( 125 )

Q.-But meantime there is a bill, is there not? The Contractor has brought a bill for what he has done?

A.-Sometimes the Surveyor General himself writes an order to pay the Con- tractor; sometimes the Contractor writes a sort of bill.

Q.-But suppose a man brings a bill. Now here is a bill for $11.29 brought by a man of the name of CHAN WAI-KI.

A.-That is for measured work.

Q.-Well never mind. This bill is signed by Mr. BOWDLER?

A. Yes.

Q.-What happens to it then? Is it brought at once to you?

A.-It is brought to me.

Q.-As soon as it is signed?

A. That I cannot tell.

Q.--When Mr. BOWDLER sees these bills, does he give them back to the Contractor.

or does he keep them?

A.-I cannot tell.

Q.-Who brings them to you?

A. Sometimes they are bought by the office coolie.

Q.-Are they ever brought by the Contractors themselves ?

A.-Never.

Q.-When a bill is brought to you do you conclude it is to go into that month's pay sheet-that it is to be put through for payment at once?

A. Yes, to be paid at once.

Q. Do you then see whether the money has been requisitioned for?

A. Yes, I must see that.

Q.-That is part of your duty?

A. Yes.

Q-I suppose then you get bills sometimes for which no money has been requisitioned ?

A. Yes.

Q-And what is done then?

A.~I make a supplementary requisition.

Page 360Page 361

Share This Page