Friday, April 4, 2014 – Bendigo Weekly
LIFE • 21
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heritage matters
Imposed and meted conflict
T
YPICAL of the disdain that was expressed against the Chinese by many in the caucasian community in the colony of Victoria, and also of course in Bendigo, the view was stated by some that we had an “infestation with Chinamen.” The negativity held against the Chinese was evident in the colonial parliament as well, when John Pascoe Fawkner had a Select Committee formed in relation to the Chinese. Mr Fawkner became the chairman of this committee, which was “effectively to prevent the gold fields of Australia Felix from becoming the property of the Emperor of China and of the Mongolian and Tartar hordes of Asia”. The upshot of the Select Committee was to ensure “regulation of the residence of the Chinese population” with the payment of an entry tax specifically directed at them. Essentially it was “an Act to Make Provision for Certain Immigrant, No 39, –1855.” After all, it was argued that the Chinese were the cause of a plethora of petty annoyances and irritation. The imposition of a specific tax on the Chinese community, who by and large were not flush with funds, culminated unusu-
ally in a protest. The Chinese were loathe to make themselves, in the 1850s, a visible nuisance, or attract any unnecessary focus on themselves as individuals or as a group. In 1859, the leaders of the various Chinese camps scattered around the Bendigo goldfield helped to rally about 1000 of their countrymen at the Camp Reserve, now part of Rosalind Park. On that October day their well-organised protest was against the imposition of the tax. An indication that, on the whole, many of the local Chinese were struggling financially, is demonstrated by a writer who in August, 1858 did a tour of the Bendigo goldfield. We came upon the Joss House or Mongolian Chapel of ease. From the neglected and dirty state of the temple, one would infer that religion was at a discount among our Chinese brethren, or that a split had occurred among the trustees: no lamp being burning before the venerable Joss and the only visitors beside ourselves are a hen and her interesting family. A very large proportion of the workers at this spot are Chinese. To add to the negative view, when an altercation
Conserving our heritage W
INFLUENCES: Chinese characters were on bank notes of the time.
did occur, as sometimes happened among the Chinese, the headline would state, “Another Chinese Conflict” (as though it happened with regularity) and go on to state that it was a murderous assault. In March, 1896 at the Ironbark Camp at about 2am, Louey On Shing took to Quack Tope with a cudgel. Apparently Tope was in his hut and on hearing a noise nearby thought there could be a game of chance on. Upon investigating the noise he was set upon by Louey On Shing. Quack Tope was whacked on the forehead, and as he fell the barrage of blows continued. Fortunately for Quack Tope,
others were alerted by the scuffle and managed to secure the cudgel, so sparing the recipient of further blows and any further humiliation. In time, the police arrived finding the victim in his hut, he having among the bruising and cut to his head a broken leg as a result of the attack. Needless to say the matter finished up in the courts. Contrasting the above there were, as I had mentioned previously, successful merchants and business people among the Chinese, one of these was Lowe Kong Meng. Lowe Kong Meng’s contribution to the colonial Chinese community was
recognised in 1863, only 10 years after his arrival, the Emperor T’ung Ch’ih, bestowed on him the venerated title of “mandarin of the blue button, civil order”. In contrast to many of the Chinese in colonial society, Lowe Kong Meng was respected and accepted. He was a successful investor in gold mining, insurance and also banking. Lowe Kong Meng helped to supply some of the Bendigo Chinese merchants as well as many European clients. Lowe Kong Meng was a significant player in 1866, in the establishment of the Commercial Bank of Australia, hence the Chinese characters on the bank note.
SUNDAY 11 MAY 2014
Celebrate Mother’s Day by running or walking to raise funds for breast cancer research. Registrations now open at www.mothersdayclassic.com.au/events/regional 4 or 8km run (electronically timed) or 4km walk. Beischer Park, Reservoir Road, Strathdale.
Enquiries phone 0400 579 005
HAT do you do when you move to a new area or want to purchase a new home? You visit a local real estate agent and have a look at their listings. If you were to check out what’s available in Greater Bendigo, many of the properties will be heritage treasures. They can be grand designs that have stood the test of time or a miner’s cottage in need of some TLC. The Greater Bendigo council values its heritage homes and buildings, and offers services to assist owners preserve and restore them. The Greater Bendigo Heritage Advisory Committee has prepared a new booklet to help residents explore and understand the rich heritage of where they have chosen to live To get your free copy of the new booklet, Pioneers, Poppetheads and Prosperity, drop into one of the City’s offices, the Bendigo Visitor Information Centre, the Heathcote Visitor Centre or your local real estate agent. – Dr Dannielle Orr, Heritage Planner