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Q-He has power-
A---He has power to give up to twelve.
Q-What was it in your case?
A-My rule was not to give more than six unless it was an occasion when I called a Visiting Justice.
Q-Supposing a man had one flogging at your orders and he got six strokes, did you ever raise it to twelve strokes without consulting a Justice?
A--Oh yes; I never consulted a Justice on those occasions.
Q-Supposing a man came up for a second flogging?
A-On an ordinary occasion of refusal to work my rule was in the first case, three days rice and water; the second, three days solitary confinement and rice and water; the third six strokes, and the fourth nine strokes, and if the man came up for the fifth time twelve strokes. That was what you might call my rule; of course I had exceptions.
Q-That was the principle?
A--That was the principle on which I went.
Q-Did you often call in Justices?
A--About two or three times.
Q-Do the Chinese obey Indians as readily as they obey Europeans? In your experience of the Gaol can you tell us that?
A-I think they do.
Q-Would you put Chinese on the Gaol staff?
A-No, certainly not.
Q-Why not?
A-They are not reliable enough.
Q-Do you think it is an objection that they would be looking after their own countrymen?
Gaol.
A-No, I do not think so.
Q-That they might be liable to smuggle anything into the Gaol?
A--Yes, that is one objection; they might be liable to smuggle anything into the
Q-And, being able to talk to them, convey to them outside news?
A-Yes, of course that would be one thing. The real objection is that Chinamen are more open to bribery than Indians.
Q-It is not the duty of the Superintendent to be present at all the floggings? A-No.
Q-I understand it is the duty of the Governor of an English Gaol to be present at the floggings. Do you not think it would be better to make it necessary for the Superintendent to be present at the floggings in Victoria Gaol ?
A-I do not see any advantage to be derived from it; the Medical Officer is present.
Q-Would not your presence be a check on the Medical Officer, and the Mical Officer's presence be a check on you, and the presence of both of you a check on the floggers ?