Rate charged up to the Wheat Scheme. We will of course keep separate accounts and when bulk storage merge into a general scheme of bulk handling involving special financial arrangements, the necessary financial adjustments can be made. You will notice also on the same file that the Under Secretary for Works received an instruction from Mr . Key as follows— In connection with our conversation of this afternoon , I beg to confirm the arrangements made whereby the Scheme will, on application, provide both the necessary expenses in connection with Mr .Pearse's salary, during his visit to the Eastern State on Wheat Scheme matters, and the preliminary expenses for surveying the silo sites up to with respect to the latter work, the £250 authorised by Cabinet. Did you know of this?.— We are having an argument now as to whether it is to be a Government charge or a charge against the Scheme. 1475. Then has not Mr .Pearse been paid in accordance with the arrangements made in March last?— We have advanced his travelling allowances from time to time from the Scheme's account. It is all subject to whether adjustment is decided on by Cabinet and the board . 1476 And has not his salary been paid by the Scheme?— Not yet; only the travelling allowance. 1477.But it the intention to pay his salary from the Scheme because the Minister for Works is paying another officer to do Mr .Pearse's work while Mr .Pearse is in the Eastern State ?— So far as Mr .Pearse's visit to the Eastern State is concerned. he went primarily on silo work and he also did a lot of work connection with the Wheat Scheme and that will have to be apportioned. 1478. Is it not fact that when Mr .Pearse was sent to Melbourne in connection with the Metcalf agreement with a view of erecting silos, he found , owing to a delay in having the agreement signed that he was unable to proceed with the work as he desired, and that then you found other work for him to do— That is not correct.? 1479.He was sent over there in connection with silos?— Mainly. 1480 Then he was communicated with afterwards to look into other matters? — He was instructed before he went to the Sate as to what he was to inquire into. 1481. What amount has the Scheme paid altogether in travelling allowance?— The list is as follows— J. Sibbald, ,salary £1,000, travelling allowance £28 14ds. 6d., days absent 40½; F. C. Keys, salary £1,000, travelling allowance £25 19d days absent 24¾; G. L. Sutton, salary £750, paid by Agricultural Department, travelling allowance £42 4s 9d., days absent 51¾; T. S. J. Hall, salary £504, travelling allowance £23 2s days absent 22; A Berkeley, salary £384 travelling allowance £23 17s 9d days absent 22¾; R. S ,Child salary £320, travelling allowances £23 2s,days absent 22; A. F. Pearse (salary not quoted). travelling allowance £185 advanced days absent 126¾. all these allowances have been paid by the Scheme. 1383. Then the instruction contained on the file has not been put into effect?— .Pearse is only just back and he has not had it me to put in his expenses. 1484. But his salary has been paid all the time?— Yes. 1485. You started that payment had been made to the various agent for re-conditioning the wheat of the 1915. 16 harvest. That was work outside the agreement?— That was in the terms of the agreement as set 1482. The salaries, then have been paid by the Government ?— Only Mr . Sutton's; Mr . Pearse's salary I have not mentioned.

heat W,

Rate. charged up to the Wheat Scheme. We will, of course, keep separate account, and bulk storage merges into a general scheme of bulk handling, involving special financial arrangements, the necessary financial

rate, charged u

rate, charged up to the Wheat Scheme. We will , of course, keep separate account, and bulk storage merges into a general scheme of bulk handling involving financial arr

adjustments can be made.