11,156. Is that done universally by the men when there is an account due by them?-Yes, after receiving their money they walk back to the office and pay their accounts.
11,157. Do they generally accompany you down to the office or the clerk who sees them paid?-One of us sometimes accompanies them to the office but we don't wait for them; they come back when they please.
11,158. Do you always desire them to come down to the office and settle their accounts when they leave the shipping master's office?-Of course, they understand they have to pay their accounts. We don't require to tell them that. The men are very honest on the whole, and don't require to be asked to pay what they are due.
11,159. Except in the case of a man like Robert Grains?-That is the only exception I have known since 1867.
11,160. I suppose if any of them showed a reluctance to settle their account at the time, then either you or the clerk who attended at the shipping master's office would remind them of it and ask them to come down to your shop to settle?-Except in that one case, I never saw even the least hint of that.
11,161. There is generally a second payment due to the men for oil-money?-Invariably.
11,162. Where is that second payment of oil-money settled?-In the agent's office now.
11,163. Why is it not also paid before the shipping master?- Because it creates a great amount of trouble to go there with every man to make the settlement. It entails an immense amount of labour.
11,164. Then the final settlement of accounts between you and the seamen does not take place until the second payment becomes due?-No.
11,165. And generally the actual settlement is some time after it becomes due?-Yes, a short time after.