Sofala Joss House

"The first time I went to attend a place of worship in Sofala, the central township of the Turon, my attention was caught by a large tent (within bowshot of the Christian's meeting place) gaudily decorated inside and out, with tapers lighted on a table inside at noonday, and an unmistakable Chinese flag flying over the doors; and, to my surprise, I learnt it was a Chinese joss house. I could not feel and really pained to think that here was a veritable idol temple.

The Sydney Morning Herald, 9 December 1861, p.2.

"Rain and a Joss.— The weather since I last wrote you has experienced a most gratifying change, and some 275 points of rain have fallen. The outlook is completely changed. There is now a chance of feed for winter, and, at any rate the crops can now be sown. Opinions are divided as to the cause of the rain, but many local residents put it down to the efforts of Dr. War Kow, the presiding priest in charge of the local Joss house. About ten days ago quite a large party of Chinese, who were apprehensive about the gloomy outlook, took a motor trip out here to consult the Joss, and the result was that, very shortly afterwards the rain fell."

Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, 8 April 1915, p.21.