14,217. Do you leave them to come down or not as they please?- Decidedly.
14,218. Is there never a black sheep to whom you have to suggest the propriety of coming straight down?-The men know they have the money to pay, and they look upon it as a just debt.
14,219. Is there not a note kept if a man fails to come down?-We are not likely to forget that. There is no note of it kept.
14,220. Do you note the fact that you have settled with him for his wages and oil-money?-Yes. The account is squared at once as soon as we come down from the Custom House.
14,221. Do you not note the fact in some form or [Page 355] other, that the man has not come down to settle his account when he has failed to do so?-No, the book would show that without any note. I may say, however, that I have scarcely ever had a case of that kind, except it may be one.
14,222. Was that Robert Grains?-Yes; and even he did come down ultimately and settle his account. He was settled with along with about a dozen others, and they all went down. Some of them had been settled with before I came down from the Custom House, but he did not come until I came myself.
14,223. Did he come down with you?-No; he came down himself. I believe the other lads induced him to come back to the shop and settle his account.
14,224. Had he at first refused to do so?-He had been telling the lads that he was going to keep the money or most of the money. I think they said he wanted to go right away and never come near the shop at all, but they induced him to come.
14,225. Did he give any reason for wanting to go away?-Nothing, except that he wanted the money for some other purpose.
14,226. Was his account for goods equal to the whole amount of his wages?-He had about £1 to get.