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Q.-Well, there have been considerable complaints of the delay in the payment of bills in the Public Works Department. A Contractor told me this morning he had been kept waiting eight and nine months for payment, and sometimes be thought as much as
Do you know anything about that?
a year.
A.-I don't know. What accounts are these?
Q.-Does it take place in your office?
A. No:
Q.--Did you give evidence before a Commission which sat some two years ago to inquire as to the delay in paying bills?
A.-No, I did not; it was my predecessor, Mr. CHAGAS.
Q.-Hon. F. B. JOHNSON.-What is the difference between bills for contract work and those for measured work? What is the difference in your treatment of them?
A.-Contract work has to wait until a pay sheet is made up.
-What do you mean by a pay sheet?
A.-A contract always states a Contractor can receive so much on account.
Q.-Is this what you call a pay sheet? (produced)
A. Yes.
Q.--What is the difference between a pay sheet for contract work and one for measured work?
Q.-There is no difference.
Q.-You drew a distinction just now.
A. The contract work we have not to examine; in measured work we have to examine every bill signed.
Q.--But when you say examine, do you mean to say check it?
A. Yes.
Q.-But you cannot check the Contractor's account. the Contractor's work.
You have no knowledge of
A.-No, but I must see the price and divide by so much a foot, so many feet.
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Q. Who gives you the information by which you can compare the estimate with
the result?
The CHAIRMAN.-He means that he checks the calculation.
Q.-Hon. A. LISTER.--Do you compare the prices with the schedule prices?
A.--No; that is the business of the person who orders the work.