustees Limited and Adolf Edward Bretiur, the Executors named In the Will of the said deceased, at the office of the said Queensland Trustees Limited, 20 Denham Street, Townsville In the said State, on or before Tues dny, the First day of May, 1945. And notice ls hereby also given that after the expiration of the last mentioned date the said Executors will proceed to distribute the assets or the said deceased amongst the persons entitled thereto, having regard only to the debts or claims of which they shall then have had notice and that they will not be liable for the assets, or any part thereof, to distributed to an person of whose debt or claim they shall not have had notice at the time of such distribution. Dated this Twenty-ninth day ol March 1945. Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld Tuesday 10 April 1945

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(a) Elizabeth Jane Breuer, late of TownsviUe, wife of Adolf Edward Breuer. lbj 21st Mar, 1945. (c) AdoU Edward Breuer aforeaid, of the same1 place. (a) Allot. 5. sec. 33, parish South Brisbane. (e) Foe-aimple. (f) Will dated 24th November. 1943. Worker (Brisbane, Qld. Monday 10 June 1946

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AGNES BOSELLI.

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The death occurred on Wednesday morning of Mrs. Elizabeth Jane Breuer. who passed away at the residence of her daughter. Mrs A Boselli, at Ingham. Deceased was a well known resident of Townsville and had been residlng with her daughter recently. In addition to her daughter, she leaves a husband, Mr A E. Breuer. of Townsville. and two grown-up sons, also living at Townsville. Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. Thursday 29 March 1945