4332. Can you tell the price at which you settled for your meal at last settlement?-I don't remember exactly, but there are men present who can tell that.
4333. Have you got any account of your last settlement?-I have an account, but, not knowing that it would be called for or required, it slipped past me.
4334. Were you not cited to bring all accounts, receipts, and pass-books?-Yes. I made a careful search for that account, but I could not find it. I have some accounts here, but I could never keep an exact account of how I stood with the shop, because I did not know the prices of the goods until the time came for settlement, or until I heard the prices from a neighbour who had been settled with. I then tried to enter the value of my goods, and to post up my account, before I appeared at the settlement; but when an unlearned man like me posts up his account in that way, he has but a poor chance.
4335. But don't you get an account of your dealings at the shop at the time when you are settled with?-We don't get a copy of our shop account.
4336. Do none of the men get a copy of their account at that time?-I cannot speak for others.
4337. Have you never had a pass-book?-No.
4338. Have you never asked for one?-Not so far as I remember.
4339. Then you have perfect reliance on the honesty of those who act for Mr. Bruce in his shop?-Not exactly. I mark down the articles myself which I receive, and I have compared that account with Mr. Bruce to see if the same articles were in his account when we settled. I could not until then, or until I had heard from a neighbour a day or two before what he had paid, enter the value of my articles; but I have compared the articles themselves with him, and found the accounts run pretty straight.
4340. You have some accounts relating to previous years with you? Let me see one of them as a specimen?-[Produces small note-book]
4341. Is this account made up by yourself?-It is account kept for my own satisfaction, to let me know whether there has been anything marked against me which I have not had.