Die Jovis, 25 Februarii 1830.

[13]

The Lord President in the Chair.

Henry Wood Esquire is called in, and examined as follows:

What Situation did you hold in Bengal?

When I came away I was Accountant General, President of the Bengal Bank, a Member of the Mint Committee, a Member of the Board for the Superintendence of the Improvement of the Cattle throughout India, and a Member of the Committee for the Improvement of the Town of Calcutta, and Government Agent for the Management of the Public Property.

During what Period did you hold the Situation of Accountant General?

From December 1822.

From the Date of Mr. Sherer's Departure?

Yes.

Down to what Period?

To January 1829.

You are aware that a very large Increase of Civil Charge took place in Bengal during that Period?

I beg to refer to the Report on the Table.

There was a very large Increase of Civil Charge?

There was an Increase. Every Detail is given in my Report.

Do you refer to the printed Paper?

I refer to my last Report. I can from that give the Detail of Amount.

Will you state the Increase of Civil Charge from the Time you took Possession of that Office down to the Time at which you left it?

I can state the Total under each Head. In the General Department for 1823 and 1824, the Amount was 1 Crore and 21 Lacs and 57,000 Rupees; (this is only for Bengal;) in 1826 and 1827, 1 Crore 73 Lacs and 71,000 Rupees.

Under what particular Heads had that Increase taken place?

The Durbar was 5 Lacs 40,000 Rupees in 1823-4, and in 1826-7, 10 Lacs and 42,000 Rupees.

State the Reasons for that Increase?

The Detail is very voluminous, and is stated in this Report of 1825-6, when compared with 1826-7.

What is that you have in your Hand?

My Annual Report, shewing the Dates of Increase in 1826-7, as compared with 1825-6, and with the Years 1826-7 and 1813-14.

Where would the Reasons for the Increase be found?

The Dates refer to the different Minutes of Council in which the Increases were authorized.

The Witness is directed to withdraw.

The Accounts referred to by the Witness are examined by their Lordships.

Ordered, That this Committee be adjourned 'till To-morrow, Two o'Clock.