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Q.-Chair coolies?
A.They are chair and ricksha coolies together. I use more rickshas than chairs.
Q. Do you keep them down the Hill?
A.-I keep them up the Hill.
Q-Then they don't come down with you?
A.—No, they sometimes go down to Hongkong and they always take the chair. Q.-May I ask you what you pay ?
A-I pay eight and-a-half dollars a month.
Q-Anything outside of that for firewood or anything of that kind?
A.-They get their chow cooked with our firewood.
Mr. Wilcox.--That is a concession worth about half-a-dollar a month or more.
The Chairman.-How long have you been paying such wages to your coolies ? A.-I had to increase the wages to eight dollars and fifty cents when I removed up to the Peak. When I lived at Queen's Gardens, I paid $7.50 and $8.
Q.--How do you engage your coolies?
A.-I get them through my Compradore.
Q.-Always?
A.--Yes, always.
Q.-And does every gentleman in the firm do the same thing?
A.-As far as I know, yes.
Q-Is that part of his contract with your firm ?
A.--Our Compradore is employed under contract to get coolies for us.
Q.-Under that system, have you ever had any difficulties in getting coolies?
A.-There is one difficulty; it is hard to get good coolies. The coolies are not so good as before.
Q. Has your Compradore ever said: "I am very sorry I can't get you coolies"?
A.--He has always been able to get them.
Q. Do you know how he got them?
A.-I think he always gets them through the coolies in his office.
Q.-You say you have had no difficulty in getting coolies, but, having once got them, have you had any difficulty in retaining them?
me.
A.--I could not say I have had any difficulty in keeping them,
Q.-Have you any reason for that?
A. I think the reason why my coolies stay is that they got a very easy job with
Of the coolies I have now with me I have had some for three or four years. Q.--You are in touch, Mr. Fuchs, with the German community here?
A. Yes.
Q. Have any complaints reached your ears from the members of that community about private chair and ricksha coolies ?
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