KING LING

Description

Biographical informationKing Ling was born in about 1859 in Canton, China. He was five feet five inches in height.

In 1885 he applied to the Governor for naturalisation. At that time he was 23 years old, born in Singapore and stated he had lived in the colony for more than three years. His request was granted.

In April 1898, he wanted to establish a market garden on the Murchison goldfields. There are newspaper references to a 'C. King Ling' (Charlie King Ling) around this time. He received advice that he required a Miner's Right but these were typically not granted to 'aliens' (i.e. non-British subjects). He received advice that consideration may be given to his request if he applied to the Warden of the Murchison Goldfields. While it has not been determined if King Ling applied to the Warden, if he did and it was accepted, this may be the sole example of a Chinese person being granted a Miner's Right in Western Australia in the nineteenth century.

He travelled overseas between January and August 1906 (E).

In 1907 he applied for and was granted a certified copy of his naturalisation certificate. After 1901, new requests for naturalisation were always refused but this request to replace his lost certificate was granted.

He may have lived in the Perth/Fremantle district after returning from China in 1906. Around 1918 there are several references to King Ling in newspaper articles about opium raids in which he is described as the 'Opium King'. (West Australian, 1 August 1918, p. 1 and Western Argus, 6 August 1918, p. 13.)Other nameKing Ling (differentiated name)Charlie King LingSee KingDate of birth1859

Document

King Ling Naturalisation file

King Ling, application for Miners Right

King Ling, copy of naturalisation file

Photograph of King Ling aged 46 in 1905 from his Certificate of Domicile paperwork (source: NAA: K1145, 1905/127)

Connections

Subject (topic)Chinese heritage in Western AustraliaNaturalisation CertificateNaturalisationRelated collectionAnne Atkinson CollectionRelated linkNAA CoD File 1905

Item information

ContributorSchool of Social SciencesSource of informationAsian immigrants to Western Australia, 1829-1901 (Atkinson, 1988)

Significant place

RelationPlace of birthPlaceCantonDate1859

UWA Collected

KING LING

THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA