Transcription Page

1901/90 Rex vs. Wong Quen and Wong Yun – running a gambling house, Nanaimo

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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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

BC Archives G-0419

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Ah Wing, continued:-

By Mr. Bloomfield.

Have been buying tickets here twice. Bought tickets in Victoria over ten times. Do not know anything outside of what I have stated.

Ah Wing.

"James Abrams" S.M.

Ling you, sworn saith:- I know the accused, Live in Chinatown. They deal in lottery for a living. They have a house in Chinatown. I was not in their house. I remember the day the accused were arrested, at the place. Was present there that day and bought a ticket that day, and paid forty cents for it. Ticket produced and marked "C" I paid the money to Wong Yuan. There were eighty chinese characters on boards produced. They were rolled up and divided into four equal parts, and placed in four separated tins now produced and marked Ex. "D", then they roll four numbers and select one of the four, and the number that corresponds with the number of the tin, is selected for the draw, the balance are discarded, the drawing of the number is by chance, all the pills are taken out of the tin, selected and placed on a board and they win or lose on those numbers. Cannot tell if the original ticket is in the bunch produced marked "B". There are no originals in the bunch, Exhibit C, corresponds with the characters on the board marked "E". I won

BC Archives GR-0419 Box 89 File 1901/90 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Attorney General Documents.

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