This book is still for sale 

 

The Fruits of Our Labours

 

New book The Fruits of Our Labours uncovers the forgotten world of Chinese-owned fruit shops

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2018/02/new-book-the-fruits-of-our-labours-uncovers-the-forgotten-world-of-chinese-owned-fruit-shops.html?fbclid=IwAR2FReXoAAcciSirbXC_2qIx4stIbu7UAKphufv9r-UInk9QSW63xikgAxM

 The Book is still for sale helen dot familytree at gmail dot com 

WANTED -To buy Fungus, best price given. Chinese Silks t (imported) fot; Sale. WONG YOU, STRATFORD.

Page 3 Advertisements Column 3OPUNAKE TIMES, VOLUME LVIV, ISSUE 3600, 10 JANUARY 1922

Jakov Vicenzo (Jacob Vincent) Kurta (1877-1965)

Maybe this man had the Silver Grid in Hawera

Jacob Vincent Kurta was born in Podgora, Croatia in 1877. He arrived in New Zealand in 1896 and like many Dalmatians worked on the northern gumfields before settling in New Plymouth.

In 1902 he took over the "Silver Grid Restaurant" in Devon Street East from H.K.Harty. Three years later he bought "Smith's Empire Dining Rooms", opposite the Theatre Royal (now the TSB Showplace). The new restaurant was known as the "Golden Grid Restaurant and Oyster Saloon" and was open 7.00 a.m. to midnight six days a week and  Sundays 5.00 p.m. to 11.00 p.m.

The entrepenurial Kurta also opened a billard saloon in Devon Street West, known as the "Dominion Billard Saloon". Located on the north side of Devon Street in the block between Brougham and Currie Streets, its opening in 1908 was apparently warmly welcomed by local players. Of particular interest was an "arc oval" table, said to be only the second in use in the country. Later in 1908 the Taranaki Herald reported that the billard saloon had installed a new "Frech cannon table" - a table with no pockets - apparently the first in New Zealand.

In the early 1920s Kurta again moved the business, this time to a two-storey wooden building on the north-side of Devon Street West iin the block between Egmont and Brougham Streets.This was replaced by a concrete building designed by T.H.Bates in 1940, since demolished. (see linked topic)

In 1924 Kurta commissioned T.H.Bates to design a building for him in Devon Street. The building was known as "Kurta's Buildings" and his name featured on the facade. Although his name has gone, the building still stands in Devon Street. (see linked topic)

Jacob Kurta married Christina Agostinelli in 1907 and the couple had three sons and two daughters. He died in 1965 and is buried at Te Henui cemetery.

http://ketenewplymouth.peoplesnetworknz.info/notable_taranaki_identities/topics/show/2078-jakov-vicenzo-jacob-vincent-kurta-1877-1965

Tai Loy

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 2740, 7 June 1894, Page 8

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7344, 19 December 1901

Is this the fish Shop next to On Kee - as in photo of On Lee High St Hawera

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7344, 19 December 1901, Page 3

Otago Daily Times , Issue 17208, 10 January 1918, Page 8

Otago Daily Times , Issue 17208, 10 January 1918, Page 8

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3021, 15 May 1895, Page 4

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 3198, 21 December 1895, Page 1

sale bu Auction

SATURDAY, JUNE ?7. ~~ At 2 o'clock sharp. W H. and A. MCGARRY have  been favored with instructions from Mr Chew Chong to sell by public auction at their Mart, High Street, Eltham, 9 first-class Building Sites on the Eltham Road, close to Eltham Railway Station and adjoining Roman Catholic Church These sections have frontages to the Eltham Road varying from 45 to 60 ft with plenty of depth. As Mr Chew Chong wishes to realise before leaving on a trip to China this is a first-class opportunity for those requiring building sites well situated and convenient to the township. Full particulars on application to the above Auctioneers. 

