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The CHAIRMAN.--You say about $30,000 was subscribed?
A. Yes.
Q. Did you subscribe?
A.-I put my brother down for $100. It is not customary for members of the whole family to subscribe individually.
Honourable C. P. CHATER.-Would you be a member of the Society, not having subscribed?
A.-I am not a member yet. I will be when those charges are withdrawn. Q.--What do you mean?
A. I mean about the Society being a secret Society. I am waiting until these charges have been withdrawn.
Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.-Why didn't you join before they were made? A.-Because I was not in any commercial house before.
Q. How long have you been in a commercial house?
A. Since March, 1891.
Q.-And before that?
A. I was in a Solicitor's office and it is not usual for Solicitor's clerks to be members of the Society because kidnappers may come to engage them.
Q.-For 18 months you have been considering whether you would be a member? A.-Yes, but there was nothing to make me consider until all this was talked about. I would have joined if it had not been for these. charges.
Q-You say they were much talked about?
A.-The matter was put in the papers. The charges were made public.
Q.-The Chinese have been talking about them?
A. Yes, they feel very strongly on the point. I think they were anxious to know whether those people who made the charges are prepared to prove them.
Q.-How long were you in the Registrar General's Office?
A.-For about three years.
Q.--Have you ever heard of the detectives of the Pó Léung Kuk squeezing?
A. I have heard a good deal, but it is only hearsay.
Q.-You know of no case?
A.-No.
The CHAIRMAN.-Have you ever heard of Chinese detectives squeezing?
A. Yes.
Q.-Have you heard more frequently of the detectives of the Pó Léung Kuk than of other Chinese detectives?
:
A.-Just about the same. •
Q.-You have known no case?
A.-No, I never heard of any case.
Q. Do you know whether the Pó Léung Kuk have kept a sharp look out on their detectives?
A. Yes. As the Captain Superintendent of Police would be on the look out over his own men.
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