185 (247) -
2420;2
The Chairman. Have you ever paid this extra price, Mr. Ho, of $2 to $2.25, -- you yourself paid it?
A.--I have paid it.
Q.-Quite recently?
A. Yes. If not, nothing is well done,
Q.-Naturally being a business man, you are not going to pay double what you did six months ago, without getting some reason for it?
A. Yes.
Q. When you objected,—the man now comes and asks for $2 to $2.50,-what did you say to him? Did you not tell him it was excessive?
A.-le said
I wont take the job, unless you are willing to give me that amount."
I called another one, and everyone wanted the same.
Q. What did you say,-did you not say that you thought it was a squeeze?
A.-No, I knew all about it myself.
Q.-If you did not say it was a squeeze, you must have had some very good reason for thinking they were right in asking $2?
A. Yes, I suppose so.
Q.--They must have given you some reason. You would not pay a man double, without being satisfied it was reasonable?
A.-They said "How can we do the floor for $1. to be able to stand it."
We must at least get $2 to $2.50
Q.—But a bald statement like that from a contractor does not satisfy you? satisfy you that they must make this charge ?
A. I understand all about these matters.
Mr. Lau Chu Pak.-Did you ask them why they could do it for $1 before?
Did they
A.-I did ask them. Perhaps he had not even whitewashed it before, but he got it passed.
Mr. Fung Wa Chun.-In your opinion a floor requires $2 to $2.50 to whitewash it properly?
A.--Certainly.
Q. Whereas in former times, these contractors could bribe the Inspectors, and they could afford to charge you $1, because they were not expected to do proper work?
A.-Certainly.
The Chairman. And is this a common practice all through Hongkong, Mr. Ho, or only just round about your District?
A.-Whole of Hongkong.
Q. Have you got property in all parts of the town?
A. Yes.