OBITUARY MR CHEW Chong

OBITUARY

MR CHEW Chong The death occurred at New Plymouth yesterday morning of Mr Chew Chong, who was a well-known figure in Taranaki, and who has been credited with establishing the dairy industry in the province. Mr  Chong who was born in China, had reached the age of 92. He went to school in China. He had associated with English people since his early days when he was a household servant in Singapore for ten years. In 1855 he went to Melbourne and was engaged in store keeping and gold mining for eleven  years. In 1868 Mr Chong proceeded to New Zealand, landing at Dunedin, where he remained -for two. years. He commenced-travelling the colony buying old metal to send to China, and during his journey he discovered the edible fungus —a favourite food in China. He was the first to begin the fungus industry, and bought and exported the first shipment. From the years 1872 to 1904, fungus of the declared value of £305,995 was exported from New Zealand, Mr Chong began buying in 1868, and many a back block bush settler can testify to the help derived from the fungus harvest. It was in 1870 that the late Mr Chong settled in New Plymouth and established a store, in conjunction with which he also ran a fungus business. He continued operations for over twenty years, besides having branches at j Inglewood and Eltham for some time. He subsequently turned his attention | "to dairy farming when farm-made butter would bring only 4d per lb, and in 1887 established the Jubilee Dairy Factory at Eltham and equipped it with a ; separator. In 1889 he exhibited I samples of factory-made butter at the Dunedin Exhibition, and gained two certificates and a silver cup for the best half ton available for export. Mr Chong claimed to have been a pioneer of the dairy industry in the Eltham district. At one time he had 200 cows in milk in order to be independent in the matter of supply for his factory, and he afterwards added a second. After sixteen years' experience, during which he had paid away large sums to local farmers, Mr Chong sold out. Retiring from business in 1900, Mr Chong remained in New Plymouth, having resided at Vogeltown and Courtenay street. Mr Chong married a daughter of Mr Joseph Whatton of Masterton, in 1875. He is survived by a widow and three daughters and three sons. The family are: Mrs Wilkes (New Plymouth), Mrs Wilkie (Rotorua), Miss Freda Chong (New Plymouth), Mr A. J Chong(Stratford), and Messrs W. H. and Gerald Chong (New Plymouth) .—News. 

Bang Chong

Premier Store Opunake 1898 - 1906

At Opunake on Wednesday Henry Flynn was committed for trial for the forgery of Bang Chong's signature to a cheque for £3 and with uttering the same. 

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3776, 19 February 1898, Page 2

LOST, from Opunake, on December 27, three horses, branded SB,and one chestnut horse. Reward paid on returning same to Bang Chong Opunake 

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXXVX, Issue 5080, 6 January 1900, Page 3

At Opunake, last Friday, before Mr. R. L. Stanford, S.M., John William Briggs was charged with forgery (namely, the alteration of a New Zealand railway delivery note on Bang Chong of Opunake), whereby the said Bang Chong was defrauded of 10s. Sergeant Bernard prosecuted, and  Mr. T. S. Weston, of New Plymouth (with whom was Mr. McDavitt), appeared for accused. Evidence was given that accused, who is a carrier, carted goods for Bang Chong  from Hawera railway goods shed, and paid the freight, which was returned to him on delivery of the goods. On the 23rd December last accused carted some goods,and produced delivery note for £2 Is 6d, which amount was paid. Suspicion being aroused, the Railway Department was communicated with, when it was found that the charges were only £1 ls 6d, the extra 10s having been added, it is alleged, by Briggs. A similar occurrence took place, it is stated, on the 2Sth December. Accused was committed for trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court at New Plymouth. Bail was allowed, accused on his own recognisance of £6O, and two sureties of £25 each.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 23, 28 January 1902, Page 2

 FORGING A DELIVERY NOTE.

 John William Briggs a carrier at Opunake, was charged with forging a delivery note received from the Railway Department on December 23rd. A second count charged him with similar forgery on December 27th and a third count charged him with getting £3 6s 9d by false pretenses through such forgeries from a Chinese storekeeper, at Opunake. Mr Weston for the prisoner pleaded guilty to the charge of false pretences, which plea he believed the Crown would accept. Mr Kerr said the Crown was prepared to accept the plea. Mr Weston called evidence as to character.- Constable Hickman of Opunake, stated he had known the prisoner for 15 years. Up till now prisoner had borne a good character. The prisoner had a wife, seven children and an aged aged father depending on him. Recently the mortgages had seized the prisoner's horse waggon, and  cows under bill of Sale. There was a mortgage of £130 on the property. Since the committal of prisoner the Chinamen who were the prosecutors, had employed the prisoner to cart their goods. Constable Salmon also testified to the previous good character of the prisoner. His honour said he would like to ask Ah Hong, the prosecutor, some questions. Mr Chew Chong was sworn in as interpreter. Ah Hong, who took the ordinary bible oath, said he was manager for Bang Chong, storekeeper at Opunake He said prior to the cases he had suspicion about prisoner. Mr Weetan put in a letter he had received from Mr.H 1 Wagstaff of Pihama, testifying, to the prisoner's good character. Mr Weston then asked His Honor to apply the provisions of the Probation Act to the case, Mr O'Brien, probation officer, put in a report which was satisfactory. His Honor said that in these cases it was usual to order the prisoner to pay expenses, but in this instance the prisoner had been deprived of his means of living. Addressing prisoner His Honor said the prisoner had put himself in awkward position for the sake of defrauding foreigners of £1 in fact it might be said that he had ruined his character for life. It was an unfortunate position to be placed in. Under all the Circumstances ho would admit prisoner to probation for 12 months. 

Taranaki Herald, Volume L, Issue 11909, 6 March 1902, Page 2

 A fire was discovered on Tuesday morning, about 4 o'clock, on Bang Chong and Co.'s premises, in a storeroom attached to the stable. The fire appeared to have started at or under the floor against the wall, and behind a lot of fungus. The alarm was given by one of Bang Chong's men, and soon a bucket brigade was in action, and suppressed the outbreak very little damage resulting. 

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7406, 7 March 1902, Page 2

OPUNAKE.

A nice cottage has just been completed to the order of Mr Bang Chong, who is at present on a trip to China. It is in Fox-street, facing the sea, and has a very cheerful outlook. The ground has been nicely laid out, and planted and fenced. The house contains nine rooms. The parlour is 15 x 12, and the end the full width of the room forms a bay window. The ceiling is of fancy embossed paper, tinted, and a handsome mantelpiece and grate finish the fireplace. On the same side of the passage as the parlour are two bedrooms, each 13 x 13. On the other side there is the front bedroom, 12 x 12. Next comes the dining-room, 18 x 12, with bay window. This room has a dado of panel oilcloth, and handsome cardinal wallpaper, and a grate in the fireplace, finished with a good mantelpiece. The kitchen is 13 x 9, and has a range set in. The scullery is 9 x 7, and is fitted with a sink, table, cupboards, and water tap. A pantry is next, and then the bathroom, with good bath, lead floor, etc. The front passage is nicely finished with oilcloth dado, and the back passage has a dado of kauri and rimu, varnished. The ceilings are panelled, and together with the cornices and other mouldings, are painted to harmonise with the papers. Going to the outside, the overhanging gable of the parlour is finished with fine corrugated iron, and the projecting corners are supported by turned brackets. The verandah on the front and side has turned totara columns, and cast iron brackets and fringe and bull-nose roof iron. There are two large tanks, also well and pump. The waste water is taken away in earthenware pipes from the gully traps. The chimney tops are nicely finished with cement brackets and mouldings. There is every convenience in the way of outbuildings. Mr Sims had the contract for the labour of building, and the cost of the building is about £450. Messrs Wallace and Broughton did the painting and decorating, and Mr Jas. Hodgson the plumbing, and all are to be congratulated on the excellent results produced. Mr O'Brien was architect for the work.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7564, 17 September 1902, Page 4

TENDERS are invited, for the purchase of Stock-in-Trade and Working Plant in the premises known as the Premier Store, Opunake (late Bang Chong and Co.). Tenders close at Opunake on Monday, 4th June, 1906. The highest or any tender, not necessarily accepted. Full particulars on application to  J. L. HARWOOD, Opunake. 

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LI, Issue 9101, 25 May 1906, Page 1

MAGISTRATE'S COURT. AN OPUNAKE CASE.

The only defended action heard before Mr H S. Fitzherbert, S.M., at New Plymouth yesterday was that of A. O’Brien v. C. A. Trotter, an Opunake case, in which the claim was for £4 9s 9d, being £3 2s 6d for plans and specifications, and Sundry items. Mr. G Grey appeared for the plaintiff and Mr. F. R. Wilson for the defence. The plaintiff said that in July, 1902 he received instructions from Trotter to make alterations to his shop, occupied by Bang, Chong, and Co. Tenders were called, and submitted to defendant, who decided not to accept any. He charged his commission at the rate of 2 ½ per cent, on £125. He had regularly sent the accounts in, and up to six months ago the claim had not been disputed. In September, 1902, the defendant went Home to England to exploit a patent, and asked that the account should stand over till his return. Trotter first disputed the account about six months ago, and offered to compromise for £19 9s. Plaintiff refused.

