( 55 )
Mr. Thurburn.-Has he done that for two or three years?
A. I believe he has, but I could not say for which years.
The Chairman.-There do not appear to be any arrears of taxes?
Q.-No, the book does not show any arrears. The book is not closed until the arrears are paid; therefore the book remains sometimes for a year and a half.
Q.-Had Alves anything else to receive except Crown Rent?
A. No receipts, but a lot of other work.
—
Q. How long do you think the Treasury ought to be open and the shroff in attendance for receiving money from the public?
A.--I should think the Treasury ought to be open much the same as Bauks are. Q-From 10 to 3?
A. Yes, I should think that would do very well. It is practically open until 4 o'clock now.
Q.—The shroff would have to be in attendance the whole of that time?
A. He is there from 10 to 4.
Q.-Does he go to the Bank?
A.-Yes one goes to the Bank.
Q. Do you know whether it was the shroff who was in charge of the Crown Rent who went to the Bank?
A. Yes, it was; he goes with a constable.
—
Q.-I suppose he would be some time at the Bank ?
A. He might be an hour or an hour and a half.
Q.-Who would receive the money in his absence? A.-Probably the head shroff would receive it.
Q-We think the shroff who is in charge of the Crown Rent should not go away, that he should be there from 10 to 3. Could that be managed ?
A.--Yes.
Q.-If we recommend that all monies should be received only by the shroff care should be taken that the shroff is always there to receive money.
A.--If Crown Rents were paid during the absence of the second shroff the receipt would not be granted then and there but would wait until he caine back, when the money would be handed to him.
Q-But then it goes into the hands of another officer and you have no check? A. The second shroff for his own protection won't put his chop on the receipt unless he gets the money.
Q.-Mr. Carvalho said that Mr. Nicolle and you had abolished what was called a Telling Cash Book?
A.-The tellers book.
Q. What was that?
A.--I should like to look at it.
Q.-Have you now any book which shows your position at the Bank, which shows at any moment what balance you have?
A.--We can always tell that by the Bank Book which is balanced week.
every