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482. And there is also a column for the advances made during"the session? —Yes. 483. You also keep a rough day-book in which you note the advances ? —Yes. 484. How are these advances made ?—A form is filled in and certified to by the drawee ; it is then sent to the Treasury, and they send up a cheque. FS 485. Are there many advances made during the session ?—Yes"; there are a good many. 486. Have you any other books ? —There is a list of salaries of messengers, charwomen, constabulary, &c. 487. This is a book which contains the number of the voucher, the name of the claimant, the date of supply, the amount of abstract, the amount approved for payment, the date of approval, and the vote to which it is charged ?—Yes; there is also a list kept of the people employed each session as extra messengers, &c. [Produced.] 488. This is a list of the names of persons employed in each session, the rate of pay, and any other remarks in connection with their service that you make yourself ?—Yes. 489. You keep these books yourself?— Yes. 489 a. What is your duty with regard to inspecting committee-rooms?—To see that they are all cleaned out and kept in good order. 490. How do you issue tickets to the strangers' gallery ? —The sitting room is measured for eighty. I give the policeman tickets for one hundred; and there is another policeman in the gallery who receives the tickets, and shows people to their places. 491. This is merely for the purpose of preventing overcrowding. There is no check with regard to the admission of strangers?—No; except when there is great pressure, the policeman is instructed not to admit youths under fourteen. 492. You are also issuing tickets to the ladies' gallery this session? —Yes. 493. Why do you now issue the tickets instead of the Librarian ?—lt was a recommendation of the Library Committee. I believe, a good many years ago, the Sergeant-at-Arms used to issue these tickets, and the House Committee afterwards gave it to the Librarian; lately Sir Eobert Stout, I believe, suggested that it was more in my department, so it was handed over to me. 494. Who keeps the account of the members' attendance in the House?— The Chief Messenger keeps a daily account, and it is checked by me. There is a book for the purpose, which he keeps under lock and key. Mr. M. Cosgeave, Chief Messenger, in attendance and examined. 495. The Chairman.] You are Chief Messenger to the House of Eepresentatives ?—Yes. 496. You keep an account of the members' attendance in the House?— Yes. [Bookproduced.] 497. You mark down the attendance of each member in this book day by day?— Yes; when a member does not attend I leave a blank. 498. Have you any other books or accounts ?—Yes ; I keep an account of the stationery used in the House. 499. You also have charge of the order papers, have you not? —Yes; I keep them in my room; and also always keep a file of back copies for reference. 500. Have you any other book or accounts ?—This is a book in which I keep the Messengers' time; they enter their names every morning, and I make out; an abstract and send a copy of it to the Sergeant-at-Arms, who fills in the vouchers. I also issue stationery to the extra Clerks in the various committee-rooms-, and take receipts, and I supply the chamber personally. 501. How many rooms are there in use during the session?— There are forty-eight rooms. I have charge of them, and see that everything is right. [List of rooms produced and attached.] 502. During the time you have been employed as Chief Messenger here have you been employed in any other capacity?— No. 503. You discharged the duties of Sergeant-at-Arms for a while, did you not ?—Yes; in Dr. Greenwood's time : when he was ill I did the work for him. 504. What are your duties during the recess ?—I act as Messenger between the Clerk's office and the Printer, and perform the duties of an ordinary Messenger. There are also seven or eight libraries of blue-books in the building, which are under my charge ; they would rot if they were not looked after occasionally. 505. Are these rooms used during the recess? —The Property-tax Department has had the use of some of them for the last two years, and Mr. Barron uses the chamber occasionally for examinations. 506. Who keeps the keys of the rooms ? —I keep the keys of those that are in use. 507. Do you look after the furniture? —No; Letham keeps some of the keys, and looks after the furniture. I take an inventory of all the furniture every year. 507 a. Are you under Mr. Letham, or independent of him ? —I am independent of him. 508. Are you held accountable for the furniture and property left in the Parliament Buildings during the Ido not think so. I suppose the Custodian, Mr. Letham, is accountable. Of course I would be held accountable for the furniture in the rooms which are in use during the recess. 509. What are the hours of your attendance ?—Prom 8 a.m. until 4.30 p.m. in the recess; the offices are shut at 4.30. 510. During the session what are your hours ?—I generally come at 8.30 or 9 o'clock, and remain until the House rises, sometimes until 4in the morning. I send away a certain number of Messengers at 12 o'clock, but have to remain myself in case there should be anything wanted which I would have to supply. 511. Mr. Thompson.] How do you keep the attendance-roll of members ?—I enter the name of every member who attends in my book; if a member does not attend, a blank is left opposite his name, and I return him as absent, whether he has leave of absence or not; but, if a member comes in at all before the House rises, I put him down as having attended.