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Q.-These charges you speak of applied exclusively to Overseers?
A. Yes. You hear these things and think nothing more of them. It is an every day occurrence, it is looked upon as a matter of fact.
Q.-Hon. A. LISTER.-In fact it is just like railway porters at home?
A. Yes.
Q.-Hon, F. B. JOHNSON.-These charges you allege are commonly talked about are against the Overseers, and you hear no charges to which you attach importance brought against the higher Officers?
A.-No; in fact I know the Government would have heard of it long ago if any thing of the kind had come to any one's knowledge.
The Commission adjourns.
NINTH MEETING,
18th January, 1884.
Present: Honourable A. LISTER, Treasurer.
F. B. JOHNSON.
Absent:-Honourable E. L. O'MALLEY, Attorney General, (Chairman).
Mr. J. M. FLEMING is examined,-
Q-Hon. A. LISTER.-You are an Officer of the Royal Engineers?
A.-I am District Surveyor under the War Office.
Q-How long have you been connected with the Engineers?
A. About 27 years.
Q.And how long have you been in Hongkong?
A.-Five years within a month or so.
-We understand your special duties are to measure work after it has been done.
A.-That is my present duty, but then here I have to design work as well. You see there is scarcely enough work for me to do in mere measurement. That would be my duty in a large station where there was a great deal of work, but I assist generally in the duties here. Of course I am available for that purpose.
Q.-Will you tell us the largest work the Royal Engineers have performed during the time you have been here?
A.-I think the Sanitarium, perhaps; and those batteries at Stone Cutters' Island; then of course alterations and new buildings, but not to any great extent.
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