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Q.-That is to say, soft-wood instead of hard-wood, a particular sort of granite and cement?
A. Certainly, all that is specified.
Q.-Well, is there such an opportunity in that?
A.Of course there is, if there is no one to look after it.
Q. Is there not a larger opportunity there than in all the other things together?
A.-No. In mixing concrete for instance, I do not know what system Mr. PRICE adopts; I have got my ideas and he has his. What I do myself is this: I never have it put down as it is mixed; I have it mixed two or three days beforehand. That gives me the opportunity of seeing it. When I look at it I can see whether it contains the right quantities or not, and if I have any doubt I mix the samne quantities and compare them. The Contractors know this is constantly occurring. Then if possible we have always a man not the Overseer, standing by to see the concrete mixed, because that is one of the things they can swindle in. Wood you can always see, and so also with granite; it costs as much to cut one kind as another, and the cost of the raw material is not very different. The main point is the mixing of concrete.
Q.-Hon. A. LISTER.-I saw in one of these contracts, "Good shell lime, free from
core or sand." Could not the Overseer wink at a worse description?
A. You can only get one kind. It is all very bad. I don't know another any
different.
Q.-There is no inferior kind to be got?
A.--No; it is all inferior; that is, the quality is perhaps good, but it contains core and sand, because it is made from coral, and it will not burn, at least it will burn, but it will not slake. Consequently you never get quick lime. It is most difficult to get quick lime in Hongkong; it has to be brought down from Canton.
Q. Do you think there is no chance for the Overseers to make money by allowing the Contractors to use bad materials?
A.-Not in lime.
Q. Hon. F. B. JOHNSON.-According to you, then, it is preposterous to suppose any bribery or corruption can exist is your department.
A.-No.
Q.-That is what you are bringing us to. What are the weak points then ?
A.-I don't know. It is for those who speak of them to point them out.
Q.—The CHAIRMAN.-Yes, but it is for you to show where they may exist. Sup- pose you were in charge of a house and thought there were some of the locks wrong, would you not think it your duty to go round and look after them? Suppose you heard it said people get in, you would not wait for those who said so to show where they get in, you would go round and look for yourself. Have you done that in your department?