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Wong Kong Ying et al

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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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Q. 34 They were pretty well reduced to rice and cabbage? One of them mentioned cabbage, did you see cabbage?

A. Yes.

Q. 35 Going on for four weeks?

A. Three weeks.

Q. 36 Rice, very refined?

A. Yes, just the white rice.

Q. 37 The best part of the food is taken out and thrown away?

A. Yes. The groceries were delayed a little. The Maquinna did not call, when I think back, from Saturday to Wednesday.

Q. 38 During the last three weeks, even the last two weeks, did you notice anything particular about these men?

A. I was down in Vancouver for Christmas, from 20th December to 4th January; Only there a couple of days; went down to Vancouver; went up again on the 12th. I got up to comp and they remarked about being low in groceries. I went over to Sechart. I figured the Maquinna had been in; going to bring them back. The Maquinna didn't call in back until the following Wednesday. I wasn't there for two weeks and a half.

Q. 39 Did you notice any change in the men?

A. Not particularly. They are always more or less the same.

Q. 40 Were they working?

A. Working days they could work; didn't work very often in the rain.

Q. 41 The Chinamen are responsible for their own food supplies?

A. Yes, they have to do their own ordering.

Q. 42 Has there been any trouble about the finances to get food supplies?

A. Maybe there has.

Q. 43 Hasn't it been rather chronic?

A. It was for some time; got it straightened away; very good this last little while.

Q. 44 We will go back to October. Were you at the camp when Corporal Dunbar was there?

A. Yes, I was.

Q. 45 Food supplies were pretty low then?

A. They were a bit that way.


5.

BC Archives GR-0431 Box 13 File 6

British Columbia, Attorney General. Inquisitions/inquests conducted by coroners in British Columbia.

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