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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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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.

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