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Q.-And in that case the opportunity is offered for them to receive bribes?
A.--We will suppose a Contractor has to lay 4 inches of cement or lime concrete on a road. Unless you see it laid on yourself you cannot afterwards say whether
there are 4 inches or 3 inches. You want to see it laid. If the Overseer allows him
1 inch that amounts to 25 per cent on the contract.
to scamp
Q.—Then if as you suggest a Superior Officer should be appointed, would there be any work at all for these Overseers?
A:Yes, because they stand by and see the lime and stones and red earth mixed in proper proportions.
Q.-You think the shortcoming is where the Overseer, who is not a man qualified for the post, is entrusted with the signing of the certificate?
A. Yes; I don't think he ought to know anything about the contract or the money. That would be a great check on them. I have had no trouble with our Overseers as yet, though I have no doubt they do receive small bribes.
Q. As you expressed it just now, to make things go easy?
A. Yes..
Q. Hon. A. LISTER.-When you were in the Public Works Department did you at all suspect anything was paid to anyone for making up bills?
A.—Oh, yes; it was an acknowledged thing almost.
Q.-An acknowledged thing?
A. Well, I should think so.
Q.-Who got these payments?
A.-You must know that, without my telling you the man's name.
Q.-Well, there is some suspicion about it, but I should like to know how far
your observations coincide.
A.-The Chinese clerk in the Public Works Department.
Q.-In whose handwriting the bills are?
A. Yes. Many of our bills are in his handwriting now.
Q-You say you get bills in his handwriting?
A. We have had them.
Q. Do you know what the amount of payment is for doing this work?
A.-Contractors have always told us the usual thing is one per cent.
Q.-So that on $94,000, I think you said that was the amount of the contract for
the Break-water-
?
A.-Yes, but the probability is he would not make out the bills for that, because then I came in and made out the certificates, so he would miss his chance. It is where
he makes out bills for extras and so on.
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