Hunter, Ashley John Barsby, 1854-1932:The great 'Bun Tuck' episode. The New Zealand Graphic and Ladies' Home Journal, 3 September 1898 (front page).

New Zealand Premier Richard Seddon, in Chinese costume, directs two Chinese men to put George Hutchinson, MP, into a vat of boiling oil. Refers to the farcical 'Bun Tuck' scandal of 1898, when Hutchison claimed that Seddon had had Chinese associates in his mining ventures on the West Coast.

It was reported in the New Zealand Graphic and Ladies Home Journal of 3 September, 1898 that Seddon himself said that occasionally on the West Coast he had to appear as council for Chinese men in the matter of mining claims and this is the origin of George Hutchison's story which was narrated in the House at the end of August 1898. It seems that Seddon was known as "Bun Tuck" by the Chinese miners (or was this an invention of Hutchison's). He was also referred to as Mandarin Seddon.

Extended Title - George Hutchinson, M.H.R. [Member of the House of Representatives], charges the Hon. Richard Seddon with that he did, in the early days of the colony, and under the pseudonym of 'Bun Tuck', knowingly and willingly enter into partnership with Wong Shung Wai and Tsai Chung over the matter of a gold mine claim at Knapper's Gully, and in support thereof produces documentary evidence of a shady and Chinese character. The Hon. the premier has promptly and with many Seddonian denials denied the base accusation, and has subsequently signaled his intention of making things warm for his hon. friend and traducer. It is generally understood in official circles that Mr Hutchinson's punishment will probably take the form of something painful and lingering, with boiling oil as one of the accessories.

Quantity: 1 cartoon bromide(s).

Physical Description: Bromide from newspaper, 258mm x 202mm.

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