Yackandandah

DEATH OF A CHINAMAN.—We have to regretfully record this week the death of Mr. Ah Poy, a very old and respected Chinese resident of Yackandandah. Ah Poy, whose proper name we understand was Pong Guin, and who was about 65 years of age, had been a resident on the Creek for upwards of thirty years, and during that long period established for himself a very high reputation for integrity of character. He was for six years an employe of Mr. Jessop at the Premier claim, and on the death of that gentleman entered the employment of Mr. D. Fletcher, with whom he remained ten years more. As a workman he was thoroughly honest, hard-working and reliable, whilst as a resident he was much esteemed for his many excellent social qualities. In fact, all who knew him spoke of Ah Poy as “a real white man.” There is, perhaps, no better practical test of a man’s character than the way in which he treats his debts. In this respect Ah Poy set an example to many Europeans. He was scrupulously just. His extreme generosity of heart, however, seems to have often betrayed him into acts of liberal giving and lending which had very little sanction in reason, and most of his hard-earned savings went in this way. As a devout Confucian he was required to contribute to the support of his infirm and destitute relatives and friends, and it would seem that his fellow countrymen availed themselves of this article in his creed to the fullest possible degree. As a consequence he found himself in his old age, sick and impoverished, and unable to pay his way. For some time past he had been suffering from Bright’s disease, and about a week ago consulted Dr. Johnson, who discovered serious symptoms of cerebral trouble. On Friday, he was prostrated by an apoplectic seizure, and soon passed into a state of coma, from which he did not rally. He died on Monday morning, and was buried on the evening of the same day in the Chinese portion of the Yackandandah Cemetery. His remains, which were conveyed in Mr. N. Temby’s cart, were followed to the grave by several Chinese and others, including Ah Hon, his brother, who nursed him through his illness, and who was directed by Dr. Johnson, who visited the patient morning and evening, and did all that, in the circumstances, was medically possible.

 Ovens and Murray Advertiser, Saturday 6 December 1902, p.7.