Q. Are they in the way of chaff?
( 24 )
A.-I don't know whether it was chaff. I
suppose
it was.
Q.-There is a great idea some men in the Survey Department can make a great
deal of money.
A.-Well, the best test would be to find out who has the most money. Some of them seem pretty well off.
Q. Who are the men who seem well off?
A.-I am sure I don't know.
Q.-But you say they seem well off. You may have noticed.
A.-I have heard certain men spoken of as having certain amounts.
Q.-Who are the men spoken of as having large amounts of money?
A.-I don't know.
Q.-Suppose you were yourself inquiring into this matter, to whom would you look to find out about it? There must be some one who has told you more perhaps than any one else about it.
A.-You see I am a complete stranger. I served two years, and I am out twelve months now, and I shall be going home next December, I have no means of learning anything about the Colony. I am out every morning at the prison.
Q.-You go out with the Convicts?
A.-I have to take their reports. I am out all day.
Q.-I think we may infer from what you say there would be no difficulty about anyone making money if so disposed.
get.
A.-Well, I don't know, I can't make money. I am quite satisfied with what I
Q.--Well, but this case that you mention?
A.-That was the first time, and I never have had it repeated. Perhaps he thought I was a fresh man, and he might have gone to the Surveyor General and reported me if I had taken it.
Q.-The CHAIRMAN.-Well, you do hear it said about that there is corruption? A.-You cannot help but hear it. I have read of it in the papers.
Q.-But apart from the papers?
A.—I have heard parties say it to-day, something that happened 15 years ago. I say it is nonsense talking about 15 years ago and now.
Q.-Hon. A. LISTER.-Yes, a man named LAWRENCE?
A.—I don't know. He did not state. He said he thought it was a very good department, but that 15 years ago it was not so strictly looked after as now.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.