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92. But you have no other reasons?—No, I have no other reasons. -'■ " ■ - 92a. You say you were making notes for the protection of yourself?— Yes. 93. Did you ever enter into this subject with Mr. Gellatly? —I did, by writing. 94. Did you ever verbally mention the subject to him?— Not that I am aware of. 95. Did you ever mention the subject of the overcharges to Mr. Gellatly ? —I have no recollection. 96. Do you not think, looking at the importance you attached to the subject, you would remember it ? Answer " Yes "or " No."—l cannot say. 97. You said that Mr. Bridson was a difficult man to get on with?— That is so. 98. You did not get on well together?— No. 99. You did not work together harmoniously?— No. 100. Did you complain to Mr. Gellatly once ?—I did. 101. When was that?— About six weeks after I was with them. 102. Did you not ask him whether you were under Mr. Bridson's control, Or under whose control you were ?—I did not ask that; I asked whether I was under Mr. Newbold's control, 103. This was-in connection with the complaint against Bridson ?—Of his treatment of me. 104. Did not Mr. Gellatly say that if you did not like to take orders from Bridson you could leave, or language to that effect? —I believe he did. 105. Why did you not then complain of this fraudulent system which Bridson was carrying on?—I could not say. 106. You had the opportunity, particularly on this occasion.—Not necessarily. >•'.'•. 107. Can you give me a reason why you should not have mentioned it, as you were taking notes to protect yourself—l mean, why you should not have mentioned it to Mr. Gellatly?—l can give you no reason. 108. This letter you wrote on the 10th May. What time in the day was it written ?■—l could not tell you. 109. Cannot you tell the time that you wrote so important a communication as this is ?—No. 110.' Can you remember what day of the week it was ? —Yes. 111. It was Friday, was it not?—l was discharged on the following day, and that was Saturday ; it must therefore have been Friday. . ' 112. Did you then on the Friday before writing this letter obtain an advance of your salary?— I did. 113. Did Bridson tell you that your services were dispensed with?— No. 114. Did you know that he knew it ?—I did not know. 115. Why did you on the Friday ask for this advance of salary? —I wished for it privately. 116. Then, was it after obtaining that payment in advance that you sent in this precious communication ?—I will not swear it. 117. Will you swear that it was not ?—I will not swear either way. 118. Did you come for the balance of your salary on the Saturday ? —No. 119. Why not?— There was only a balance of ss. left. 120. Then why did you not go for it?—l adduce no reason. 121. You were not surprised that you got that letter?— No. 122. Why not ?—I was told of it. 123. When and by whom ? —I decline to say. 124. You were an honest man, and you were afraid your reputation would be tarnished? —Yes, quite so. 125. Have you ever made cross entries in books before ?—I decline to state. 125 a. Have you ever while you were in the employment of Brown and Ewen made false entries to cover embezzlement ?—lt was no embezzlement. 126. Then, you made them in their books to cover deficiency or deficiencies ? —I decline to state. ■ ■ '■'■ ) - 127. Before you were employed by Briscoe, MacNeil, and Co., where were you employed ?—Do you mean immediately before ? 128. You had not done any work for some weeks, I believe ?—I had not done any work for some months. ;, 129. By whom were you employed after you went to Briscoe, MacNeil, and Co. ?..' 130. By whom then ?—By Wilkins and Field. 131. Then by whom ? —J. Duthie and Co. .: . 132. Then by whom? —rCastendyk and Fooke. . : ■ 133. They are wine-merchants, I believe?— Yes. 134. How long were you employed by them ?—From January, 1893, to 1894. 135. Were you dismissed by them for dishonesty ?—I must ask the Chairman's ruling whether I am bound to answer that question. I ... The Chairman : He is entitled to decline to answer. 136. Mr. Skerrett.] But lam entitled to put the question; I will put it to the witness again; Were you not dismissed by them for dishonesty?—l decline to answer. 137. Is it because it would criminate you? Mr. Menteath.] He is not bound to answer that question. Mr. Skerrett: I submit that, in an examination to test his credibility, he should answer the question. ' . ' . The Chairman : If he declines for the reason that he might criminate himself in some way, he would-be entitled not to answer ; but, at the same time, the fact of his declining to answer would be a fact for the Committee to consider. " ;