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A.-Perhaps the only way would be the way Mr. MARSH suggested, a post-audit instead of a pre-audit of the accounts. Whoever passed the accounts would be respon- sible to the Government for the correctness of the account.
Q.-You would practically say to the Surveyor General, pay what you like, but all you pay which is not authorised you will have to be responsible for?
A. Yes. All the Consular Accounts are paid in that way; they audit afterwards. Many public companies pay their accounts in the same way. Now, of course, they throw the blame on the Audit Office. If we audit the accounts we are responsible.
Q. Do you remember a change in the system of requisitioning introduced by Go- vernor HENNESSY, namely that instead of requisitioning in November for the money wanted in November you were to requisition in October?
A. Yes.
Q.--And it is strictly regulation, is it not?
A. Yes.
Q. Do you think that has introduced any extra delay into the payment of bills?
A. Sometimes, because they requisition for a less amount than they require, and the Audit Office waits till they get the supplementary requisition before they can pass the bills. The Surveyor General requisitions say for a lump sum of $500, and if these bills come to $600 the Audit Office cannot pass them.
Q.-Hon. F. B. JOHNSON.-Would it not simplify matters if a bill like this for $430 was paid by a cheque at once by some Officer in the department ?
A.--No, because the requisition is really the authority to do certain work.
Q.-But you have the authority. Here you have Mr. BOWDLER, who initials that the work is being done and the amount is correct, and Mr. PRICE, who refers you to the special vote from which the survey is to be obtained. What prevents your writing a cheque and finishing it off at once? Why do you want requisitions?
A. Because the instructions are-
Q-Keep clear of your instructions. I want to ask you what you think would be the most simple manner of paying money?
A.- -That would be the most simple manner.
Q.-Is there any objection with regard to your books?
A.-No. It would simplify matters a great deal the moment the Public Works Department thinks a bill is correct to give a cheque or send to the Treasurer at once. ·
Hon. F. B. JOHNSON.-The requisition is to my mind perfectly unnecessary.
Hon. A. LISTER.And I am almost prepared to say it is, especially a requisition six weeks before you want the money.
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