185 (163) -
K
1716/18
Mr. Shelton Hooper. Of course, Mr. Lemnm, in your long experience here, and your intimacy with the Chinese, you have heard of reputed cases of corruption amongst the subordinate staff?
A.-I have not heard.
Q.-Not any cases?
A.-I have heard rumours, of course.
Q.-And you have never heard any Chinese complain that they have had to pay squeeze?
A.-Not for any work under my charge.
Q.-They have never complained to you of hardships in the working of the Ordinance, on account of the corruption ?
A.-They would not speak of any work to me, except work under my own charge, and such things never happened.
Mr. Humphreys.-Do you mean to say you have never had any delays in getting your houses passed?
A. Yes.
Q. What do you attribute them to ?
A. To red tape.
Q. What do you call red tape ?
A.-You send in an application for a certificate, and the time elapses of two or three
weeks.
Q. Dont you think if your contractor gave $25, you would get the certificate the same afternoon ?
A.-I dont think so, where an Architect is employed.
Q-Excuse me if I disagree with you on that, because I happen to know of cases where the wheels have been very much expedited by a payment.
A.-Usually you get a list of things which are not correct. I have had cases where I have asked for exemption by applying to the Government, and that procedure is taken in every case.
Mr. Shelton Hooper. That is only on the recommendation of the Sanitary Board ?
A. Yes.
Q. And the Sanitary Board is governed by its officers ?
A. Yes.
Q. And liese officers are Sanitary Inspectors ?
A. Yes.
Q.-Therefore really it was on the recommendation of the Sanitary Inspector that caused the Governor, when it passed through the Board, to grant the exemption?