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Q: Was he a chinaman? A: A chinaman. Q: Have you any reason to give the Jury why you think that explosion occurred in No. 6? A: By the indications of the timbers. By the inside of No. 6 where the cogs were blown in the way and on the outside they were blown out of the way. Q: Did you see the chinaman that was taken from under the cave in? A: No, I came out at three o'clock that day. Q: Can you give it as your opinion that the explosion occurred before or after the cave in? A: Well I don't know; I couldn't state that. Q: What course did you adopt to dispel the gas in the second south level when you found gas there? A: Well, I made the Chinaman fill up the hole. Q: What was the condition of the air course in the second south level? A: Exceptionally good. Q: Was the ventilation adequate for the miners? A: Yes. Q: How many Chinese were working on your shift that day? A: There were 21 on the 2nd. south level. Q: Were those Chinese competent miners; those who held miners' certificates? A: Yes, I guess they were; they generally did what they were told. Q: Were they able to understand all the orders you gave them? A: Yes, sir. Q: Do you think they were sufficiently conversant with the coal mine's Regulation Act and the Special Rules to render their employment as miners safe? A: I don't know. Q: Would you think they were? Do you consider the Chinese miners were sufficiently conversant with the English language, and the Rules, to render their employment safe? A: Yes, I consider they were safe. Q: Have you detected them at any time smoking? A: Yes. Q: Lighting matches? A: No. Q: How did they get the light for their pipes, or cigarettes, which was it? A: Cigarette. Q: Had you seen any Chinese smoking on the 15th? A: No, sir. Q: When was the last occasion that you saw any Chinese smoking in the mine? A: About 2 days before. Q: What did you do? A: I sent them home. Q: Was he working again on the 15th? A: No, sir; he never came back? Q: That is the course you adopt? A: Yes. Q: How did they light their cigarettes? A: I never caught them lighting any. Mr. Morgan:- Did you examine all the lamps that afternoon? A: Mr. King examined them. Q: Did you examine all these shots before they were fired? A: I fired all the shots. Q: How many? A: Five. Q: And you examined them before you fired them? A: Yes.

BC Archives GR-0431 Box 6 File 3

BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. Inquisitions/inquests conducted by coroners in British Columbia.