Wong Kong Ying 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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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.
Current Page Transcription [edit] [history]
Q. 11 In this camp you are speaking of, who is the owner and proprietor?
A. D.M. Colquohn.
Q. 12 Is he in Vancouver?
A. Yes.
Q. 13 Is Mr. Colquohn running it on his own?
A. No, he has formed a company a couple of times, as far as I understand, as regards a certain timber claim.
Q. 14 What is the operation?
A. Taking out shingle bolts.
Q. 15 Mr. Colquohn has been operating at Canoe Pass since when?
A. I don't know exactly how long. I have been there since September.
Q. 16. What is your capacity?
A. Just foreman. I have nothing practically to do with the Chinamen. They more or less take care of themselves unless anything goes wrong. I see they get their supplies when they are sent up, from Sechart.
Q.17 Incidentally, how many Chinamen are there, all told?
A. Five left now, fifteen altogether, there was.
Q. 18 Just so we get this straight...
A. There are five Chinamen still there.
Q. 19 Just a moment, Mr. Simpson. There is Camp #1?
A. Five Chinamen.
Q. 20 And these other nine men?
A. Camp #2.
Q. 21 This Camp #2 is situated about one and a half miles in the woods?
A. Yes.
Q. 22 Were those men in Camp #2 before you went there?
A. No, I brought them down from Effingham Inlet; up there work-ing. When I first went up there were no Chinamen at our camp. We didn't have the mans of keeping in touch with them very easily. I had a boat bring them down so that we could look after them better.
Q. 23 that consolidated your operation, did it?
A. Yes.