Transcription Page

Chung Chi

As part of the Chinese Historical Wrongs Legacy Initiative, we’ve digitized a small selection of inquests and inquiries from 1872 to 1934, found in series GR-0431. These were chosen to reflect the experiences of early Chinese immigrants to B.C. – their living and working conditions, and their unfortunate accidental or unusual deaths.   They range from a woman working in a brothel in Barkerville who died of natural causes to three sawmill workers who died from malnutrition. Learn more.

*All transcriptions are provided by volunteers, and the accuracy of the transcriptions is not guaranteed. Please be sure to verify the information by viewing the image record, or visiting the BC Archives in person. 

BC Archives GR-0431

*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum. Some materials may contain content that is racist, sexist or otherwise offensive. The Royal BC Museum is only the custodian of archival materials; the content does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Royal BC Museum.

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A: One time I lost my light in it.

J: Was that the first examination? A: I believe it was it was but I am not sure now.

J: What does that indicate? A: It indicates gas there.

J: Does that indicate any quantity of gas there, any marked quantity of gas? A: No, you can't judge the quantity by that. The smallest quantity would do that provided you reach it

J: Then directly your safety lamp came in contact with gas it will be put out? A: Not exactly; there is a way of saving your flame if you are careful

J: Well why was it that in your first examination your light went out? A: I didn't say so. I said that one time I lost my light, but whether it was the first examination or not I don't know

J: What would be the reason? A: Presence of gas.

J: In considerable quantity? A: The quantity has nothing to do with it

Mr. Morgan:- The quantity has nothing to do with it if you put the light up too high it will be put out. You have got to be careful that's all.

Mr. Potts:- When you found gas, what [cause?] did you adopt? A: I got the men working alongside of it to mark [close?] to the [good?] roof, and keep filling the cave up with rocks; and they had been doing that for a week previous, every day.

J: Would that force the gas out? A: It would displace the gas; the rock would take the place of the gas.

J: When did you first adopt this [cause?]?

A: When the cave first took place, probably for a week before.

J: On the 15th when you detected gas, what [cause?] did you [adopt?] to dispel it? A: The same as I had done the day before, instructed the men to fill the cave with rock.

J: Did they do it? Yes.

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

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