CO129-438 - Public Offices - 1916 — Page 372

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Mr Newman:

Then I suppose we can put two and two together and presume that your principal was "Young Schratter"? That

may or may not be.

The Assessor:

If the transaction is a proper one, I do not

see why Mr Morrison should hold back so much.

Witness:

I don't think it would help matters very much if I

were to give my principal away.

Mr Newman; When a person uses the words "give away" it usually means that something has been done wrong. There is nothing

wrong here.

expression.

Then why use the term? That is an American

If there is nothing wrong in the transaction then there is no reason why you should not disclose the name of the

I would not like to disclose his name until I ask

principal.

him as I would not like to get into trouble.

Mr Newman: Do you claim the privilege of a witness? You must

an awer the question unless they are such as the court may de em likely to disclose your guilt as having done something wrong.

Do you claim that privilege? I am not afraid to incriminate

myself.

The Assessor:

Then you must answer the question. This is a Chinese court and you are a foreign witness. We cannot take proceedings against you but we can ask a sister court to examine you upon oath and they can force you to do so.

Witness: My principal is J. C. Lewis.

In addition witness said that as soon as the transaction between himself and Lewis commenced on September 7th he took Tsoo to be an agent for him. He could not tell if Lewis were the ultimate principal or only an agent. He did not know why this

transaction had so many agents.

The case was adjourned.

Extract