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of the Cash book, I have reason to believe that, if his work were continuous, the Treasurer could exercise all necessary supervision and perform the whole of his daily work in the Treasury, including signing of all receipts, within three hours on the average.
As it is, he would often have to wait in the Treasury for a considerably longer time daily, and his work in connection with the Executive Council, and his attendance at the Legislative Council, would give him occupation in addition to what I have described as his daily work in the Treasury.
The circumstances under which Mr. May found the Treasury are described above in paragraphs. It may be observed that Mr. Mitchell Innes appears to entertain incorrect notions as to the length of time required for properly dealing with books.
On page 54 of the Evidence attached to the report of the Commission, he states that it took Nicolle and an ordinary Post Office Clerk three weeks to balance the Cash Book, and they did nothing else.