The Queen v Mow Tan : Translating Testimony
Albert Wah Sing
Sworn States
I am a cabinet maker residing at No 46 Gordon Place near Princess Theatre Melbourne. I am well acquainted with the Chinese language. I know the words of the Chinese Oath and know when it is properly administered. I was in Court on the 14th instant during the hearing of the case Mow Tan against Ah Heong. I heard the Clerk Mr O’Neill swear the interpreter and I heard the interpreter swear Mow Tan in the proper way and I saw Mow Tan blow out the match. This day before the Justice you will tell the trust not tell lies if you tell lies you will be punished. These are the words of the Chinese oath. The blowing out of the match is equivalent to kissing the bible. I was listening attentively to the case and I hear the accused Mow Tan say “I did not then strike accused with my fist on the shoulder” I heard him say “I did not strike Ah Heong with a screw driver”.
I could not read a Chinese book if I tried. I do not talk the cantonese dialect but I talk the Sy Yup dialect. I cannot talk the Henshong dialect. I do not know what dialect Mow Tan spoke but I understood everything he said. Chisel and Screw driver were spoken of. I did not sit alongside of Mr Kane and prompt him in the other case. The words I gave are not all Ah Jack said when he swore Mow Tan but it was to that effect. I did tell Mr Kane in Court that Ah Jack was interpreting wrongly. I objected to Ah Jack because one of the witnesses was at my door and Ah Jack said he was on the other side of the Street. I only spoke to Mr Kane once about the way Ah Jack was interpreting.
Albert Wah Sing
Reference: Albert Wah Sing, Depositions, The Queen v. Mow Tan, Supreme Court, Melbourne, 17 April 1895, Perjury, PROV, VPRS30/P0, Unit 1013, Case 141.
Frank Lee Gee Kwong
Sworn States
I am cabinet maker residing at No 16 University Street Carlton. I am acquainted with both the English and Chinese languages. I was in Court on the 14th inst when Mow Tan was prosecuted for perjury. I heard Ah Jack interpret. I understood the evidence and the accused Maw Tan understood everything Ah jack said judging by his answers. The interpreter asked him “did you strike Ah Heong with our fist?” Accused answered “No” He said also he did not pick up the screw driver. He also said “No” to the question “Did you try to stab Ah Heong in the stomach with the screw driver. He said “He did not strike Ah Heong with the screw driver”
Frank Lee Gee Kwong
Reference : Frank Lee Gee Kwong, Depositions, The Queen v. Mow Tan’, Supreme Court, Melbourne, 17 April 1895, Perjury, PROV, VPRS30/P0, Unit 1013, Case 141.