8

Q: And your reason, amongst other things is the position of the body? A: I think so. Q: You consider that the explosion occurred in ---? A: In No. 6 stall. Q: Why? A: Because the force seems to have radiated from both sides; the force of teh explosion goes both ways from that point. Q: Now as to that body; what position would a body be in the case of an ordinary explosion? A: That is hard to say. You get them in all positions. Q: What position would it be in the case of a cave in? A: It just depends upon the position he was in when the cave in took place. This many was lying flat on his back with a stick of cordwood across his legs. Q: Would that be the position you would expect to find the body in in the case of a cave in? A: No, from the position he was in I would infer that he died before the cave in took place. There might have been a little dirt down to begin with, but not the cave that was there latterly. Q: Did you make a careful examination of this second south level after the explosion? A: No. Q: Any matches? A: Well, I seen a chinaman come down to get a man's watch in No. 5 stall, and I seen matches taken out of the pocket of a coat in the place where "B" lamp was found. Q: To whom did the coat belong? A: It belonged to a man in No. 5. I don't know the names. You have got them there. Q: A chinaman? A: Yes. Q: Was he one of those killed? A: There was one brought up dead and out of that place. Q: Did you find anything else besides matches? A: That match-box and the cigarettes a little above it. I don't think they were more than a foot apart in No. 5 stall, and about 30 yards from where these were found I think the explosion occurred. Q: How many Chinese were employed in the Second South level that day? A: 21. There was 4 pushers, one driver, 8 miners and 8 helpers. Q: Had these 8 miners certificates? A: Yes sir. Q: Are the 8 miners dead? A: That I can't tell. Some of them are not dead. I believe the man in No. 8 is living. Nothing the matter with him, and I think there is one man from No. 9 stall. Q: Were these Chinese able to understand English? A: Yes sir; able to understand me. Q: Understand all the orders that you gave them? A: Yes. Q: Had they sufficient knowledge of the English language to understand the rules? A: Mr. Morgan tried them last month and found them able to understand the rules? Q: I am asking you? A: They were able to receive any instructions that I gave them. Q: And as to skill as miners? A: They were really good miners. I wouldn't say they were the best you could find. Q: Who is in charge of the station for the second south level? A: Sandy Gillespie that time.

BC Archives GR-0431 Box 6 File 3

BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. Inquisitions/inquests conducted by coroners in British Columbia.