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do so?
-Have you had any difficulty in procuring such services when requested to
A.-I have had difficulty.
Q. What was the nature of your difficulty ?
A. First, I had some difficulty in obtaining them at all; second, I found that after procuring them they levanted after leaving the chit given them by me to report them- selves. Whether this was caused by influence brought to bear on them by the other servants of the house or by others outside, I am unable to say.
Q. How do you proceed to get those coolies?
A. In some cases I ask the Chinese staff at the Central Police Station to assist me, as they are more familiar with the men of the different districts. Then I apply to certain detectives to get them for me. In Hok-lo cases I apply to a headınan.
Q.-What do you mean by headman ?
A.-The man who has some little control over them. The men who are in the position of supervising coolies themselves.
Q. Are these the men who bring the coolies to the Colony?
A.-No, but they may in some cases influence men to come when they require them themselves.
Q. Do you know any men in the Colony who are engaged in bringing coolies for private rickshas and chairs into the Colony?
A.-Not coolies for private chairs and rickshas specially, but I know of one man who supplies the labour market with coolies. The Kowloon Godown is largely supplied with Chiu Chau men.
Q. Do you know anybody who supplies coolies for the purpose of private em- ployment?
A.-That individual does some, because he procures some of the licensed coolies we have; others I don't know specially.
Q.--Have you personally received complaints from members of the European com- munity who have difficulty in obtaining or procuring ricksha coolies?
A.-I have.
Q. I mean complaints apart from any that have been made to the Captain Superin- tendent of Police?
M
A. Yes, there were several instances. I referred them to the Captain Superin- tendent of Police also.
Q. Have you referred them all ?
A.
I did not tell Mr. May about everyone.
Q.-What was the nature of the complaints made by Europeans as a rule ?
A. -In one case, a European offered a dollar increase of wages a month to two coolies as he employed them to do a little extra work in the way of picking up tennis balls. Even with the extra wages, they did not turn up. He said it was very hard; could I not help him with a view to getting new men?
Q. Any other complaints of another nature?
A.-There was another case in which a cook left his mistress to do the day's cooking herself absolutely without any cause.
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