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Q-Does that system prevail in the Central Market?
A.-I think that must of them have it.
Q.-Have you let any of them for a longer period than three years ?
I was
A.-No, I simply stuck to three years because that was the original term. only Acting Registrar General at the time, but longer leases might be given, I think.
Q.-In the case of a man sub-letting he cancels his agreement?
A. Yes, because it would be against the terms of the lease.
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Q. With reference to the vegetable stalls, Mr. Brewin, is there anything wrong with them in your opinion generally, the manner in which the vegetable and fruit business is managed? You know the complaints about the so-called hawkers?
A.-Well, we want more accommodation in the Western Market for vegetables.
Q.-And the Central, what about it ?
A.-I don't think so.
Q. Do you see any reason yourself-I understand you give a good deal of thought and consideration to these matters, Mr. Brewin-is there any reason why people should not be allowed to sell vegetables of every kind all over the town, in the ordinary shops? Meat we can understand being confined to the Markets. It wants close inspection, but is there any reason why vegetables and fruit should not be sold in any part of the town in the shops?
A.-I don't see that it should be confined to the Market.
Mr. Marshall. Do you think many more stalls could be let in the Market than are let at the present time? Supposing there were more stalls do you think they could be let ?
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The Chairman. Supposing the vegetable and fruit stalls were cleared out, do you think there would be a greater demand for them as pork or meat stalls?
A.-No, I don't think so. I think there might be a greater demand for wholesale vegetable shops. I know that two or three years ago we put up some vacant shops to tender as wholesale vegetable shops. We got very high rents for them indeed, something like $20 a month. I don't think you want any more meat stalls because I know that some are vacant.
Q.-But have they not been kept vacant by a sort of combination among the owners of the other meat stalls?
A. I don't think so.
Q-Don't you think the rents paid for these Market stalls are very high, Mr. Brewin ?
There is one man in the Western
A.-Some of them pay extraordinary rents. Market who used to pay $100 a month for a beef stall.
Q.-Was that the result of competition?
A.-I don't think so. I think that rent was fixed by the Registrar General in 1889.
Mr. Maitland. Was it a very big stall?
A. Not as regards size.
Mr. Marshall. It was in a very good position, I suppose?
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A.--I think it was the only meat stall there. One has been let since at something like $50 in the Western Market.