The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954)(about) |
Previous issue
Saturday 22 July 1950
Next issue
Send to:
|
3 corrections, most recently by anonymous - Show corrections
Chinese Patriarch Will Celebrate 96th Birthday In Launceston Tomorrow
A CHINESE patriarch who has so many friends in the Launceston community
that his birthday party has to be almost a public function will be 96 tomor-
row.
HE is Mr. James Chung Gon, who
came to Tasmania nearly 70
years ago.
Although now frail, short sighted, and still weak from a recent illness, Mr. Chung Gon takes the keenest interest in his family and business.
His greatest worry is that his poor eyesight prevents him from regular work in his garden-a ritual which he proudly kept up until recently.
With his eldest son, Mr. Joseph Chung Gon, and his daughter, Mrs. Violet Loon, Mr. Chung Gon talked yesterday of his early days in Tas-
mania.
He was at first a tin miner at Ruby Plat, near Branxholm, in partnership with Mr. Frank Walker. They found a good claim which they
sold to a Melbourne company, and with his share of the proceeds, Mr. Chung Gon went on the land.
He settled at Turners Marsh, near
Lilydale, and started one of the
first commercial orchards on the
East Tamar.
When he had planted his orchard, Mr. Chung Gon went home to China to be married. His 11 children were all born in Tasmania.
They have been showing their affection for their father by making his birthdays regular family re-
unions.
Mr. Joseph Chung Gon recalled yesterday that when his father reached the age of 90 the home
in Elizabeth St. was not big enough to entertain all the
friends.
Today, as for several years past, the birthday party will be held in the Lounge, Brisbane St., and about 60 people are expected.
Members of the family present will include Mr. Joseph Chung Gon (Launceston), Messrs. Samuel (Hadspen) and Edward Chung Gon (Hobart) and their families, Mes dames Violet Loon (Sydney), Mrs. Lily Choy (Wellington), and Miss
Dolly Chung Gon.
Three other daughters, Mesdames Rosy Chueng, Esther Wong (Syd- ney), and Anne Fong (West Aus- tralia) will not be able to attend. They visited their father recently when he was a patient in the Vin-
cent Hospital.