To Mr. Wilson: Plaintiff left Opunake in this year. Defendant kept putting him off. He did not know he was bound to sue in Opunake. (Ledger produced.) Trotter paid him a prior account before leaving for England. This work was to stand over until he came back from England, hence the non-payment of it. Trotter would be billed for the amount in 1903. He absolutely denied having been instructed by Bang Chong. Bang Chong and his manager had left the colony. The defendant's evidence, which had been taken at Opunake, denied liability in respect of the alterations to the shop, and stated that Bang Chong and Co. had given the instructions. It had been agreed that if Bang, Chong and Co. would make certain alterations, they could obtain a lease of the premises. He admitted owing £19 9s for other work.

The Stipendiary Magistrate said he could well understand the delay in suing, for that was usual enough. It was a very unusual thing for a tenant to pay for alterations made to a freehold. Two rather strong bits of evidence in support of the plaintiff were that the tenders were advertised for alterations to a shop for Mr. Trotter, and doubtless Mr. Trotter saw the notice, and made no protest; and that in October of this year the defendant asked for the items of the account. If he had not owed the money, he would not have done that. Under all the circumstances, he thought the plaintiff was, entitled to judgment, which would be entered accordingly for the amount claimed, less £9 9s paid in, and costs amounting to £1 12s

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 4 December 1907, Page 2

The last case was against a Chinaman,  Lum Wing who was charged with breaking and entering a dwelling house with intent to commit a crime. The facts were quite clear. Three young women were sleeping in a small house adjoining the Chinaman's place at Opunake, and early one morning he entered the house by breaking a chain off the back door. According to the depositions, he went into one of the bedrooms, sat down on the bed, and started to pull down the bedclothes. He did not use any violence, but it seemed that he was there with some intent.

True bills were returned against Darragh, Donaldson and Wilson. The bill against Lum Wing -was thrown out.—News. Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLIV, 14 May 1924, Page 5

CHINAMAN'S QUEER CONDUCT.

ENTERS GIRLS' BEDROOMS

UNPLEASANT INCIDENT AT Opunake

The strange behaviour of a Chinaman at Opunake on the morning, of April 21 has resulted in Lum Wing being committed for trial at this week's sessions of the Supreme (Jourt at New Plymouth on a charge of breaking and entering a dwelling belonging to Mr. Plow Thompson, of Opunake, on April 21 with intent to commit a crime. From the story told, it appears that three young girls who were guests of Mr. Thompson for the Easter holidays were quartered in a two-roomed cottage on his property.. They retired late to bed on the nighis of April 20 (Easter Sunday), two of them sleeping in the bedroom and the other one in the kitchen. As there was" no lock on the outer door they placed' a chair against it to secure it from being opened. The precaution was a wise one, but it was apparently ineffectual, as at about 6.45 on the Monday morning the girls were awakened by a sound as of the chair being scraped along the floor. The one in the kitchen saw the door opened and a Chinaman came into the room. She tried to induce him to go out, but he mumbled something in Chinese and came right inside. The girl then ran into the other room, and putting on a wrap went to call Mr. Thompson. Undismayed, the celestial proceeded into the room where the two girls were in bed, and, in spite of screams by them, and the fact that they told the unwelcome visitor that the third member of their party had gone for Mr. Thompson, he quietly sat down on the side of the bed, but was promptly pushed off. The next move of the intruder was to try to pull the bed clothes off the girls, but they were too much for him in that. All the time he was muttering to himself in a manner that was unintelligible to the girls, but they distinguished something about "not sleeping all night." The Chinaman was said to have remained perhaps five minutes in the place and then leisurely and quietly departed, and he had disappeared when Mr. Thompson arrived on the scene. All the girls identified the accused as the man they had seen at a wire fence separating the properties on the previous afternoon, when a conversation had taken place about some fowls which appeared to have strayed on to Mr. Thompson's property. During the conversation, the Chinaman is alleged to have inquired of the girls how many there were of them in the cottage. One of them stated she had urged the others to break off the conversation with the Chinaman, and from the allegations made it would eeem that the quality of feminine intuition which then asserted itself would have been a wise guide to follow. The case will come before the court this week, and with the Midhirst manslaughter case, will make four criminal cases for hearing.—.Herald.Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLIV, 12 May 1924, Page 4