640
A-Yes: I mean that the proportion still to be paid up was a small pro- portion.
Q-And roughly it worked out at about $3 per square foot?
A-Yes.
Q-In valuing Messrs. Howard and Stephens' Lot, taking into consideration the Reclamation in front of it, at $1.50, did you or not consider that the property as no longer situate on the Praya would thenceforward be useless as Godowns?
A-Yes, I did think so.
Q-As a matter of fact, the property (as we know) is now used as Godowns?
A-It is used as Godowns.
Q-Well, seeing that the property is still used as Godowns, would not the one real disadvantage be that after the Reclamation it was some distance from the sea?
A-Yes; there would be a distance of about 310 feet.
Q-Did you, yourself, or was it your partner, Mr. Palmer, who made the Report regarding the silting up?
A--Mr. Palmer made that Report, but I know about it too.
Q-It was his Report?
A-That was actually his Report.
Q-And it was made in August, 1895 ?
A-Yes.
Q-Are you aware that the year 1895, from Mr. Howard's Returns, appears to be his (Mr. Howard's) record year?
A-I am not aware of that.
Re-examination by Mr. Calthrop, on behalf of the Claimants :-
Q-Mr. Turner, with regard to this silting, you say you saw it yourself?
A-Yes; I did see it.
QYou saw it in 1896 ?
A-I saw it in 1896.
Q-And in 1897 ?
A—I will not be sure about 1897. I saw it shortly after Mr. Palmer's Re- port; that was in 1896.
Q-Did it affect the Godowns, do you think?
A-Certainaly it affected a portion of them.
At dead low tide the boats
could not get alongside the Praya; that was in 1895 and 1896.
Q-Did it get worse as the work progressed?
A-That I cannot say.
HIS EXCELLENCY:-Were the boats ever prevented from getting alongside before the Reclamation works were commenced?