Sessional_Paper_1907 — Page 533

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Q.-You know that that is the law?

A.-There is no such law. I could not enforce it. I would ask the Medical Officer of Health's instructions how to act, but I dont think it could be enforced.

Mr. Lau Chu Pak.-Have you ever heard of your coolie threatening to prosecute people, because they would not allow them to put traps where they liked?

A. Yes, and they were reported and dismissed. I think I had one 18 months or a year ago.

Mr. Fung Wa Chan. And the man was dismissed?

A.-Immediately. I had two.

The Chairman.-Was he re-employed, do you know?

A That I could not say, Sir.

Mr. Lau Chu Pak.-Who engages those coolies?

A.-Mostly me, concerning my own staff.

The Chairman. Do you mean to say that the Plague Inspectors as a rule select their own men, including the rat catching coolies ?

A. They select their own men.

Q.-And who brings them to you?

A. I generally get the Chinese foreman to do that, and if the coolie did not suit me, he could bring another, and I have got two men now dismissed for dishonesty. I could not trust them. I saw one man put his hands into a coat pocket hanging on the wall. There was nothing in it. And another deliberately broke a bottle of port wine in a Chinese brothel, and I told the Medical Officer of Health that I would not be responsible. Working in brothels, you have got to be very careful, as there is jewellery and so on.

27.--THE HONOURABLE MR, W. CHATHAM, recalled:

The Chairman. I am sorry to ask you to come again, but it is a regard to the last Meeting you attended.

question with

Mr. Humphreys.-At that Meeting, Mr. Chatham, I was asking you some questions in regard to section 175 of the Ordinance, and I put a case to you, a suppositious case, still, at the same time a case that may happen any day almost, and you are reported by the reporter as having given no answer. Now, my impression was that at first you gave no answer, and then subsequently on being pressed, you said "It might amount to that ". Now, I will quote to you exactly what the question was. (Question quoted from evidence.) You are reported here as having given no answer. My impression is that you hesitated a little, and said "It might amount to that ".

A. I cannot recollect.

The Chairman.- As a matter of fact I think, Mr. Chatham, you did make that answer. Mr. Humphreys did speak to me about it, and I think the best way would be for Mr. Humphreys to repeat the question now, and ask you what you think you did say.

Mr. Humphreys repeats question.