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CARL SMITH
After the discovery of gold in Otago in 1861, there had been a great rush of prospectors. When the fields had been worked over and new fields opened in other areas, there had been an exodus.
The local authorities were eager to recruit men who would be willing to continue to work the Otago minefields, hence their hope to attract Chinese labour from Australia.
There was a possible obstacle. Threats had been made that if the Chinese entered the goldfields they would be run out. This had been published in 1857 in another district, where an Anti-Chinese Committee had been organised to fight the "Mongolian filth."
The fear expressed itself in spite of the fact that no Chinese were planning to come to New Zealand at that time. The memory of the threats remained, however, and before bringing any of his countrymen, Ho A-mei wanted to assure himself they would receive protection.
He received an open welcome from the Dunedin merchants and the Otago authorities. After a brief stay at Dunedin, A-mei returned to Melbourne with the assurance that Chinese miners would be both welcomed and protected.
When he arrived back in Australia, he had posters put up at the various mining areas inviting Chinese to the New Zealand fields.
There was a decidedly cool response. The Australian Chinese miners were still uncertain of the reception they might receive in New Zealand.
A-mei, however, remained undaunted. In words reflecting his pride and persistence, he reminds his readers: “Desiring, however, not to be discouraged by the shaken confidence in me by our countrymen, nor relishing the idea of frustrating the hopes of those friends of your city, under whose hospitable roofs I had the opportunity of enjoying many a pleasant hour during my visit, and much less did I like to have a failure in any scheme I undertake, I commenced at once with undivided attention and vigorous activities, and after much difficulty I succeeded in inducing a