Sessional_Paper_1893 — Page 602

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THIRD MEETING.

March 3rd, 1893

Present: Mr. E. J. ACKROYD, Chairman.

Mr. J. THURBURN.

Mr. S. G. BIRD.

Mr. F. J. BADELEY, Secretary.

Mr. F. H. May called.

The Chairman. We are enquiring into the defalcations in the Treasury, Mr. May, and as you were Acting Treasurer for some months last year we would like to have some information from you. When did you take charge?

Witness. On March 31st, I think.

Q. And you were acting until?

A.-The first week in October, the 7th I think.

Q. When you took charge, did you look into the working of the Office at all to see what system was carried out?

A. Yes.

Q.—About Crown Rents, what did you find was the system pursued ?

A.-I found that all the money paid into the Treasury was paid into the hands of the shroff, and that the man in charge of the collection of Crown Rent on being informed by the shroff that such a sum had been paid, made out a receipt for the amount, which receipt was handed back to the shroff and upon the shroff affixing his seal to it it was handed to the man who brought the money.

Q. And the receipt was signed by ?

A.- By the man in charge of the Rent Roll.

Q. Who was in charge of the Rent Roll?

A.--Alves,

Q. Did you never think whether there were any precautions against Alves receiv- ing money and not accounting for it ?

A.--No, I never was aware of Alves receiving money direct.

Mr. Thurburn. Was there any regulation against his receiving money or was there any order that the shroff was the only man to receive money?

A.—I could not exactly say whether there was any regulation, but it was certainly the practice of the Office that only the cashier might handle money, or the shroff, but nobody else.

The Chairman. The practice has been that Alves has handled money, and to a very large extent.

A.-In my own case I have often received money sent to me in a letter, as Treasurer. I have always sent it direct to the shroff.