G. Lippiott, miner; sworn:-

By Mr. Potts: Did you assist in the rescue of the miners in No 6 mine on the evening of July 15th? A: I did.

Q: What time? A: About 8 oclock.

Q: In what capacity? A: I was assisting the rescue party

Q: Did you make any search? A: I did.

Q: Where did you search? A: Along the face of the workings

Q: What for? A: For bodies in particular.

Q: Did you find anything other than bodies in the mine? That is anything that was a source of danger? A: The place was full of gas

Q: Where? A: All along the face of the workings, the first time we attempted to get in.

Q: Did you find any open safety lamps? A: No.

Q: Pit lamps? A: I found six or seven safety lamps , but they were all locked. I found one pit lamp down on the level; I think it was opposite No 6 stall; it was right on the same level.

Q: Is that on the return airway? A: No, it was on the intake. It looked to me as if it hadn't been used; it was an old lamp lying there, it looked as if it hadn't been in use for sometime.

Q: Where did you find it? A: Right on the level. There was a little wall of gob built up there, and it was set up on this wall of gob at the side of the level

Q: Was that anywhere near where the explosion occurred? A: No.

Q: Did you find anything else? A: No.

Q: Any powder? A: No.

Q: Matches? A: No.

Q: How was the ventilation when you were there? A: First-class

Q: Are you able to form any opinion as to the cause of the explosion? A: Well, I couldn't exactly say. I believe it was caused by carelessness on the part of the Chinamen; that is what my opinion was.

BC Archives GR-0431 Box 6 File 3 BRITISH COLUMBIA, ATTORNEY GENERAL. Inquisitions/inquests conducted by coroners in British Columbia.