SIR MATTHEW BAILLIE BEGBIE 1819 - 1894 Begbie practised law in England for fourteen years before his appointment in 1858 as the first judge of the mainland Colony of British Columbia. During the gold rush, he won the respect of lawless miners of the Fraser River and Cariboo regions. In 1869, after the union of Vancouver Island and British Columbia, he was named Chief Justice of the mainland; in 1870, of the whole Colony; and in 1871, of the Province. He presided in this building, erected in 1889. His 36 years of fearless and impartial service made a lasting contribution to the administration of justice in the Pacific region of Canada.
