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Q.-It therefore follows every man is under a liability to be paid in copper and he
adds on the difference.
A. But since 1882 the copper has been paid in reduced quantity.
Q.-Now with regard to the bills the Contractors present to the Treasury for pay- ment, which are certified to by the Public Works Department, as a rule how long is it before they are paid after the bill is initialed?
A. That I cannot tell. It is not in my department. The bill is sent in to the Public Works Department by the Contractor. The Surveyor General certifies the bill, and it then goes to his clerks.
Q.-Mr. BOWDLER told us he always initials bills.
A. But that is not our authority to pay.
Q.-You don't know then as a rule how long it is?
A.-No. The bill goes to the Surveyor General, then to his clerk, then to the Audit Office. When it is passed by the Audit Office it comes to me.
Q.-You have no notice of the day the bill was passed?
A.-No.
Q.-And you don't know of any delay from the time it is initialed until it comes to you?
A.-No.
Q.-And when it comes to you there is no delay?
A.-No.
Q.-You don't know of an instance when you have told a man to come again?
A.-Well, to-day there is a case where I have a cheque for $13,000, and we cannot get the Governor's signature. The man may be kept waiting one or two days.
Q.-What is the greatest time he might be kept waiting?
A.-One or two days.
Q.-Not more?
A.-No.
Q.-Have Contractors ever complained to you of delays in getting their money?
A.-Not direct to me.
Q.-To any one else?
A. That I don't know.
Q-But you say not direct to you?
A.-Well, they often call at my office and ask if I have received the pay list. They have not made any complaint, but they come and ask if I have received the list.
pay