No 2

10

A; - I found the chain just in front of the gates.

Q; - You mean in front, you mean nearer the draw? A; - Yes.

Q; - How much, what distance from the gates?

A; - About three feet from the draw. About three feet from the draw and about seventeen feet six inches from the gate; the gate is twenty feet six inches from the draw.

Q; - Did you find the lock? A; - I didn't find the lock. I looked for it.

Q; - How long have you been bridge tender? A; - Six years on 8th October.

Q; - How long have these gates been there?

A; - They were there when I went there.

Q; - Have you always been in the practice of locking these gates? A; - Yes. Since I have been there. When I went there, there were no locks or chains.

Q; - When did you get these locks and chains?

A; - I guess I hadn't been there two or three weeks, sir.

Q; - And have you locked these gates always ever since when opening the swing? A; - Yes, sir.

Q; - Have you ever left them unlocked? A; - Well, I might; I don't think so; perhaps I may have in the day time but never at night. when I saw anybody.

Q; - You say you warned Mr Smith on different occasions for crossing the bridge at high speed? A; - Yes, sir.

Q; - Can you give the jury any idea of how many times you warned him?

A; - Well, perhaps two or three times.

Q; - You have threatened him did you? A; - Well, I did say, if you people drive fast over this bridge we will have to get after you. You know they take it too fast.

Q; - What means had you of telling how fast that machine was going? A; - It was going at what I call a very high speed. He was in a hurry up the bridge; then in another second, he was in the river.

Q; - Do you know the distance from the bridge to the draw?

A; - Well I should think about three hundred yards.

BC Archives, GR-0431 Box 10 File 4 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Inquisitions / inquests conducted by coroners in British Columbia.