Ah Chang – Hawera

Ah Chang – Hawera

Mr Ah Chang was an early settler in Hawera. Allen Chang’s memories of his grandfather, aka Chun Moon Ching (George) and his father Chun Jor Poi (Albert) is available on Steven Young’s website, http://www.stevenyoung.co.nz

Ah Chang advertised regularly in the Hawera & Normanby Star. In the 3 October 1891 edition he advertised as a General Storekeeper, Fancy Goods Dealer, Fruiterer, in High Street, Hawera, next to the Empire Hotel. The advertisement in the Hawera & Normanby Star 5 May 1894 may have been the first indication that he had stores in both Hawera and Manaia.

The Hawera & Normanby Star 22 September 1892 reported from the Hawera Resident Magistrate’s Court - Before Messrs. Fantham and Dive, Justices. “Alleged Assault - Tene v. Ah Chang. Mr Hutchison for plaintiff; Mr. Barton for defendant. Plantiff, sworn, said she came from Kai Iwi by Tuesday's train, and was on her way to Opunake. She bought some oranges at Ah Chang's shop. Her husband was with her. She sat down on a chair, and the shop boy came and took the chair away from her. She was smoking, and the Chinaman objected, and poured some water on her head from a watering can. He caught hold of her hair, pushed her into the street, and then struck her in the face. She was a stranger in Hawera. She did not give the defendant any provocation. Plaintiff was cross-examined by Mr. Barton.

Sergeant Stagpoole gave evidence; also husband of plaintiff. Mr. Barton, for the defence, said it had been greatly exaggerated. It was evident that the plaintiff and her husband had a good hint to go, but they would not take it. The defendant had started to water the floor, and a little had gone on to her.

T. Fitzsimmons gave evidence. He said defendant had asked plaintiff to go out. He did not see defendant strike plaintiff.

Ah Chang, defendant, deposed he offered plaintiff a box of oranges for 1s. She offered Id for them. The boy took the chair, and plaintiff sat down on a box and commenced to smoke. She stayed a long time; he may have pushed her, but he did not mean to hurt her; there was a scuffle outside. In cross-examination defendant said he watered the floor to get rid of the Maoris, he told her to go, and she said "I won't." .He did not push her out backwards - he pulled her out because she wouldn’t go. The woman tore a button off his coat and otherwise disarranged his attire; he would not hurt the Maoris. Defendant's shop boy gave evidence. Mr. Hutchison said it was not to be assumed that plaintiff would come to court unless there was something in it. It was not right that any businessman should put a customer out by force. It was evident that an assault had been committed. The Maori man was to be commended for bringing the case to court instead of retaliating on the spot. Mr. Barton replied, stating that the case was frivolous and should be dismissed. “

The Hawera & Normanby Star of 23 April 1898 carried a report that “A certificate has been received from Hong Kong, stating that two Chinese women who recently arrived in New Zealand were married there, and Cabinet has decided to refund the £100 poll tax. Mr Ah Chang, of this town, was one of the petitioners to the Government for remission of the tax, and, as he was married in China, probably the above refers to him.”

A report was made in the Hawera & Normanby Star 23 November 1898, under the Shop and Shop Assistants Act “Ah Chang pleaded guilty to having on Friday, 18th November, the statutory half-holiday, failed to close his shop as required by section 6, of the Shop and Shop Assistants Act.

Jas. Shanahan, factory inspector (who appeared to prosecute) said defendant closed his door leading on to the street and then did business through the back door, plaintiff having seen children bringing away tea on the occasion.

Ah Chang said he did not intend to break the law but found it hard to refuse people when they specially wanted goods. The girl who got the tea said her mother had no money in the morning.

…the Hawera and Normanby Star, 4 August 1899 “Mr Ah Chang acted as interpreter in a Manaia court case Ah Fong v Ahu Ahu. Mr W. Williams acted as native interpreter, and Mr Ah Chang as Chinese. In this case defendant entered plaintiff's store to purchase fruit, and seemingly the Maori failed to understand the "korero" of the Chinaman and vice versa, with the result that both parties became slightly excited, the native expectorating in the Chinaman's face, and the latter retaliating by ejecting the former from the store.”

And on 29 September 1899 the Hawera & Normanby Star advertised Ah Chang’s Hawera business was an agent for ” Ching Sing's Vegetable Garden and Flower new season seeds.”

The Hawera & Normanby Star of 23 February 1901 reported “Another Fire - Outbreak in Princes Street. At five minutes to 12 last night a fire was discovered in a detached washhouse at the rear of the Buffet owned by Mr George Ah Chang and occupied by Mrs Rowberry”.

On the 5 September 1901 the Hawera & Normanby Star records Mr Ah Chang acting as an interpreter in the courts “False Declaration - Ching Quee was charged with having given a false document purporting to be authority to withdraw from the Post Office Savings Bank a sum of money belonging to another Chinaman, Wong Foo. Mr Barton appeared to prosecute; accused was undefended.”

A standard advertisement would read thus “Ah Chang, General Grocer, Provision Merchant and Ceylon Tea Importer, Princes Street Hawera. 401b bag Sugar 7/9; 251b bag Oatmeal 4/4; Kerosene 4/ per tin; 50lb Flour 6/; Currants 5d per lb; Raisins 7d per lb; Sultanas 7d per lb; Peel 6d per lb; Household Soap 6/8 per box; Jams 8/8 per dozen; Marmalade 5/6 per dozen. Any other line not mentioned, the same price or lower than the leading man. To secure these benefits the goods must be paid for before leaving the premises. Ah Chang. General Grocer and Merchant, Ceylon Tea Importer, Princes Street Hawera”. - Hawera & Normanby Star 27 August 1902

“Ah Chang, General Storekeeper and Importer of China Silk, Matting, and Preserved Ginger, etc., High St Hawera. Goods delivered. Highest Price buyer of Fungus in any quality.” Hawera & Normanby Star 1 February 1907