CO129-126 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [11-12] — Page 153

The Statutory Declaration of Charles Langston Davies, make

before J. P. Duncanson.

•

Jay. Pactice

of the Peace, 18 Nov : 1867

Enclosure No 1. m

Mr Dares' letter

to be Stow Me De!?, but. See

Nov. 19th 1867

THE STATUTORY DECLARATION OF EDMUND JOSE DE COUTO,

I, Edmunds José de Couto, clerk in the Bul lion-office at the Mint, and residing in Hong- kong, do solemnly and sincerely declure:

That I bave been employed in the Mint of Hongkong about 18 months. I was in the Mint on the 6th of November instaut. Mr. Rangel came and said that the master wished to see Mr. Davies. Mr. Davies went to the magter's office. Mr. Davies soon came back and tunde some extracts from the Ballion-office Ledger. about Pyx Pieces. I saw him make those extracts, and I assisted him in making them.! He went to the master's office two or three times. and came back each time to make extracts. I assisted him. They were all about Pyx Pieces. Then the Master came into the Office and brought a written statement about Pyx Pieces. He went into Mr. Davies' room. next to the one in which I was. I heard Mr. Kinder and Mr. Davies talking for a long time, but I do not know what was said.

The talking was not very loud, and when it was finished Mr. Kinder and Mr. Davies came into the room where I was. I am quite sure that Mr. Davies then made some explanations to Mr. Kinder about the Pyx Pieces, but I do not recollect what those explanations were. When Mr. Kinder had finished explaining. Mr. Kinder said Mr. Davies' owed him some dollars, and that Mr. Davies accounts were wrong. Mr. Davies said the accounts could not be be wrong, because they had been balanced. Mr. Kinder said Mr. Davies must pay that money. Mr. Davies refused to pay out of his own pocket. Mr. Kinder said Mr. Davies must pay the money out of his own pocket, if he had not got it in the Bullion-office. Mr. Davies said he had not got it in the Bullion-office. Mr. Kinder went away. After that Mr. Kinder came back to fetch the list to make a fair copy, and Mr. Rangel brought a fair copy the same day.

On this list it was shewn that there was a difference of $20 and some cents.

The next morning Mr. Kinder brought au- other list. and told me to compare it with the books. While I was comparing with the books, in Mr. Kinder's presence. Mr. Davies came in. Mr. Kinder shewed Mr. Davies the new statement, and said something about the items, which Mr. Kinder said were not entered in the books. Mr. Davies then made some ex- planations to Mr. Kinder about the way Pyx Pieces were entered, and about what Mr. Kinder had said were mistakes.

I am positively certain that Mr. Davies ex- plained to Mr. Kinder for at least five minutes. Mr. Kinder said what he wanted was that money, and Mr. Davies must find it. Mr. Da- vies said the same as the day before. that he would not pay it out of his own pocket, and that he had not the money in the Bullion-ofce.

He asked Mr. Kinder to give bim authority to pay it out of Government Bullion. Mr. Kinder said something to Mr. Davies. I could not understand what it was. because Mr. Kinder spoke so quickly, Mr. Kinder spoke contemp- tuously, as though he wanted to make Mr. Davies angry. Mr. Davies asked the master to repeat what he had said. Mr. Davies asked this question loudly, and as though he were angry at what Mr. Kinder had said. Mr. Davies did not ask that question in a respectful manner. Mr. Kinder did not repeat that re mark. Mr. Davies asked whether he was speak- ing as master of the Mint, or as Captain Kinder. The master said nothing. Mr. Daries then said he would not pay out of his own pocket, aud asked Mr. Kinder to lay the matter before the Governor.

Just when Mr. Davies was going home that day, Mr. Kinder sent a memorandam to make some returns and explanations about Pyx Pieces. Mr. Davies sat down again and wrote the returns and explanations, and I delivered them into the master's-office,

And I make this solemn declaration cou- scientiously believing the same to be true. etc..

(Signed) E. J. DE COUTO. Declared and subscribed at Hongkong, this 14th day of November, A. D. 1867.

(Signed) JAMES P. DUNCANSON, J.P.

Jun 120/65

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