After their fourth attempt I was getting bored watching them. They weren’t catching anything. I started to look for other more interesting wharf activity but my attention continued to return to the dinghy. The rope snagged. Both men grabbed it. They nearly toppled the boat as they rocked from side to side, the gunwale near the water many times. A big wave from a passing boat and they would surely be tipped. Slowly the rope was pulled aboard their dinghy and they had hooked … a sack.
Quickly the men dropped the sack onto the deck covering it with a large cloth that had been sitting in the bottom of their boat. They were obviously pleased with their catch. I could hear cheers of celebration. The men pushed away from the supporting pillar with their oars and furiously paddled. They were sloppy at first. They couldn’t paddle together. They were going nowhere fast. Soon enough they got it together and paddled as one. I stood and walked until they disappeared under the wharf. I tried to look for them but they had vanished.
We walked back home as there was still plenty of daylight. Father is too keen on walking. ‘No use paying for transport when we have two good legs,’ he often used to tell us all. We walked the Argyle Street route. Mother would not be pleased.
Climbing the Trinity Stairs was a chore. I made it. I even raced Father to the end of one block in Argyle Street—I won. He wanted to race again but I was too tired. My legs were aching. I felt a little nervous walking along Argyle Street and through the Cut. There are stories told by some of the traders about the criminals who lurk around there knocking people out to take them on board ships as ship hands, kidnapped. But many people were walking here so I should not have been afraid. Father did not seem worried.
We even passed Holy Trinity Church—we haven’t been to church here for a long while—not since we stayed near the wharfs. We arrived onto George Street and soon the store … but first we stopped for refreshments. We both had the same soft drink. Many men were drinking beers, but not Father. He does not like what too many beers can do to a man.
I asked Father about the men in the dinghy and what they were doing. ‘Smugglers,’ he said. ‘Maybe contraband being collected that was thrown over from a ship before it berthed at the wharf. You did stay seated on the stool all the time,’ he questioned me, grinning, knowing too well that what I saw could only be seen by moving to the edge.
‘Most of the time.’
‘Just as well it was most of time,’ he responded jokingly, ‘and not some or just a little of time. And then he was not joking ‘you must never, ever go near any of those men. There are men around the wharfs who are criminals, Chinese men too. We have nothing to do with them.’
I asked Father when we would be coming again and his reply was simple: ‘All in good time,’ he told me. Father was going to take me with him again to the wharfs. This is exciting. This is fun. We had a very long, weary day.
Friday, 8 January
I think that Mother knows we came back through Argyle Street. She will not be pleased. I think that next time we will have to catch a tram.
I do hope that Father takes me with him again to the wharfs.
Sunday, 10 January
We did not attend church today. Mother came down with a fever through the night, so while Father was translating a Chinese letter for the government officials and the girls were visiting I had to prepare the meal.
I do not know how Mother does it—preparing meals for the whole family without much assistance. I burnt the eggs and had to prepare another batch.
Monday, 11 January
Back at school I am. How strange it felt rising in the morning and preparing for school after the holiday break. Normally I am not pleased returning to school but today I was looking forward to school and cricket. I did not see any of the boys from last year playing. No one was playing in the usual place. Some boys are still away on holidays. It must be them.
Mother is still feeling ill so Father and I prepared the evening meal. It was barely edible. My sisters implored Mother to get well again. Father insisted that my sisters eat their meal without complaints or they could go to bed without any food at all. I hope Mother is well again soon. Even I did not like my cooking.
Tuesday, 12 January
Now my sisters are sick too; it was not the cooking. They have the same fever as Mother. She is very weak and has not improved. The doctor has not helped. Father has said that if there is no improvement in Mother’s health within the night then he will be contacting the herbalist and Mother will have some Chinese medicines. If I was Mother I would make sure that I got better immediately because the last concoction prepared when Father was sick was a foul-smelling brew. Just the smell made me vomit. Maybe that is why the Chinese medicines work so well; the smell is so potent the germs are instantly thrown up.
I have been told to stay out of the sick rooms. Father is doing all that is required. He will sleep in my bed. I am now to sleep on the couch at the rear of the store.
Wednesday, 13 January
As Mother and my sisters are sick and I have returned to school Father has arranged for Mr Lee to come and assist him in the operation of the store. Mr Lee has in turn arranged for his cousin to return from the country to assist him operate his laundry. I told Father that I could stay home from school if it was necessary but Father said that he would not like to interrupt my studies or my cricket. Father needs assistance in the store. He is frustrated.
I did not play cricket today.
I wandered out where the boys play but no one was there. They must still be on holidays.
Thursday, 14 January
I have news about Mr Noble that I will tell the boys tomorrow.
Friday, 15 January
I have been waiting all week for the boys to ask me to play cricket with them. I wanted to show them how deadly my bowling has become and how much faster I am. Maybe now they are in higher grades they don’t want me to play in their team.
