SI TAO TUNG

Description

Biographical informationSi Tao Tung was born 8 April 1892 in Canton, China. He was the son of Mong Ching See Howe. His mother (not Mary See Howe) was Mong Ching's wife in China who died before 1914.

He had a wife and two children in China.

He migrated to Western Australia in 1914 to help run his father's business, then at 353 Murray Street, Perth. He was subject to intense scrutiny by the Customs Department and there is much correspondence relating to his requests for exemption and extension to his immigration paperwork (see 'Related Link' below). His case was mentioned in newspaper articles (sunday Times, 28 March 1915, p. 9). His visit was not extended and he returned to China on 4 June 1915 per SS Charon.

He worked a shop keeper at 130 James Street, Perth when he returned to Western Australia from a visit to China in October 1920. He was given one-year extensions to remain in Western Australia in October 1921 and October 1922. By 1923 he was also managing a 36-acre market garden in Balcatta in addition to the shop at 130 James Street with assets calculated at £3,650.

Although it was the intention of his father Mong Ching See Howe to remain in China while Si Tao Tung managed the shop and market garden, an extension was not granted to Si Tao Tung. His father returned to Western Australia in March 1924 to resume the business interests and Si Tao Tung returned to China in May 1924. Si Tao Tung re-applied to enter Western Australia in March 1925 but after considerable investigation by Federal officers, the application was refused on the grounds that "if he is admitted the probability is that applications for extensions will be submitted indefinitely."

His naturalisation file has been digitised by the National Archives of Australia (NAA: A1, 1925/11274). Other nameSi Tao Tung (differentiated name)司徒棟 (as shown on NAA: A1, 1925/11274, page 90)Si-Too DoongDate of birth1902

Person