Wong On

The Tuapeka Times of Saturday safs Burglaries, like other crimes, seldom come single-handed. It was only the other week we had to repoi-t a burglary on the premises of Messrs. Herbert and Co. this week we have to report another, on the premises of Messrs. He Tie and Co., merchants, at the Chinese township, Tuapeka Flat. On the night of Thursday, or morning of yesterday, Mr. Wong On, senior partner in the firm, discovered that a hole had been made in the chimney, in the rear of the premises, and £19 in notes abstracted from a drawer iv the bedroom table. This, too, must have been done when two of the inmates were asleep. The chimney being made of bricks, and loosely plastered, could be easily taken to pieces without causing much noise. Once having a hole made suiHeieaifc to admit anyone into the back kitchen, there was no barrier in the way of the burglar, as uone of the apartments had doors on them, oo that free access could be had to all the stores. But the Imrglar in this case was not apparently in quest of goods, but money, and that he could only obtain in the bedroom where he found the £19. Mr. Wong On informed us that the iron safe, which stands underneath the bedroom table, had also been tried, but without success, the opening of a safe being a very dangerous o|jcration so close to the bedside of those who nright have applied Lynch law had they wakened. We aie not aware that Mi 1 Wong On has suspicion of any particular person but he fully believes that the burglary was not committed hy a Eui-'psiu and circumstances would seem to point to some Chinaman who is considerably acquainted with the premises." Evening Post, Volume IV, Issue 88, 27 May 1868, Page 2

WARDEN'S COURT.

(Before W. L. Simpson, Esq Warden.) Monday, May 30. Wong On v. J. Ilutter,- Rntter was charged with mining on residence area belonging to plaintiff. Adjourned for one week to enable plaintiff to produce certificates. Meantime the defendant to desist from working the ground. The Warden gave judgment in the case Felton and Barkman v. Tudor and other as follows I have given the case every consideration, and I think it might well be taken into the Supreme Oourt, as many cases of a like nature may possibly arise. The circumstances of the case are these Felton and Barkman came before me and made complaint that they were holders of a lease from the Queen to mine for coal over an area of five acres on the west side of the Tuapeka TCiver, Evans' Flat,Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 121, 2 June 1870, Page 5


"Wong On applied for a General License for his premises now building at Chinese Camp. Mr. M'Coy appeared for Mr. Grooday, Wong On's agent. The police stated that the building was still unfinished, but from appearances, the building would be well suited for an hotel when completed. The Bench remarked that there was a feeling general amongst Eui'opean hotelkeepers against accommodating Chinese. They therefore considered that a license should be granted to the applicant. Adjourned for fourteen days for completion of building. Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 148, 8 December 1870, Page 6

Wong On: Application for a general and night license also billiard license, for his house at Chinese Camp, to be called The Chinese Empire. Mr. Gooday appeared for applicant. Granted. Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 151, 29 December 1870, Page 4



Letters of naturalisation have been issued by His Excellency tho Governor in favour of the following persons Laurent Clorick, farmer, Clutha Ferry; Wong On, licensed victualler, Tuapeka and Henry Pratt, mariner, Dunedin. Otago Witness , Issue 1070, 1 June 1872, Page 14


A Chinaman, named Wong On, keeps a publichouse at Tuapeka, and has lately taken out letters of naturalisation. Colonist, Volume XV, Issue 1537, 18 June 1872, Page 2

Tuapeka Creek £1 REWARD. LOST from the Chinese Camp, Tuapeka, a black Mare, branded T 7 on near shoulder. Any person bringing the same io Wong On, Chinese Empire Hotel, will, receive the above reward. July 30, 1873. Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 287, 31 July 1873, Page 4

Wong On. Application for a publican's license. Report Character good, but the house had no stables attached. On Tie would would give the use of his stables. Granted. Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 349, 22 April 1874, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT LAWRENCE.

Monday, May 12th, 1876. (Before E. H. Carew, Esq., R.M.,

Police v. Wong On.— The accused was charged with, having, -within the space of one month, to wit, on the 3rd of June, illegally kept a lottery at the Chinese Camp, contrary to the ordinance. Inspector Thompson prosecuted, and Mr. M'Coy appeared for the accused.

Sergeant Shury deposed to having been at the Chinese Camp on Sunday, the 3rd June, when he saw the defendants engaged in what seemed to him to be a lottery. He described the game as played on that occasion to the best of his ability.

Sam Chew Lain was then sworn, and as he said he could not speak English, Ah Ying consented to interpret for him. He remembered the 3rd of June, and being at the Camp. He went in to get a ticket, but he could not tell whether the one produced was exactly the same as the one he got. Sixpence each was charged for the tickets. He then described the game which was played on the occasion in question. It is called pak a pew, but he said it was not a lottery. Wong On and Ah Hoy were present at the time behind a counter. Wong On had a pak a pew book before him. In describing the game, witness said that people who buy their tickets mark them in ten places, and if the marks correspond with the tickets drawn they get prizes. If 5 red marks, they would get Is 2d 6, 10s 7, £4 4s 8, £23 9, £41 and W, £80. Nos. 1, 2, 8, and 4, count as blanks.

Thia witness gave further evidence, al though very reluctantly. Mr. Thompson did not call any other evidence. uapeka Times, Volume IX, Issue 573, 14 June 1876, Page 5


GIBBS' MEMORIAL FUND,(To the Editor.)

Sir, In answer to Mr. James Treloar's letter respecting the fund for the removal of the body of the late Joseph Gibbs, I wish *o state that although 19s may be the actual amount of cash received by the said Mr. James Treloar, there were names down on the subscription list varying from 2s 6d upwards to a far greater amount than the sum mentioned. With reference to the 4s given by Mr. Wong On, I beg leave to state that the whole of the 4s was not Mr. Wong On's own subscription, but^nore than one contribution from the Chinese Camp Hotel, amounting in the whole to 4s. As one of the subscribers, I propose that the subscription list be placed in th.c tands of tHe treasurer ior hhe Tuapeka Hospital, and the above funds, however small, be handed over to that institution. I am, &c, Subscriber. Tuapeka Flat. Tuapeka Times, Volume IX, Issue 608, 14 October 1876, Page 3

NEW BUILDING SUBSCRIPTIONS.

The following resolution was unanimously adopted That as the new Tuapeka Hospital is approaching completion, and a further sum at least amounting to £700 will be required to be subscribed, irrespective of the subsidy granted by Government, to complete the payment of the cost of the erection of the building, it is hereby resolved that an urgent and immediate appeal be made to persons residing in the outlying districts." On the motion of Mr Williams, seconded by Mr Tanton, it was resolved

"That the Secretary be instructed to write to the Tuapeka, Bruce, and Clutha County Councils, the Borouahs of Lawrence, Roxburgh, and Tapanui, and the Road Boards of Tuapeka, Waitahuna, and Balmoral, asking them to contribute to the Building Fund."

Mr Harrop moved, and Mr Downes seconded "Wong On and Qai Hing, for the Chinese." The motion embodying the above-mentioned collectors was carried. Tuapeka Times, Volume XII, Issue 509, 12 March 1879, Page 2

By yesterday afternoon's train, Mr Wong On, an old and respected Chinese resident of Tuapeka, left for his native land. Wong On has been settled at the Chinese Camp for the past fourteen years. He was a naturalised British subject, and was very much respected. Mr Sam Chew Lain has purchased Wong On's interest in the Chinese Empire Hotel, which he will now conduct on his own behalf. Tuapeka Times, Volume XIV, Issue 757, 27 July 1881, Page 2



DISSOLUTION OF PARTNERSHIP. IP Is Hereby Notified that the Partnership hitherto existing between WONG ON and SAM CIIEW LAIN T as Licensed Vic- tuallers, has been dissolved by mutna consent. The undersigned, havi.iji purchase'! the interest of the s id Wong On, will pay all Debts due by the late firm, and is authorised to receive all debts owing to Ihe same. SAM CHEW LAIS'. Chinese Camp, Tuapeka, July 261 h, 1881. Tuapeka Times, Volume XIV, Issue 757, 27 July 1881, Page 2

SAM CHEW LAIN.

The death of Mr Sam Chew Lain, whioh oocurred at bis residence, Tuapeka Flat, on Sunday last after a short illness, will be heard of with regret throughout the whole distriot, and even, we might say, throughout the whole province, for he was a man who, catering for the public for the past 30 years, was most widely known and respected. Mr Chew Lain landed in Victoria from China when he was 15 years of age and after following mining there for some years came to New Zealand early in the sixties. After mining in Munros Gully for some time he left for tbe Switzers diggings and remained some years in that locality. He then returned to tbe Tuapeka distriot and in conjunction with a fellow-countryman, named Wong On, built the Chinese Empire Hotel at Tuapeka Flat. The partnership was not* one of long duration, Wong On transferring his interest in the business to Mr Chew Lain shortly after the house was built, and Sam has conducted the hotel Einoe. As a businessman he quickly established a reputation for thorough honesty and sorupulous exaotness in business matters, and it is, therefore, not a matter of eurprise that he proved in every resppct a thoroughly successful businessman. To his oountrymen and Europeans alike he has proved in many oases a friend" indeed, and stories of largehearted generosity are legion. He leaves a widoff to mourn his loss but no family. The funeral, notwithstanding that it took plaoe in a heavj downpour of rain, was largely attended by the residents of Lawrence and distriot, and there Wiß also in the procession a- large number of bis countrymen. Funeral services at the grave were conduoted by the Rev. J. A. Will and by the Masonic body, of which order he was a member. Tuapeka Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 5046, 18 March 1903, Page 3