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CHAN TSAN is examined,-
Q.-Hon. A. LISTER.-Your shop name is Atan, I believe?
A. Yes.
M
Q.-You were telling me the other day there was some idea amongst the Con- tractors of petitioning. What were they going to petition about?
A.-There was some talk amongst the Contractors that they could not get their bills paid within several months' time, and that some had to be paid in copper and others not. They wanted to ascertain what the rate was.
Q.—Were these two the only grievances, the delay in payment of bills and occasional payments in copper?
A.--Nothing else.
Q-Had they any idea of complaining that the Overseers would occasionally take bribes or receive money from Contractors ?
A.-No; there was no such idea.
Q.-You have given me some valuable information, can you tell us anything about what is said to be the case, that the foremen do take money from people?
A.-I don't know anything about it.
Q.-But it could not go on to any extent without your knowing it ?
A.-I don't interfere with other people's business.
Q.-You have done work for the Government to a very considerable extent. Have' you ever had any occasion to give presents?
A.-Not very often; only at Christmas, because it is the custom.
Q.-We had a case here the other day in which a man is said to have paid $100 not to have the water turned off a house he was rebuilding. Have you ever had to pay a sum like that?
A.-Never.
Q. Did you hear about that $100 being paid?
A.-I did not.
Q. Do you think, then, the foremen of the Public Works Department are honest men who don't take bribes at all? What is your opinion of them?
A.-None of those I know take much bribes.
Q.-Do they take any?
A. They never take any.
Q. Do you know of any foreman having a share in a Contractor's business?
A.-No.