185 (259)
2139/40
Q.-Well then, it has been done ?
A. Yes.
The Chairman.-I dont think it is worth while going into this question of limewash- ing, when Mr. Li says he has a good many other things he wishes to speak about. Go on, Mr. Li, and tell us something else.
A.--Well, as to concrete, I remember I had a shop built in 1900, rather, I built 14 all
in a row.
Mr. Shelton Hooper.-Where were those houses?
A. In Kennedy Street.
Q.-In Wanchai?
A.-No, in Yaumati. After they were finished, they were examined, and they were all right, and I got a paper, and then in 1903, they were examined again, and some were said to be right, and others not.
Q. He is speaking of the floors?
A. Yes.
Q.-Were these floors covered with tiles over the concrete?
A. Yes.
J
Q. And in 1903, did they tell you to take up and reconcrete the whole floors, or did they tell you to take up and make good the broken tiles?
A.—No, it had all to be dug up and relaid,
―
The Chairman. And did you get notice to that effect from the Sanitary Board?
A. Well, I wrote to the Sanitary Board, and said that the houses had only been finished three years, and the Sanitary Board had passed them as proper, and now I was required to reconcrete. I requested that they would examine it with me, really that it was necessary to look at it carefully.
Mr. Lau Chu Pak. —No, Mr. Ball, "to examine it carefully before they passed it."
The Interpreter. To examine it carefully, and say whether they were proper or not.
Mr. Lau Chu Pak.-Didn't you mean to say this: I built the houses in 1900, and am now required to reconcrete in 1903, only three years after?
A. Yes.
Q. And you wrote to the Sanitary Board?
A. Yes.
Q.--You wrote "I want the Sanitary Board to examine the concrete this time more carefully"?
A. Yes.
Q.-As much as to say "Do not pass it, unless you are perfectly satisfied"?
A. Yes.