Chung Chi
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.
*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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.
Current Page Transcription [edit] [history]
Alexander Falds, mine manager, sworn: -
By Mr. Potts[?]:- You visited the scene of the explosion in No. 6 mine? A: Yes
Q: When? A: on the day following the explosion was the first visit I made
Q: That would be the 6th July? A: Yes.
Q: Did you make any examination? A: Yes
Q: Now tell the jury the result of your examination? A: I went in the entrance of the second South Level; went up No 3 right along the long wall, and examined the roof and face for gas etcetera, and travelled round the large cave in the branch off No 6 + Found I couldn't get out there, so came down No 6 and went up No 7. Travelled the rest of the long wall of No 6 & found gas. Then went in 7 + travelled the remainder of the long wall back.
Q: Did you make an examination that day? A: Yes. I visited throughout the whole district
Q: Were you able to form any opinion as to where the explosion occurred? A: Not then. It was too premature then to form any opinion until we saw the cave cleared up.
Q: Were you able to form any opinion at all? A: Yes. from the evidence of the force and direction, the explosion was somewhere in the neighborhood of the cave
Q: And the cave was where? A: In the branch off No 6.
Q: Did you search for any explosives? A: Well I examined for evidence of blasting, open lights, matches and so forth
Q: Did you find any? A: Not on that day.
Q: When did you make your next examination? A: on the following day.
Q: Did you find anything on that day? A: The following day was the 17th On the 18th I found that open light "B" in No 5. and a
BC Archives GR-0431 Box 6 File 3 BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. Inquisitions/inquests conducted by coroners in British Columbia.