Gordon Hunter (1863-1929) moved to Victoria in 1891. He practiced law

in Victoria and was the first official reporter for the BC Supreme Court

and became the Crown Solicitor. In 1902, Hunter was appointed Chief

Justice for the BC Supreme Court and held this position until his death

in 1929.

Chief Justice Hunter was renowned for his “high order of ability and

a rare combination of talent, powerful intelligence, penetrating eye

and a formidable vocabulary”. He upheld the letter of the law,

regardless of whether it was a popular choice. He also played a

significant role in immigration incidents surrounding the Panama Maru

and the Komagata Maru, declaring the government’s orders-in-council

were used outside their jurisdiction to impose discriminatory

immigration measures.

Hunter owned four acres of waterfront on the east side of Shawnigan Lake (now the Easter Seals Camp). Rockvale, built in 1908, included a main house, guest houses, a water tower (still standing) and beautiful gardens with ponds and statues.

George Selkirk Gibson (1897-1942) a Scottish immigrant, came from a family of carvers. After a few stops along the way, Gibson fell in love with Shawnigan and moved here, in 1910, to raise his family. Although he is a relatively unknown craftsman, most people would likely have seen and appreciated the exquisite work that he produced. He worked with architects Samuel Maclure and Francis Rattenbury doing the architectural carvings for houses and buildings that they designed. He was commissioned to carve the significant pieces in Hatley Castle; Christ Church Cathedral; the Neptunes on the CPR building; many interior details of the BC Legislature and special chairs for the visit of King and Queen. This all happened from his studio in Shawnigan Lake, which is why he is not known as well as he deserves.

And how do these men relate to each other, you might ask?

Hunter’s personality is demonstrated in his commission of a stone lion that was built on his Shawnigan property in the 1920’s. The impressive lion, which no longer guards the lakefront today, was positioned so that its posterior pointed directly toward the legislative buildings in Victoria. This alignment was because Judge Hunter was appalled at what he perceived to be the abuse of justice in Victoria. To emphasize his belief that politicians were making an “ass out of justice”.

George Gibson, the architectural carver from Shawnigan Lake, sculpted the lion for Hunter. Hunters’ reasoning for a lion is unknown, but he may have been inspired by the lions on the steps of the Vancouver Court House. The lion guarded the Shawnigan waterfront for over 100 years, and was an iconic figure for locals, summer residents and visitors.

With the redevelopment of the Easter Seals Camp, the lion has been removed. The Shawnigan Lake Museum had asked Easter Seals to reconsider this decision, due to its historical significance and the connection to local carver George Gibson. Many of Gibson’s relatives still live in the area and have voiced concerns about the potential removal.

The lion, which was sculpted on top of a rock, was cut in several pieces and removed.

Losing it altogether was not an option…

The good news is that Gibsons’ great grandson, Craig, is also a carver and sculptor. He has taken on the rehabilitation of the lion. The lion has been moved to his property, and he is in the process of restoring it. We also have Gerry, a local, who is creating a documentary on the project.

The costs to restore it is a challenge: moving the to the property of the sculptor; building a cement pad to place it on; cement to put it back together etc.

The expenses are adding up, and we are reaching out for support. We are asking Shawnigan residents who value the lion and its history to ‘chip’ in for this amazing restoration project. In the end, the lion will be placed beside the museum in the village.

If you have any memories to share about the lion, please send them to museum@shawniganlakemuseum.com

Save the Lion. To donate:

https://tinyurl.com/2bkfzcf3