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The Chairman (to Honourable N. G. Mitchell-Innes).-Mr. Mitchell-Innes, by virtue of this letter I propose to open this Commission to-day, and I think the first person to be called is yourself. You will give us some information as to how the books were kept and so on, in order that we may see what further evidence we shall require.
Honourable N. G. Mitchell-Innes (Colonial Treasurer) called.
The Chairman.—When were you appointed Colonial Treasurer? A.-At the beginning of 1891.
Q. Did you take office at once?
A. Yes.
Q.
How long had you been in the service before that?
A. For about 9 years.
Q.-What positions have you held?
A. I had been Assistant Registrar General, Assistant Colonial Secretary, Acting Police Magistrate, Acting Superintendent of the Gaol, and Acting Registrar General.
Q. When you took over the Treasuryship did you see what books were kept or what was the system of accounts?
A.-I went generally through them.
Q.-What books were kept when you took up the position?
A. The books then were practically the same as they now are. There is a cash book, journal, and ledger, counterfoil receipt books, and subsidiary books for the collec- tion of different items. There is also a Rent-Roll.
Mr. Thurburn. The system now is the same as it has been for several years past? A. Yes, the general system of book-keeping.
The Chairman. When you took charge did you make any change in the system? A.-No. Changes were made as I joined, or just before I joined. The ledger, for instance, used to be kept by the Audit Office, but I do not know whether it was a year before, or just when I took charge, that it came to the Treasury.
Q. When you took charge Mr. Nicolle was in the Colony?
A. Yes.
Q.-And the changes you speak of were made in consequence of his being here?
A. Yes.
Q. What staff had you in the Treasury then?
A.--I had the cashier, Mr. J. A. Carvalho. He was cashier and first clerk. The second clerk and accountant was Alves. The third clerk was Madar. The fourth clerk was E. A. Carvalho. The fifth clerk was Freire.
Q.-Freire had just joined?
A.--Not long before, I think. The sixth clerk was young Mr. Silva.
Q. What money is actually received into the Treasury? I know in a certain
sense that all goes in, but what money actually passes in?
A.-About three-quarters of the revenue of the Colony. Q.-What does that consist of? ...
A.-Crown rents, taxes, licences, and the Opium Farm fee. There are some subordinate receipts also.
Q.-But those you have mentioned are the principal?
A. Yes.
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