1880/20 Ah Jim, non-payment of School Tax*
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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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.
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person failing to pay such tax or deliver such list or stating anything falsely therein, or in lien thereof shall be liable to imprisonment for period not exceeding one calendar month. Act 1878, chip. 32,see. Section 5 and 7 of the "School Tax Act 1876," are hereby repealed, and in lieu thereof the following shall be substituted:-— " The annual School Tax payable by virtue of the " School Tax Act, 1876," shall be payable on the second day of January in each year, and become delinquent on the 30th day of June in each year*; and all provisions of the said Act with respect to the collection of taxes as therein mentioned shall as far as practicable be applied to the collection of School Tax." Act 1879 sec 1 Not withstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Act, when School Tax is due, the Assessor or Collector may, by himself or his agent, levy the same with costs, by distress of the goods and chattels of the person who ought to pay the same or of any goods and chattels in his possession wherever the same may be found' within the province or of any goods or chattels found on the premises the property'off or in the possession of any other occupant of the premises, and the costs chargeable shall be those payable as between landlord and tenant. Act, 1879; sec 2. The Assessor or Collector may, by himself or his agent demand from any person liable to pay School Tax the production of his School tax or from' any person engaged in gold mining, the production of of his free Miners certificate and in case of the neglect or refusal of any such person to produce when demanded by the Assessor or Collector , a School Tax receipt lawfully issued to him, or a free Miners certificate lawfully issued to him the Assessor or Collector may by himself or his agent levy the amount of School Tax or Mining License , as the case may be, in the manner provided in Section'1 of this Act with respect to enforcing the payment of School Tax.
Act 1879, sec.3. All act*'heretofore done, and powers exercised by, and proceedings bona fide taken for the collection or enforcing payment of School Tax, by any person duly authorized and empowered to collect or enforce payment of such tax, shall be deemed and taken to have
been legally done, taken, and exercised.
Act 1879 sec 4 The person authorized to issue School Tax receipts or Free Miner's certificates shall insert the name in full of the person to whom such receipt or certificate is issued and the place where issued. Act 1876 sec 8 Provided that this Act shall not be construed to apply to nor shall the Tax to be collected from a clergyman of any domination. Act 1876, sec. 9. This Act may be cited for all purposes as the School Tax Act, 1876" BC Archives GR-0419 Box 19 File 1880/20 BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. Attorney General documents.