16,165. Have you had anything to do with the engagement of seamen?-Occasionally.
16,166. Are they ever engaged in presence of the superintendent?-For foreign-going vessels they are always engaged there.
16,167. Are they so engaged for the Greenland and sealing vessels?-Yes.
16,168. Is the agent present then and the captain of the vessel?- Yes.
16,169. Is the selection of the men usually left to the agent, or does the master of the vessel exercise a choice?-I fancy the agent collects the men and the master selects them out of the crowd.
16,170. Does the agent interfere with the selection?-I am not aware. They are all selected before they come before us.
16,171. Have you noticed whether in recent years the number of young hands engaged in the sealing and whaling voyages has been less than it was when you first came to the office?-I have not observed that.
16,172. Have you heard any of the men complain that they could not get their wages paid when they wanted them?-I have heard complaints with regard to the second payment of oil-money. The men said the agent had not got his return, or something to that effect, that he was not aware of the quantity being ascertained.
16,173. Is that the only complaint you have heard on the subject?-I think so.
16,174. Do you know whether there was any difficulty or objection on the part of the agents to comply with the regulations when they were issued?-There was little bit of difficulty, and I have no doubt there was little objection at the time.