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Q.-And does he employ the same contractor to do both sides?
A. Sometimes, sometimes not.
The Chairman.-Why should it be more expensive in Kowloon, than here?
A.-Well, it ought to be cheaper on that side, because the people consider it difficult to do it here. They have got to do it over again, there.
Mr. Shelton Hooper.-Do you mean to say that the Inspector on that side is more particular than the Inspector on this side?
A. It is more difficult for him to be pleased with it.
Q. Do you know who the Inspector is who passes the work on the Kowloon side?
A. I dont know the Inspector.
The Chairman. Who has told you all this?
A. The limewashers, the builders, and my rent collectors have told me.
-Have they ever suggested at any time that it has been hinted to them, either on this side or on the other side, that the work would be passed more promptly if they made a present to the Inspector, or his interpreter or his foki?
A.—I have not been told that. They would not tell me.
Q.-So far as you yourself are concerned, you have no knowledge of bribery or corruption, or any question of that kind coming in to it?
A-No. I do not know. Well, I say this is not proper, and sometimes I suspect the Inspector. Why? Because the limewashers have told me something. They tell me some, without going to see it, have said that the limewashing is not proper, and some, without needing to see it, say it is proper.
Q-Is that on this side, or both sides?
A. On that side.
Q. And so you think there is a question of payment, but you have no knowledge of it yourself?
A-I am afraid there is something.
Mr. Shelton Hooper.-Now, when you send in that notice that the work is com- pleted,--that three days notice you referred to just now,--and you get an answer back from the Sanitary Board pointing out that it is not properly done, dont they state in what particulars the work is not properly done, which part of the floor and ceiling and so on?
A.-Well, the reason that the price is dearer on that side than this, when it really ought to be the other way about, is that we do not dare to give the work to those who would do it cheaply.
Q.-Why?
A.-The limewashers wish to be paid when the work is done, and if it is not done properly, then the limewasher wont trouble about it.
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