1893/26 Regina vs. Ghee Gow, Lee Quong, and Wong Ping – burglary and entering, River’s Inlet
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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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.
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me a written order for payment of the Chinese on pay days , one order for each Chinaman by the rule of the Company 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 balance of $16.85 and $14.60 due to no1 Chinaman for work done for Bray and Richards in the month of April 1891 namely $ 31.45 the amount was paid the Chinaman who presented the order of Bray and Richards and that man was no2 Chinaman I believe I have a note against no2 I mean a 'X' as being the man reported to have received the money. In like manner I paid no6 Chinaman . in the pay sheet for work done from the 15th to the 31st of may 1891 there are two no2 Chinaman appearing which indicates that one no2 Chinaman had left the shaft and that another man had come to work in his place. It is opposite to the first of the no2 they the 'X' is placed the balance of $4.50 opposite it shows that that Chinaman had worked only four days. Between the and the 31th May 1891 and that the pay of the Chinese was made between the 16th and 19th of May and that no2 had got the pay on or after the 19th May 1891. The amount of balances due to no6 Chinaman were $11.25 and $10.12 in all 421.25 which amount was paid to the person who presented the order of no6 and i believe it was paid to no2 My belief is that all the tickets with the exception of no3 (Sing June) were paid to one person.