CEDT of Choy Hing

The Certificate of Exemption From Dictation Test of James Choy Hing.

CEDT, James Choy Hing

Image Courtesy of: Howard Wilson

The Certificate of Exemption From Dictation Test of James Choy Hing. The document was issued by the Customs of NSW according to the Immigration Restriction Act 1901-1905 and signed by the customs collector. The document was for a period of three years from 2 April 1906. The middle section of the document was a description of James Choy Hing, including his nationality, birthplace, age, height, hair colour and eye colour. The full face and profile photos of Choy Hing were shown on the document. The bottom section of the document contains information about Choy Hing's date of departure, destination, shipping company, name of the vessel date of return and port of arrival.

According to the Immigration Restriction Act 1901, any person who failed to write out a passage of fifty words in a European language directed by the customs officer would be prohibited from entering Australia. The exception was granted to any person who possessed a certificate of exemption (CEDT). The passenger record of the Japanese ship Nikko Maru showed that Choy Hing and his wife and children boarded the ship to return to Sydney from Hong Kong in November 1907.

1907 - Nikko Maru passengers - arrived Sydney 20Nov1907

Image Courtesy of: Howard Wilson