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Q.-Have you never spoken to him?
A.-No.
Q.-I suppose in the case of a small bill it would be in your power to let it lie there and not pass it to Mr. PRICE; you might forget it?
A.—No, it could not stop there, because I have a certain place for bills.
Q.-But if you wished you could keep a bill back?
A.—Oh yes, and not only I but any one, because the bill does not go through my hands only.
Q.-You mean to say any Officer of the department?
A.-I don't say any Officer, but certain Officers.
Q.-Any Officer through whose hands the bill passes could if he pleased stop it?
A. He could.
Q.-Have you ever heard of cumshaws being given by Contractors to Officers for pushing on their bills on making things pleasant?
A.-No. I have never heard of that.
Q.-Hon. A. LISTER.--There is one other point on which you could perhaps give us some information-the Overseers. It is widely said they receive presents of consider- able value from the Chinese Contractors to make themselves generally agreeable, to make things go smoothly. Do you know anything about that?
A.-I don't know that myself.
Q.-You have heard it I suppose?
A.--I have heard it, but if I don't know a thing, of course I don't want to say I
know it.
Q. Do you know if any of the Contractors lend money to the Overseers?
A.-No. I have never heard of
any.
+
Q-Have any of the Overseers to your knowledge a share in the Contractors'
business?
A. It is impossible for me to say, because I don't know it.
Q.-You have never heard of any case of an Overseer receiving presents?
A.—I have seen things presented to the Overseers, I think once every year, at
Christmas.
Q.-Valuable presents?
A. Only fowls and legs of mutton and things, of that kind.
Q.-But several gentlemen have told us plainly that much more valuable presents than that had been given. Major MULLOY tells us he was offered, when he first came to the Colony, a valuable gold scarf ring set with diamonds, and bronze vases inlaid with
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