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Q. What is his name?
—
A.-Tsang King.
Q. Hon. A. LISTER-But do you think there was any probability in such a story?
You know what a house like that of Mr. BOWDLER's would cost?
A.-Probably $7,000 or $8,000.
Q.-Well would there be any probability of a man realising such a sum as that out
of the Tai-tam Works?
A.-Undoubtedly.
Q.-Do you think it would be worth a man's while to make a present of $8,000 for the chance of getting any works whatever in this island?
A.-I cannot tell you. It is merely hearsay. The man told me spontaneously. I was walking up to the Peak with him to Mr. DENNYS's house. I said "Who built Mr. BOWDLER's house? He said "Tsang Aking." I said "What did it cost?" He said "Nothing." I said "What do you mean?” He said "He have cumshaw it, because he promise plenty work that Tai-tam Works."
Q.-Hon. F. B. JOHNSON.-Would you give us the name of the person who told you?
A. LAI AYOw.-I don't think he does Government work.
Q.-Hon. A. LISTER.-Have you come across any other information of that sort ?
A.-Well, in the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank works there is a water supply tap. One day I noticed it had never been cut off. When you pull down a house the Govern- ment cut off the supply. I said to the Contractor. "Why is this?" He said, "Oh, I gave Mr. ROSE $100 and he has not cut it off." The water supply is there now, to this day.
Q.-Hon. F. B. JOHNSON.-The Contractor wanted the water?
A.-He wanted the water of course,
Q. And it ought not to be there?
A.-Well, the Government always cut it off in an empty house.
Q.-Hon. A. LISTER.--What is the name of that man?
A. The same LAI AYOw, partner with TAI YIK, the Hongkong Bank Contractor.
Q.-Is there anything else of the same kind you can tell us?
A.-No, I don't think I know of anything else.
Q. Hon. F. B. JOHNSON.-You know pretty well what the Government system of tenders is. Do you see anything to object to in it?
A.-No, I think not.
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