80
I 978019AS
.1900
59
...
The text appears to be a jumbled mix of OCR errors and unrelated content. The coherent text starts from "In answer to charge E. I have never habitually..."
In answer to charge E. I have never habitually or otherwise deducted from the wages of crews being paid off loans made to members of such crews by Boarding house Masters and others, nor have I charged a commission to the lenders or to anyone else for so doing. Generally, in reply to the above charges, I would point out that in those cases of which I know nothing, I am unable to put forward any explanation except mere denial. I have always endeavoured to carry out my duties with strict regularity and to the best of my ability. I would also point out that members of Chinese crews almost invariably owe money to the Boarding Master or to one another, and the lenders always look to paying off time to obtain payment; this gives rise to frequent dissatisfaction amongst themselves. And applications are sometimes made to me to make deductions, which I refuse to do, and this gives rise to dissatisfaction with me. The process of paying off always leads to a certain amount of quarrelling in respect of loans. Charges of a similar nature were brought against me in Captain Hussey's time and Captain Barnes-Lawrence's time, and they both expressed themselves quite satisfied with the explanation I gave.