(17)
Q-What made you suggest it?
A-I think it would be a terror to them.
Q-Why?
A-A Chinaman seems to prize his queue.
Dr. ATKINSON-At home it is customary to cut off the hair, is it not?
THE CHAIRMAN-Do you think there is any moral effect on a Chinaman resulting from the floggings?
WITNESS-I am afraid not.
Q-Do you think a Chinaman would prefer a flogging and retirement in the hos- pital for a few days afterwards to working all that time?
A-I do.
Q-Can you give me your reasons for arriving at that conclusion?
A-We have had men flogged time after time, and I cannot come to any other con- clusion.
Q--Is your reason, that they are well treated in the hospital and get off from hard labour?
A-Yes.
Hon. Commander HASTINGS--The birch would not lay them up so long?
WITNESS-I have also spoken about the birch.
The CHAIRMAN The question is, would the birch lay them up so long?
WITNESS-No.
Q-Have the flogging officers here ever lost their temper?
A-Not to my knowledge.
Q-Do they vary the force of their strokes?
A-I don't think so.
Q-Do they flog with too much force?
A-No: there is only one recognised way of flogging.
Q-Do they exert their utmost strength ?
A---Yes: I would report a flogger if I thought he was lenient.
Q--Have you noticed any difference between the floggers here and the English Convict Prison floggers?
A-Not in the administration of floggings.
Q-Is there anything more you want to tell us?
A-No.
This concluded the examination of the witness.