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often write out bills, and I have often made them do it, because the bills came to me in such jargon I could not understand them, and I have sent for the Contractors to ex-- plain them.
Q-Then you give instructions, but we have it in evidence it has been done because these men could not get any one else who knew so well the technical terms, that it has been done by the clerks as a favour for which they have received money, and some of the private architects tell us the same hand-writing is very often seen in bills sent in to them. I had formed an idea that if this measuring surveyor system could be started, the measuring surveyor could supply a document, probably partly in print, which would form the Contractor's bill without any further making out.
A.—I am afraid the items are so varied you could not have anything in print. You can go back to the old system of making them make out their bills themselves. I must take the charge to myself of having made my clerks copy the bills, and I have done it out of consideration to the Audit Office principally. I did it in consequence of correspondence with Mr. GARDINER AUSTIN, who wrote me a very severe minute to the effect that the bills were getting worse every day, that they could not understand them, etc., and from that time I have always had the bills copied by the clerks or some.. of the Overseers, but the Overseers are almost as bad as the Contractors.
Q.-Hon. F. B. JOHNSON.-Is there any reason why there should be a requisition
at all?
A.-A Treasury instruction.
Q.--But apart from the Treasury instruction, is there any reason why, when a bill is certified as correct in your department, the proper Officer in the Pay Office should not give a cheque at once without passing it through any further forms?
A. I don't see any. I have served Railway Companies and Dock Companies, and the practice I have always seen obtain in private work is that when a bill is certified by the Surveyor it is taken to the Cashier.
Q.-Is there any reason why that should not prevail in this department?
A. None at all.
Q.-You might give an estimate to the Cashier or Colonial Secretary at the begin- ning of the month to give an idea of the money you want, and then it appears to me the bills as they come in, being passed by you, should be paid at once by cheque. Does not that seem the simplest way?
A.--I have often regretted it was not the case.
Q.-And if they wanted to audit it they could do so afterwards?
A. Yes; the very fact of my putting my signature to that bill would make me responsible for the amount. Mr. LISTER will be able to explain better than I can why the present system is in force.