The Victoria Pioneer Rifle Corps drill hall was a meeting place for the Black community
British Colonist: July 18, 1863
“Meeting of Voters. A meeting of the colored voters of the City of Victoria was held at the Hall of the Victoria Rifle Company, on View Street last night, to discuss the merits of the various candidates. It was presided over by Mr. Bond.”
A new House of Assembly was to be elected in 1863. The Alien Act of 1861 had enabled Blacks to become naturalized British subjects and having met the property requirements, 52 Black men were on the voter’s list.
The election took place on September 2, 1863. This was the last parliament for an independent Colony of Vancouver Island before unification with the colony of British Columbia.