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Q-You judged from their manner they had a grievance?
A.-Well, that I cannot say.
Q.-Is that a frequent occurrence?
A.-Now and then.
Q-Would it not be equally convenient for the government service to pay everyone over $100 by a cheque on the Bank, as to keep a Shroff down there to pay the dollars?
A.-No, because there are some pay lists with 20 names on them.
Q.-But that is because you make the pay lists out in that way. Why should you not have a pay list for each man?
A.-Say there is one building on which 40 men are employed. You would have to make out 40 cheques, and the Surveyor General would have to make out 40 pay lists.
Q.-But you talk of 40; you are exaggerating the possibilities of the situation.
A.—Well, there are not so many as that. If you would like to see a pay list, I will bring you one. (Produces pay list).
Q.-Whose duty would it be to write the cheques?
A.-My duty.
Q.-Hon. A. LISTER.-But if we had a system of payment by cheque a junior clerk might write the cheques for signature by someone else.
A. Yes, but a cheque is rather important, and I would like to do it myself.
Mr. S. G. BIRD, Architect, is examined,-
Q.-Hon. A. LISTER.-I believe you were in the Public Works Department once?
A. Yes.
Q.-How many years ago?
A.-I joined in 1864 and left in 1867.
Q.-The department has changed very much since then?
A.-I think so.
Q.Are you at all acquainted with the working of the department now?
A.-No.
Q-At the time you were in the department what would you have said were the weak places as far as carrying on Public Works went?
A.-It is so long ago I am afraid it is almost impossible now to tell you what I thought of it.