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Q.-Hon. F. B. JOHNSON.-You are reported to have said you never talked to either of the brothers about delays in payment, and you say now you did talk to them.
A.—I may have spoken when the inquiry was going on, but I gave him no in- formation.
Q. He says you talked to him over and over again about the Contractors not being paid.
A. No, sir. I say I may have spoken in a general way when the inquiry was sitting, and every one talking about it, and it was in all the papers.
Q.-Then you did speak to him?
A. No, I did not. If I did, it was spoken about. It was not to give him any information, because the Contractors I had dealings with, never complained. I would know nothing about it.
The witness is told he may retire.
WITNESS.-Can I show you any references, or anything with regard to my previous services the whole of the time I have been in the service, because whatever may be turning out of this affair I certainly shall, if the Government does not give me permis- sion to prosecute any one who has brought anything against me, take it on myself to do so. I have five children, and I am not going to leave any stain on them whatever Mr. FRASER-SMITH and his brother's object may have been in dragging me into this disgrace- ful affair.
Mr. BAINS is examined.
Q.--Hon. A. LISTER.-What are you in the Public Works Department?
A.-Overseer.
Q.-How long have you been there?
A.-Seven years and ten months.
Q. In the department the whole time?
A. Yes.
Q. Did you come out from England to it?
A.-No; I left the Engineers Department.
Q. How long were you in the Engineers ?
A.-Twenty-one years and six months.
Q.-But here ?
A.-I came out in 1871.
Q.-So you have been here about 13
years
?
A. Yes.