Series GR-0446 - Provincial Game Warden records

Shaw, J. - complaining about Japanese and Chinese shooting on Vancouver Island Watts, Edward - dam on Shuswap Falls, closed season on Sundays, shooting by Chinese and Japanese Fitzgerald, R.O.B., Victoria-seizure of venison from a Chinese camp on the Hatley Park estate

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Provincial Game Warden records

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  • textual record

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  • Source of title proper: Title based on contents of the series.

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GR-0446

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Date(s)

  • 1905-1927 (Creation)

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Physical description

21.7 m of textual records

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Name of creator

(1905-1909)

Biographical history

The 1898 Game Protection Act (SBC 1898, Ch. 24) first consolidated all provincial legislation regarding protection of animals, birds and fish. BC Provincial Police (BCPP) constables and other peace officers were to implement the legislation by bringing offenders before a Justice of the Peace (JP). This organizational structure held until 1905 despite amendments to the legislation (SBC 1902, Ch. 28; SBC 1903-04, Ch. 21.)

The position of Provincial Game and Forest Warden was established by a 1905 amendment (SBC 1905, Ch. 25). This officer, who could be assisted by Deputy Game and Forest Wardens, was instructed by the legislation to "give his entire time and attention to the game, forestry, and fishing interests of the Province, conduct prosecutions and see that all laws having reference to game, forestry and fish are enforced." (Sec. 17) Peace officers remained generally responsible for enforcing game protection laws. A. Bryan Williams (A.B.W.), 1866-1946, was the first Provincial Game and Forest Warden and held this position from its establishment in 1905 until 1918.

The first significant structural change after the position was established was a 1909 amendment (SBC 1909, Ch. 20), which removed forestry from the Provincial Warden's responsibilities. At this point, the position was re-titled Provincial Game Warden. In 1914, the legislation became known simply as the Game Act (SBC 1914, Ch. 33).

Name of creator

(1909-1929)

Biographical history

A 1909 amendment of the Game Protection Act (SBC 1909, Ch. 20) removed forestry functions from the Provincial Game and Forest Warden, changing the name to Provincial Game Warden. In 1914, the legislation became known simply as the Game Act (SBC 1914, Ch. 33).

The program's entire organizational structure was changed in a 1918 amendment (SBC 1918, Ch. 30). The title of Provincial Game Warden was retained, but it lost its status as a separate function with its own staff. Henceforth, the Superintendent of Provincial Police was to serve as Provincial Game Warden in the course of his other duties. All BC Provincial Police (BCPP) constables and officers became Deputy Game Wardens (DGWs) in addition to their other responsibilities. The post of Chief Game Inspector was also to be filled from within BCPP ranks. The BCPP, acting as Provincial and Deputy Game Wardens, focused primarily on enforcement measures.

Under the new structure, responsibility for policy development and overall direction of the province's game management programs was turned over to a newly created Game Conservation Board. This unpaid board, whose members were to be selected by the provincial cabinet, was to meet four times per year to "receive and consider suggestions for the conservation, propagation, and importation of game, and advise the Lieutenant-Governor in Council upon all matters arising under this Act." (SBC 1918, Ch. 30) A. Bryan Williams, who had served as Provincial Game Warden since the post was created in 1905, resigned when the new structure was adopted.

This new organizational structure consisted of the voluntary Game Conservation Board with overall responsibility for administration of the Game Act, and the BCPP with responsibility for enforcement of the legislation. The Attorney General was the minister responsible for game management during this period.

Other relevant amendments to the Game Act over these years include: SBC 1902, Ch. 28; SBC 1903-04, Ch. 21; SBC 1905, Ch. 25; SBC 1908, Ch. 18; SBC 1909, Ch. 20; SBC 1910, Ch.22; RSBC 1911, Ch. 95; SBC 1913, Ch. 27; SBC 1914, Ch. 33; SBC 1918, Ch. 30; SBC 1919, Ch. 29; SBC 1920, Ch. 30; and SBC 1922, Ch. 27. Some of the more significant amendments included the 1913 provisions for licensing of firearms and of guides.

In 1929 the Board was abolished, and a Game Commissioner was appointed, responsible for both the Board and Warden's functions.

Custodial history

Scope and content

This collection is comprised of records relating to the development, implementation and administration of game management policies in British Columbia from 1905-1927. It includes correspondence, reports, vouchers and licences, as well as information regarding firearms regulation and prosecutions under game laws. Records were created by the Provincial Game Warden, Deputy Game Wardens and other related staff.

Researchers will find these records particularly useful for tracking the development and implementation of early provincial game management policies. General correspondence and reports from Deputy Game Wardens throughout the province contain information regarding the status of game in various areas over time. Difficulties in enforcing policies such as regulation of trophy hunters and the need for firearms licences are documented in these materials. Development of the game base as an economic resource through payment of licence fees, and international promotion of the province as a sportsperson's centre, were key components of A. Bryan Williams' approach to game management and the results of this can also be studied in these records. Conflicts between the provincial approach to the game resource and that taken by some Indigenous peoples can be studied in this collection. Additional subjects include fishing, fur farming, wildlife management and conflict between hunting with other forms and land and resource use. Many of the Deputy Game Wardens saw military service abroad during World War I and the records include some relevant correspondence.

See Table of Contents below for a general sense of the collection organization and finding aid for a detailed file/item list. The contents of some files are listed in a hardcopy index (i.e. an item list) available in the reference room. The series is arranged by record type into the following sub series and sub-sub series:

A. Indexes
B. Correspondence
B(1) Personal and semi-official correspondence of A. Bryan Williams, Provincial Game Warden
B(2) Correspondence out
B(3) Letterbooks of correspondence out
B(4) General correspondence inward and outward
B(5) Correspondence re: firearms licences
C. Deputy Game Wardens
C(1) Monthly reports Boxes
C(2) Correspondence Boxes
D. Returns re: firearms licences
E. Vouchers
F. Licences
G. Prosecutions
H. Miscellaneous

Notes area

Physical condition

Immediate source of acquisition

Transferred from various government ministries over time. Records accessioned by the BC Archives between 1980 and 1991.

Arrangement

This collection was compiled from several sets of Provincial Game Warden materials that were transferred to the Provincial Archives of B.C. at various times. The records that were initially processed are located in containers GR0446-0001 to GR-0446-0167 or containers 1 to 167.

Some files were located by the archives after the initial 167 boxes of records were processed. They are located in the following separate boxes, but have been added to their relevant location in this file list.

Files from accession G88-092 are in container 913432-0029
Files from accession G80-078 are in container 913432-1027
Files from accession G80-045 are in container 913432-0972
Files from accession G91-033 are in container 913432-1215

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There are no access restrictions.

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General note

Accession number(s): G80-146, G88-092, G80-078, G80-045, G91-033

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