PROBLEM FOR THE BRITISH TAX-PAYERS 11 



'tlio builder gets 10 per cent, commission, tlie quautity surveyor 2^, 

 and you 4 per cent., nuikint^ \\\h per cent, in all .'' ' 



"'Yes, sir,' ^Ir. Gougli repfied. 'I see the jioint, but I never 

 took that view before.' 



"MIow came you, as an architect and a man of position, to 

 pass an account of £8:3G i'or the opening ceremony, and issue your 

 certificate ? ' Mr. Robb asked. ' It is the usual thing.' 



" The Usual Thing. 



" ' Is it the usual thing to hoodwink tlie auditor ? ' 



" ' There was no hoodwinking.' 



" 'What possible means has tlie Local Government Board auditor 

 of going behind your certificate and ascertaining the real nature of 

 the transaction ? ' 'I see it now.' 



" ' If there wtro any hoodwinking of the Local Government 

 Board auditor, the Guardians were privy to it ? ' 'I suppose so.' 



"Another item referred to was hfLy-nine porcelain i)aths at £14 

 each, exclusive of profit, carriage and fixing. They were chosen by 

 a committee of the Guardians. 



"'Could you not get a suitable bath of enamel at £7?' Mr. 

 Robb asked. ' Yes, but enamel wears off.' 



" ' But doesn't porcelain split ? ' ' Not the best porcelain.' 



" ' And nothing but the best porcelain is suitable for the lucky 

 inhabitants of Hammersmith Workhouse ? ' Mr. Robb retorted. 

 ' You paid three times as much fur baths for the paupers as the 

 small liouseholder, the man who pays for the paupers, can afford to 

 spend on a bath for himself.' " 



Result of Waste 



The result of this cruel waste of public money is that in 

 spite of a reduction in the expenses of the Hammersmith 

 Borough Council of one penny in the pound, they have been 

 compelled to add fourjience in the pound to the rates, which 

 means a net loss oifivepencc in the pound to the rate-payers. 



Here is what a London paper said on the subject in ]\Iay, 

 1907— 



" Cost of Paupers' Palace " 



" The Hammersmith Borough Council has been compelled to add 

 fourpence in the pound to the rates, although the borough council's 

 expenses would justify a reduction of one penny in the pound. 



" The Council gives the following explanation in the notice to 

 ratepayers : — 



" Special attention is drawn to the fact that the large increase in 

 the rate of fourpence in the pound is due solely to the increased 

 requircnuaUs of the late board of guardians over which the borougli 

 council has no control. Tlie amount to be raised for that body is 

 £1G,500 more than ii,' the last half-year, representing a rate of over 



