14,207. Was it intended that all Mr. Leask's accounts should be paid at the same time that the men got their money handed over in presence of the superintendent?-There was no formal proposal about that.
14,208. Was it not done in some cases?-In some cases it was, when the men agreed to do it.
14,209. Did the superintendent object to that?-He did not object. The whole money was paid down to the men, and sometimes they gave back what they knew they had to give back.
14,210. Would that be done in one half of the cases?-I could not speak to a proportion.
14,211. When they did not hand back then what was due to Mr. Leask, what was done?-They handed it back when they came down to the office afterwards.
14,212. Do they come down to the office now and pay their accounts after being settled with at the Custom House?-Yes.
14,213. Do you settle with five or six or a dozen of them at a time, as the case may be?-Yes, any number, from one up to a dozen, or perhaps more.
14,214. Is the settlement with these men after they have got their cash always carried out and finished on the same day at Mr. Leask's office?-Yes, invariably.
14,215. Do they come straight down from the Custom House to the office and pay their accounts there?-They generally come in the course of the day.
14,216. Do they come down along with you?-If it is only one man who has been settled with, perhaps we will come down together, and perhaps not, just as it happens. I have no fear for them coming down. I never bother my head about them after I give them the money.