But that’s not the reason. Even though I can bowl really well they don’t want me to play cricket at all.
‘No Chinaman’s ever gonna play in our state or national team ever,’ said someone and he pushed me in the chest and told me to go away. It wasn’t John or Andrew. It was one of the other boys, the one I bowled out twice last time. ‘We’re the seniors now and you aren’t playing with us.’ They told me to go find my own team of China boys to play cricket with. There were some of the boys in the team I played with. Morris was there, he bowls, but when I looked at him he quickly looked away.
I left. I did not tell them that Mr Montague Alfred Noble was born on January 28, 1873, in Dixon Street, Chinatown. He’s probably not Chinese but he was born where Chinese people live.
It rained a bit today … no wonder.
Saturday, 16 January
After I spent the morning with Father in the store, and after our reading through the weekly paper, he assumed that I would go outside to practise my bowling. As I closed the paper he told me not to make too much noise this time, Mother was resting. At the same time Father was coming out to practise with me.
‘Thank you Father, but no.’
‘Why not? I will bat. You can bowl at me—where did I place the bat?’
‘No really, that’s all right.’
‘Why all of a sudden the lack of interest in cricket? You’re not even looking for the Test scores.’
‘They don’t want me to play,’ I mumbled.
‘What do you mean they don’t want you to play?’
And then I explained how the boys say that a Chinaman will never play cricket—not even a half Chinaman. Father was ropeable.
‘How dare they say that my son isn’t good enough. You should have told me yesterday and we could have sorted it out at the school. Monday we will. I shall go talk to the principal.’ And then he added softly, ‘I thought that this had stopped and you weren’t having troubles.’
I told Father that mostly things are settled. I really did not want to play in a team where I am not wanted. And the boys are right. No Chinese person has ever
played cricket. But one day someone will. I remember some of the things that Father says when he is confronted with obstacles … No Chinese person had settled here 100 years ago. No Chinese person had dug for gold here 100 years ago. No Chinese person had owned a store in the Rocks 100 years ago but now the Chinese are everywhere.
‘One day, Edward,’ Father said with his hands resting on my shoulders, ‘one day someone who is Chinese, or who is part Chinese will grab that ball and skittle those sticks.’
Father is right and one day that might happen but it won’t be today and it won’t be me.
I did go outside later this afternoon with the cricket ball. I threw it a few times at the painted stumps on the wall. I threw it and walked inside.
Monday, 18 January
When I came home today Father and Mother were in quiet discussions. I sat outside the office. Mr Lee was at the counter. ‘No disturb. Shhh,’ It was not an argument. I listened. I shouldn’t have but I did.
Father wants to establish a new store—a branch store—in the Belmore Market area. Many of the other traders and merchants have a second or third store there. Mother is not convinced and wondered what would happen in the new store that isn’t already happening here. The markets is where more and more of the Chinese are locating so Father wants to offer these people his services too, supplying all the goods as well as the same facilities such as the banking service, transmitting remittances and writing letters and documents. He will not transfer the stock to establish the new store as Mother suggested because the people here also need what Father offers. And he does not want his family to live in that end of town or in the suburbs. ‘Where we live now on George Street in this part of town is a much better location and we are close to the wharf too,’ Father stated. Elder Brother working for Mr Ma in Hong Kong has gone to his head. He wants to establish his own emporiums.
Now Mother insisted. There would be no new store without more help. She demanded assistance. She knows that Father will get the help although I did hear her mention first son and the Sincere store. When Father told her that he had it all sorted out, somehow, in my bones, I felt he was going to mention me but then he said that he will have to complete forms like all the others. Mother was not pleased that he still had not done this. She insisted again—no help, no store.
Father is certain that his brother will be allowed here but I am not so sure. Surely Father knows that many of the people who are coming to him and the other traders have already been refused certificates. Why would he be permitted and they refused?
Tuesday, 19 January
Mother’s health has improved. My sisters’ too. Their whining has been unbearable. Mother’s illness has alerted her that she too needs assistance. It seems that because my cousin has now finished her education and is looking for employment that she could work for our family, but not as domestic help as other families hire Chinese workers. She is family. There is a difference Mother says but I am not sure what. Elizabeth will be coming to our place twice a week to assist Mother with house duties. Then Mother can spend some more time with Father in the store. Not all Elizabeth’s time will be around the house. They have said that she can also have ‘family’ time with us.
Things have been so peaceful these past few weeks without Elizabeth around. I thought about telling what has happened when she was here before but there was no discussion. Elizabeth will be spending more time with our family.
Wednesday, 20 January
A possible store has already been located. Father, Mother and I went to have a look. It’s down the other end of town. While we were down there Mother purchased some sweet cakes and dried fish too. My sisters will be annoyed that they had to stay at school all day.
