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Q.—The CHAIRMAN.-You signed the petition to the Governor for an inquiry? -
A. Yes.
Q.-What were the charges of corruption that you considered affected you?
A.- -I don't know I am sure. I rather objected to sign the petition because. I don't know much about the department. I really signed because everyone else did.
Q.-Of course you have read the commission?
A.-No.
4.
Q.-Well, I think I ought to read you a passage in it: "I hereby charge all Officers in the Public Service to assist the Commissioners in their inquiry, and all persons having information to communicate are hereby invited to furnish the same to the Commissioners." Well, now, if you have heard anything said that refers to any corrupt practices by Officers in the Public Works Department, I put it to you that you ought to give us particulars, whether it is by hearsay or whether it is such stuff as may be made use of as proof. What we are seeking for now is clues upon which to make inquiry. You may give it to us in the most perfect confidence. What we are seeking for now is for clues to take hold of and pursue in our own way, and any names or particulars that you may give us are in our opinion material for our purpose.
A. Yes, but as I told Mr. LISTER, I have only heard it in private conversation, and I don't think what I have heard in private conversation with my own personal friend, I should say.
Q.-Well, you know men's characters are taken away by private conversation as much as they are by a man speaking from the house top?
A. Yes, but I may take them away more by repeating that, and I don't feel justified in repeating anything I am not in a position to prove.
.Q.-You will be in a position to prove this was said?
A. Yes, but this is a private conversation, I don't feel justified in repeating it. Everyone hears things in private conversation he does not feel justified in repeating.
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Q. If these private conversations are spoken of as Mr. FRASER-SMITH speaks of them in the article, and everyone says: "It is private conversation, I cannot repeat it,' it creates the most damning slander-an immense number of private statements not one of which can be tested?
A.-Yes.
Q.-Surely it would be right to give the names?
A.-I cannot say I have heard against a certain man a certain thing. All I have heard is what is in the newspapers, that work can be done outside at less cost, that it is generally supposed Overseers do take bribes, and the question: how is it possible for men to live on the salaries?
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