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A. I don't know.
Q. That is an order for payment of wages?
A. I don't look on it as an order for payment.
Mr Thomson: Every man takes it.
A. He takes it as the amount due to him.
Mr Hewett: Supposing a man is unable to be present when the crew are being paid and when you are there, do you mean to say he could not get his money till you came back again. You might not be back for months. You might not even come back at all.
A. I would not like to say.
Mr Chatham: When you sometimes pay off a man you do not go yourself to the shipping office but give him a chit?
A. I have sent down a note to the superintendent.
His Excellency: You mean a private note as well to the superintendent?
A. Yes, saying that the bearer is so and so.
Mr Thomson: In that case the note might also go astray?
A. Yes.
Mr Sercombe Smith (to Mr Guterres): When the Cranley's crew paid off was the master present?
A. Yes.
Q. All the time?
A. Yes.
Q. Was he present when Chok Fu came in?
A. No.
Q. What time was he present?
A. From 11 till about a quarter to 12.
His Excellency (to witness): You are present and see the money paid over. I presume you do not see that the money is carefully counted to each individual?
A. Yes, I do. I take down the exact money.
Mr Thomson: The total?
A. Yes.