( 41 )
Q.-Well, I think I may say without fear of making any mistake, that the jury
did not believe it.
A. Well, if they did not it would not be my fault.
Q.-Now be candid, Mr. ROSE. There must have been something at the bottom of that. No one would have pitched on you of all men and said you gave this informa- tion to the Telegraph Office. They might just as well have pitched on me, or any one else. There must have been something. Will you tell us what it was?
A.—I will give my candid opinion that I think will convince you.
Q.-No, I want facts.
A.-During the time I was in the hotel both FRASER-SMITH and his brother lived with us in the hotel. The younger brother owes money for chits to this day. Board and lodging I never charged him for during three months' stay. We have kept up the acquaintance. Young SMITH and his wife have come to my house. We live in the same compound at Peddar's Hill and he has very often come over. I have always spoken to him as a friend, and when it came to a point no doubt he packed the saddle on my shoulders, thinking that as people had seen us together and knew we were friends every one would believe it. He accused me of going to his office to take him to the Contractors about the accounts. I never did so.
Q.-But there must have been something-some conversation?
፡፡
A.-Well you would naturally fancy so, but it is not so. He accused me of other things which I suppose you will come to. I will prove young SMITH came up the first day of the trial with the China Mail, knocked at the door, and said. Hallo, NED, how do you do?" I had a friend with me. Although I knew what he had said I never let on or said a word. I asked him to sit down. He brought my attention to the China Mail and said he was going to bring an action for libel, because he said he had not said a word of what was stated in the China Mail except a small paragraph he pointed out. I said I did not know anything about it. I told him a falsehood there.
Q.-Well, but you must have had some conversation with one of them on this subject during all this time you have been intimate; they staying at your house- conversation about the Survey Department.
A.-No, except casual words; no more than I would say to any one else; but I never went to his office and took him to Contractors, and so on.
Q. Did he ever ask you that question he said he did, about the Tai-tam Water-works?
A.-No, never spoke about it.
Q. Well, you have been connected with the Survey Department for the last 18
years.
I believe you will admit there was a time when some men connected with the Survey Department made a good deal of money. ·
A.-Not that I know of.