Edward James Hiah was the eldest child of William Hiah and Julia Teager. He was born on 28 May 1873 or about a month after his parents’ marriage.

1894:    Edward was still living in Ararat when his father, William (Ah) Hiah, died.

1901:    Edward married Sarah (Sadie) Whittham on 30 November 1901. The marriage certificate confirms that he was born in Smythesdale – as was Eleanor, well born in Browns and registered in Smythesdale –  and was 28.

An interesting detail is that Irene Hiah (Irene Marien Victoria or “Mary Ann”) – Edward’s sister – and Albert Hosking are the witnesses. Irene (20) and Albert (22) were married in 1912 – 11 years later!

 

Perth

1903:   Edward and Sadie were in Perth by 1903 as they appear in the Electoral Rolls (which are online from 1903) for 1903 and 1906 and are living at 246 Murray Street, Perth. Edward is listed as a French Polisher and Sadie a domestic. There is also a Henry Hiah living with them. This is Edward’s younger brother, Victor Henry Hiah, who was also a French Polisher.

1906:    On the night of 25 October 1906, a team of police from the Criminal Investigation branch raided the premises of 434 Murray Street, Perth. Detective Dempsey and six plain clothes constables. 35 men, described as Japanese and Chinese, were arrested and taken to Roe Street Police station, along with a quantity of gaming material. A Mr Yamamoto was charged with having been the keeper of a common gaming house. Edward Hiah and Kah Wah Kumin were charged with assisting in the keeping of a common gaming house. All three were described as “Japanese”. The other 32 men were charged with being found on the premises for the purpose of gaming.

This raid was part of general crack-down on illegal gaming by Inspector Connell of the CIB.

Edward Hiah and Kah Wah Kumin, represented by Mr Maxwell, pleaded not guilty and were remanded until Friday of the following week and bail set at £25 each.

On 12 November 1906, they were back. Yamamoto, Edward Hiah, Kah Wah Kumin, and Ishie Sook Dara were charged with assaulting Ah Ying, also at 434 Murray Street, Perth, on 12 November. They were represented by Mr M G Levin and were remanded for eight days with bail set.

My next apparent reference to Edward is a notice in the Albany Advertiser on 22 March 1916 giving notice of the dissolution of a partnership between Edward and Suey Wah as market gardeners. Suey Wah was to take responsibility for outstanding accounts.

 

Sydney

Edward moved to Sydney in 1915 or 1916 and died in 1919. His death certificate from 1919 notes that he had been in New South Wales for four years.

The Sands Directory of 1919 lists three Edward Hiahs: One is at 8 Calder Street, Darlington; one is at 28 Douglas Street, Darlington; and one is at 483 Crown Street, Sydney (Surry Hills). The 1918 Sands Directory lists the two Darlington addresses.

According to Edward’s death certificate, he was living at 483 Crown Street, Sydney, at the time of his death.

Sadie returned to Perth where she later married William George Davies, described on the marriage certificate as a “Wellsinker”. She is identified as “Sarah Hiah” and her occupation is Cook. [01]