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Q.-I am speaking of course about the foremen.
A. Yes, I am speaking about the foremen.
Q.-Well, you cannot expect us to believe that.
A. I am talking about my own business; I believe it myself.
Q.--And you do not know anything about this petition that was being got up?
A. I can swear I do not.
Q.-If the Contractors have anything to say they would be perfectly right in get- ing up a petition about it. You may remember you complained some years ago about your men being assaulted. Nothing happened to you or your men, and the thing was
put a stop to.
A.-I don't get the contracts from the Overseers, but from the Surveyor General. So long as I carry out a contract according to regulations the Overseers cannot say anything against me, and if I do not they can report me to the Surveyor General. If I had been ill-treated by any Overseer I would report it to the Surveyor General.
Q.-The CHAIRMAN.-Is it a Chinese custom to send turkeys and cakes and things
at Christmas to the Overseers?
A.—I have never sent any turkeys, but I have sent capons and legs of mutton and fruit once in the year.
Q. What is the meaning of that custom?
A.It is the custom among friends for one to send presents to the other. I have not been sending any for several years.
Q.-You say it is the custom between friends to send presents at Christmas. Do' the Contractors regard the Overseers as their friends?
A.-Often they are not our friends, but we must take them to be so.
Q. Why?
A. They are acquainted with us and we take them to be our friends.
Q.--But do they send you presents?
A.-What would they have to send?
Q.-Well, do they give you anything in exchange? Friends exchange things.
A.-I only send small presents in celebration of Christmas; that is all.
Q. Do you know Mr. FRASER-SMITH?
A. I do not.
Q-During all the 30 years you have been a Contractor have you ever heard any one say anything that makes you think any Overseer can get any squeezes?
A.-How could I possibly know all other people's affairs?