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with the Midsummer Rent Roll. The Christmas Rent Roll is delivered as speedily as possible. It takes two days to make up the supplementary Rent Roll. We practically have to make two copies and check them with the books, and that occupies the rest of the time. There are nearly 300 pages to copy-
Q. Is it correct to say that Alves could not make up his books because he was waiting for your Rent Roll or information from you?
A. It is certainly incorrect because he never asked for information and has always been able to get it at a moment's notice no matter what it has been.
Q-We are anxious to have this Rent Roll sent in to the Treasurer as soon as possible in order that he may make his book out definitely and close it as soon as he How soon after December 25th and June 25th do you think you can send in your book supposing that you have extra help?
can.
A. -If it is made up to date it could be done with extra help within three weeks. But I should say it could be delivered on the day itself because there would be very little else to add during two months.
Mr. Bird.—But it would not be absolutely correct?
A. It would be correct with the supplementary list of any sales that have taken place during the two months. The changes are very few in two months, six sales extra would cover it.
Q.-I should think if the book was delivered correct within three weeks it would be sufficient?
A. Yes.
Q. They could still go on collecting rent from the old book during those three weeks, aud in order to do that you will only want extra assistance. You have only one Chinese clerk ?
A. Yes.
The Chairman.--And he can only copy out the Rent Roll in his spare moments? A. Yes, he has to attend to people searching and they occupy a lot of his time. With regard to delivering the Rent Roll they told me at the Treasury that they wanted the Rent P
March, and they said that they never wanted it before the end of February. I take it that as they get information of the changes from day to day they could always make up their Rent Roll as quickly as I could, and practically they only want it as a check.
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Q.--It has never been as much as six months in arrear?
A.--No, I have never been asked for it.
Q.-Were any complaints ever made to you?
A. No, never.
Q.-About the taxes, you give them notice also of the collection of taxes?
A.-I used to for several years. I made returns once a week, or fortnight, or once a month, but I found it was not used for the purpose I intended and I discon- tinued it.
H. C. Nicolle re-called.
The Chairman.We wish to examine you about these arrears; the first thing we have to enquire into is the amount of the defalcations. I have got from Mr. Bruce Shepherd a correct list within $1,000 or $2,000 or the amounts that ought to be received for a number of years. I would suggest that we start with December 31st, 1887, when you have as arrears $84,192. Then you would add the years 1888, 1889, 1890, 1891, and the first half of 1892.
A.--No, both half halves of 1892.