John Marshall et al
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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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.
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1121 108. #21
Q;- Mr Dodson I believe, he moved the gate a little further away from the brink? A;-I couldn't say so. I have been away. Q;-Did you ever hear of an accident which necessitated the gates being placed further back? A;- I dont recall any accident;- I dont know if there has been any accident. A;- You could put gates there that would protect traffic without interfering with navigation? Right at the commencement there is nothing to prevent you doing it? A;-Certainly not, as well as you could on Granville Street. Q;- Is there anything compulsory about it? A;- No; you could put gates on the South Vancouver and the Lulu Island side and make the bridge tender walk over if you wanted to; it is no complusory, but it is not feasible. Q;-Have you any regulations regarding the speed of autos over the bridge? A;- Eight miles an hour. Q;- Have you any signs that indicate that on the approach to the bridges? A;-Yes, we have. Q;-Where do you place the red light? A;-Oh, that all depends, sometimes on both sides, sometimes in the center. Coroner;- This is all the evidence we have to submit, gentlemen of the jury.
The coroner then addressed the jury, left it in charge of the officer to consider the verdict, which when returned was transferred to the regular Inquisition form, duly signed and the jury dismissed in due form.
Verdict;- "That they met their death on November 11th., 1916 between the hours of six and seven P.M. by drowning, at the North Arc bridge between the boundary of South Vancouver and Mitchell's Island, Richmond Municipality, B.C. through the neglect of Mr George Smith in not taking proper precautions to safe-guard the passengers. We recommend that the gates be removed to a distance of not less than two hundred feet each way from their
BC Archives GR-0431 Box 10 File 4
BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. Inquisitions/inquests conducted by coroners in British Columbia.