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Q.--Do
--Do you mean you keep all bills where you have to pay by quantities to the end of the month? How do you draw the line?
A.-Where several have to go in one pay sheet. (Refers to a pay sheet).
Q.-Then you have to wait till all possible applications have come in?
A. Yes.
Q.-But suppose I was doing 10 feet of brick-work for which I was to be paid by the foot. When I have done I send in a bill. That is signed by Mr. PRICE and sent in to you, you have to examine it and see the totals are correct. Having done that what do you do with it?
A.-I keep it till the 20th to see if there are any more small bills.
Q.-That is to say a man who sends a bill in on the 21st would have to wait till the 19th of the following month?
A. Yes.
Q.-That is solely for the convenience of your department?
A. Yes.
Q.--Hon. F. B. JOHNSON.-What is the limit in the amount of a bill that you keep till the 20th?
A.-There is no limit.
Q.-Why do you keep one bill and not another?
A.--It depends upon the items in the estimates the bills have to be charged to.
Q.-But cannot you tell us which bills you keep till the 20th?
A. All bills for measured work.
Q.-And only bills on account of contracts, in which you have nothing to check you send on?
A. Yes.
Q.-The CHAIRMAN.-And all the others remain?
A. Yes.
Q. Hon. A. LISTER.-To-day is the 23rd, and I suppose you have passed a large number of bills to-day against China New Year?
A.-Yes.
Q-These are all special payments?
A. Yes.
Q.-Specially passed at this time?
A.—Yes.