I think that another store is good and I am glad that Father does not want to move us away from our home. Some of the buildings in the other place are really in bad condition. Mother would never live there. There are many more Chinese stores and lodging houses there, and many of the market gardening men stay there on the weekend. They used to stay down near our store.
Father and Mother greeted many people and they talked and talked and talked, mostly about the certificates and rules. More Chinese men have been told they cannot return if they leave. Some men do not mind but many have families here and they will all have to go. Fewer people will come and more will return to China. There were many men there. They were talking and eating. Some were playing pakapu and fantan and other Chinese games. It is much busier down this end of town.
Lots of the trading stores that used to be near ours or near the wharfs are down there now.
‘Chinese men would disembark from the ship from China. They rest overnight in boarding houses before heading to their duties around the country,’ Father told me. ‘Sometimes men returning to China would stay here before sailing.’
I saw Mr Lui carrying empty vegetable baskets. He had time to talk to me. I thought he lived at his gardens in the suburbs. ‘Stay in room last night. Finally sell vegetables in markets. Slow today.’ He’ll be back next week with fresh vegetables for Mother.
Thursday, 21 January
Many Chinese people are leaving Australia but yesterday I saw lots of Chinese people. The rundown and collapsed buildings that no-one else wanted are now used by Chinese furniture-makers. And I did not write about all the other stores I saw. There were cook shops and pork butchers and grocery stores; Chinese people eat Chinese food so there needs to be Chinese food stores. The tobacco stores are there too. We didn’t walk near those. We crossed the road. There has to be gambling there as well. This is where the Chinese are so this is why Father needs a store there too, in the new Chinatown, that’s what I called it.
Another thing I remember Father saying—he could add a title to the stores ‘& Son’s—because Elder Brother and then me will be trading in the stores. ‘Maybe I retire and you have one each. This is good,’ he giggled.
I do not mind working in the store for Father. But I do not want to go to China. I fear the officials will not permit me to return. When Elder Brother returns then I will know I am safe.
Friday, 22 January
When we were in new Chinatown, I watched people watching me. Some of them looked at me with questioning eyes. Mother did not seem to notice the eyes on her.
Father was not pleased today. He was not able to fill an order for one of the country stores. They will use another merchant. This is not good. This is not the first time that it has happened lately. Father spent much of the afternoon shaking his head.
Monday, 25 January
One more week of peace and then it will be no peace. Elizabeth is coming next week. Father and Mother decided that this week there will be too many disruptions with the temple opening and the colony celebrations so next week she comes. That was bad news. The good news is that there is no school for us this week.
The cricket match between New South Wales and Victoria started today. We finished the day at 207 for 3 after Victoria was all out for 163. Mr Noble is doing well. He is 43 not out. If New South Wales wins this match they will win the Shield again.
Tuesday, 26 January
I do enjoy days like today. It is a day of celebration for all Australians. The store was closed, like most businesses in the city. Everyone was out celebrating the anniversary of the foundation of the state. Father hurried us to prepare and get ready as if it was a school day instead of a holiday. That was cruel. I wanted to sleep in but Father wanted us to be out early.
We spent much of the day down by the harbour. There were so many things to choose to do: a trip to the zoological gardens (but that would take all day), a steamer ride up Lane Cove River, harbour rides to Manly to join the festivities there, watch the splendid anniversary regatta or take a steamer from Fort Macquarie out to see the new P&O flagship R.M.S. Moldavia. Father even asked Mother if she would like to go to the theatre and see the evening performance of ‘Sleeping Beauty and the Beast’ at the Theatre Royal.
‘And who would look after the childr
en?’ was her response.
I also do not enjoy days like today.
In the afternoon Mother and my sisters were sitting by the stairs. Father and I were walking along the concourse seeking refreshments for parched throats and growling stomachs. We passed many people, including a group of men who had come into the harbour from the suburbs. They were loud, but they were enjoying themselves. As we approached they looked piercingly at both of us. Then they called out, ‘Your type shouldn’t be enjoying the festivities. Get back to work, and you sure shouldn’t be wearing those clothes and that hat. You aren’t Australian.’ Not Australian. How can they yell such an obscenity? There were many people around but no-one seemed to notice. No-one was annoyed.
I couldn’t believe those words after such a wonderful day. And could they really be addressing their words to Father? To me? I thought how can I not be Australian? I was born here. My heart missed a beat at those words; I gasped. I started to turn to face the accusers but Father quickly took hold of my shoulder and told me to ignore them. ‘They are ignorant. They do not understand what they are saying.’
But they did know. Just like some of those boys at school who do not want me to play cricket. They were saying that we are not Australian, Father and I. They expect all Australians to look like them.
They are as bad as the government people who formed the laws that are the Immigration Restriction Act. And Father agrees, but then he said that it was for men like these the parliament of Australia made the laws. It is what they wanted. How can there be more people who think like them than there are who think like us?
The Melting Pot Page 9
