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Q.-Nor attempted to offer you money?
A.-No; I have never received any money from any
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Contractor.
Q. How do you get in with these Contractors? Do you find them troublesome?
A.-Very often they are troublesome-to get them to perform their contract. Very often I have to fetch them before the Surveyor General.
Q.-I suppose they send you presents at Christmas?
A.-Oh that is a recognised thing. I have always received a leg of mutton or a couple of fowls.
Q.-Nothing more than that?
A.-No. It is a custom in China. I saw it when I came.
Q.-Nothing more valuable?
A.-Well, they might send a small box of tea, I set no value on it. I take it as
it comes. Very often the chair coolies get it.
here.
Q.You know, I suppose, there has been an immense deal of talk?
A. Of course I read the papers and see what is going on.
Q.-Can
Q. Can you tell us at all who are the people who put these reports about?
A.-No.
Q.-Then have stories been always going about more or less ever since You came
A.-I have heard such things going about, but more in a larking joking sort of way. I never believed anything of the sort.
Q.-The CHAIRMAN.-What were the charges you had in your mind's eye when you signed the Memorial?
A.-Charges of receiving money-bribes.
-Where were these charges made?
A.-I only read it in the papers.
Q.-Were you alluding to any particular article?
A. Yes, when SMITH alludes to rumours. I forget exactly.
Q.-"Mr. PRICE is reported to be a determined opponent of the jobbery said to prevail so extensively amongst the subordinate members of the department." You say it is said to prevail extensively?
A.-Oh, yes, people say so. At least they talk about it in the papers.
heard much before SMITH commenced this.
I never
Q.-You did not?
A. You might hear a joke made between one and another.
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