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be paid to each of them,
as a remuneration
for their services. These parties considering this sum very inadequate for the duties performed by them, resigned this appointment...
On their resignation in June 1846, Mr. Markwick, the Government Auctioneer, and Mr. Harrison, at that time a Clerk
in the Surveyor General's office, were appointed Assessors and Collectors for the year
commencing on the 14th July 1846, on the
understanding that they were to receive a Commission of 6
per cent on
the proceeds
of the collection, to be equally divided between them.-
At the termination of that year (on the 30th June 1847), Mr. May,
the Superintendent of Police, was appointed
in lieu of Mr. Markwick to act jointly with
Mr. Harrison, the Commission
the Commission being reduced to 5 per cent.-
Since that period the Police State has
been extended throughout the entire Colony:
and as the assessment is a very
laborious duty,
and the collection involves considerable time
and trouble, the remuneration awarded to the Assessors was considered by them too low for the onerous duties required of them.-
With regard to the entertainment of Sub-Collector and Shroff, I may observe that it will be totally impossible for the Assessors personally to collect Tax every quarter from upwards of 2,400 houses, scattered throughout the whole Island; and there is such a large quantity of base and deteriorated coin in circulation in this Country, that a Shroff
or Money-changer
is an indispensable
addition to every office, Public or private,
which receives or
pays large sums of Money.-