Chah

Chah was charged with stealing four hats from the shop of Mr. Reeve, draper, at Ipswich in August 1859. His fellow countryman, Teeene, acted as interpreter, described in the Moreton Bay Courier as follows:

The interpreter was then sworn on a saucer, the usual way, expressing a wish that his soul might be broken into pieces as he broke the saucers, suiting the action of the word, dropping the saucer on the ground, which was broken into many pieces. If the soul of a bad Chinaman is to be mutilated and divided as was the saucer in question, their idea of a future punishment is very expressive and poetical.

The Judge was not satisfied with Teeene's grasp of the English language and another Chinaman was found who the judge was happy with. Chah was found guilty and was sentenced to six month's hard labor.