http://gallery.archives.govt.nz/v/dunedin/Chinese+Portraits/19064-2h-William-Yip+Chong.jpg.html

Chinese Portraits

This exhibition is a small selection of photographs from the certificates of registration. These were issued by the Collector of Customs in Dunedin, and allowed Chinese and other alien residents to re-enter New Zealand, if leaving temporarily.

The Chinese Immigrants Act 1881 and the Immigration Restriction Act 1899 and its amendments, set out details of requirements to be met by aliens entering New Zealand. Permits were generally needed and, for this reason, aliens living in this country and departing overseas temporarily, needed certificates of registration to ensure that they would be permitted to re-enter New Zealand.

These certificates of registration were issued by the Collector of Customs in Dunedin. They were issued in duplicate, with one copy given to the alien and one retained by the Collector.

Upon return (not necessarily to the same port), the certificate was presented to Customs officials, and once positively identified, the alien was allowed to enter. The surrendered certificate was then forwarded to the Collector of Customs who had issued it, where it was subsequently filed with his copy. For Chinese, the certificates also exempted them from paying the poll tax required under the Chinese Immigrants Act 1881, provided they had paid it on their first entry.

The certificates generally show the following details - port and date of issue of certificate, name of alien and place of residence, identification particulars such as the place and date of birth, physical features, arrival details, and a photograph. Some of the earlier certificates also required fingerprints. Some of the certificates also have attached the initial application, or correspondence regarding the individual concerned.

William Yip Chong

Sue Ham arrived in Dunedin on 8 June 1904 on the "Victoria" from Hong Kong. Photographer - Unknown

Joe Fai arrived in Dunedin on 7 March 1875 from Hong Kong. Photographer - Unknown.

Jimmy Kong arrived in Dunedin in 1872 from Hong Kong. Orignally a native of Canton. Photographer - H A Gill, Frederick Street, Dunedin.

Kaan Hoong Shum arrived in Dunedin on 26 April 1895 from Sydney. Photographer - Wrigglesworth & Binns, Dunedin.

Chee Hoy left New Zealand from Dunedin on 1 March 1907. Photographer - Unknown.

James Shum arrived in Dunedin about 1870. Photographer - Unknown

Joe Lee Tie arrived in Dunedin in 1874 from Hong Kong. Photographer - Unknown.

Chow Lee Tie arrived in Dunedin in 1876 on the "Chingtu" from Hong Kong. Photographer - Unknown.

Yip Bin arrived in Dunedin on 4 August 1904 on the "Warrimoo" from Sydney. Photographer - Unknown.

Yong Kum You arrived in Dunedin on 8 April 1878 on the "Wakatipu" via the "Bertha" from Hong Kong. Photographer - Unknown.

Yeung Seung arrived in Dunedin in May 1888 on the "Afghan" from Hong Kong. Photographer - T Borrow, Dunedin.

Sew Hip arrived in Dunedin in April 1880 from Canton. Photographer - Unknown.

Wong Duck left New Zealand from Dunedin on 28 January 1909. Photographer - H J Gill, Frederick Street, Dunedin.

Wong Tsuen Shing arrived in Dunedin on 8 September 1895 from Sydney. Photographer - Morris, Dunedin.

Wong Lye Kwong arrived in Dunedin in 1874 from Hong Kong. Photographer - De Maus, Port Chalmers.

Shum Dick (or Ah Dick) arrived in Dunedin on 27 April 1871 on the "North Star" from Hong Kong. Photographer - Unknown

Lee Tsz Chin arrived in Dunedin on 2 July 1903 on the "Mokoia" from Hong Kong. Photographer - Unknown

Young Tuang (Young Yuen) arrived in Dunedin on 7 May 1888 on the "Te Anau" from Hong Kong via Melbourne. Photographer - Muir & Moodie, Dunedin.

Moon King arrived in Dunedin on 24 March 1903 on the "Mararoa" via the "Chang Sha" from China. Photographer - Wriggleworth & Binns, Dunedin.

Chin Suey Chin Suey arrived in Dunedin in 1879 from Sydney. Photographer - Clayton, Gore, Southland.

Way Yee arrived in Dunedin on 6 July 1894 on the "Wakatipu" from Hong Kong. Photographer - W Esquilant, Exchange Court Studios, Dunedin.

Sew Kew and son arrived in Dunedin about 1875 from Hong Kong. Photographer - Unknown

Kwok Tso Wain arrived in Dunedin on 19 August 1893. Photogrpaher - C W Pattillo, Dunedin

Chow Tong was a residence of Duffers Gully, Cromwell. Photographer - H A Gill, Frederick Street, Dunedin

Chow Wye left Dunedin for Sydney on the "Mokoia" on 8 June 1904. Photographer - T Borrow, Dunedin

Lye Ping Leun left Dunedin for Sydney on the "Mokoia" on 8 June 1904. Photographer - The American Photo Company, Princes Street, Dunedin

Wong Leong left Dunedin on the "Manuka" on 14 January 1901. Photographer - Unknown.

Chou Yung Mo arrived in Dunedin in May 1878. Photographer - The American Photo Company, Dunedin

Chou Yung Mo arrived in Dunedin in May 1878. Photographer - The American Photo Company, Dunedin