AH TONG (9)

Description

Biographical informationAh Tong (9) worked as a greengrocer at Perth in 1888 and ran a large market garden in South Perth that he used to stock his shop. He had an interest in Ah Hung's market garden, South Perth (C).

In August 1888 Ah Tong (9), together with Chow Youke and Leong Ho sued the Daily News for alleged libel (Daily News 1/9/1888). The paper had published a letter from an anonymous member of the public who claimed that one or more Chinese market gardeners in South Perth were suffering from leprosy and that "scales falling from persons suffering from this disease will adhere to any substance with which they may come into contact, thereby spreading the terrible malady". The effect (and no doubt the intent) was to stop people from buying produce from the Chinese market gardens. Leong Ho, Chow Youke, and Ah Tong sued for damages (500 pounds per person), arguing that the allegation was completely unfounded.

In giving evidence Ah Tong explained that he was a market gardener living in South Perth. Had been there for three years. He sold vegetables in Perth and Fremantle. He had three Chinese men working for him. The letter had destroyed his business. He stated that his brother lived with him in South Perth, but had returned to China in 1888. His father and Ah Tuck also lived with him. Many Europeans gave evidence confirming that they had stopped buying vegetables because of the published letter. The newspaper argued that they had published the letter in public interest and without malice and therefore could not be convicted of a crime. The jury found in favour of the Daily News against the advice of the Judge.Other nameAh Tong (Green grocer) (differentiated name)

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