14,489. I suppose the agent, where there are a number of men, has some voice with regard to their selection?-Unquestionably.
14,490. Are you aware whether any effort has been made by agents, either yourself or others, to secure engagements for the men who had larger accounts or larger debts in your books?-Of course there have been a few cases where an engagement has been got for a man who was in debt.
14,491. Do you know of any case where the captain has objected, or complained of the efforts made by the agent to get such men engaged?-No, I don't recollect of any such case.
14,492. Did you know a Captain M'Lennan who came here for men?-Yes.
14,493. Did he make any objection of that kind on any occasion?-No.
14,494. Did he not complain of it being done?-Not to my knowledge. I never heard any such complaint, either from him or from the owner on his behalf.
14,495. Were you at one time agent for a vessel of which he was master?-Yes, in 1870. He had his men sent south to him in the previous year. We had him for two years.
14,496. Were you not in business at all in 1871?-Not as shipping agents.
14,497. Had you applied to have the agency for Captain M'Lennan's ship in 1871, before you gave up the business?- No; we had her from 1866 till 1871, when we gave her up voluntarily.
14,498. Was no complaint made at all that you had endeavoured to engage men who were in your debt or who were running accounts with you?-No.