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Q.-Hon. F. B. JOHNSON.-What is it you do?
Witness takes a bill and explains that he checks the addition, &c.
Q.-Hon. A. LISTER.--But with contract bills it is a lump sum, there is no check- ing to do?
A.-No; simply to see in the book if the amount put down is due to the Contractor.
Q. Hon. F. B. JOHNSON.-You say you send up to the Audit Office all bills that come in before the 20th of the month?
it in?
A.-Yes.
Q.--Have you ever had a bill in your possession over the pay day and not passed
A.-No.
Q.-Never?
A.—Never.
Q.-You say sometimes you get an order to pay money at once?
A. Yes.
Q.-Who gives you that order?
A.-Sometimes the Surveyor General.
Q.-And what is the class of work for which he gives such orders?
A.-Sometimes contract work and sometimes measured work.
Q-That is some special service?
A. Yes.
Q.-And the Surveyor General gives that order?
A. Yes.
Q-Any other person than the Surveyor General?
A.-No.
Q.-Does it have any other signatures than the Surveyor General's?
A.-No. I take the Surveyor General's signature as my authority.
Q.-Can you produce such an order to pay money?
A. Sometimes it is a verbal order.
Q.-Has that been the rule or exception?
A.-It is the exception.
Q.-Hon. A. LISTER. -Can you, before we sit again, find us a bill that has been put through in this special way before the 20th of the month?
A.-I cannot remember now; there are so many bills.