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I. —7a

would it not strike you that was a high price ?—Yes; it would strike me as expensive, without knowing the quality. 43. Would not the designation " plain iron " be specific enough ? —No. 44. Mr. Mackenzie.] What is the highest price of plain galvanised iron ?—Different for various gauges. If you take 24 gauge, it would be £25 a ton. 45. Is that the highest price you have ?—Yes. 46. Mr. Tanner.] That answer conveys no meaning whatever? —It is impossible to give a definite answer without knowing the gauge and quality; understand me, that is probably not the best that is made, but it is the best that we usually keep in stock. . , 47. Mr. Skerrett.] There is no standard weight for sash-cord? —I would not say so, I would say rather " approximate " weight. 48. Is it not the fact that bundles of sash-cord corning from the manufacturer contain numbers of pieces and bear different weights ? —There is but a small difference. 49. The difference is 10 per cent ?—Yes; I should say that 10 per cent, would be a fair difference. 50. Sash-cord is usually sold in the trade otherwise than by weight ? —Yes ; it is sold by the hank as well. 51. It is retailed by the hank ; but in some cases it has to be charged by the pound. Have you been informed about these matters by Jenkins ; these matters in respect of which you have been examined ?—Only as to the sfl.sh-cord, not as to the others to the best of my belief. For corrugated iron there is no standard weight; there is an approximate weight, which all makers in the competition of trade adhere to as nearly as possible, with a slight variation more or less. 52. Which variation would be as high as 10 per cent. ? —No ; I should be surprised to see it. 53. How far would it go then; to 5 per cent. ?—I should say not to more than 2-J-. 54. Is not the variation usually recognised in the trade about 5 per cent. ?—Not to my knowledge. 55. You have been asked by my friend as to the duties connected with calling back ? —Yes. 56.- It. is the duty of the person transcribing from the order-book into the journal to detail the goods as they appear in the order-book ?—Yes. 56a. In transcribing from the order-book into the journal what is the duty of the clerk ?—From the order-book into the journal ? 57. Yes; the order-book being in fact the day-book ? —To make clear and correct entries as they appear in the order-book. 58. The order-book is compared with the journal? —In our establishment it is for the purpose of seeing that the entries are correctly transcribed from the order-book into the journal. 59. Mr. Jenkins says it was not the practice in Briscoe and MacNeil's. Do you know the position that Mr. Bridson occupies in Briscoe and MacNeil's?—Yes ; generally. 60. Suppose you occupied Jenkins's position as transcribing clerk, and you were directed verbally by Bridson to transcribe the orders, correctly entered into the order-book incorrectly into the journal, would you think it necessary to bring that under the notice of Mr. Gellatly, the resident manager of the firm? —I would, most certainly. 61. Do you think you would have any conversation with Mr. Bridson on the subject of " incorrect weights "?—I would have pointed out the discrepancy, most certainly. 62. You would not silently have obeyed his instruction without any comment, or making any remark, either to him or to Mr. Gellatly ; you see what I mean ? —lt is hard to answer the question. It would depend on what my position was. 63. Suppose one should say that there was an entry in the order-book —an entry of 2qr. 271b.— and you were ordered to transcribe the entry into the journal as 2cwt. and 271b., do you think if you occupied the position of transcribing clerk you would have obeyed without any conversation with Mr. Bridson or reporting it to Mr. Gellatly?—l do not know what answer to make to that question. 64. What would you do?—I imagine I would report it. 65. Would you obey quite silently without having any conversation on the subject ?—There are many ways to look at it. Suppose a man was in such a position that he would be likely to lose his place through it. 66. You think a man might refrain from having any conversation with Mr. Bridson ?—Certainly, if a man was likely to lose his billet through doing so. Ido not say what I would do under the circumstances. 67. Do you not think it improbable that there should have been no conversation, but simply the direction to make the alteration ; with no conversation by Bridson with Jenkins, or by Jenkins with Bridson? Do you say, in answer to my question, that you think it would be probable that there would be no conversation between two persons occupying the position that Jenkins and Bridson did? Say what would be the case according to your practice?—ln our establishment I think there would be some conversation about it. 68. Do you know Mr. Jenkins at all?— Yes, slightly. 69. He is not an ironmonger, I think ?—I think not. 70. He was employed, I think, by Messrs. Duthie and Co. (Limited) ?—Yes. 71. Doing what ?—Clerical work. 72. For how long ?—Do you mean this year? 73. He has been employed this year ?—Yes. 74. How long was he employed this year? —About three or four weeks. 75. Do you remember what portion of this year? Was it before February or after May?—lt was after May. 76. Could you tell me the periods during which he was employed ?—I suppose 1 must answer. Is it necessary that I should answer?