Sessional_Paper_1893 — Page 591

( 27 )

Mr. Bird.-Previous to 1888 was it all right?

A.-The Rent Roll for 1887 is balanced and audited.

Q.-And the amount is correct?

A.-The amount agrees with the amount paid into the Treasury within about $5, I think. There is a very small difference between the Treasury ledger and the amount paid

in.

The Chairman.-You have the year 1888 for which there is no Treasury Rent Roll but you have the Land Office Rent Roll, and you have the amount actually received by the Treasury for rents.

A. Yes. The amount is approximate and there might be some adjustments. Q.-But not much?

A.-It would reduce the amount rather than increase it.

Q.-In 1889 there was the same thing?

A.-Yes.

Q.-Have you the book for 1890?

A.-We have the Rent Roll for 1890.

Q.-Has that been balanced now?

A. Yes; here is the balance (produced).

Q.-For 1890 to 1892 how much have you ascertained to have been taken? A.--$31,186.56.

Q. And for 1888 and 1889, ascertained as you have already explained? A.-$28,544.56.

Q.-The total is?

A. $59,131.12.

Q-Is there any reason to believe that there are any other defalcations? A.-No.

Q-Don't you think that there are amounts that he has omitted? For instance in 1892, sums that appear as not paid, may not they have been paid?

A.-I think not. I think this book is correct, and of course during the past two months a good many payments have been made and the Rent Roll has been consulted.

Q. If the book for 1890 had been balanced at the end of January 1891 the defal- cations would have appeared at once?

that.

A.--Certainly, unless he had fudged his book. I don't think he could have done He would have had to make some re-arrangement which would have been detected. Mr. Thurburn. This book (Rent Roll) would have required re-arranging?

A.-I don't know whether the Treasurer mentioned the date on which the book was balanced. The rent roll for 1887 was balanced in 1889.

Mr. Bird.--Eighteen months afterwards?

A. Yes. That ought not to be; there ought to be a special man put on it if necessary.

Mr. Thurburn. What is the system of payments? Is there a chance of similar frauds?

A.—I know nothing of that, but I should not think there is.

Q.-That is audited at home?

A. Well the whole of the accounts are supposed to be audited at home.