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Q-Who used to open letters addressed to the Treasurer? Were they sent to Mr. Carvalho as they used to be formerly or did they come to you?
A.--They were opened by the Treasurer.
Q.--By you?
A.--Yes.
Q--And if they contained cheques they would be sent to the respective officers?
A.--I used to send the money to the cashier.
Q.--Who?
A.--Mr. Carvalho, and he passed the money to the shroff who was sitting just in front of him.
Q--You say the shroffs were sitting just in front of him?
A.--Yes, directly in front facing him so that he could see exactly what they were doing.
Mr. Bird.--You are acquainted with these financial instructions? (produced).
A.--Yes.
Q.--Do you know Rule 49 which says that whenever possible two or more officers should take part in every receipt and payment of public money? Did it ever occur to you that Alves was only one officer, you would not count the shroff as an officer?
A.--Yes, I should.
Q.--You would?
A.--It never occurred to me that large payments were being made to Alves. I never knew that he received money.
The Chairman.--Did you know that the shroff could not write English?
A.--No, I was not aware of the fact.
Mr. Freire called.
The Chairman.--What is your name?
A.--Francisco Freire.
Q.--What are you?
A.--I am a pensioner.
Q--Since when?
A.--Last month.
Q.--You were attached to the Audit Office?
A.--Yes.
Q.--How long were you attached to the Audit Office?
A.--From 1879 to 1890.
Q.--It was part of your duty to go round to the different offices and examine the accounts?
A.--Yes.
Q--Had you anything to do with the Rent Roll?
A.--I used to have lately, 5 or 6 years ago.
Q--Could you tell us the first year?
A.--I cannot recollect. (Signature to the Rent Roll of 1887 identified.) That is my signature at the end of the Rent Roll of 1887.
"Examined and found correct, F. Freire, May 9th, 1889."
L
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Q.--It was your duty to examine the Rent Roll?
A.--Yes.
Q.--Did you examine it when it was completed or during the course of the year?
A.--When completed. That was the instruction I had.
Q.--Whom did you get the instruction from?
A.--From Dr. Stewart.
Q.--Did you ever ask for the Rent Roll of 1887? I see it is only examined in 1889.
A.--I did and the excuse was given that he had to wait for a certain book (Land Office Rent Roll) from the Surveyor General or the Land Office.
Q.--Who said that?
A.--Alves--and that he was always busy and he could not give it to me earlier. I reported it to Dr. Stewart and Mr. Lister and I recollect when I spoke to Mr. Lister about it another time he told me distinctly to mind my own business.
Q.--At what date was that?
A.--I cannot say.
Q.--About when?
A.--1886 or 1887, I suppose.
Mr. Thorburn.--It was two years behind then?
A.--Yes.
Q.--What did Dr. Stewart say?
A.--He said he would see about it. I recollect a sort of meeting we had but I don't know when it was.
Q.--Whom of?
A.--I said, "The system is not good and besides that I want to examine the account because I propose to examine all the counterfoils that is the daily work. That Dr. Stewart sent for Mr. Alves and Mr. Madar is the only way I can see to check it." I recollect what I said to Dr. Stewart. I did my duty, that was all.
The Chairman.--Do you know whether the Rent Roll for 1888 was examined?
A.--I don't think so. I could show the Rent Roll for 1890. I only wrote it up the other day. I was paid to do that year.
Mr. Thorburn.--Was 1892 balanced?
A.--It was balanced by me. 1890 and 1891 were offered to me but the payment was too small and I refused.
The Chairman.--About the 1888 book, I suppose it was your duty to examine that?
A.--Yes.
Q.--Did you ever examine it?
A.--No.
Q--You allowed it to remain.
A.--Yes, up to 1890.
Q.--You were examiner during 1889?
A.--Yes.
Q.--During the year 1888 Mr. Wodehouse was at the Treasury part of the year?
A.--Yes.
Q.--Did you ever ask for the book of 1888?
A.--During 1889?
Q.--Yes.
Q.--What answer did you get?
A.--Mr. Alves said the book was not ready because he was waiting for a certain book to complete it.