1893/39 Loo Yet (false pretences, mentions Chinese miners on Protection Island)
As part of the Chinese Historical Wrongs Legacy Initiative, the BC Archives has digitized a selection of documents related to criminal prosecutions against the Chinese community from 1866 to 1914, found in GR-0419. These are mainly records created as part of the preliminary hearing held before a judge in order to determine whether there was sufficient evidence to proceed to trial. There are often lengthy witness statements, and cross examinations by both prosecution and defense lawyers. The eventual verdict is sometimes recorded on the outside of the docket. They offer a fascinating glimpse into 19th and early 20th century criminal activity around the province, and ways in which the Chinese community was stereotyped. The records offered for transcription here are a small selection; for additional digitized material from GR-0419 click here.
*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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. In addition, GR-0419 records deal with subjects such as assault, murder and abuse, which may upset some readers. 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.
*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.
Current Page Transcription [edit] [history]
4/ me a written order for payment of the Chinese on Pay days - one order for each Chinaman by the rule of the Company's Office and Custom for many years the holder of any ticket (Chinaman ticket or order) is entitled to receive the wages payable to such Chinaman - on presentation of the ticket at the Company's Office without any endorsement -
In the month of May 1891 I paid the amount of the balances $16.85 and $14.60 due to No 1 Chinaman for work done for Bray and Richards in the month of April 1891 namely $31.45 the amount was paid to the Chinaman who presented the order of Bray and Richards - and that man was No 2 Chinaman - I mean a (in this place is a symbol that is an X with dots around it, which could be the Japanese symbol for rice) - as being the man reported to have received the money -
In like manner I paid No 6 Chinaman In the Pay sheet for work done from the 15th to the 31st of May 1891 - there are two 'No 2' Chinamen appearing which indicates that one No 2 Chinaman had left the shaft and that another man had come to work in his place - it is opposite to the first of the 'number 2' they (that?) the (x with dots symbol) is placed - the balance of $4.50 opposite it shows that, that Chinaman had worked only four days between the ___ and the 31st May 1891 - and that this Pay of the Chinese was made between the 16th and 19th of May - and that No 2 had got the Pay on or after the 19th May 1891 - the amount of balances due to No 6 Chinaman were $11.25 and $10.12 in all $21.35 which amount was paid to the person who presented the order of No 6 - and I believe it was paid to No 2 - My belief is that all the tickets with the exception of No 5 (Suy June) were paid to one person.