Postcards showing Chinese miners gambling in their compound yards; note White miner looking on with interest (top card)
Gambling was a prevalent form of entertainment which both the Chamber and respective mine managements attempted to curb, if for no other reasons than that a class of professional gambler emerged to feed off fellow workers. Another, if less prevalent habit was opium smoking. White “Controllers” and Chinese police on the mines were notoriously corrupt and generally acted to facilitate such activities.
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Gambling was a prevalent form of entertainment which both the Chamber and respective mine managements attempted to curb, if for no other reasons than that a class of professional gambler emerged to feed off fellow workers. Another, if less prevalent habit was opium smoking. White “Controllers” and Chinese police on the mines were notoriously corrupt and generally acted to facilitate such activities.
Image 21 of 38
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