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Q.-But considering there are so many people who want it done?
A.-I am speaking of my own business. I don't know what other people do.
Q.-Hon. F. B. JOHNSON.-Is it not China custom to pay little presents for that kind of work?
tea.
A.-I did give him some presents on the occasion of the Chinese festivals, such as
Q.-But if you come to my shroff and get him to do something, you having to receive large sums of money from me, you would pay my shroff something back?
A.-If I did not know him he would not undertake to make out the bills for me.
Q.-But is it not China custom to give something? Say what is true and not
what is not true.
A.-Truly.
Q.-I know it is true in mercantile houses, and what is the difference between a
mercantile house and the Government Office? Is it not true there?
A.-No.
Hon. A. LISTER.-Tell him to bring to me to-morrow morning the date on which he got that cheque from Mr. BowDLER. If he can bring me his book and show me the date, so much the better.
WITNESS. I must look through the books.
Hon. A. LISTER.---Very well. Anyhow I want it before China New Year. He must get his shroff to work to find it.
WITNESS.-I am only a Contractor; I am not a tradesman.
Hon. A. LISTER.-But he says he got a cheque from Mr. BOWDLER.
WITNESS.-Yes.
Hon. A. LISTER.-Well, that will do.
Mr. HoWROYD is examined,-
Q. Hon. A. LISTER.-How long have you been in the Public Works Department?
A. Two years and a half.
Q. And I think you have been Clerk of Works all the time?
A. Yes, up to the time of Mr. NEAT's going away. Since then I have been acting in his place, also attending to my duties as Clerk of Works.