Stories from Deli

Agents in Swatow chartered steamboats in 1888 – 1889. This turned out to be far too costly and in 1890 The planters’ committee therefore concluded a contract with the company Meyer & C °. in Hong Kong, agent of the Asiatische Küstenfahrt Gesellschaft in Hamburg. This firm brought in two boats. When those boats became too small for the increased number of coolies, a contract was signed with the firm Jebsen & CO . in Hong Kong. The two boats put into service by this firm for it transport of emigrants, are of approximately 2000 tons; for electric light, excellent ventilation, awnings, a lazareth and isolation facilities are provided. A physician is on board for it treating the sick and for ascertaining the possible ones contagious diseases.

Since the establishment of the Immigrant Bureau, the immigration of the coolies has been completely distorted. In the beginning recruited the agency sent by its agents to Swatow and exclusively contract coolies. By returning the so-called “Laukhehs”, people who ere coolies on the enterprise beforehand served and sent back to China to recruit several fellow countrymen for the company, the free one was born immigration, which soon gave rise to the emergence of “khe-thaus”, Chinese agents, who were outside the Immigrant Office. recruiting and supplying coolies, and only in relation to that agency because they stand on the letter of introduction, which they refer to as quasi-laukheh the amount of $ 10 per sinkheh fitted get paid while otherwise enabled more than is permitted to dispose of cash. Without those khe-thau’s, immigration would be for the most part stationary and with the exception of a few contract coolies, the Immigrant Office is now an institution for direct transport to and from China

CHINEEZEN BUITEN CHINA.L.H.W. Van Sandick