Sessional_Paper_1907 — Page 407

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"Man Hing's business makes $600 to $700 a year. When I first joined the Sanitary Department Sham Iu was the limewashing and labour contractor for the Sanitary "Board. As I was getting on with Sham Iu, I suspected that he was not strictly honest in "many things, because the then scavenging and conservancy contractors had reported to the "that with the exception of Sham lu, very few men could do the work to the satisfaction of "the Inspectors. Since I suspected him, I kept an eye on his work, and he then began to give "me treats, so as to make my friendship. Unconsciously I was lead in, and became intimate "with him. That was why he suggested that I should go in for a share in the contract for "sundry stores. Since I have been on friendly terms with Sham Iu, I did several times pump "him as regards his dealings with the Inspectors. I said you must have paid money to "Inspector Reidie, or you would not get on so well with him. At first he denied but in the course of time he admitted, saying that when he paid money to him, he was very careful "about it.

He generally went to his house, and left the money in a sealed envelope on the "table or floor, before he left, as if he forgot to take it back. He was very reluctant to tell anything against Inspector Reidie, but as regards the other Inspectors, ris., Fisher, Lyon, "Woolley, Lamble, Conolly, L. E. Brett, McEwen, H. Gidley, Allen, and in fact all the Senior "and Plague Inspectors, who are in immediate contact with him, he was more frank, and "said that they had often received money, and presents from him. He has also occasionally "made me presents.

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180. I have not assisted Sham Iu to take out a British born certificate nor did I advise "him to do so. About three years ago, he asked me whether it was a fact that British born. 'subjects cannot be banished, and I said "Yes". He did not give me any reason, "for asking that question.

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"Since I was interested in the Man Hing business, I have been making out all the bills, “and translating the orders, as my partner, Au Sui Shang, does not know English. When "Inspector Reidie was in charge of the Disinfecting Station, Man Hing, through Au Sui Shang, every year paid from $30 to $50 to Inspector Reidie as a Christmas present. After Inspector Reidie, the present was given to Inspector H. Gidley. They also did not pay for "sundry articles off and on obtained from Man Hing. As to the Yaumati scavenging and conservancy contract, it was Sham Iu who promoted the business, and he asked me and my friends to put some money in. The Capital was $15,000, and I undertook to "raise $7,000, and he $8,000. In March this year, I saw it was not paid, and I and my "friends all sold our shares to Sham lu. My share was $1,000, of which I lost $280, and "back $720. Sometime at the end of the last Chinese year, I and Sham Iu called on Chan Pui, "and offered to sell to him the nightsoil, and a contract was made out in the name of "Chan Yuk for the sale. Chan Yuk is the man put forward by Sham Iu as the contractor. "Im Wa is my wife's uncle. He was a foreman in that contract for some time, and after I gave "up my share in the business, Sham Iu discharged him. I have a share of $100 in the "Kwong Tai Long Pork Stall, Western Market, in the name of my son. I have no share in "Ho Tsoi's business. I only shewed him how to apply for the license, but I did not get any << money from him. In the case of Yat Heung, the $10 he gave me was handed to Inspector "Conolly. I did not keep it for myself. The money paid by the pork shops and fruit shops "in Hollywood Road and Connaught Road was paid me for shewing them how to apply for "the licenses. The licenses of these shops have all been cancelled. The granting of the "licenses is entirely in the hands of the Sanitary Board. These people gave me the money,

thinking I had power to grant them without my asking for it.

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"Before I went to Canton, Sam Iu one evening came to my house and told me that "Lui Chi had been to the office of one of the Commissioners to tell against me, and advised me to leave the Colony for a time. As I at the same time felt unwell, and fearing that I "might be seized with plague, as it was then very virulent, I acted upon his advice and left for Canton, intending to come back as soon as I felt better. When I was proceeding to my own village, I thought of calling at Kong Moon, where I was told by Sham lu that Lui Chi was "there. On arriving at Kong Moon, I enquired and found Lui Chi. He told me that he had "been to Mr. Lau Chu Pak's office, and that Sham Iu advised him to stay away from "Hongkong. Since then I have not seen Lui Chi. Sham Iu still owes Lui Chi money. "I can't explain why Sham Iu wanted Lui Chi to stay away. He himself may explain, "if pressed.

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