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A. He has to a certain extent an idea, because at home-and I think we do it here
-every
month we send in a statement of the probable amount of money we shall require so that he may provide it, so that if any bills came in largely differing from that he would naturally ask whether there was any reason for it; and further than that all our works are done under authority from home. We get the authority for so much money, and the Paymaster is informed of this. A bill comes in for such and such an item, so many pounds, and he will see then that they are not exceeding the grant authorised, and so long as we are not exceeding the authorised grant the probability that there is any swindling going on is very small.
Q.-The CHAIRMAN.-Who decides on the tenders?
A.-There is a tender box with two keys, one of which is kept by the Commanding Engineer I think, or a Commissariat Officer, I am not sure which, and another in the Brigade Office. On an appointed day an Audit Board is sent to open the box. Then they send to get the keys. The Commissariat Officer is always on the board as the representative of the Secretary of State for War; he has the other key and the box is opened. The tenders are taken out and examined; they are numbered and initialed by each member of the board. It is noted in a form, No. 1, so and so, and so much, and so and so. Perhaps No. 2 is the lowest; then the board say. "We recommend No. 2, being the lowest," unless there is very strong ground for objecting.
Q.—You recommend; who decides?
A. Take the case of the Engineers. We refer to the Commanding Engineer. He, unless he has some very strong reason, must accept the lowest tender.
Q.-But if there is a reason?
A.—Then he would refer it to the highest authority available; at home to the Secretary of State; here to the General.
Q. And would the General take it on himself to decide that?
A.-I should think he would.
Q.-And it is he who decides?
A. If necessary. If we accepted the lowest tender it would not be referred to the General.
Q. How much work can be carried on before a man is required to pull it down, suppose it is bad? I believe you have a provision, the work must be found good and to the satisfaction of some one; if an Officer finds it bad he can order it to be pulled down. Take the case of the building of a wall, or the laying of a drain, or the building of bank, how many days' work can go on before that is done?
A.-Well, the supervision is daily. Generally speaking I do see the works every day, but not in all cases.