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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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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enough to eat at that time. That was nothing to do with me.

Q. 54 Mr. Colquohn, in some respects, is perhaps a bit of a bluffer. Is he?

A. Well, I don't know.

Q. 55 He has been pretty slow on pay, hasn't he?

A. Yes

Q. 56 How has he been on the pay to you?

A. Well, of course he has kept me going, that is all.

Q. 57 Have you ever had a square pay day?

A. Not a regular pay, no

Q. 58 Anybody else, to your knowledge?

A. Cannot say I do

Q. 59 If I told you that those four white men, it I told you they haven't gotten a cent yet?

A. I believe you.

Q. 60 These Chinese boys say they haven't been paid?

A. Not entirely.

Q. 61 Outside of what they have received for food?

A. I would believe that.

Q. 62 What would you contribute the shortage of food to? Slow pay?

A. It might be one reason.

Q. 63 And if these Chinese people in Vancouver supplying the food, if they weren't getting paid, they couldn't be expected to keep on sending?

A. Not indefinitely.

Q. 64 With the history we have here, it wouldn't be a bit surprising if that was so, would it?

A. It was very likely what has happened, all right.

Q. 65 Knowing what you know, you know perfectly well that men working in the woods do not intend to shorten themselves on food?

A. You can't do it.

Q. 66 What do you contribute the shortage of food to?

A. I cannot see any particular reason right really for the

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