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Q.-But that Shroff sits under your own eyes?
A. Yes, both Shroffs.
Q.—So he cannot change any coins, give bad coins, or anything?
A.-No, we don't receive any silver here at all; almost nothing.
Q.-Then are you satisfied
every man gets his money in full?
A.-I am.
Q-Do you see him count it?
A. Yes.
Q. Hon. F. B. JOHNSON.-Has the Shroff charge of the Government money-chest or have you? Where are the notes kept?
A.-The notes are kept in a drawer in the safe. The Shroff has the key of the drawer and I have the key of the safe.
Q.-And when a man presents an order for payment you see the payment made?
A. Yes.
Q.Have you never heard the Shroff is in the habit of receiving presents from the Contractors?
A.-Never.
Q.-Are you not aware almost every Shroff in the Colony does?
A. Yes, but the present Shroff is a very honest man.
Q.-You think he does not take any bribes?
A.-No.
Q. He is an exception to all the other Shroffs?
A. He has no means of squeezing. We have no broken silver, and the Con- tractors know they must receive either notes or Hongkong dollars.
Q. What is the loss they make on 1eceiving copper?
A. I don't think they make any loss.
A.-I
Q-Hon. A. LISTER.-It was once as much as 17 per cent.
A.-Now it is about five, but I don't think the Contractors lose anything, because they pay their workmen in it. If they did not get copper they would pay in broken
silver.
you
Q. Hon. F. B. JOHNSON.-Yes, but if you pay anyone in a depreciated currency someone must lose. If did not pay the sum in that way they might go
outside
and buy the depreciated coins at a discount.
A.-But they know that and put the price in their contract.
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