145
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A:6
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that he attended whenever jewellery was sold.
Have you examined the Coy's record of sales with a view
to ascertaining whether such sales took place, and what
prices were realized? Did you find examples of such
sales? Were the prices apparently reasonable?
Yes. Auctions Nos.45, 46 & 466 of 1925.
I observe that some of the items were purchased
by the auctioneer himself and that the prices in my
opinion, not having seen the jewellery, were small.
From your knowledge of the items received in the
Registry do you consider there is on the ground of
feasibility, any objection to the giving of receipts at
the time of payment?
No. I might go further. I consider it essential.
Do you consider that any proper system of accounts
can be instituted without the giving of such receipts?
No.
The present system of recording payments in S.J.
Actions and distraints does not include ledger accounts.
In lieu of these payments are, or should be, endorsed on
the relevant files.
Do you consider this a satisfactory substitute for ledger records? What defects has the system?
I do not.
The shroff might omit to record the entry in which
case no trace of payment into Court would be discovered until the defendant raised the question. There would
then only be the shroff's word against the defendant's
word.
The file might be mislaid or lost.
It is practically impossible to make a
reconciliation with the Suitor's Fund at the Treasury.
The loss of a single file in five years would throw out
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a