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The Chairman.If they come from the same class of people, that might be so. But have we any proof of the ricksha coolie becoming a cargo coolic?
Mr. Badeley.--Yes, Mr. Hanson gave us some evidence to that effect.
Witness. These Hok-los are a close corporation. However they were affected, they would not go into any other business.
Mr. Badeley-You don't think private chair coolies go from that business to be cargo or godown coolies?
A.--I don't think they do, so far as Hok-los are concerned, and the majority of private chair coolies are Hok-los.
The Chairman. They look upon it as a different trade? Chair bearing is one trade and cargo carrying another trade and they won't pass from the one to the other?
A.-What I was thinking of was that the trades are in the hands of different dis- tricts and outsiders can't get in.
Mr. Badeley.--In whose hands is the cargo carrying business? A.-I could not tell you.
Either the Tung-kun, or Sz Yap.
[This concluded the sitting, and it was agreed to meet again on the 24th Septem- ber, and take the evidence of a number of Chinese Compradores.]
WEI YUK declared:-
—
24th September, 1901.
The Chairman.-Where are you Compradore ?
A.--I am Compradore at the Mercantile Bank.
Q. Where is your house?
A-Macdonnell Road, near the end.
Q.-
Do you employ chair and ricksha coolies ?
A.-I employ chair coolies and they pull the ricksha as well.
Q.-What wages do you pay them ?
A-I pay eight dollars.
Q. What does that include ?
A.—I give them oil, firewood and hot water for them to bathe themselves if they
want it.
Q.—Do you give them free lodging?
A. Yes.
Q.-Do you pay for their food?
A.-No.
Q.--Five years ago, how much did you pay ?
A.—Five-and-a-half dollars or thereabouts, but I gave them board and lodging. Mr. Wilcox. What do you think the difference would be--about a dollar per
month?
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