In 2022, I was fortunate to have Ely Finch visit my home, where I had the opportunity to show him my collection. I had a bag of embroidered silk scarves and handkerchiefs, as well as a beautiful silk cloth that I draped in front of him. I asked, “What about this? Is this something special?” Ely took a closer look and immediately decoded a name inscribed. He pointed out some characters and exclaimed, “This is Liang Qichao!”. He explained the significance of Liang Qichao 梁啟超 (a.k.a. Liang Kai Chu, Leung Kai Chiu; 1873–1929), describing him as one of, if not the leading, Chinese intellectuals of his time.
For more detailed information on this discovery visit Our Chinese Past
Once again, I engaged Ely’s services to transcribe the text on the cloth. Liang Qichao toured Australia from 1900 to 1901, representing the Reform Association of China (Chinese Empire Reform Society). He traveled around Australia to garner support and raise funds. Inverell and Tingha were two places he visited in 1901.
From Ely’s report – the text on the Cloth includes a Tang Poem and the smaller text on the left states that the inscription was written at the request of “Kum Moon” by the prominent and prolific late-nineteenth century and early-twentieth-century Chinese intellectual – Liang Qichao.
Liang Qichao is considered to have had a significant influence on the political reformation of modern China.
On January 22, 1901, Liang Qichao arrived in Inverell, where he gave a series of talks to the local Chinese community over the following two days. An article published in Sydney’s Tung Wah Times reported, “Correspondence received from Inverell spoke in the highest terms of the delight of and patriotism inspired in the Chinese people there on hearing Liang Qichao expound his views and in having the opportunity of intimacy with him” Liang Qichao departed for Tingha on Thursday the 24th of January 1901“. The article went on to state that while he was in Inverell, “Lau Seung Lan” and “Fong Kum Moon” both enthusiastically managed affairs for him.
Some detective work
Ely was able to ascertain that the name “Fong Kum Moon” on the silk cloth was the same name that appeared on another item in my collection a 1905 membership booklet for the Sydney Long Du Association. The booklet includes the inscription Fong Kum Moon from Ho Chung (HaoYong) village, and is for an organisation of those originating in the south China district of Long Du.
I pointed out that Ellen Mon How was sometimes addressed as Mrs Moon and Mon How her husband was known as Fong Mon How, a storekeeper in Inverell and Tingha region at the time. We collaborated with some detective work, and I was able to locate on the National Australian Archive site this Certificate Exempting from Dictation test for a Mrs Fong Kum Moon – a Half-Caste Chinese, born in NSW – unfortunate the relevant photos and connected files are missing so it’s not the slam dunk we were hoping for, however, there’s plenty of circumstantial evidence in my collection to support that Fong Kum Moon and Mon How are one and the same person. Kum Moon being a curtesy name.
Series number: ST84/1
For more detailed information on this discovery visit Our Chinese Past
In my collection is another piece in the puzzle connecting Mon How to Kum Moon – a passenger list from the S.S. Kumano Maru, which was bound for Hong Kong on April 24, 1907. Among the passengers listed is a Mrs. Fong Moon. Directly below her name is Mr. and Mrs. Win James, another couple I have identified as travel companions of Nell’s (Mrs. Mon How) based on numerous postcards and correspondence. The passenger list also documents Mr. Charlie Hing, who was another close friend of the family.
Chen Quin Jack 
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