CO129-028 - Bonham - 1849 [1-3] — Page 24

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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.-