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2270,1
Q-How long ago did that happen?
A. In the fifth moon.
Q-Fifth moon of this year?
A. Yes.
Q-Have they been asking you for money quite lately, or was it only in the earlier part of the year?
A.-No.
Q.-Since when did they last ask
you
for money
?
A.-Well, the fifth moon,-I dont remember when.
Q. Do you think that since the fifth moon, they have asked you for money,—that is to say, six months ago, roughly?
A. They dont dare to ask me during the six months past, since this new law has been issued.
Q. What law do you mean?
A.-Well, I have heard that it has been said by some high official that both are guilty if bribes are offered or taken.
Q-Now, Tsang Tim, I am quite satisfied you are telling us, as far as you have gone, the truth, but there is something more I want to get out of you. Now, it is quite right that you must not offer money, or give money to those inspectors, but if you have,—even if you have-if you tell the Commission that you have given money, we will give you a letter which will protect you, even if you have done something which is not quite proper.
A-I am telling the truth about everything.
Q-Yes, that is all right, I wan that.
A. I have been troubled a great deal.
Q-They have troubled you a great deal, did you say?
A.-Interpreter Lo.
Who have troubled you?
Q. What sort of trouble? When has he been giving you trouble ?
A. Just now, the work I have done. Here are letters from the Sanitary Board about it all. I promised to give money, and I did not pay him, and he said he would do for me, and he said that I have not done any of the whitewashing and he served letters on me for everything, and says I have not done anything.
Mr. Shelton Hooper.-What does he mean by "I will do for you.' Does he meau he will kill you?
A.--He means that if you do work, he will certainly say that it is not proper.
The Chairman. Any work you do he is determined to say is not proper?
A. Yes.
Q. And is this interpreter Lo who says this, or is it the inspector as well?