Mackay Joss House
Date Published
: Temples / Joss House
: Central (Qld)
: Mackay
: 1903
"Another Mackay item ; "Yesterday, at Chinatown, there was quite a commotion amongst the Chinese, the occasion being the opening of a new Joss House. Tom toms were beaten, fireworks exploded, and altogether John celebrated the auspicious occasion in a lively manner, much to the annoyance of the white residents in the neighbourhood."
"From Mr. James Breen, asking that the land upon which the Joss House is erected in Chinatown, be free from rates in future, and also that the rates already collected in past years be refunded, as the land in question was used for religious purposes. Received."
Daily Mercury, 17 November 1910, p.6.
“Residents in the vicinity of Chinese Town had their slumbers disturbed last Monday at midnight by a series of detonations and on enquiry on Tuesday morning the commotion was found to be due to the advent of the Chinese New Year. Nothing beyond a brief fireworks display took place, however but the day was observed on Tuesday, by 70 or 80 Orientals, who form the Chinese community of Mackay. Since the institution of the Chinese Republic and the deposition of the Emperor, the majority of Chinese have conformed to European custom, consequently the New Year celebrations are not carried out on such a lavish scale as in former years, when a big spread was provided, and the New Year ushered in in right royal fashion. On Tuesday morning a number of Chinese assembled at the Joss house, and in the evening they again piad observance to Confucious and on each occasion fireworks were employed to make the scene more impressive. A fairly large number of people visited the Joss house during the evening and witnessed the celebrations. The festivities were concluded on Wednesday.”
