Ngan Kee and Co.

For some time past (says the Wanganui Chronicle) Ngan Kee and Co., Chinese fruiterers, have had their big gas lamps mysteriously broken. The police this morning discovered a culprit. At 1.20 the door of Wong Chong's shop opened quietly, and a dark figure slipped noiselessly along the street. Arrived under Ngan Kee's verandah, the figure paused, and then, evidently satisfied that no witnesses were near, smashed the globes. The marauder proved to be Mrs Wong Chong, armed with a long iron rod. She will have to explain matters at court. Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, 17 August 1917, Page 8

AN EXPENSIVE OUTING. CHINESE GLOBE-BHEAKER, MRS. WONG CHONG'S EXPLOIT)

Attired in a costume of a cornflower blue shade, a large collar of Maltese lace, a cosy looking fur and a picturesque hat, a Chinese woman knowing as Mrs Wong Chong appeared at Magistrates Court yesterday, before Mr J G L Hewitt on a charge of wifully breaking two glass globes, the property of Ngan Kee. The proceedings were watched by an interested group of Chinese. Mr Brodie appeared for the defendant.

Sergt. Taylor, who prosecuted said the woman was liable to a fine of £10 It was a peculiar case, and evidently the outcome of trade jealousy. Ngan Kee kept a fruit shop at the corner of Guyton St. and the Avenue, while the defendant was the wife of a Chinaman living further down the Avenue. Early on the morning of August 17th she was seen to come out of her shop, look carefully round, and then go up with an iron bar and deliberately smash the globes. Two constables, who were at hand, arrested her. Ngan Kee and Co had previously suffered annoyance by having a window broken and blinds taken away. Mr Brodie said evidence would be given to show that the defendant had nothing to do with the other occurrences.

Proceeding, Sergt. Taylor said he felt justified m mentioning it. Mr Hewitt: If she was seen by the constables, and arrested, how can she plead not guilty? Do you suggest that there is any mistake? Mr. Brodie: Yes, your Worship. I quite agree that the circumstances are strange, but there is a serious possibility of mistake.

Ngan Kee, a diminutive Chinaman, said the globes were unbroken when he left the shop the night previously. Constable O’Donoghue said that on the morning of the 17th inst. about 1.20 o clock, he was standing in the doorway of McGruer's shop. He saw the defendant come out of her place lower down the Avenue. Accused went up to Watson's corner, and stood there tor a moment. She then crossed over the road and smashed the globes with an iron bar. He did not lose sight of her from the time she came out of the shop. Witness arrested her. To Mr. Brodie: Witness Started across the road immediately the first globe was broken. He arrested the defendant, at Watson's corner. Constable R. Wilson said he was with Constable O'Donoghue, and corroborated the latter's evidence. From the time the defendant left her shop until the arrest, she was never out of witness's sight. To his Worship Witness flashed his torch on the defendant, and saw that she had an iron bar in her hand. This concluded the case for the prosecution.

The services of a Chinese interpreter were called in at this stage; but his command of the English language was somewhat limited, and at times there appeared the need of an interpreter! To interpret the interpreter. The oath was administered in the Chinese fashion, the defendant blowing out a lighted match. Mrs. Wong Chong's version of the affair was that she was working until 1 a.m., and on hearing a noise outside she picked up an iron bar, and went outside to investigate. The interpreter and the defendant struck up a very spirited conversation in their native tongue, while the Court waited patiently for developments. Mr. Brodie (to the interpreter): Cut it short! What happened next? The Interpreter: She say go 'm corner,'" pleec 'm grab lm. Sergt; Taylor Ask her what she went up to the corner for. The reply was the somewhat .vague 'Pleec 'm grab 'in." Srgt. Taylor: Didn't she offer the policemen £5 each to let her go. The Interpreter (after a long chat with defendant) yes She say give m £5 let m go look after her children.

Did she cross the road at the corner: She say "No.". Doesn't she know why the policemen arrested her? She say didn't know. Mrs. Wallace gave evidence on behalf of the defendant. Witness had great respect for her as a neighbour, and always found her very decent. She could show a good many white women how to look after children. They were a credit to her.

Sergt. Taylor: We don't deny that. Proceeding, witness said she heard the glass break, but thought somebody had dropped a bottle. Some time ago she saw larrikins throwing stones at Ngan Kee's windows, and witness's own blind had been taken. She thought in fairness she should make these statements, because of accusations against Mrs. Wong Chong. Mr. Brodie said the defendant had spent a night in the police cells, and after her arrest had been put to the indignity of having her house searched by warrant.

Mr. Hewitt imposed a fine of £10, Ngan Kee to be paid £3 15s. out of that amount.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17074, 30 August 1917, Page 4